Who Killed the Beauty Pageant Judge

Cast of Characters

Big John - victim, heavy in state politics, avid hunter and fisherman, secret investor in local subdivision, behind group attempting to take over potential HUD sites, beauty pageant judge, father of two sons who in his opinion never did anything right
Angela- Big John’s ex wife
John Jr. - Big John’s poet/musician son
Essary - Big John’s son who gave up on business and now a seminary student
DeAnn - private investigator, researcher, freelance writer
Jerry - investigator, 23 year veteran on local police department
Shea Shantelle Sassi - Recovery Agent for local bail bondsman and
Repo Agent for everything from cars to construction equipment
for local Banks and Car Lots, Part Time PI

Suspects:

Jim Bob - husband of Big John’s mistress, June
Will - father of a past contestant who lost (in his mind) because he thought the fix was
set for another contestant to win, when his daughter, Ollie, was in the Pageant years ago.
James - partner, front man in subdivision
Robert- state inspector, receiving kick backs for passing sub standard construction and taking material off other building sites. He was under the control of Big John and not liking it.

Who Killed the Beauty Pageant Judge Part 1 by d n english

Several years ago, (1997), while waiting in line for my turn at the car wash, my mind began to wander. It just so happened, that a gentleman I knew was having his car washed and while the machine did the work, he sat in his car smoking a cigar. Finally, he drove off. As I was sitting in my car listening to the water beat down, I started writing this story. Eleven years later I found the story in an old notebook. I decided to make a series out of the story and let you help me solve the case of the murdered beauty pageant judge.

The day was really hot but after all it was June in Tennessee and there were two things

you could count on; beautiful young ladies in Jackson and hot weather. The beautiful ladies, because of the mother of all beauty pageants! It featured beautiful, talented and intelligent
ladies from all over the state. The heat, because it was June in Tennessee.

I left the house in order to do last minute shopping since I was going to the final night

of the pageant, on free tickets of course. On a whim, I decided to go through the car wash near the 45 bypass. Oh goodness, let me introduce myself before I go any further. My name is DeAnn. I have been a Private Investigator for a year. Notice that I did not say successfully.
The one case I did have, I blew, because the flash on my camera was a little too bright. So much

for surprise! Anyway, back to the car wash. I was waiting behind “Big John” and his big Caddy. Big John, as he was called, was a big wig in the beauty pageant hoopla and local political arena. He was a nice enough man, just full of himself, like any man “holding the power.”

Geeze Louis! He even smoked that long cigar when he was in his car in a carwash. Bet the inside of that car stunk to high heaven. The horn sounded but for some reason he did not drive out. After several people behind me started blowing their horns, the lady from the station came out to inspect the ruckus. When she approached the car, she suddenly screamed. By this time there was a crowd around the carwash. I looked up and saw that some of the smoke had cleared from the car and the driver was slumped over the steering wheel. My first thought was that he had a heart attack, then out of nowhere there were police cars coming from every direction. An officer came over to my car and directed me to move to the side and wait until someone could come to talk to me. Of course, I got out of my car and went over to a friend I saw two cars in back of mine. As it turned out, one shot through the windshield and straight into the head had brought the end to Big John’s power. It did not take long for the officer to come back over and order us back into our cars.

After what seemed like forever, one of the detectives that I knew, Jerry, came over to talk to me. After politely ordering me to step out of the car, he started with one of the dumbest statements I had ever heard, come out of his mouth. “I have to check and see if you got

wet from getting out of your car while the victim was having his car washed.” he asked. I just stared at him it was 90 degrees I had been sitting in a car for 35 minutes of course if I had

gotten out of the car I would already be dry. As it was I looked like a wilted flower from

sweat since I had cut the AC off so I would not waste gas. I started to answer, when in the back of my head I heard Grandmother, “Now girl, you respect this young man. He has a hard job and he’s doing his best.” With that thought, knowing I would pay big time if I smarted off, I smiled and said, “No Sir. I did not get out of my car until after the police arrived.”

“Ok. You can go. I know where to find you. Oh! By the way, “Miss PI” been taking any pictures lately?” Guess I forgot to mention the foiled surveillance case was a source of amusement for the local police department. I held it together while Jerry walked away but all the way home I had many unkind remarks to make about him. Jerk!!

That night, the pageant went on as usual. There were some comments made about the

death of “Big John.” There was a touching moment when John’s mother, Miss Ellen, came out to thank everyone and said that she just knew her son would want everything to go on as scheduled. Miss Ellen was a saint. I really admired all she had done for the community. It was not her fault

her son was so power hungry. Three hours later, a winner was declared and life continued.

