“I didn’t know him. At all. I was curious about him. I’d never heard of him or his farm, and I just needed to see it for myself.”
Gellie cocked her head and squinted. “Or you’re the killer coming to hide or plant evidence or some such nonsense.”
I took another bite. “I suppose that’s a possibility, but you don’t seem scared. You’d be more scared if you thought that was true.”
Gellie looked at me even harder. “Nah, I don’t need to be scared. I’ve got Batman.”
I didn’t want to because it would only break the banter, but I couldn’t help it; I laughed. So did Gellie.
“You’re just a curious person, I imagine,” she said a moment later.
“That is true.”
“All right then, ask me whatever you want to ask me. I don’t know much, but I know a little about Mr. Stuckey.”
“You said he had money. How?” I asked.
“Family money, but not from farming. This was just his hobby. He came from somewhere in Georgia originally. His family was in textiles, or some such thing, and I heard talk of politics.”
“Politics? How?”
“Don’t know the particulars, but it wasn’t big politics—not governor, senator, or anything like that. Something smaller, but I’m not sure. He talked about it once and mentioned a different last name. I can’t remember what the heck it was but it didn’t sound familiar. I was only half listening. I’m not much into all that silliness, anyway. If I remember it, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks. So, what about Reggie, though? No wife? Girlfriend? Ex-wife?”
“Not that I know of. I’ve got one of those exes myself. I talked to Reggie about him one day, but he didn’t join in or offer anything about his own status. Just looked sad and stayed silent. I didn’t know if he was sad because he’d never had one, or he’d had a bad one, or he still had someone somewhere that was making him miserable. I didn’t ask.”
“I’ve got two ex-husbands,” I said. “It does seem like he would tell you if he had one or two or more. Sharing ex stories can be both therapeutic and bonding.”
“Two? You’ve been busy for such a young lady.”
I laughed again. “Not so young, but yes, I’ve made some unfortunate choices. I think I’m finally on track, though.”
“Getting married for a third time?”
“Maybe.” I paused and my eyes opened wide. A shot of adrenaline rattled my entire system. Was I really thinking about the idea of marriage? For a third time? Who does that? I took an extra-big bite of the second muffin to hide my panic and to keep my mouth from either groaning or saying words I’d later regret.
Gellie laughed again. “You’re a funny little lady,” she said. “I could see everything that just ran through your mind. You probably shouldn’t play poker for much more of anything than popcorn. You’ve got no poker face.”
She poured more tea into the pretty teacup, and I smiled around the bite of muffin.
“Do you know much about the people who work for Reggie? Who did you say—Patricia and Joel?” I asked after I swallowed authoritatively and then cleared my throat.
“A married couple. I’m not even sure if Reggie paid them legally. Maybe just with cash. I think I heard that they helped him out years ago and he was glad to have them back this year. I can’t remember how long ago the original time was, but I’d be happy to introduce you to them.”
“Did the police ask you about them?”
“Yes, but I couldn’t tell them more than I told you. I think they all met.”
“What about competition?”
“Reggie’s? He didn’t have any.”
“Sure he did. The Ridgeway Farm, for example.”
“No, what I’m saying is that Reggie didn’t care enough to compete. He wasn’t in this for the money, Becca. It was his fun. He sold some trees, but he did this for fun.” She stood and turned toward the tray of muffins. “I’ll tell you something you’re going to find pretty interesting, though.” She paused speaking to reload the serving plate. She was very formal about the steps it took for a muffin to get from point A to my plate. I’d probably limit myself to just one more.
“Okay.”
“That name—Ridgeway—he said that name a couple times, said it as though he was just talking to himself.”
“I don’t understand,” I said.
Gellie shrugged. “You’re saying there’s a Ridgeway Christmas tree farm. I’ve never heard of it.”
“Really? It’s famous.”