And it sounds like that wasn’t necessarily the biggest eyebrow-raising event he was involved in.”
Carter took a bite and thought while he chewed. “I didn’t like him much. He was one of those guys who was always talking just a little louder than necessary. He’d walk right up in the middle of anyone’s conversation and just start talking over them until everyone else shut up and had to listen to him. And obviously, the situation with Liam’s girlfriend didn’t get him many fans.”
“But Ida Belle said he did well with the insurance sales.”
“Oh, he was a natural salesman. When he was in insurance mode, he could convince even the cheapest of people that they had to have insurance right then or their entire life was going to fall apart.”
“A bit dramatic, which stands to reason, I guess. Ida Belle and Gertie told me about his acting thing.”
Carter nodded. “The problem with people like Gil is he spent so much time in character that I think he forgot who he really was.”
None of us bothered with costumes that night. Nothing we put on could top the Headless Horseman and besides, we were all tired. Between the Mad Moped Dash, all the wine, and listening to Nora’s many drug-induced man conquests, we probably all needed to stay home and sleep. But come sundown, we were all back in the park, hitting up the corn dog vendor even though we’d all eaten at home. Even Ida Belle had indulged in a corn dog but balked when Gertie and I moved on to caramel corn.
“Too much sugar,” Ida Belle said and pointed a finger at Gertie. “You don’t need it and it will catch up with Fortune one day. There’s a reason I’m still in good shape.”
Gertie rolled her eyes. “If they were selling Ally’s cookies, you wouldn’t have that opinion.”
“That’s a completely different situation,” Ida Belle said and I laughed.
“So do you guys want to go do the maze?” I asked.
“I do!” Gertie said. “We’ve already had our headless guy at the festival this year so it ought to be safe.”
“That’s quite a disturbing and unfortunately accurate statement,” Ida Belle said.
We headed toward the maze, Gertie and I munching on our caramel corn, when suddenly Gertie stopped short and pointed to a barbecue stand about thirty feet away.
“Look, it’s Judith Trahan,” she said.
I looked over.
Midfifties. Five foot six. A hundred fifty pounds. A good bit of it muscle mass. This was a woman who spent a lot of her day doing manual labor. Given she was a farmer, probably also deadly with a shotgun and a thresher. Threat level low for me, high for crops and chickens.
We set off in her direction and she looked up as we approached and slipped her cell phone into her jeans pocket. Then she gave Gertie and Ida Belle a smile and me a curious look.
“Ladies,” she said. “It’s been a while.”
They both nodded.
“Have you met our friend Fortune yet?” Gertie asked.
Judith raised her brows and extended her hand. “The lady spook. I’ve heard about you but haven’t had the pleasure. How are you getting by in Sinful?”
“I really like it here,” I said.
“Not quite as fast-paced as CIA work, though,” Judith said.
“I don’t know,” I said. “It has its moments.”
She smiled. “We’re nothing here if not interesting.”
“Definitely,” I agreed.
“How have you been?” Ida Belle asked. “I assume all the rain this year did you some good.”
“It did,” Judith said. “My best crop to date, actually. I was finally able to get a new tractor. Not sure the old one would have made another year.”
“That’s great,” Ida Belle said. “I have to say, I’m surprised to see you here. Crowds aren’t usually your thing.”
“No, they’re not,” Judith said. “And that hasn’t changed one bit. But Marie called me up and asked if I’d make some of my chocolate pies for the children’s charity auction. Between the kids benefiting and Marie asking, I couldn’t say no. So I was just dropping off my contributions.”
“Your chocolate pies will bring top dollar,” Gertie said. “Marie was smart to hit you up.”
Judith looked pleased with the compliment. “Thank you. I still can’t bake a casserole I’d put up against yours, but the chocolate pies and I seem to get along.”
“I hate to bring up sad things,” Gertie said, “but I wanted to say how sorry we are about Gil. His death was a shock. I know you guys have been friends since you were kids.”