Carolyn Ridder Aspenson [Aspenson - Realtor Rub Out

Its practically impossible to be a realtor these days. The competition is fierce, but the dead bodies, those really take a toll on potential sales; at least the dead bodies associated with mine and my best friends firm, Bramblett County Realty.

That best friend and business partner, Belle Pyott, sobbed in my arms. She was justjust lying there. I tried CPR, but shesheit didnt help.

I patted her back. I know. Im sorry, Belle.

She sniffled as my fianc and the county sheriff, Dylan Roberts, approached.

Hey, hows she doing?

I struggled to remove Belles arms from their death grip around my neck. Honey, you have to let go. Youre choking me.

She dropped her arms and wiped her nose with a tissue Dylan handed her. I cant believe this happened. I mean, it should have happened to you, not me. She blubbered loudly. You know what I mean. I just dont have the stomach for this stuff.

Dylan and I shared a glance, and I mouthed, Is Matthew coming?

Matthew was a deputy sheriff under Dylan, as well as his friend, and he also happened to be Belles boyfriend. I hoped his arrival would calm her. Id never seen her so out of sorts, but I understood why. I wasnt an expert on finding dead bodies, but Id experienced it more times than I wanted to admit, and it never got any easier.

Hes on his way.

Belle cried hearing that. Dylan raised an eyebrow and whispered in my ear, I think shes in shock. He crooked his finger as he whistled to the paramedic. Need some help over here.

The best volunteer paramedic in town, and a special friend to both Belle and I, Billy Ray Brownlee, sauntered over, a fresh sweet iced tea and a Band-Aid in hand. Billy Ray always gave his patients sweet tea and a Band-Aid, and most of the time, that did the trick.

Except not with Belle, not that time.

Oh, youre sweet Billy, but I cant. Im sick to my stomach.

Itll help you dumplin, its good for that, he said.

Actually, the sugary, caffeinated drink was probably one of the last things she needed, but I wasnt going to burst Billy Rays bubble or take away the thing hed felt valuable for years. His heart was in the right place, and it wasnt about the actual drink anyway. It was the love he put into it that mattered.

Dylan handed me a Georgia drivers license. The victims name is Carole Craddock. You know her?

I shook my head. Not personally, but shed emailed me recently about showing the property today, so I figured it was her. I gave him the license back. What happened to her?

He rubbed his chin, and I admired the slight five oclock shadow beginning to show itself, even though it was only eleven oclock in the morning. No visible wounds, nothing showing she tried to defend herself. The blood around her mouth suggests poisoning, but well have to see what the autopsy shows.

Matthew walked in, quickly examined the scene and then headed straight to Belle, who started bawling in his arms all over again. He stepped outside with her.

Why would someone poison her and how would they? I thought most poisonings were instant.

Depends. Some take days or even months if the vic is given small amounts over time. Others can kill within minutes.

Belle said she had a chocolate chip cookie in her hand when she found her, and no, we didnt touch anything, but do you think it could be that?

He shrugged. I dont know. Weve got it bagged as evidence with the rest of the batch from the kitchen. Well send it off today. If I put a rush on it, Ill probably know tomorrow or the day after at the latest. He rubbed my shoulder.

I cant believe this happened. Again. I wasnt feeling sorry for myself, though Dylan must have assumed that. My angst was for poor Carole Craddock whod died with a cookie in her hand and her entire life ahead of her.

Its not your fault, he said.

Of course its not my fault. I know that. Im upset because someone is dead, and she didnt deserve to die. Nobody deserves to die.

Looks like someone feels differently about that.

I stared up at my fianc. We ask our clients to bake cookies before showings, or to at least leave them out. They could have done this. I hated to think that, but it was a possibility.

Weve already been in contact with them. They didnt know the place was being shown until they got the call from the realtor, and that was thirty minutes before she was scheduled to show up with her clients. Who, by the way, are MIA. The Studebakers though, assured me they didnt leave any cookies.

So, whoever did this came and left the cookies after the owners left and before the agent arrived? Thats cutting it close.

He nodded. Very close, but we dont know for sure if she got the cookies here, if she brought them herself, or if the cookie in her hand is what poisoned her in the first place. We dont have much of anything yet, but we will.

* * *

I showed up at Belles place with a quart of cookies and cream ice cream and a bag of Oreos, my Boxer mix, Bo at my side. Are you okay? Bos tailed wagged back and forth, smacking me on the side of my knee in a distinct pattern. I would end up with a slight bruise there for sure.

Im better, she said though her nose was stuffy and her eyes puffy and red.

I held out the sugary treats. Girls night?

You brought cookies and cream ice cream and Oreos? Is that supposed to be funny?

I stared at the bag in my hand. Oh. I hadnt even thought about that. I just thought my best friend needed some comfort food.

Bless your heart for thinking of me. She grabbed two spoons from the utensil drawer and scooted into her family room, her footie slippers made a swiping sound on the hardwood floor. Im glad someones come to sit with me. Im sure Matthews too busy to come by, what with having a murder to solve and all.

Dylan said the scenes cleaned up already. Unfortunately, our listing is on hold for the time being, and the client is going to have to stay in a hotel, but it could be worse.

Really? How?

Nothing was taken, and we dont have to solve some cold case to get a valuable family heirloom back? Id jokingly referenced a recent situation involving another listing of ours, but the effort didnt cheer her up, and it occurred to me it was probably in poor taste. Im sorry, that wasnt helpful. Id hit two for two in the tactless department, and I hadnt even been there five minutes.

She stuffed a spoonful of ice cream straight from the carton into her mouth. I appreciate the effort. She finished the scoop and leaned her head back on the couch. How do you do it?

Do what?

Not see the image over and over again in your head. I keep seeing that poor woman lying there, that half eaten cookie in her hand, and the foamy blood on the corner of her mouth.

Youve been through this before, and you handled it better than anyone thought you would.