Monday morning I went to the office and there, sitting outside my door, was Jerry with a grin

on his face. “What do you want?” I asked. “Can’t a friend come visit if he wants to take a lady for coffee or in your case ice tea? You know, you make a much better writer than a PI.” he said.

I threw the newspaper, scoring a direct hit upside his head. I know, so adult acting.

While we walked over to the Baker’s Rack, he told me the death of “Big John” was going to be a must solve case or heads would roll.

“The TBI, the Governor Office and it is no telling who else will be called into this mess”

Monday morning at the Baker’s Rack was interesting on a normal Monday, but this was

not your normal Monday. The topic at every table was the killing of Big John. As Jerry and I took our seat over in the corner away from the chatter, the waitress placed his coffee and my iced tea.

As she walked away I watched as Jerry watched her walk away. “Don’t you think you need to let the ink dry on your divorce papers before you get that look in your eye.” I asked.

“You are just jealous because you have to wait on divorce.” he said. He was right of course. Between the two of us we had seven ex-spouses, not a good track record. He was one ahead of me on the ex count. Time to change the subject.

“Got me, never thought I’d be called to a murder scene at a local carwash. Let alone have the victim be such a so called important person.” he answered.

As I turned around to see what he was looking at, I saw her coming in the door. My sometime employee and full time friend, Shea Shantelle Sassi. Yes that’s her real name. Shea was born in New York City in 1950, she was the love child of a Choctaw mother and Jewish father. The young lovers met while attending Graduate school in New York. They were never allowed to marry so when her mother completed her Ph. D. in American History she moved back to Memphis to be closer to her family in Golddust, Tennessee. I met Shea and her mother when I attended college in Memphis.

Shea moved here to teach at one of the colleges in the area, but got discouraged and

came to work with me. Since then, she had opened up her Fugitive Recovery Business and a Repo business. Shea was one tough cookie. To look at her you would never

believe what she did for a living. This lady was close to six feet tall, slender but with a body

that made men’s jaws drop. She had a dark complexion with long raven hair and dark eyes, she

was the complete package. Oh yes, she also happened to be Jerry’s second ex wife.

With a wave she came over to the table. While she was walking over, out of the corner of

my eye I saw that Jerry had snuck through the kitchen and was heading out the front door.

“Doesn’t the jerk know I saw him, why did he have to go sneaking out?” she asked.

All I could do was laugh. I stood up and gave her a hug, as Lynn the waitress sat a glass of

“Lynn, let me warn you that man is nothing but trouble, you deserve better.” Shea said.

Lynn walked away with her mouth open and shaking her head. You got to stop doing that

“What? I was outside talking to the Chief and I saw Jerry undressing her with his eyes, abigale hanna.”

Wait. I should explain . . . Shea, though very educated, had a mouth on her that would curl your hair. So this year instead of cursing she substituted other words for curse words. You figure it out. All I know is, I think the words she used now were more pleasant and less embarrassing.

“No. It was a busy night. We picked up 2 HD bikes for the dealer. Jim went with me so

it was easy. Got in about 2 this morning. That is when I found the message from John Jr. that his dad had been killed and the police paid him a visit.” she said.

Two facts to disclose, Jim is Shea’s current flame, Jim is about 6'2" all muscle and

good looking. Together they are eye candy for both sexes. Jim is an iron worker by trade and an artist via talent and education. John Jr. or JJ, was Big John’s son. He worked with Jim and was a Poet/Musician on weekends.

“We have got to help JJ find out who killed his father. We both know that he did not respect Big John, but he was his father. JJ does not want the wrong person charged. He wants to know the truth, no matter how ugly it gets.” Shea said. Finishing her water she looked over at me and I knew my day as I had planned it, was shot. She said, “Come on, we have an appointment with JJ and his mother in a half hour. Miss Angela, Big John’s ex, wants to hire us. She, like her son, wants the truth and she wants to fill us in on some facts that she doesn’t want to share with law enforcement.”

“Ok.” was all I managed to say before being guided out the front door and into Shea’s pick up.

It seems like weeks since Big John was killed at the car wash, but in fact it had only been days. Shea a sometimes PI, a sometimes Recovery Agent and a full time friend was steering faster than I would have, but then everyone I ride with drives faster than me. As we turned into the cove where Miss Angela (Big John’s widow) lived, Jerry was pulling out of the driveway.

