“Okay. We’ll be waiting at what? 8:00 a.m.
“Yes.”
When Tabitha pushed the off button on her phone, she looked at Courtney. “Court, I honestly can’t take anymore.”
Tabitha had never been one to cry, but tonight the tears came hard. “Bob wants to come help, but right now I just want to go home.”
Courtney handed her a tissue. “Tabitha, tell me what you want to do. I don’t know if I can make it happen but I’ll do my darndest.”
Rupert walked over, put both paws on Tabitha’s shoulders, leaning his head against her ear. Courtney chuckled. “Even Rupert wants to help.”
“Down.” Tabitha said. Rupert laid his head on her leg. Tabitha blew her nose and wiped her eyes. “I have a plan. I think it will work. Well, I know it will work if I can talk Cabot into helping me. With his money, we can pull it off.”
“You want him to put you on his private jet and send you to El Paso for Christmas?” Courtney was only half joking.
“Yeah, sure. I’d be in jail before the plane landed. There is an extradition treaty between England and the States.” She wiped the tears that kept leaking from her eyes. The she blew her nose. Angrily she threw the tissue in the wastebasket. “I hate crying. It makes my nose run then I get so miserable that I can’t cry anymore. It’s frustrating.”
Courtney handed her another tissue. “So what do you have in mind?”
Lowering her voice, Tabitha finished filling Courtney in on the plan. “So what do you really think?” Tabitha’s eyes looked tired, discouraged.
“I think it will work. You’re going to let Cabot in on it tomorrow at breakfast?”
“Yes. I will need his help. Besides I want to get his pictures out of our flat and into a safe place.”
“I don’t blame you.” Courtney rubbed Rupert’s head. “I don’t think I’d want them at Ghost Haven even though we have a strong room.”
“I want Cabot to take them. I’m not that happy with the one skirt, but he seems to be okay with it so I’m going to give it to him.” She sat up straighter, a big smile on her face.
“Those are the last paintings other than the Duval one. I feel like I’ve just won the lottery.”
Her yawn nearly split her face. “I think I’m going to bed. You coming?”
“I’ll be there as soon as I check in with Hargraves and Debbie. You can have the bathroom first.”
Tabitha waved her hand as she and Rupert headed down the hall.
Courtney dialed a number but it wasn’t Hargraves or Debbie’s number.”
Chapter 32--Cinitias
The next morning, Cabot ushered them into a small diner a few blocks away from the theater. The sign read Cinitias. It looked like it belonged in the 1950’s.
Tabitha and Courtney exchanged glances. Cabot caught their look. “I know it doesn’t look like much, but the food is really good. Reminds me of Texas.”
Tabitha smiled. “If it reminds you of Texas, I’m ready to try it. I’d die for some good Chili Rellenos.
“Don’t say that too loudly.” Courtney said as Cabot motioned them to a booth at the back of the dinner. A waitress walked over with menu’s and glasses of ice water.
“Hi, Mandy. Have you got Chili Rellenos on the menu this morning?”
She smiled. “Sure do. It’s the special.” There was something about the twang in her voice that made Tabitha homesick.
“You’re from Texas.”
“Ah sure am. You all sound like you’re from there yourself.” Her smile got wider.
“Ah sure am. El Paso. What part are you from?” Tabitha’s grin matched the waitress.
“San-an Antonio.” The girl leaned over and gave Tabitha hug. “It makes my day to meet a new cousin.”
Courtney looked confused. Tabitha noticed her look and laughed. “Anyone from Texas is a cousin. It’s a tradition. One we really uphold in the cold, wet country of England.”
They placed their orders, then Cabot turned his hard gaze on Tabitha. “Okay. Out with it. You didn’t want to meet with me for the pleasure of my company.”
Tabitha rubbed her temples, then met his eyes. “I enjoy your company especially when you buy me Chili Rellenos, but this is a business meeting.”
He nodded. “Understood.”
“I think the last Nutcracker paintings need a little more work. Both you and Courtney think they are finished. I am willing to agree with you.”
He nodded again. “I don’t see how you can improve on perfection.”
