Soap on a Rope

by Barbara Silkstone

  “Guess who we met at the arena?” I said. “The Great Silas’ grandson!”

  “Ah hah!” Grams poked an index finger in the air. “The circle closes. Another magician!”

  “Afraid not. He’s a journalist—Sam Silas—researching his grandfather’s history for a biography. Looking into old Silas’ death. He convinced Harry Whodunit to place the ad thinking it would draw out the Masked Dangler.”

  Grams mouth fell open but nothing came out.

  “He knows The Great Silas’s equipment was tampered with,” I said. “I think he suspects Nelson.”

  I cut my eyes to Lizzy. She squished her brows together but I went on anyway. “He wants to meet with us.”

  “Don’t you dare!” Grams waggled her finger at us.

  “May I interrupt, ladies?” Fabio said. “I want to do as Miss Sophia requested and inspect your operation. I have come at a bad time. Let us end this evening with my driver taking you to your homes. We shall pick you up in the morning. I would feel better if you did not drive after a single glass of champagne. Will your cars be safe here overnight?”

  “Tsk!” Grams said. “This is Starfish Cove—the safest community in Florida!”

  I choked on my last sip of champagne.

  “So Miss Sophia’s chauffeur and I will escort you to your doors. Shall we agree on a pickup time for tomorrow?”

  Grams gave me a wiggly eyebrow. “Make it eleven. I’d like to sleep in.”

  She was fibbing through her dentures.

  Chapter 30

  Fabio helped Grams and Pam from the limo. The car took up most of her driveway. The curtains in the neighbor’s house fluttered in a wave of curiosity. The sight of a limo in a neighborhood of cottages offered the equivalent of a panther lying amid a litter of kittens.

  “I’ll get her tucked in.” Pam’s whispered words were barely audible but nothing got past Grams.

  “I heard that! I’m not a child, Pamela!” Grams slipped her arm in Fabio’s and he walked her to the door.

  Once Pam and Grams were safely inside Fabio returned to the car wearing a bemused smile. “Grandmothers come in three styles—prim and proper, motherly and smelling of the kitchen, or tough as Mafioso.”

  We laughed. He didn’t have to pin a title on Grams—she owned it.

  He settled back in the seats with a sigh. “And now, Miss Lizzy—directions please?”

  “Have your driver get us back on Starfish Boulevard, up two miles, and turn into Shrimp Bay—he can only make a right unless you want to do some limo surfing in the moonlight.”

  Ten minutes later we were wending our way through the narrow streets, taking the corners in big sweeping turns. The limo made the final bend onto Kelp Circle.

  “Your lights are on,” I said, as we drew close.

  “Heather’s still at her friends.” Lizzy said. “That’s Dave’s truck at the side of the house. I almost forgot what he looks like,” she said, sighing heavily.

  “Olive, how about you walk me to the door? No offense Fabio, but my friend Dave has a bad habit of jumping to conclusions. We look like we had a night on the town. A handsome Italian escort and his limo might push the limits of Dave’s short temper.”

  Dave was too busy managing Nancy’s Fried Fish to be jealous—nevertheless Lizzy’s adventures often didn’t sit well with him. After the hustle-bustle of the restaurant he sought a quiet domestic routine—a lifestyle alien to Lizzy. They were an odd match—a bear in a cave and a butterfly in the wind.

  As our feet hit the front steps the door swung open. WonderDog lunged at Lizzy throwing his weight on her. With his front paws on her shoulders and his bushy tail wagging like the propeller on a helicopter, she lost her footing and fell against me.

  WonderDog’s wide-eyed look at the oversized car and the man standing beside it set him to barking. He ran at Fabio—who said something to him in Italian. The dog backed off, sat down, and continued to wag his tale. Evidently he was a multilingual hound.

  Dave filled the doorway looking domestic in jeans, a T-shirt, and one of Lizzy’s tea aprons. He wore an oven mitt on one hand and his usual pinched expression. He took a quick look at Lizzy and me in our Elvis outfits, bleary eyes, sticky makeup, and messy hair, and then his eyes cut past us to Fabio and the limo.

