4 You Say Tomahto and I Say You’re Dead Page 3

  "Nothing, if you're seven. A lot if you're seventeen."

  "I like Pez. Leave me alone."

  Spaz snorted. They heard her. She'd had enough. "I'm coming in." She stepped forward.

  Pone said out loud, "No. Stay put."

  Spaz calmly walked up beside him and bumped shoulders.

  Kayla blabbed on about the company. She looked up and saw Spaz. "Who are you?"

  Spaz smiled. "Eve Daniels. Remember, nice shoes?. Sorry I disappeared, I was in the bathroom."

  Kayla shook her hand. "Uh, right. Well, as I was saying. . ."

  Cash moved to the door. He looked out and saw movement in an upper office. "Holy cow." Cash stood to the side. Spaz turned.

  "What cow?"

  "Look up there. It's Mrs. H. What is she doing here, I wonder?"

  Kayla slid between them. "Who? Oh, Mrs Hunnicut. Well, she owns this place."

  Cash sucked in a breath. "No bull?"

  Kayla grinned. "No bull, no cow, no calf-I wouldn't steer you wrong! Ha-ha. God I'm funny!"

  Cash groaned and turned away.

  Pone popped a Pez and said nothing.

  Shroom whispered in Spa's ear. "She's an idiot."

  Spaz smiled. "She's just like Bean."

  "I rest my case."

  "Shut up and listen."

  Pone interrupted. "So, do you mind showing us around?"

  Kayla grinned. "Well, I would, but as you can see, I'm very busy."

  Shroom smiled. "I can see that, wow! You like, do everything here, eh? Like that phone call. A girl parties too hard and quits and the mom, like won't leave you alone."

  "That's the problem. Rose Phillips didn't party. She really didn't do anything. She just worked here part time and studied for school."

  "Boor-ing!"

  "Yeah. That's why it's so weird. She dropped off the face of the earth. I wasn't here that day she took off. Frankie-the-Fourth and his mother, Sylvia, were here. I swear, they didn't do anything that day!" Kayla shuffled papers on her desk.

  Pone, Shroom, and Spaz raised their brows. Another clue. Cash still stared out the window. Pone poked him in the side and he spun around. "What?"

  Pone said to Kayla, "How 'bout if Cash shows us the ropes? That way we won't take up any more of your time. We can always ask Tank what's up too."

  Kayla fell for it. "Sure. That would be great." She pointed at Spaz and Shroom. "You will be working in packing with Tank anyway. Drop them there." She looked at Cash. "You and your friend Mike will be loading trucks. It's no-brainer work, but you already know that. And Eve? Report back to this office. I'll brief you on the farmer's market."

  Cash sighed. "Okay, got it." He turned to the group. "Well then everyone, let's go." He winked and hitched his head at the door.

  Chapter 6

  They trailed out of the office and into the growing room. "See? They grow the tomatoes without soil."

  Shroom scratched his head. "No bull?"

  Cash looked at him. "Don't start."

  Shroom grinned large.

  One of the workers showed them how the roots hung in a contained area. A light mist was sprayed on the roots. The mist contained all the important vitamins and minerals the plant needed to grow top quality tomatoes. The kids couldn't believe the number of tomatoes on each plant.

  Shroom blew out a breath. "Whoa! Look at that. No weeding, no dirt, big 'maters. . . how come we can't do that at The Olive Branch, man?"

  Cash rubbed his index finger against his thumb. "Mucho dinero, my friend. It takes lots of money to set up and run a big place like this."

  "Oh. You mean like Hunnicut money."

  "Yup. Come on, let's look around some more. Thanks, Larry. See you later."

  The worker nodded his head and went back to his job. They passed through a large open door into a huge warehouse. Cash talked loudly to be heard over the machinery. "After the picking and packing, they come here and wait to be loaded onto trucks."

  He leaned in close. The all huddled. "Here. I grabbed some hard hats off the shelf. Snoop around and make it look like you belong here. Look at your watch. In an hour, get to the front, and we'll meet at the station wagon. Okay?" They all nodded. "Make sure your microphones are turned on. Ready? Let's go!"

