It's Murder at the Buy-Right

22

Iggi and Vern were the second people Daisy Ann called. Several county sheriffs' department cars were parked in front of the grocery store. The ambulance siren screamed as they transported the injured man to the hospital.

Deke was holding on, the crew said.

Just barely.

A crowd was milling around in front of the store. Old men in faded overhauls and Dickies. Delivery men stood by their trucks, talking in low tones.

"Who would want to do this?" Iggi asked.

"I don't know," said Daisy Ann, "but if I ever get my hands on them, they'll rue the day they were born. I'm gonna find out who did this and wring their necks! I mean it!"

"Now, wait a minute," Vern said. "We need to let the sheriff's department do their job. Keep our noses out of the investigation."

"I'll stick my nose wherever I wish," Daisy Ann said. "You just keep your flat fanny out of my business, and stop telling me what to do. This is Deke we're talking about. He's not just my boss, he's a dear friend."

Daisy Ann began crying.

"You can bet the farm I'm going to find out why, and I don't give a flyin' flip what you or anybody else says," she said through her tears.

"Daisy Ann!"

Iggi had never heard her sister talk to Vern in such a tone.

"It's alright," Vern said. "She's upset."

"I'm sorry, Vern," Daisy Ann said, and suddenly broke down in tears.

"You take her home," Vern said. "I'll stay here for awhile. If I learn anything, I'll let you two know."

Daisy Ann stumbled as she stepped down from the curb. Her shoe kicked a small, round empty processed meat can.

"Look at this place! Going to Hades in a hot minute! Litter in the parking lot!" Daisy Ann said a bit too loudly. "The next thing you know, kudzu will be taking over the building, and everything Deke worked so hard for will be gone!"

"Come on, Daisy Ann," Iggi said softly. "Let's get home."

"But the place is falling down around us!"

"Oh, it is not. You're just upset. Come on. Let's go home."

Vern mouthed 'take care of her. Love you.'

Iggi got Daisy Ann loaded into her SUV and started toward her sister's house.

"Who could have done this?" Daisy Ann said. "Who?"

Iggi concentrated on driving.

Daisy Ann cried for a few minutes more.

"If Deke dies, I'm out of a job, Ig," she said flatly.

"Don't say things like, Daisy Ann. Deke's as tough as nails. He'll pull through."

"But what if he doesn't."

"Obsessing on what ifs will only give you hypertension and ulcers, Sis. Cross that bridge when you come to it. In the meantime, try not to think about it. That's in bigger hands than ours, you know. You and I just have to pray that Deke will pull through, and he'll be okay. Send good thoughts his way. Lord knows, he needs them."

Daisy Ann said nothing. 

For the first time in her life, she didn't feel like doing anything at all.