by V. M. Burns
She shook her head. “No, actually I was just thinking how peaceful this is.”
I smiled. “I was thinking the same thing.”
“You seem so happy.” She looked at me. “You have friends and Aggie.” She glanced at the little dog sleeping on the deck and smiled. Then, she gave me a sly look. “And you’ve got Red.”
I felt the heat rise up my neck. I squelched the smile that threatened to break out on my face and looked intently at my daughter. “Are you okay with…Red and me?”
She smiled and leaned across to squeeze my hand. “Absolutely. I like Red. He seems really nice and I love the way he looks at you.”
I smiled. “I love that too. He makes me feel…special.”
“You are special. Every woman should have someone that looks at them that way.” She sighed.
“Does Joe make you feel special?”
She hesitated, but then she nodded. “He does.” She laughed. “Sometimes, he’s so serious and then he’ll say or do something really sweet.” She paused for a few moments and smiled as she obviously recalled a pleasant memory. “I had a really big case I was preparing for court and I’d been working all weekend on it. Joe was up visiting, but I didn’t have a lot of time to spend with him. No complaints. He took Turbo and Lucky out to the park and cooked all of the meals. He even brought my meals in on trays to make sure I ate.” She smiled. “I love strawberry shortcake and he tried several times to make it, but he kept forgetting ingredients. Something always seemed to go wrong. After the third failed attempt he left and took three trains and a bus to Schaumburg to my favorite bakery and bought a shortcake.” She smiled at the memory.
“That’s so sweet.”
“He has his moments.” She shook off the memory. “Then, there are other times when I want to strangle him.”
I didn’t want to ruin the memory, but I had to ask. “What about Eli Goldstein?”
She chuckled. “I don’t know him well enough to strangle him.”
“You know what I mean.”
She took a sip of her wine and shrugged. “I just met him. He’s very handsome, but…I don’t know. There’s something about him that’s just too….well, too…”
“He’s too handsome.”
She nodded. “Yeah. I know it’s wrong, but he just doesn’t seem real to me. I enjoy looking at him, but I can’t imagine life with him. I can’t picture him in his designer suits and fifteen-hundred-dollar Italian leather shoes cleaning up dog poop or rolling on the floor playing with two huge dogs so I can prepare for court…or…”
“Or taking three trains and a bus to the suburbs to get strawberry shortcake?”
She nodded. “Exactly.”
We sat outside a bit longer until the candle began to burn out and then we gathered our plates and glasses, roused the dogs and went inside.
Monday morning was a workday for me. I had been tempted to take the day off and spend it with Stephanie, but I had some work I needed to do in preparation for our taxes, an upcoming audit and the board meeting. The previous night we agreed that Stephanie would drop me off at work so she could keep the car and then she would meet me downtown for lunch.
Neither of us was keen on letting the dogs out alone so when I awoke, I waited on the deck while the three dogs took care of their business before I finished getting dressed.
It seemed like a month since I’d been to the museum, even though it was only two days. I knew deep down inside that I wasn’t to blame for Archibald Lowry’s murder, but I still felt guilty for talking Linda Kay into allowing the Chattanooga Museum to host the event. I really enjoyed working at the museum and didn’t want to cause trouble. Guilt often translated into food in my mind. So, I had Stephanie take me to DaVinci’s, a bakery located about one block from the museum.
“Bakery?” Stephanie glanced at the treats strategically placed in the shop window to entice passersby.
I glanced at my watch. “Why don’t you park, and we’ll go inside and see if we can snag a table and have a pastry and a coffee.”
She glanced at the coffee in the cup holder she’d made at home and then turned the wheel and pulled into the lot beside the building. DaVinci’s was a European style café located in the arts district of Chattanooga. In addition to house-roasted coffees, they offered an assortment of artisan breads, hand-dipped chocolates and delicious, hand-made pastries.
Inside, the smell of fresh brewed coffee, buttery pastries and sugary deliciousness crept into our noses and pulled us deeper into the bakery’s lair. I watched Stephanie take a deep breath and inhale the glorious scent of sugar and coffee. She was hooked.
“Good morning, Mrs. Echosby. What can I get for you today?” Brad greeted me as he did most mornings. I discovered the bakery when I started working at the museum and had become a regular, stopping in practically every day.
I smiled. This must be what the regulars from the television show Cheers felt at a place where everybody knew your name. “Hello, Brad. I’ll take a pastry box for work and how about a croissant and large coffee.” I turned to Stephanie. “This is my daughter, Stephanie.”
“You must be the lawyer from Chicago.” Brad smiled. “Are you here visiting your mom?”
Stephanie nodded, but I could tell she was surprised this stranger knew so much about her. She quickly ordered a coffee and a pastry.
We were fortunate and found a seat at one of the small bistro tables near the window. When we were seated, Stephanie took a sip of her coffee. “Hmmm. This is delicious.”
I smiled. It was nice to get to spend a few minutes with my daughter. I was very proud of her success, but I missed having time to just talk and enjoy each other’s company.
“What?” She looked at me over her coffee.
“Nothing. I was just thinking how nice it is to spend time with you.” I smiled. “I love Chattanooga, but I do miss you and David.”