  They all grabbed a hard hat. Spaz picked up a clipboard. She pointed to a shelf with safety glasses, bar coders, labels, some four-pack plastic tomato containers, and tape. Each person grabbed supplies and took off in a different direction.

  Cash went back through the door and grabbed a lab coat off a wall hook. He passed a mirror and stopped. "Hard hat, safety glasses, lab coat, clipboard. You look official, Cash, now let's go see what old Sylvia is up to."

  He slipped through the entrance. He was back in front by the offices. Pretending to take notes, he climbed the stairs and flatted himself against the wall. Peeking around the doorjamb, he watched Sylvia pound on the computer keyboard. A large garbage can stood outside her door. He moved around it and inside the office. Cash could smell the booze coming from the almost-empty glass on her right. He stepped closer, trying to read what she was typing. He crept closer still and could make out the words. "Franklin-The dumpsters are full. Call the company and have them replaced before tomorrow."

  Cash took a step back. Silvia drained her glass and stuck her arm out behind her. "I know you're back there, you sniveling little twerp." God I hate servants. "Fill my glass and toss that can in the dumpster. Now!" The phone rang and she turned away to pick it up.

  Cash stood frozen for a second and snatched the glass out of her hand. He was out the door with the glass before she could turn around and see him. He grabbed the garbage can. He stuffed the glass in the can. Flying down the stairs, he hit the front door running. He didn't stop running until he reached the dumpster area. Chest heaving, he looked both ways and around the corner. He wanted to make sure he was alone. The lock on the gate was open. Cash swung the gate wide and slipped inside. Four huge dumpster stood side-by-side. Two were marked "Organic Material." One was marked "Recycle," and one, "Trash."

  Cash looked inside the garbage can. Shredded paper, cups, and food containers. There was something colorful near the bottom. He dug down and pulled out a cloth bag. It was full.

  Cash yanked it out of the can. He dumped the cloth bag upside down. Everything in it hit the ground at his feet. Cash stumbled back. Next to his tennis shoes was a red tank top, a blue tee shirt, two pairs of blue jeans, sandals, and Sketcher tennis shoes. Horror lit his face. Cash backed against the fence. He slid to the ground and buried his head in his hands.

  Chapter 7

  The red and blue flashing lights lit the night sky. The kids huddled near a squad car. EMTs loaded the body of a girl into an ambulance. Pone looked up at his dad. "Do they know which girl was in the dumpster?"

  Detective "Big Mike" Williams signed off on paperwork. He handed it to another cop. "No, son. They can't say for sure who it is yet."

  Pone stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I bet it's Becky Montgomery."

  Shroom cocked his head. "And how would you know that when 5-Oh don't know?"

  "You forget, man. I saw the other dead girl in the compost pile by Hunnicut's green house. Up close and personal. Bean saw her too."

  Cash lifted his head. He looked up from where he sat next to the squad. "That doesn't mean it's her. Heck, what if it's someone we don't even know about yet?"

  Pone crossed his arms. "I know it's her, that's all."

  Spaz took off her lab coat and handed it to a worker from I Say Tomato, You Say Tomahto. "How do you know for sure the girl in the compost was Rose? It could have been Becky."

  Pone shot her a look. Spaz shrugged her shoulders. She lifted her hands palm up. "I'm just sayin'."

  Shroom sniffed and put his nose n the air. "You gonna find out that dead momma is Rose Phillips, man. I'm telling you."

  Big Mike shoved his hands in his pockets. "Come on, guys, let's break it up. We'll let the boys downtown do their jobs and we," he looked at each
kid, "can call it a night. Right?"

  They all nodded. Spaz looked at her watch. "I gotta go. I have one-on-one counseling with Dr. Browning in an hour."

  Pone looked at her. "Why? Tonight's not your night."

  Spaz shrugged. "I know. She just gave me the stink eye and told me we were meeting tonight. I get the feeling she doesn't trust me. I was gonna work on center pieces tonight."