Tabitha smiled. “I’m assuming that you will pick up the pictures and take them to the repository where the other pictures are located, right?”
“That’s right. I’m not leaving my pictures anywhere they can be damaged by our enemies.” His voice was emphatic. His fist pounded the table.
She smiled. “I have to agree with you. I don’t want my work damaged. However, I was wondering if I could ask a favor.”
His face was grim. “I have a feeling I know what it is but go ahead.”
Tabitha lifted her eyebrows. “I was wondering if you could make arrangements to smuggle me out of my flat when you have your pictures removed.” She could feel the nerves begin to tingle in her feet as she waited for his answer.
“What did you have in mind?” His tone was neutral.
She didn’t know if he was agreeing or not. She laid her plan out in detail. “I know I’m still a person of interest in Parker’s mind.” Her fists tightened spasmodically, tears filling her eyes, a tic started in the corner of her mouth.
She shuddered hard.
“Hey, darlin’, you cold?” The waitress brought their breakfasts plus big cups of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate spriggles.
Tabitha forced a smile. “No. Just felt like someone walkin’ over my grave.”
“Can’t have that, love. You all be careful, like.”
Tabitha nodded, then looked back at Cabot. “I’m tired of being shot at, run off the road, run down and having bad things happen to my friends and my work. I’d like to go to Ghost Haven. I know I’d be safe there even from Parker.”
“Have your talked to Mark or Peter?” Cabot was curious.
“No. They are officers of the court. They would have to tell Parker where I am.”
She shrugged. “For some reason, I don’t feel good about him knowing. Courtney is sure he’s behind all this. I don’t see how he could be but I do think he won’t investigate anyone else but me. In fact, I’m expecting to see a warrant for my arrest in a few days.”
“If I make the arrangements like you’ve suggested, would you be willing to paint Liu’s portrait while you’re at Ghost Haven.”
When she didn’t answer he added, “I’m not telling you that I won’t help you if you turn me down, I’m just asking if you would be willing.”
Tabitha swallowed, took a deep breath, then a bite of her Chili Rellenos. “This is heaven.”
Cabot took a bit of his food then a drink of coffee. “You’re stalling.”
Tabitha forced a smile. “Right now, I just don’t see how I can. If she comes for sittings, Parker will find out where I am.”
Cabot reached for his wallet. From a specially designed pocket, he pulled out a 3 inch by 5-inch photo and handed it to Tabitha.
“I don’t want her to sit for the portrait. I want you to paint her from this.”
Courtney turned it so she could see it. “Oh, Tab, it’s a wonderful picture. She is so gorgeous.”
Tabitha turned the picture to where the light shown on it. “She is beautiful and her expression. Wow! I don’t know if I could do it justice.”
“Of course you could.” Courtney was adamant. “You did that picture of Sherry for her mother and it was the same kind of picture. You can capture that radiance.”
“Do you have a bigger picture? It would be easier if the picture was larger. I’d have to blow this up and it will become pixilated.”
“I have an 8 x 10. That’s the largest I have.”
“An 8 x 10 would work well.” Tabitha looked at the picture for a few minutes more. “I’d love to try my hand at this.”
Cabot relaxed. “That would be phenomenal.” He took another sip of coffee while Courtney and Tabitha practically inhaled their cocoa.”
“I’m coming back here as soon as this mess is taken care of. I didn’t think I’d like TexMex food but I’m beginning to love it.” Courtney sat back with a satisfied sigh.
Cabot frowned at the interruption. “When do you want to do this?”
Tabitha bit her lip. “As soon you can make the arrangements. Once I’m at Ghost Haven, I’ll have Courtney notify Mark and Peter. I’ll also keep you out of this. I don’t want you in trouble for helping me.”
Cabot snorted. “I’m not worried about Parker. I know his father-in-law. A word in his ear about DCI Parker’s treatment of his daughter might be just the thing to keep Parker occupied and out of our hair for a few days.”
Courtney nodded. “I’ve want to tell him what’s going on with Janet but haven’t dared. I don’t want to get her in trouble.”