She reached out a hand and squeezed mine.
I shook off the mood and smiled. “But, you’re here now and I’m going to enjoy as much time with you as possible.” I stared. “You don’t mind me going into the museum do you, because I’m sure Linda Kay—”
“Mom, of course I don’t mind. You have work to do. My decision to come down for a visit at the last minute was unexpected. We’ll have plenty of time to spend together.”
“I plan to take off a few days later this week, but with the auditors coming to work on the financial statement and the upcoming board meeting, I just want to make sure that everything is done and ready.”
She smiled. “Trust me, I completely understand about work and deadlines.” She glanced out the window at the flowering trees and shrubs and sighed. “This is such a wonderful place. I can see why you like Chattanooga so much.”
Something in her voice made me ask, “Are you considering leaving Chicago?” I tried to make sure my voice was neutral. Perhaps she was considering moving back to Light House Dunes to be with Joe.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I love what I do. I love the energy of Chicago. I just hate the traffic and the cold weather.” She stared down into her coffee. “I want to have a family…someday, but I don’t want to give up my career. I worked hard to get where I am and I’m not ready to just toss it aside to be a full-time wife and mother.”
I listened carefully and when she finished, I took a deep breath. “I wish I knew the right words to say. I know women’s magazines tell us we can have it all. They say you can have a career and a family. You can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan.” I chuckled. “I’m sure there are plenty of women who have found the magic formula that allows them to achieve everything.” I sighed. “I wasn’t one of them. Your father didn’t want his wife working. He wanted me home, raising the children and taking care of the family.” I paused. “It was a choice I agreed to.”
“Do you regret giving up your career to be a stay-at-
home mom?”
I thought for a few minutes, but then smiled and shook my head. “I don’t. It may have been your father’s idea initially, but it was something I wanted to do. I wanted to be there for you and David. It was my choice.” I smiled. “I think there are tradeoffs with everything in life. Only you can decide what is most important to you.”
She looked up. “Thank you.”
I looked puzzled. “For what?”
“For choosing to always be there for us.”
I came very close to tearing up, so I swallowed hard and took a sip of my coffee.
We sat in a companionable silence for a few more minutes and then I said goodbye and took my box of pastries and walked the short distance to the museum.
Jacob was, as usual, already at his desk when I arrived. I placed the box on his desk as I passed. I brought pastries from DaVinci’s at least two times per week, so he wasn’t surprised by my edible offering and merely rose and took the pastries into Linda Kay’s office.
Jacob had opened my office door and pulled the curtains in the window that looked out on the Tennessee River. I dropped my purse in the drawer and spent a couple of minutes enjoying the view and the peace and quiet of the early morning. After a few moments, there was a knock on my door.
“Linda Kay is here, if you’d care to join us,” Jacob said.
I took a deep breath and prepared to face my boss.
Linda Kay Weyman’s office was next to mine and enjoyed the same wonderful view of the Tennessee River. Her office was massive with room not only for a large desk but also a conference table and six chairs. “Hello, there. It sounds like you’ve had a busy weekend.” Linda Kay smiled big. “Take a seat and tell me what happened.”
Linda Kay Weyman was a middle-aged Southern Belle with thick red hair, bright eyes and a smile that came from the heart. She had one leg but never let that stop her from doing anything she set her mind to, whether it was career success or kick-boxing classes. At some point I would get up the courage to ask her how she managed that. However, today I was busy trying to gauge how much trouble Archibald Lowry’s murder had caused.
“I’m so sorry about everything. I hope the board—”
Linda Kay held up a hand. “Now, you just let me worry about the board. I want to know what you’ve discovered.” She gave me a sly smile. “I’m sure you’ve been investigating and I want to hear all of the juicy details.”
Jacob poured tea into the tea cups he’d set out while Linda Kay helped herself to a strawberry tart and placed it on the blue and white porcelain plate.
Linda Kay had acquired a number of beautiful, and expensive, collections over the decades that she’d worked at the museum. Surprising to me, she believed in using rare china, crystal vases and art rather than putting them behind glass protective cases. In fact, the paintings on the walls of her office were authentic. I was still adjusting to someone who actually used her best items rather than storing them away. I grew up in a home where the good china, which wasn’t even close in price to the plate I was eating from today, was kept locked up and only used once or twice per year, if at all. However, Linda Kay believed in using objects as their creator intended and enjoyed surrounding herself with beautiful things.
With care, I placed my teacup in its saucer and told Linda Kay and Jacob everything I knew about Archibald Lowry.
They listened with rapt attention. Jacob added a few bits from his experience on Friday night, but was silent when I discussed Saturday and Sunday. When I was finished, I waited.
Linda Kay smiled. “Well, that’s fascinating. I can’t wait to meet everyone on Saturday when the police have cleared the auction to be rescheduled.”
I stared at her with wide eyes and an open mouth.
Linda Kay laughed. “Now, you can just close your mouth and stop looking surprised.”
I complied, at least with closing my mouth. “You mean to say you’re going to let Dixie have the auction here?”
She nodded.
“But what about the board?”