  Shroom scratched his head. "Yeah, me and Pone got greenhouse duty tonight. We have that flower show next week, remember?" They all nodded, less than pleased.

  Pone set his ball cap sideways on his head. "Do you think Ollie is punishing us for breaking into the Hunnicut estate? Maybe she blames us for Bean getting shot."

  Cash stood and brushed off his jeans. "Speaking of Bean, I have the night off, so I'll stop by the hospital and give him the low-down."

  "Yo rich boy, how'd you get the night off, man? Did you use your get out of jail free card?"

  "You are so frickin' lame, Shroom. I worked late last night. I got up early this morning and finished so I could have tonight off. What were you doing, dickhead?"

  Shroom kicked the dirt. "Uh, Sleeping?"

  Cash turned to leave. "Yuh. I know. Have fun tonight. You're working on lilies and hosta tonight."

  Shroom rolled his eyes. He sighed. "Damn. Girl flowers. I hate girl flowers"

  Cash grinned. "Like I said, have a good time, Pansy." Shroom scowled. Cash jumped into Shroom's mom's station wagon and revved the engine. He looked right at Shroom. He slowly slid his Trons onto his nose. Shroom's eyes grew wide. "Hey, where'd you get those sunglasses? Those are mine, man!"

  Cash lowered the window. He grinned large. "Really?" He put the car in gear. "Really?"

  Shroom made for the station wagon's door. Cash laid rubber and burned ten feet of pavement on his way out of the parking lot.

  "Hey you! Car thief, bring back my mom's wheels!"

  Hearing the laughter behind him, Shroom spun and glared at Pone, Spaz, and Big Mike.

  Spaz and Pone scrambled into the back seat of Big Mike's squad.

  "Dang." Shroom grabbed the ball cap off his head. He smacked it against his leg. Kicking a rock on the ground, he dragged his feet over to the squad. He climbed into the front seat.

  Spaz laughed. Pone slapped his hand on the metal screen in front of him. Shroom shrugged his shoulders. "Leave me alone, man. Just shut up for once, would you?"

  Spaz buckled her seatbelt. "Hey Pone, notice how the Shroomster gets all in your face just because he's a loser?" She slapped the screen. "Hey Mr. Crab-ass. Your boyz are gonna think you're snitchin' them out 'cuz you're in the front seat of a police car. You better hide, man!"

  Shroom ducked down below the dashboard. Big Mike opened his door and climbed in. He looked at Shroom crammed on the floor. "What up, little man? Afraid your friends will see you?" He laughed and started the car.

  Shroom looked up from the passenger side floor. He smiled and shrugged. "You may be cool, Pone Daddy, but you still 5-Oh. I'll just stay here 'til we get to Ollie's place. Dat aw-ite wit choo?"

  Big Mike grinned. "Dat's okay wit me. But I was going to stop at Mickey D's on the way back to the Olive Branch. How is that going to work for you?"

  Shroom looked up and smiled. "Just toss the Shroom a Mac-Daddy and a Coke, and I may even sit up there with you, Detective Williams."

  Big Mike lifted an eyebrow. "What happened to Pone Daddy?"

  Shroom shifted in the seat and buckled his seatbelt. He cranked his ball cap backward. He smiled large. "Pone Daddy never bought me no Big Mac."

  The laughter in the car was so loud it could be heard on the streets.

  Chapter 8

  Cash sat quietly next to Bean's bed. He thought Bean's skin looked as white as the sheet covering him. He listened to the quiet beep of the machine hooked up to the I.V. His hands flipped through the Gamer and PC Gamer magazines in his lap. What the heck am I doing here? I feel like an idiot. All these guys think I'm a loser. Hah. Maybe because you are, Cash.

  Bean stirred. Cash quit talking to himself—almost.

  Oh crap. Bean's waking up. Maybe I can get out the door before he sees me. Cash stood and turned toward the door.

  A groggy voice sounded behind Cash. "Huh? Cash? Is that you?"

