Tall Tail Read online

  Tall Tail is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2016 by American Artists, Inc.

  Illustrations copyright © 2016 by Michael Gellatly

  All rights reserved.

  Published in the United States by Bantam Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.

  BANTAM BOOKS and the HOUSE colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Brown, Rita Mae, author. | Brown, Sneaky Pie, author. |

  Gellatly, Michael, illustrator.

  Title: Tall tail : a Mrs. Murphy mystery / Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown ; illustrated by Michael Gellatly.

  Description: First edition. | New York : Bantam Books, [2016]

  Identifiers: LCCN 2015045502 (print) | LCCN 2015047670 (ebook) | ISBN 9780553392463 (alk. paper) | ISBN 9780553392470 (ebook)

  Subjects: LCSH: Haristeen, Harry (Fictitious character)—Fiction. | Murphy, Mrs. (Fictitious character)—Fiction. | Women detectives—Virginia—Fiction. | Women cat owners—Fiction. | Cats—Fiction. | BISAC: FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths. | FICTION / Humorous. | FICTION / Suspense. | GSAFD: Mystery fiction.

  Classification: LCC PS3552.R698 T36 2016 (print) | LCC PS3552.R698 (ebook) |

  DDC 813/.54—dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/​2015045502

  ebook ISBN 9780553392470

  Cover design: Beverly Leung

  Cover illustration: Beverly Leung; © Shutterstock/eva_mask (cat outline and sky), Sarawut Chamsaeng (tree)

  randomhousebooks.com

  v4.1

  ep

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright

  The Cast of Characters

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Afterword

  Dedication

  Books by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown

  About the Authors

  The Cast of Characters

  The Present

  Mary Minor Haristeen, “Harry”—A Smith graduate in art history, she wound up back in Crozet, Virginia, where she runs the family farm. Her two cats and dog are her constant companions.

  Pharamond Haristeen, DVM, “Fair”—Harry’s husband is an equine vet specializing in reproduction. He has long ago given up keeping up with his wife. She sometimes mystifies him, but he loves her.

  Susan Tucker—Harry’s friend from cradle days. They tease, bicker, and prod each other along. They are good at handling each other.

  Ned Tucker—Susan’s husband, a lawyer, is now a representative in the House of Delegates.

  Governor Samuel Holloway—a World War II naval hero, the former governor, Susan’s maternal grandfather, at ninety-six is dying of leukemia. His mind is razor sharp.

  Penny Holloway—the governor’s wife, Susan’s grandmother, struggles to keep everything and everyone on an even keel. She is mostly successful. Like her granddaughter, she is a good golfer.

  Millicent Grimstead—Susan’s mother, who spends much of her time now at her parents’ estate, Big Rawly, to help with her father.

  Edward Holloway Cunningham—Susan’s cousin is a state senator with a big following. He is now running for a Senate seat in Washington, feeling Richmond is too small for him. He rides on his grandfather’s coattails.

  Mignon Skipwith—A young writer and researcher, she works with the governor as he writes his autobiography. She is discreet and reliable.

  Barbara Leader—A home nurse, Barbara tends to the governor, jollies him along, and gives him his meds as well as restorative bourbon. She was a class behind Harry and Susan at Crozet High. They weren’t close, but they all like one another.

  The Eighteenth Century

  Catherine Schuyler—at twenty, intelligent, levelheaded, and impossibly beautiful, she is learning from her brilliant father about business. She already has a reputation as a leading horsewoman.

  John Schuyler—A former major in the Revolutionary War, only a few years older than his smashing wife, he is powerfully built and works hard. As he is from Massachusetts he can miss some of the undercurrents of Virginia society.

  Rachel West—Two years younger than her sister, Catherine, she, too, is beautiful but her beauty is softer, sweeter. She’s easy to please, ready to help, and possessed of deep moral conviction.

  Charles West—Captured by John Schuyler at the Battle of Saratoga, the then nineteen-year-old marched all the way to The Barracks prisoner-of-war camp outside Charlottesville. The second son of a baron in England, he had the good sense to stay in America. Like John, he is dazzled by his wife and knows how lucky he is.

  Karl Ix—A Hessian also captured. He and Charles become friends in the camp and continue working together after the war.

  Francisco Selisse—A man of middle years, he made a pot of money, first through marriage and then from his own efforts. Aesthetically attuned, ruthless in business, and hard on his slaves, he is not well liked.

  Maureen Selisse—The daughter of a Caribbean banker, she was a great catch for Francisco. Keenly aware of her social position, she is also accustomed to getting her way. While the love has faded for Francisco, she hates that he carries on with a beautiful slave, making little attempt to hide it.

  Hiram Meisner—The county constable responsible for catching criminals and runaway slaves. He’s not a bad fellow, and does his job without much enthusiasm.

  Dennis McComb—As Hiram’s assistant, he evidences more enthusiasm. Not bright, he sees the world in black and white.