“Why is it every time I see that man my blood boils?” Shea asked. I knew better than answer that question. Shea and Jerry had been married for a brief six months. They had met when she was teaching a class in Profiling at a local University it was lust at first sight. They ran off and got married then woke up one day six months later screaming at each other before heading for divorce lawyers. Ever since then she got mad when she saw him and he just got nervous being in the same room with her. As we approached the front door of Miss Angela’s the door flew open.

“Angela is beside herself. That jerk you were married to Shea just told her that JJ, her

son and my darling grandson, is a person of interest in the death of John.” With that

“DeAnn and Shea, I am so glad you came.” Angela said as she hugged each of us.

“First things first, here is a retainer. We are hiring you to find out what you can about

who killed John. We do not want this to swept under the rug just because it could

embarrass some of the powers that be.” Miss Ellen said, “Will you take the job?”

With that settled we all moved to the kitchen table for cookies and ice tea. I know

in the South we may be falling apart inside, but we do know how to be the perfect hostess.

As we settled in we were told that the police were interested in finding out where JJ was this afternoon and where the gun his father gave him years ago was located. We were told they found the gun in question in the gun safe in the garage. “It was that Ruger 413 with the scope that John got JJ on his fourteenth birthday to shoot Coyotes out on the family farm. Poor JJ shot it once and killed a Coyote. He was so upset he threw the gun down and came back to the house. Later, I went back to the pasture and retrieved the gun. When I brought JJ home I got the key from John and locked the gun up in the gun safe.” Miss Ellen said, as a tear made it’s way down her cheek. Angela excused herself from the room. “Poor girl,” Miss Ellen said, “I know my son was not perfect, as a matter of a fact he was a first class -” “Grandmother do not say what I think you were going to say,” Essary said. Essary was John’s other son, he had been a successful businessman and then one day he just up and quit. He seemed to disappear from town, later we found out he had gone back to school got his graduate degree and entered the Seminary. Essary now lives in a small rural community and teaches school when called upon and preaches at a local church. To say Big John was disappointed in his son’s decision was an understatement.

The back door opened and in walked JJ. “Is there room for me?” he asked. Shea and I walked out on the deck attempting to give them some privacy. Miss Ellen joined us. Thirty minutes later we had learned that there were several individuals with reasons to want Big John dead. Miss Ellen told us that her son had some very shady business deals working

and that the people he was dealing with were scum in her opinion. There was James who was

the front man in a subdivision that John was backing. Robert, a state inspector that had approached John about a pay-off for passing on construction that was not up to code. Then there was Ollie’s father who blamed John for his daughter’s loss in the pageant and her suicide.

“That girl was unbalanced, she needed help, but all her father could see was her beauty.”

Miss Ellen said “and lawd girls you know my son had a roaming eye he could not leave

the women alone before or after the divorce from Angela. So there are no telling how

many husbands, ex-lovers and such that would want him dead. I know he was my son and

I loved him, but he was a dog. I know all this because whenever I was with him and he got a

call, I became invisible to him. He would carry on conversations like I wasn’t there.

Respectful of his mother, I think not.” Miss Ellen said as she got up to walk back inside.

Stopping, she turned and told us to meet her tomorrow after the memorial service and

As we were getting back in the truck JJ ran out of the house. He hugged Shea and said,

“Please help us. I do not want to be the fall guy for my father’s death. Everyone knew I did not like his ways and how he treated people, but he was my father and he was not always that way.

As we drove off my cell phone rang, it was Jerry. I answered the call and just listened. To say he was not happy about the prospect of us being involved in his investigation was an understatement. “If Miss Ellen wants to waste her money on you two busy body know-it-alls,

that is her business, but stay out of my way.” The detective said as he ended the call.

I didn’t tell Shea about the call until we were safe in the office because I knew

what would follow. “If he thinks he can tell us what to do he is out of his mind!” was the short and clean version of what Shea said. Tomorrow with Miss Ellen’s help we would start going through Big John’s “secret files” that he left at her house.

Who Killed the Beauty Pageant Judge?

Part IV dn english

Normally I am such a morning person, but not today. Today is going to be hard due to the fact that Big=s John Memorial Service is this morning. Southern memorial services and funerals are something else. People come from everywhere, some are there for all the right reasons, others just want to be seen or eat the food. Pulling into the parking lot downtown, before I could open the door Shea was out of her truck and waiting on me at the end of the row. She was dressed in a black suit and heels looking like a runway model.

ADo we have a plan yet?@ Shea asked

She knew better than to ask me anything until I had my second glass of iced tea. I held

my hand up meaning no words until we get to the Baker=s Rack. As we entered the Baker=s Rack Elaine (the owner) motioned us to a table she had saved for us in the back. I am glad she did, the place was packed. I hadn't seen this many Politicians in one place in a non-election year, ever.

