Part 13 (1/2)

Susie leaned against a gla.s.s freezer door, talking on a cell phone.

”There she is,” I whispered. ”What are we going to say?”

”Not sure yet.”

”I don't want to disturb her. She may be on an important call.”

Suzie let out a loud giggle as she talked into the phone.

”Something tells me it's a personal call, not business.”

I paced back and forth. ”Now what?”

”Let me handle this.” Annie Mae grinned.

I raised an eyebrow. ”What are you going to do?”

”Watch and learn.” Annie Mae walked in front of Susie then collapsed to the floor. ”OOOOOWWW.”

My heart practically jumped out of my chest. I immediately dropped down on my knees next to Annie Mae. ”Are you hurt?”

She winked at me. ”Bait.”

Susie ran over to Annie Mae. ”Ma'am, are you okay?”

”Oh, my ankle. I think I may've twisted it when I tripped.”

Susie's face flushed as she knelt beside Annie Mae. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s strained against the seams of her tight dress. ”I'll call an ambulance.”

”No. No.” Annie Mae slowly sat up. She held her ankle in one hand and rubbed it. ”I'm sure that I can stand up just fine. It's feeling better already.”

Susie's eyes scanned the area. ”What did you trip on?”

”A wet spot...no, maybe a b.u.mp, but it could've been...” Annie Mae stopped midsentence, obviously trying to drum up an answer.

Susie narrowed her eyes. ”Hey. Weren't you two in here earlier? Yes. I remember you. You bought a plant, and...” She pointed at me. ”You asked a lot of questions.”

”OOOOOOWWW.” Annie Mae gave me a sideways glance. ”I may never walk again.”

”You just said you could stand up.” Susie stood and crossed her arms. ”Is this a scam? Because we have video cameras all over, and our insurance adjuster will know if this is fraud.”

Annie Mae motioned for me to grab her arm. ”Help me up.”

I pulled her until she was upright. She waved her hand. ”Let me try to walk on my own.”

Annie Mae wobbled a little, dragging her left foot. ”I can walk. It's a miracle.”

Susie examined us with eyes slit. ”You're Lucy's friends. Bert warned me about you two snooping around and bugging him.”

Annie Mae put her hand on my shoulder. ”Bert who?”

”Ladies, I think you should leave.” Susie pointed to the entrance.

”I love your lipstick. What brand and color is it?” Annie Mae asked Susie as I held her arm and guided her down an aisle. She dragged her right leg.

”Wrong foot.” I whispered to Annie Mae.

Annie Mae began limping on her left foot.

Susie followed us. ”That's it. I'm calling the police.”

”No need,” Annie Mae called back to Susie. ”I'm feeling great.”

Annie Mae looked at me. ”Let's scram.”

With that, we both jogged out the door.

”I forgot to get some bread. It smelled so good,” Annie Mae said as we climbed into the car.

We sat in the parking lot, both catching our breath.

”What now?” I asked.

”h.e.l.l if I know.” Annie Mae flipped down the pa.s.senger visor and opened the mirror. ”This detective stuff is putting color in my cheeks.”

”You do have a healthy glow to your cheeks.”

”And I didn't even put blush on today.”

Cynthia appeared and unlocked the door on the red VW Beetle next to Annie Mae's door.

”I've got an idea. Roll down your window,” I said to Annie Mae. ”Excuse me, Cynthia. Do you remember me? Teddy and Timmy's mom?”

A pop of gum, then a head turn toward us, and then a nod. ”Yeah, right. You were, like, just in the store.”

”Yes, we were.” I smiled.

”You don't happen to have a loaf of bread on you, do you?” Annie Mae asked Cynthia.

I nudged her in the side. ”Don't worry about that, Cynthia. I was just wondering if you could do me a favor. But it has to be our secret.” I put a finger to my lips.

”I can't know, either?” Annie Mae's voice rose.

”All of our secret,” I said.