  “Missed you, Sweetie, ” Lizzy stood on tiptoe and gave him a peck on the cheek.

  “How many questions do I get?” Dave said, not bothering to greet me. He always seemed to blame me for Lizzy’s escapades.

  “I’ll explain it all after I’ve had a shower.” She put her hand on his arm in a reassuring manner.

  Dave limbered up his shoulders and neck—his eyes fixed on Fabio.

  Lizzy gave him a wide-eyed look that caused me to dissolve in exhausted laughter.

  “Before you go beating your chest with your fists, the guy by the limo is Sophia Napoli’s bodyguard, and no we were not out partying.” Lizzy said. “I’ll introduce him, but please be nice. I’ll explain everything later.”

  She motioned Fabio to approach.

  “Fabio Santoro, this is Dave Bronson.”

  Extending his hand, Fabio allowed his eyes to slip to Dave’s frilly apron.

  “I insist all my men wear aprons.” Lizzy attempted to break the tension of the moment.

  An amused smile passed over Fabio’s face. “I find wearing an apron adds to the joy of cooking.”

  The muscle in Dave’s jaw popped—he’d yet to show any sign of a sense of humor in the time I’d known him. He shook hands with Fabio, threw in a curt “Nice to meet you.” And disappeared into the house.

  “Pick you up at about eleven as your grandmamma requested?” Fabio said. He tapped his lips with one finger. “Is there a reason to trouble your grandmother? She is not involved in your business, is that not so?”

  “True. Our meeting is about Nonna’s Cold Cream,” I said trying to keep the relief from my voice. “We can meet earlier—say nine—show you the shop and demonstrate how we prepare the cream. It’s important you know all the measures in place to insure the quality of our products.”

  “We can be done by eleven and take Grams and Pam to lunch,” Lizzy said, sounding relieved. “Grams needs to slow down, she hasn’t stopped since she found my father’s…body.”

  “Nine it is. Have a good evening, Miss Lizzy.”

  “Don’t bother about getting my clothes now,” I said. “I’ll have this jumpsuit cleaned and collect my things tomorrow.”

  Lizzy gave me a feeble smile. “Just throw the jumpsuit away. That’s what I’m going to do with the one I wore. I’ll never wear those things again.”

  “It’s going to work out. I promise.” I waved goodbye.

  Fake optimism didn’t come easy. The purple shadow lingered over my shoulder. Someone had murdered Nelson Dingler and I was no closer to finding the killer—although I’d eliminated Rex Marchmain and probably his idiot son from my list of suspects.

  Fabio and I settled back in the limo, gave the driver directions to my place and cruised up the boulevard.

  “More champagne?”

  “Thank you, no. I feel I should apologize for this evening—from our sleazy outfits to Dave’s rude behavior.”

  “You have nothing to apologize for. First, you did not expect me. Second, I had a cousin in Naples who worked with the police. She often dressed much more provocatively to catch thieves and murderers. And as far as Miss Lizzy’s Dave—if another man caught me in my apron, I would have reacted quite similarly.”

  “I can’t imagine you being impolite.”

  “Can you imagine me as a good listener? Perhaps I can help you sort out your clues.”

  “Thank you—not tonight. I’m exhausted.”

  As the limo pulled up to the front of my building, I glimpsed Kal sitting in his unmarked car in the parking lot. He had to know I saw him—the security lights from the building cast a spotlight on him.

  “Don’t walk me to my door,” I said to Fabio. “I’ll pop in the elevator
and wave from the balcony so you know I made it. I insist.” I extended my hand as he leaned in—no doubt intending to plant a continental kiss on my cheek.

  “See you tomorrow.” I said softly. By shaking his hand I was able to keep him at a distance.

  It wasn’t the humidity wilting me as I rode up to my floor. My last text to Kal pinged like a tiny neon sign every word glowing with guilt. “Can’t meet tonight—something personal came up. Unavoidable. Will connect in the morning. Not to worry.”

  Something personal. Unavoidable. Ugh. There was no reason why I should feel guilty. Kal was doing his job while I was doing mine. He found a match for the soap on the rope while I had been working undercover. Fabio was here on business. How could anyone misinterpret what I did?