  Ewing Garth, the father of Catherine and Rachel, is a loving man, brilliant in business. He is a creature of his time, but one who can learn. He helped finance the war and hopes the new nation can hold together. A widower, he misses his wife, a true partner.

  Bartholomew Graves, an Irishman, was an artillery officer for the British in the war. He, too, was at The Barracks. He escaped to build a new life.

  Mary Graves, younger than her husband, is sensible, well-built, adoring, and keeps a happy home for the veteran. They are well suited to each other.

  The Slaves: Big Rawly

  Aileen (Ailee) has cat’s eyes, a voluptuous body, and a joy for life. She loves Moses. Francisco lusts after her, forces himself on her, and beats her if necessary. She avoids him as best she can and refuses to let him dampen her joys.

  Moses Durkin works in the stable with his father. His love for Ailee is all-consuming. He wants to protect her, but how
?

  Sheba is Maureen Selisse’s lady-in-waiting. Really, she’s Maureen’s right hand and she enjoys the power. She’ll destroy anyone who stands in her way.

  DoRe Durkin, Moses’s father, limps from an old fall from a horse. He’s worried about Moses, who he fears will do something very foolish.

  The Slaves: Cloverfields

  Bettina is a cook of fabulous abilities. She’s the head woman of the slaves, thanks to her fame, her wisdom, and her wondrous warmth. She also has a beautiful voice. Bettina’s view: “I could be a queen in Africa, but I’m not in Africa. I’m here.” She made a vow to Isabelle, Ewing’s wife, as she died. Bettina vowed to take care of Catherine and Rachel. She has kept her pledge.

  Serena is young, learning from Bettina both in the kitchen and out. She has uncommon good sense and will, in the future, wield power among her people.

  Jeddie Rice is eighteen, a natural with horses. He loves them. He’s been riding, working, and studying bloodlines with Catherine since they were children. Like Serena, Jeddie has all the qualities of someone who will rise, difficult though the world they live in is.

  Tulli—A little fellow at the stables who tries hard to learn.

  Ralston—Fifteen and thin, he, too, is at the stables. He works hard.

  Father Gabe is old, calm, watchful. He accepts Christianity but practices the old religion. Many believe he can conjure spirits. No matter if he can or can’t, he is a healer.

  Roger is Ewing’s house butler, the most powerful position a male slave can have. He has a sure touch with people, black or white.

  Weymouth, Roger’s son, is in his middle twenties. The hope is he will inherit his father’s position someday, but for now he’s fine with being second banana. He’s a good barber and in truth not very ambitious.

  Barker O., powerful, quiet, he drives the majestic coach-in-four. He’s known throughout Virginia for his ability.

  Bumbee fights with her husband. Finally she moves into the weaving cabin to get away from him and to comfort a lost soul.

  Ruth has a two-year-old and a new baby. How she loves any baby, kitten, puppy, and she gets to show this love to save a little life.

  The Animals

  Mrs. Murphy, Harry’s tiger cat, knows she has more brains than her human. She used to try to keep Harry out of trouble. She gave up, knowing all she can do is extricate her human once she’s in another mess.

  Pewter, a fat gray cat, believes the world began when she entered it. What a diva. But the Queen of All She Surveys does come through in a pinch, although you’ll never hear the end of it.

  Tee Tucker was bred by Susan Tucker. A tough, resourceful corgi, she knows she has to protect Harry, work with the levelheaded Mrs. Murphy, and endure Pewter.

  Owen is Tucker’s brother. They adore being with each other. For Tucker it’s a relief to sometimes be away from the cats.

  Shortro is a young Saddlebred ridden as a hunter.

  Tomahawk is Harry’s old Thoroughbred hunter who hotly resents being thought old.

  The Eighteenth-Century Animals

  Piglet is a brave, smart corgi who went through the war and imprisonment with Captain Charles West. He loves living in Virginia with the other animals and people.

  Serenissima is Francisco Selisse’s fabulous blooded mare whom he sends to Catherine to be bred to her stallion, Reynaldo.

  Reynaldo is up-and-coming, with terrific conformation, but hot. Catherine and Jeddie can handle him.

  Crown Prince is a younger half brother to Reynaldo. Both are out of Queen Esther, and fortunately, Crown Prince has her temperament.

  King David is one of the driving horses. He’s heavier built than Reynaldo, and Crown Prince. Solomon is King David’s brother. They are a flashy matched pair.

  Castor and Pollux are two Percherons who do heavy-duty work. They are such good boys.

  Sweet Potato is a saucy pony teaching Tulli to ride.

  Martin was Maureen Selisse’s mare but winds up in York, Pennsylvania, where Mary Graves spoils him with goodies. He takes care of her.

  Tuesday, July 12, 2016

  Flaming sword in hand, the Avenging Angel, bestride a monumental tomb, looked over the rolling land toward the Blue Ridge Mountains. His mouth set hard, his eyes piercing, he was not the promise of peace, repose, and eternal joy with the Almighty.