  Cash turned red and pasted a smile on his face. "Uh, yeah, Bean. Uh, I was passing by, uh, I mean, I thought you would like, uh, crap. Here. I brought you a couple mags. I thought maybe you could learn a little now that you got, uh, some er, time on your hands."

  Cash gave Bean the gaming magazines. Bean looked up. "Oh my God, thanks. Maybe now I won't look like so much of a loser in front of those other guys."

  Relief poured off Cash. He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I figured I coulda brought you a Wall Street Journal, or whatever it is you smart guys read, but I thought maybe this would be more practical."

  Bean almost laughed. Then it hit him that Cash wasn't kidding. "Thanks Cash, that's straight up. I won't beat Pone in this lifetime, but at least I'll know what the heck he's talking about!"

  "Yeah." Cash pulled up a chair. "I stopped 'cuz I wanted to give you an update."

  "Did they find the girl?"

  "Uh, not exactly. They found a girl, but it looks like it's a girl named Becky Montgomery. Her and a girl called Rose Phillips were missing, and I think they found Becky in a dumpster out at You Say Tomahto."

  Bean looked down at the magazine in his hand. "And this Rose Phillips? Do they think she's the one Pone and I saw in the compost pile?"

  "Yeah, they matched the clothing and stuff to the girl at the tomato farm, and the mother is coming to identify her. They don't know for sure yet." Cash wiped a hand over his face. "Sorry, man, I can't help it. Don't tell no one about this." He leaned over Bean and grabbed his hospital gown. "I mean it Bean, swear."

  Bean brushed his hand away. "Okay, okay, let me go. I won't tell anyone. What's up with you? You know the dead girl or something?"

  Cash stood stiff as a board. "How do you know that? Who told you, man? I didn't tell anyone!"

  "It's how you acted. I could tell. Why? Who is she?"

  "She went to school with me and Val. She's known as a party girl, but not a skank wad. Did a little powder now and then, but nothin' big."

  Bean thought a bit. "Ya know? I've been thinking about a lot of stuff since I've been in here. We have been following clues that keep leading us back to the Hunnicuts."

  "Franklin Hunnicut."

  "Yeah, Franklin Hunnicut. What if we are only looking at the surface, and not the whole picture? What if it's not Frankie? What if Pone's dad is right? Are we so sure it's Frankie we are missing an important clue? After all, Big Mike has been a cop for over 20 years, and we have been cops for about 20 minutes."

  "So you're thinking—"

  "I'm thinking we better call everyone together and come up with a new program."

  "Okay. The rest of them have stuff tonight, so we can't—"

  "Yes you can. Just sneak in after hours-and don't forget the pizza."

  "But the rules say—"

  "Why are you at The Olive Branch if you follow all the rules, dumbass?"

  "Oh, right. Well, okay. I'll get Pone, Shroom, and Spaz. We'll meet here around 9:15 tonight." Cash turned to go.

  "Hey Cash?"

  "Wassup?"

  "I like pepperoni."

  Cash smiled. "Right, Bean-o. Pepperoni it is."

  Gale Borger is the author of the hilarious Miller Sisters Mysteries, Totally Buzzed and Totally Fishy. Her short story, Totally Decked, delighted readers Christmas season, 2010. Gale is published by Echelon Press.

  The Olive Branch Mystery series began with Part #1, Death of a Garden Hoe. This was the first installment of six eBooks designed to encourage reluctant readers to "dig in" and read. Part #2, Digging up Dirt, is followed by Kill me Over the Garden Gate, You Say Tomahto, and I Say You're Dead, Hosta la Vista, Baby!, and Everything's Coming up Roses.

  Gale has a Bachelor's deg
ree in Criminal Justice Administration, and a Master's Degree in Education. She lives in Southeastern Wisconsin with her husband Bob, their sometimes-seen college student (dragging a trombone and her dirty laundry behind her), two dogs, two cats, about 1,000 tropical fish, a Pac-man frog, two turtles, and more flowers in her yard than grass.

  Visit Gale at http://galeborgerbooks.com