Cabot nodded. “It’s better if it comes from me.” He looked at Tabitha. “I don’t know how fast I can make the arrangements.”
He looked at Courtney. “I don’t want you staying in the flat alone after Tabitha leaves. I’m thinking it might be a good idea if you and a bodyguard drive down together. I’ll set it up so you can go about the same time as the truck comes for the paintings.”
He looked at his watch. “Tabitha, you’ll come out to the curb to see Courtney off. I’ll have several men posted in the lobby and in your flat to make sure no harm comes to any of you.”
He motioned for their waitress. “Could I get the bill please?”
“Sure thing, love.” She put it on the table. He quickly placed his emerald credit card on the bill.
Courtney’s eyes widened. She had never seen an emerald credit card before.
“I’ll take you home. Once I get things set up I’ll call you.”
A few minutes later, after he had seen them into their flat, Courtney rubbed her arms. “I’m glad you’re coming home to Ghost Haven. I just hope it doesn’t precipitate a disaster.”
Chapter 33—Tabitha’s Flat
Tabitha looked at Courtney. “What do you mean you hope it doesn’t precipitate a disaster?”
“I mean Parker is going to come unglued when he finds out you’re gone. The first place he’ll look is Ghost Haven.”
“I know.” Tabitha’s eyes looked worried as she twisted her hands, her knuckles white. “I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
“That wasn’t what I meant. I’m a little nervous about keeping you hidden.”
Tabitha laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about that. Your guests don’t know me. I’ll try to eat at off times.”
Courtney shook her head. “No. I think you should just be around like you normally would. Every guest room is filled. The staff already know you. The only way Parker could find out about you is if he sent in a spy. We won’t take any more guests which is perfectly normal since we don’t have any more rooms.”
Tabitha laughed. “If you don’t mind, I can paint in the gallery or on the porch if it isn’t too cold.”
“Which it will be. The nice thing about painting in the gallery is that it has that priest hole as well as access to the hidden passages. We haven’t advertised the priest holes. If Parker shows up you can hide in either the priest holes or the passages. You can keep your painting and equipment in the priest hole, too.”
Tabitha hugged herself. “I like it. I hope I can get our little ghost’s picture cleaned. I’d like to know what she looks like.”
“I would too. I know she seems to like you best, but I’d like to know about her.” Courtney walked to the gas fire and turned it on. “I don’t know why but I’m freezing.”
“I’m cold, too.” Tabitha walked over to join her. “This feels fabulous.”
She looked around at their rather bedraggled Christmas tree. “I feel bad that I haven’t had time to decorate for Christmas. I really love doing it.”
“Ghost Haven is really decorated. You’re going to love it. Every room but the gallery has loads of Christmas decorations. Since you’re going to paint in the gallery, we’ll put a tree and a few Nutcrackers and some other decorations there to make it more homey. Providing of course, that the ghost lets us.”
“Thanks. I’d love to have the decoration. If she won’t let you put them in, I can try when I get there.”
She walked over to straighten some of the ornaments that had gotten knocked crooked when Cabot and Parker had shoved past the tree. “You know what I’d like to do, if I can get our ghost’s picture cleaned?”
“Paint a big picture of her?” Tabitha guessed.
Tabitha grinned. “I guess that was obvious. I’d like to make it big enough to hang over the mantle. The picture that is there is hideous.”
Courtney clapped her hands. “We could call the room The Ghost in the Gallery.”
“That was the name of a Dana Girls book” Tabitha chuckled. “The Ghost in the Gallery was one of my favorite books growing up. To avoid copyright laws, I think you might want to call it The Ghostly Gallery.”
“That does sound better.” Courtney frowned. “I was going to bring Mark’s book on the Payne’s, but I forgot it.”
“That’s okay. I’d like to see if I can find more about our little ghost.”
“I found another book on the Payne’s. It was odd.” Courtney stopped, gazing into the fire.
“What was odd?” Tabitha glared at Courtney.
“Oh, sorry. I was thinking about the book.”
Tabitha sounded exasperated. “What book?”