  Lying underneath this imposing marble tomb rested the bones of Francisco Selisse, born January 12, 1731. Died September 10, 1784. Historians still puzzle over exactly how he was murdered. Three other people stood in the room when it happened. The stories varied, but no one denied that Francisco had been stabbed to death.

  Big Rawly, the plantation on which this sordid event occurred, looked much as it did in 1784. Brick or clapboard, most early Virginia homes resembled one another. In general, the wealthy wanted Georgian homes, but Big Rawly, modeled after a French château, down to the stables and outbuildings, never failed to impress.

  Harry had played there as a child with children from the neighboring estate Beau Pre, Big Rawly itself, plus those children whose mothers drove them to the estate. The estate’s owners, the Holloways, had children, loved children, and were welcoming to any and all. Susan Tucker, Harry’s best friend, was their granddaughter.

  Francisco and Maureen Selisse had been childless, and this gaggle of children might have pleased them. Hard to say, for their reputation for ruthlessness endures to this day.

  The cemetery in which this imposing tomb commanded center stage was said to be haunted. As a child, Harry had steered clear of the graveyard, and even as an adult that hard-eye stone angel gave her a shiver. Over the centuries, many declared they had seen ghosts here, but with a consideration praiseworthy in the disembodied, the departed never disturbed children.

  Now, as an adult, as Harry passed the place, rumbling on the narrow road leading out of Garth Road, she wondered if this consideration would always hold true.

  Turning left, heading for Crozet, she noted dark clouds backing up behind the Blue Ridge. Never a good sign. Accompanying her in her old 1978 F-150 sat Mrs. Murphy, the tiger cat, and Pewter, the gray cat. Tucker, a corgi, was also present and always ready to help. The same could not be said of the cats.

  They reached another left turn, which wound a few miles down to old Three-Chopt Road, Route 250. Given the threat of a storm, Harry chose this faster route instead of the pleasant drive to Whitehall, where she would also turn left to head home.

  Coming at her in the opposite direction, a red Camry flew around a curve up ahead. On such a twisty road, Harry thought it best to be alert. She had stopped, put her left flasher on, when a tremendous clap of thunder startled her and her passengers.

  Immediately after, the red Camry swerved straight at them. The car appeared totally out of control. Harry hit the gas, and the vehicle missed her truck bed by inches. She quickly surged ahead before turning around in the small Mt. Olivet church parking lot up ahead. Returning to the turnoff, she found the red Camry nosed into the low runoff ditch. Its wheels spun, the motor kept running.

  Turning onto Owensville Road, Harry pulled as far as she could off to the side. Closing the door as the first raindrop fell, she ran to the Camry. A middle-aged woman was slumped over the wheel and did not respond to Harry’s rapping on the window. Recognizing the driver, Barbara Leader, who had been in the class behind her at high school, Harry rapped louder. “Barbara!”

  No response.

  Fortunately, the door was not locked. Harry opened it, touched Barbara’s shoulder. No response. She took her pulse. No pulse. Barbara’s head dropped forward. Seeing the glassy eyes, Harry knew there was no hope.

  Racing back to her truck, Harry climbed into the bed where she kept her tool box, yanked out two flares, and ran back, putting one on each side of the Camry to cover both directions of Garth Road. The flares burned about twenty yards from the beached automobile, giving passing motorists time to slow.

  Harry ran back to her truck, hopped in as the rain increased, plucked
her cell from the visor where she always tucked it and dialed her friend, her neighbor, and a deputy of the Sheriff’s department, Cynthia Cooper.

  “Coop. I’m at Garth and Owensville Roads. A car has gone off the road. The driver, Barbara Leader, is dead.”

  “Be right there.”

  “Is there any food in the dead lady’s car?” Pewter asked.

  “Pewter!” The dog’s voice carried a reprimand. “Have some respect.”

  “Why? There’s no point in it going to waste.” The gray cat was nothing if not practical.

  Trees began to bend low; small branches flew out of them. The sky turned black with the now hard rain, and Harry could barely see ten feet ahead. She hoped passersby would see the flares and her flashers.

  Fortunately, the sudden terrible weather proved a help, keeping more sensible drivers off the road. Within ten minutes, Harry heard the siren, then saw the flashing lights. Heedless of the weather, she jumped out from the driver’s seat, hurrying to the squad car.

  “Harry, you’re soaked.”

  “It’s warm,” Harry answered Coop, who wore her slicker.

  The slender officer opened the Camry’s door, used her flashlight to glance around. She, too, felt for a pulse. Walking to the passenger side, she opened the door. From the glove compartment, she pulled out registration papers, then returned them.

  Harry sighed. “Knew her from high school. She became a nurse. I mean, I didn’t know her well, but she was a class behind in school, popular. She was home-nursing Susan’s grandfather.”