  I scurried to my door, turned, and leaned on the walkway railing looking down at the parking lot. Two sets of guy eyes were on me. I waved down at Fabio but pretended not to notice Kal still sitting in his car. Once in my condo, I closed the door behind me and held my breath hoping Kal wouldn’t knock, call, or text.

  He didn’t.

  Chapter 31

  Sleep refused to come. Something nibbled at my mind. It had been there since—if I remembered when, I’d remember what.

  Puff nuzzled her cold button nose under my earlobe. Her purring coupled with the gentle sound of the waves would normally lull me to sleep. Perhaps it was the boost from the champagne that kept me awake—but I’d only had one glass.

  The open window allowed the sweet, slightly fishy breeze to waft over my face. Strangely, the image of a key played in my mind—it refused to leave. I rolled on my side staring into Puff’s big blue eyes. “Know anything about keys?” She licked my cheek.

  I studied symbolism my first year at college. What had I learned in my iconography class about keys? A key represents opening doors of opportunities. It represents knowledge, mystery, and initiation. Sometimes a key can mean the difference between life and death—between freedom and prison. If it’s given as a gift it’s meant to open doors, if it’s taken from someone it’s meant to invade their secrets.

  A bolt of adrenalin shot through me. A key is the key to the killer. Irma wore one around her neck.

  The clock read just after nine. I popped out of bed called Lizzy as I paced with excitement. “New plan. I’m on to something. I’ll pick you up at eight in the morning. Have Grams and Pam meet us at your father’s apartment.”

  “What’s up?”

  “Tell you when I see you—just in case this is all a crazy dream and I’m not really talking to you right now. At this point I can’t tell if I’m awake or asleep. Just on idea overload.”

  “How much champagne did you have?”

  “Less than one glass.”

  “What about Fabio? Isn’t he set to pick us up?”

  “Crumbcakes! All our cars are at the shop! I’ll figure something out.”

  Fabio caught the phone after the first ring. “Something has come up. I hate to ask but can we meet later in the day?”

  “Is this about Miss Lizzy’s father? Do you need my help?”

  “No. Yes! I could use your help. Could your chauffeur pick me up at seven-thirty tomorrow morning? I’ve got to get my car.”

  “Certainly. He’ll be there. Is there any other way I might help? I am a bodyguard.”

  It was so cute the way he said it I almost laughed. “The fewer people involved the better.”

  Fewer people brought Kal to mind. I put him on my maybe list. If I was going to expose the killer it would take a gentle touch. Kal could be a bull plus he had a broom up his back about legal-schmegal ways to do things. I’d only call him if we got in a jam.

  Impossible to sleep, I paced the apartment, stood on the balcony and watched the moonlit waves wash in and out. I warmed some milk in a tiny pot remembering it was something Nonna did when sleep eluded her. I sat at the kitchen table, and sipped from a mug.

  Relaxing thoughts wiggled away like a herd of caterpillars. Sheep refused to be counted and memories of pleasant vacations evaporated, if only tomorrow would come.

  Puff scrambled in my lap mewing. “Cows’ milk is not good for kitties.” I finally caved to her persistence and dabbed a drop on her nose. She licked it off sharing a look of delight. “That’s it for now, kid!”

  I needed sleep if I was going to be at the top of my game.

  My phone pinged a text message from Kal. It was guaranteed to irritate me. No sense in reading it. I’d never get to sleep. Ready to shut the phone off, curiosity got the better of me.

  His message was so terse he could have sent it in Morse code. Conveying emotions in a text message is like capturing lightning bolts in a bottle. It can’t be done.

  Personal? Unavoidable?

  Step back from this case.

  If Kal would stop lurking about, his feelings might not get hurt.

  I scooped up Puff and crawled back into bed snuggling her. Sometime during the night I must have dozed. When I opened my eyes the soft morning light was peeking in the window. The clock read seven-oh-five. It couldn’t be!

  With the speed of an animated cartoon, I managed to feed and water Puff, jump in and out of the shower, and run a brush through my hair in less than twenty minutes. A dab of magic cold cream under each eye and the remaining raccoon shadows disappeared. Good to go or as good as it was going to get.