“Pshaw.” She waved her hand as if flinging away an annoying gnat. “Dixon Vannover is an arrogant, pompous social climber who is just using the museum board as a stepping stone to advance his political career.” She took a deep breath. “He’s just a young pup who wants to bark all the time.” She shook her head. “He likes to think he’s a big shot.” She sat tall and puffed out her chest, but then relaxed and smiled. “Well, I may not have a string of degrees, but I’m a lot smarter than he thinks.” She leaned forward and winked at me.
“Well, how? What? I don’t understand.” I sputtered and stared from her to Jacob who was struggling to keep from laughing.
“Honey, I just phoned up a couple of my friends.” She smiled. “They ran newspaper, radio and television ads that were incredibly favorable about the museum and our charitable work to help the poodle rescue.”
Jacob smiled. “Linda Kay knows everyone. She’s even friends with the governor.”
I wasn’t into politics, but I couldn’t help being impressed. “You run in some impressive circles.”
“I went to college in Alabama with his wife.” She smiled. “We’re sorority sisters, but I’m not showing Dixon all of my cards. I’m keeping that one up my sleeve for now.” She gazed off as though she was seeing something in the future. After a few seconds, she nodded. “No, I think Dixon will try something and I want to be ready for him. Anyway, I didn’t have to play my entire hand. Even though Archibald Lowry was murdered here, the publicity for the museum was all very positive. So, we’re fine.”
I leaned forward. “Are you sure? I was prepared to turn in my resignation if necessary.”
She swatted away my response with a wave of her hand. “Oh no you won’t. We have an audit and the annual report coming up.” She smiled. “Don’t think you’re going to get away with leaving Jacob and me to handle all that financial mumbo jumbo.”
I knew Linda Kay understood more about finances than she was letting on, but I appreciated her support and leaned across and hugged her.
We sat and talked a bit longer. She was excited about the auction and was planning to come on Saturday to support the poodle rescue. I don’t know why, but just knowing that Linda Kay would be present this time made me feel at ease.
When Linda Kay learned my daughter was here visiting, she was excited to meet her. I promised to introduce her when she picked me up for lunch.
We chatted a bit longer and then Jacob reminded Linda Kay she had a meeting in fifteen minutes. I left and Jacob cleared Linda Kay’s office of all traces of our breakfast.
I spent the next few hours engrossed in spreadsheets and numbers. I’d gone over the figures so many times, I was sure I’d see them in my sleep. I was just about to check them once again when my phone started to vibrate.
It was a message from Stephanie letting me know she was downstairs.
I checked the time. I quickly responded that she should come up.
In less than five minutes, there was a light tap on my door. Jacob stuck his head in. “I found this young woman wandering the halls. She claims she is related to you?” He grinned, stepped aside and welcomed Stephanie into my office.
Stephanie entered and I made the introductions.
“I’ve heard my mom talk about you so much, I feel like I know you.” She shook hands.
Jacob raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure if that’s good or bad, but I’m going to go with good.” He smiled. “How long are you visiting?”
“Just a week. I leave Sunday.”
“Well, we need to make sure you see all of the sights. Now, what did you see last time you were here?”
Stephanie and Jacob talked about the obvious attractions and then he provided a list of sights which he recommended that were off the typical tourist path. After a few moments, he checked his watch. “I think Linda Kay should be f
inishing her meeting now and I know she’d love to meet you.”
He walked to Linda Kay’s door, knocked and then entered.
Linda Kay had just finished a conference call and had a short window before her next meeting started. She waved Stephanie inside. She was gracious and complimented Stephanie on her beauty, welcomed her to Chattanooga and then encouraged me to take my laptop home and work from home the rest of the week so I could spend more time with my daughter.
I thanked her and promised we would spend as much time together as the work allowed. Her phone rang signaling her next meeting and we slipped out quietly.
There are a lot of wonderful restaurants in downtown Chattanooga, but when I asked if she had a taste for anything special, Stephanie requested a hamburger and milkshake from the dive Dixie had introduced us to on her last visit. So, we headed to the small diner.
The first time we’d eaten here, we thought Dixie was out of her mind. After we tasted the hamburgers and incredible shakes, we understood the attraction.
She’d proclaimed them the “Best greasy burgers and shakes you’ll ever eat,” and she was right.
There were only about ten tables in the entire restaurant, so we counted ourselves lucky when a couple left as we arrived. We hurried and secured our seats. A middle-aged man with a bald head and long beard and mustache came to the table to take our orders. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Every inch of exposed skin was covered in tattoos. He placed napkins and a knife down for each of us.
“What can I get you ladies?” He smiled big.
We ordered fried cauliflower, hamburgers and milkshakes. It didn’t take long before he returned and we were able to tuck into our food with zeal.
Stephanie sucked on her chocolate Shock-o-matic and squeezed her eyes and shivered as the brain freeze hit. After a few seconds, when she was able to talk, she said, “That has to be the best thing I’ve ever tried in my life.”
I smiled. “You haven’t tried the Cat-man-du.” I slid my glass over and allowed her to taste the cashew and Himalayan pink salt burger, which was my personal favorite.