After being polite, speaking when spoken to and having my iced tea, I was ready for Shea=s questions.

ANow to answer your question. The only plan I have is to survive the ritual we have to go

through this morning, meet with Miss Ellen and see where we go from there.@ I said.

AI am so worried about JJ, he came to the house last night crying one minute, hitting the wall

the next. That Ajam apple@ I was married to had JJ back down at the station last night. Seems a big wig let the DA know JJ and Big John had words last Wednesday down at the Civic Center. He told them JJ took a swing at Big John and missed then JJ ran off.@ Shea said.

AYou and I both know what that was about, JJ told us.@ I patted Shea=s hand. This tough as nails beauty had a soft spot for her friends. JJ had told us both when he confronted his father on making an uncalled for advance toward one of the contestants mother=s Big John had made some off color remark about his sexuality. The man had indeed been a low down dog.

We left the Baker=s Rack and headed for our office. Over the next few hours we both managed to finish up some paper work. I also had a chance to do some background checks on the list of suspects we had been given by Miss Ellen. I looked at the clock to see it was almost 11:30 so I got up to go to Shea=s office. I closed my door and locked it, turned around and there stood Shea.

AI knew you would be here, you have a way of knowing when I leave my office.@ I remarked. ANo big secret, I have been sitting in the hall waiting on you. I just did not want to be in my office and answer another phone call.@ Shea said. She went on to explain Miss Ellen had called her twice Abecause she did not want to bother you at work@ and JJ three times for the same reason. Poor Shea, she is good at what she does, but she does not have the patience to do research or background checks so she fielded the calls while I worked. I knew this was hard on her but she would get her chance to help soon enough. As we turned the corner going down Church we both let out the same phrase AGeez Louise where did all these people come from.@ Getting in line, we made our way to the door when we entered the Church. Travis came up to us and escorted us to the family seats on the side.

AMiss Ellen wants you girls to have a full view of everyone attending,@ Travis told us.

He then added that this was the biggest mess he had ever officiated. We knew that Big

John had been cremated and his Urn was placed on the table up front. Even though the family had asked for donations to Charities in lieu of flowers, the Church was full of flowers. Travis pointed toward the table and I promise you there were at least 50 cigars on the table.

AThe former Lt. Governor wants us to put a Cuban Cigar in the Urn, have you ever?@

With that said Travis turned his attention to someone else coming down the aisle. I turned to look at Shea and I could tell she wanted to laugh so bad it was hurting. The minister was brief and he had sense enough not to ask for additional comments, since the place was full of people who enjoyed hearing themselves speak. The service ended as everyone headed for the Fellowship Hall while ARocky Top@ played in the background. I can honestly say very few tears were shed.

Since we were at the front of the Church we got to go the back way and got there before the

masses. AHannah soy,@ Shea said a bit louder than she meant, Asorry, but have you ever seen so

many casseroles in one place.@ She was right, there had to be at least 75 assorted casseroles.

The majority made with the Aglue of the Southern cook@ there was also Bar-b-que, Fried Chicken

and way too many pies, puddings and cakes. ( Explanation: the glue of the Southern cook - Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Chicken . . . in other words casseroles made with any kind of Cream of something soup. )

I had a friend who called me in shock when she found out her future mother-in-law had no ACream of@ soup in her pantry and never cooked with any kind of soup. Truth be known, the woman lets her husband cook and he kept his stash of soup hidden.

After 2 hours of small talk, eating and making nice, I was about ready to scream. Shea left

about 45 minutes earlier, told you she was smart. When I walked toward the parking lot

ADeAnn, glad you finally were able to leave.@ Jerry said. AWe had a break-in over at Miss

Ellen=s house. Before you say anything, I know we messed up. I didn't think about putting

I noticed Shea was quiet and paying attention to every word Jerry uttered, something was really wrong with this picture. He went on to tell us the only room touched was Miss Ellen=s office. AFiles were all over the floor, things were broken, a lock box was opened - it was a mess.

Now I have to find Miss Ellen and tell her what happened and take her from this . . . to her house.@ Jerry said. He walked toward the church mumbling about low down ------.

When he was safely out of our way Shea shook her head. AOK. What=s going on? You were

When we got into the truck and headed out the highway she started talking. Miss Ellen had gotten Travis to move the files Big John had left at Miss Ellen=s. Travis had gotten Shea to come to the Funeral Home where he helped load three large boxes into her truck. I got the impression it was going to be a long night. We decided we could go through the files at Shea=s, no one in there in their right mind would attempt to break into her place. What would the files reveal?