  Unsure what the day held, I opted for my usual standby…black slacks and black cotton T-shirt. I was just about to dash out the door when my phone rang. Fabio’s chauffeur was downstairs waiting.

  I pressed the elevator button, hummed a short tune, and waited as the doors opened to reveal Ivy LaVine, former friend now ticked off neighbor.

  “Good morning!” I said in a cheerful tone.

  She gave me a blank look. It wasn’t until the doors opened on the first floor that she said, “Have a good day.”

  As I settled into the limo I realized Ivy stood in the lobby door with her eyes fixed on me. The possible scenarios that were running through her mind made me chuckle. I sat back and enjoyed the brief ride to the shop catching glimpses of the Gulf waters between the high-rise condos.

  My Prius sat alongside the Dingler ladies’ cars. The beach sand blown across Starfish Boulevard left a light coat of grit, but otherwise it was just as I had left it.

  I headed over to Lizzy’s house.

  Chapter 32

  Lizzy was ready to go when I pulled into her driveway. She ran down her front stairs with WonderDog at her heels. “I can’t bear to leave him home again. He’s reading my stress, poor pup wants to help.”

  “Why not? WonderDog’s our hero.”

  I grinned at Lizzy’s outfit. “You read my mind.” She was wearing black Capri pants and a short sleeve black T-shirt. It would go well with our logoed Nonna Cold Cream jackets. “When we meet Fabio at the shop we’ll wear our smocks—keep it very professional.”

  WonderDog jumped into the back of the Prius. Lizzy slid in the front and we were off.

  “Grams and Pam are set to meet us. A neighbor took them to get their cars from the shop. Are you going to tell me now or make me wait?”

  “I may be way off base but I don’t think so. Bear with me—I’m thinking out loud.”

  WonderDog leaned over the seat—all ears.

  “When Irma stopped in the shop yesterday, she told me she and Cosmos were leaving today but might try one more time to send your father’s celestial being to that planet she’s promoting.”

  “She’d need to get in the apartment and for that she’d need Grams.”

  I cut Lizzy a quick glance. “Unless she has her own key. Did your father change the locks when she moved out? I’m certain I locked the door before she came in after us and started fumbling around the apartment—supposedly sending Nelson’s spirit to some planet she calls Karma.”

  “So Irma still has a key to the apartment.”

  “She has more than the front door key. Did you notice the key she wears around her neck?” />
  I could almost hear Lizzy thinking. “Not until you just mentioned it. She does wear quirky little charms on a chain. The key is antique—right?”

  “Hang on—concentrating on parking.”

  I hesitated before pulling into the two vacant spots in front of Nelson’s building. If Irma planned a visit she might recognize my car. I didn’t want to scare her off. “Call Grams while I circle the block. Tell her to park out of sight.”

  Whoever invented one-way streets had some serious anti-social problems. Because of them I drove around the corner, hit the one-way street, and circled around it a second time. I finally found a space in the Pocket Change Bank’s employees’ lot—hoping I wouldn’t get towed.

  “Grams, just listen. It’s important you not park in front of Father’s building.” Lizzy covered the phone and rolled her eyes. “I understand you’ve already parked. We’re in the bank’s parking lot—employee side. Un-park and come here. Olive will explain.”

  Lizzy made a yammering mouth with her hand. “They won’t tow you. If they do, I’ll pay for it.” Pause. “Yes—and any damages to your car. I promise.” Another pause. “Yes I know it’s not easy to find parts for your classic car.”

  Grams’ faded gold Edsel took the entry curb angling up and then dropping down with a thud. Moby Dick looking for Captain Ahab. As the car headed toward us all I could see was the top of the hula-hoop steering wheel and two tiny fists plus the look of terror on Pam’s face.

  I pointed to the space next to mine and Grams whipped the ginormous car snuggly into place. It was sure to get towed as it stuck out from all the conservative compacts like a whale in a fish tank.

  As Grams and Pam debarked, I half-whispered to Lizzy. “If Irma shows up I’m going to need you and Pam to keep Grams off her. If I can get Irma alone I’ll get into her head.”