Courtney looked at her friend in surprise. “The book I found in the attic. I told you about it.”
“No, you didn’t. You said that you forgot Mark’s book.” She tapped Courtney’s head. “Hello. Is there anyone in there?”
With a laugh, Courtney pushed Tabitha’s hand away. “Sorry. I haven’t completely lost my mind, but all your problems are certainly helping to keep it missing.”
Tabitha grinned. “Touché! Now tell me about this book.”
Courtney sat on the edge of the couch arm. “Debbie and I were cleaning out the attic. I think that there is stuff up there from the time of our ghost.” She looked up at Tabitha who was still looking at the fire.
“I wish I’d been there to help. I love attics.” Tabitha’s voice was soft, sad, subdued.
Courtney looked at her friend. “Are you okay?”
“Not really. Everything has gone wrong, hasn’t it? I’ve been accused of murder. Charles London is engaged to a wealthy spoiled woman. I’m not happy with my Nutcracker pictures. I’m having to run and hide to avoid getting arrested. Every time I turn around someone is trying to kill me.”
Courtney got up and put her arm around Tabitha. “It has been rough, but it will get better. I know that.”
Tabitha looked at her friend out of the corner of her eye. “How do you know that?”
“You are innocent of the murder. Mark and Peter will prove that.”
Tabitha smiled a small smile. “I hope you’re right about that.”
“I am because London’s team is helping them. You’ve found out a lot, too that will help.”
Tabitha took a deep breath. “True. I can keep helping from Ghost Haven.”
“Once we find out who is guilty of the murder we will know who is trying to kill you so that will take care of that problem. I think you are depressed about your Nutcracker pictures because who can be happy when someone is gunning for them.”
Tabitha forced a smile. “That could be true. Once they are hung, I may decide that they are okay after all.”
“If not, you could always touch them up.” Courtney put her arm about Tabitha. “Darling, honestly, I think they are wonderful. I like them almost as much as your haunted paintings. You found fault with them too.”
�
�I know. I’m sorry I’m down. It just all seems too much. I can’t seem to get my footing. It’s like I’m walking around with one leg shorter than the other.”
“Well, if I’d been shot at as many times as you have lately, I’d feel like I have one leg shorter than the other, too.”
Courtney looked out the window. “It’s starting to snow. I hope that doesn’t mess up our plans.”
Tabitha pulled her legs up, resting her feet on the seat of the chair, her forehead against her knees. “We don’t even know if Cabot can pull it off.” Her voice was muffled.
“Tabitha, I’m sorry about Charles’ engagement. I know that’s what’s at the bottom of your down mood. Maybe his mother can break them up.” Her voice was gentle.
“I may be a selfish person but I don’t want her to do that. If he really loves her, then he should have her.”
“But does she love him. From what you said, she doesn’t seem to love him. I mean, what woman would insult a man’s special tie in front of people.”
Tabitha shrugged.
“Besides, is he in love with her or her looks or is he running from his feelings for you?”
Tabitha lifted her head to stare at her friend. “Are you crazy? What feelings other than loathing.”
“I’m not a psychologist but I suspect that London cares for you more than he realizes.” She paused. “Tell me what his mother looks like?”
Tabitha’s phone rang. She pulled it from her pocket, glanced at the screen and said, “Speak of the devil. It’s her.”
“Hello? Lady Brittanie?”
Even though Tabitha held the phone away from her ear, Courtney couldn’t quite make out what she was saying.
“I’m sorry. I’ve already made plans with my best friend. She’s heading back to Ghost Haven tomorrow.” Tabitha’s voice didn’t sound as apologetic as the words did.
Courtney had to fight a smile when Tabitha closed her eyes and shook her head. She put the phone down on the chair. “Lady Brittanie wants to take us to lunch. When I told her we had plans she said to bring you. She’s being quite insistent.”
Courtney laughed. “I’d like to meet her. Tell her yes.”
Tabitha picked up her phone which she put on speaker. “Courtney says she’d love to come. What time?”
The Ghost Dances the Nutcracker Page 17