I can't believe I'm up so late. The clock says 10:00 p.m. Shea and I had been going through files for over five hours. Between the two of us, we had reviewed, put the summaries on the computer and then copied the summaries on a flash drive. There were over twelve files - complete with pictures. I unlocked my door and was greeted by my cats. Thank goodness for my neighbor who came over to check on them when my car was not home by 5 p.m. This night all they wanted to do was go to bed, which suited me just fine. Before I did anything, I locked my purse up in the safe. That way I knew the flash drives would be safe and I wouldn't forget them in the morning. Just before I laid down I hit the arm button on my alarm system.

I couldn't go to sleep right away because after nosing around I had learned that we had just gone from four possible suspects to ten. It was a fretful night. I could not get comfortable. Finally around two the cats went to the guest bedroom, guess they gave up on me.

Around 5 a.m. I gave up trying to sleep and got a glass of iced tea. I booted up my computer while I got my purse, leaving behind the extra flash drive. I know I worry too much, but better safe than sorry. The first file was on James. James was a man about town, a family man at church every Sunday, but as the file revealed he had a dark side. James had several successful projects which included residential and commercial buildings. What people didn't know was that he had several silent partners in these projects. The papers revealed where materials had been charged to the projects and not actually used on those projects. Materials had been stacked to look like trash, that way the person he was paying off that week could just drive by, load his or her truck up and drive away.

There were pictures of the individuals doing just that and follow up pictures of the material

being used in their personal projects. Oh yeah, then there were the pictures of James, it looked

like at a hunting lodge and he was very involved with a lady who was not his wife. Then there was the money trail where profits were being understated and funds being sent to off shore accounts. If James knew that John had all this information I can see why he would not want to have it made public at any cost.

Another file contained a lot of the same on the State Building Inspector, Robert, instead of materials, the pictures were of him taking money. Seems like several contractors were involved in this scheme. There was a letter from the Appraiser showing where some of the houses

were not up to code and were short square footage. Then the pictures, same song second verse,

young woman and Robert, looked like the same setting as James' pictures revealed.

Then there were the files on past beauty pageant contestants complete with pictures that were

not for public viewing. Past judges, well known leaders of their fields, not good. Too much

information for sure. How could the son of such a wonderful lady be so low down. I sat there making my list until the silence was broken when the telephone rang. “Child you better get up to the office there are police everywhere.” Julie said. Julie was one of the few downtown residents and official town crier. I had barely hung up the phone before my cell phone rang.

“DeAnn” Jerry said, “Get down here right away.” Then the phone went dead. You know a goodbye would be nice from him. I fed the cats again, took a shower and got dressed. In fifteen minutes I had my jumbo tea-to go-glass and purse loaded in the car, then I remembered I forgot to set the alarm. I locked the car door, ran in, set the alarm and was on my way. When I pulled up in front of the office two of the officers waved as they drove off. I barely got

to the second floor when the Detective in charge started asking questions. Not good that I had not had my normal amount of iced tea needed to wake up.

“Detective, I will take over from here,” I heard Jerry say. By this time I sat down in the chair

that Shea had put in the hall outside her office. It was then I noticed the black marks on the wall.

Jerry pulled up a chair and started to explain. Around 5:30 a.m. the alarm company had alerted the station of a disturbance in my office. The first officer arrived about five minutes later. He took the stairs and reached the second floor in time to hear the elevator’s doors open and the front door open. By the time he got to the landing the front door was closing with no one in sight. Then he called for backup and checked out my office. Files were everywhere, the computer was still there but with flashing lights going off all around it.

While they argued I went into my office, I have to admit the flashing lights were a good visual. I cut them off and just sat there and laughed. The files were everywhere because that is where I left them, I never said I was neat. The alarm and light system surrounded the computer and desk, one of Shea’s better ideas. Now the shock system Shea had put on her door was another subject, I looked down the hall where the subject was being addressed.

Seems Jerry was checking Shea’s door, received a shock and was now reviewing the experience at the top of his lungs. I retreated back into my safe haven, unloaded my purse, and put the flash drive in the secret drawer in my desk.

Once they quit screaming at each other Jerry left with his report in hand. Shea and I could now get down to business. We had to find out how many of our suspects had been in town and follow up on the threatening letters. I forgot to mention that there were several hate letters in the files, none wishing Big John a long life. I looked at the clock. All this before 7a.m., what a day this was going to be.

I want to remind you - names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.