I joined her at the window. “I love that dress.”
She smiled. “It’s my go-to little black dress. You look great. And Jenny, you look amazing too.”
Jenny flounced onto the sofa. “Thanks.”
Elizabeth pointed out the window. “The limo pulled up. It looks like it could fit ten people.”
“I’ve never been in a stretch limo before.” Jenny bounded to the window.
Rob climbed the front steps, and I opened the door. He kissed my cheek and lifted the necklace. “Pretty bauble.”
I smiled. “Given to me by a lovely fellow.”
He said, “Everyone ready to go?”
Jenny ran out the door. “Can’t wait.”
I laughed. “It was like pulling teeth to get her to go; throw a stretch limo into the mix and now she’s ready.”
The driver held the door for Jenny. She disappeared inside. A moment later, her head popped back out. “They have a TV. Can I turn it on?”
I raised my eyebrow. The driver nodded and pointed inside. Jenny disappeared again. Elizabeth joined her. Jenny babbled about the size of the TV, and then music drifted out. I turned to Rob. “Are you okay?”
He pulled me close. “As long as you’re with me.” He extended his hand to the limo. “After you. We may as well get this over with.”
I climbed in. There was a long oblong shaped black leather couch. I sat and slid over so Rob could get in. Next to the TV was what looked like a fully stocked bar. A bottle of champagne cooled in a bucket of ice.
Jenny squealed. “This is the best.”
The driver got into the front seat and slid open the partition. “There’s champagne if you want it, or other drinks. Please settle in. The ride should only take about twenty-five minutes.” The partition closed.
Rob turned to Elizabeth and raised his eyebrow. She said, “May as well. Might make the evening more mellow.”
He pulled the champagne out and wiped the bottle. It was Dom Perignon. Rob whistled. “Someone has expensive taste.” He popped the cork and poured glasses.
Jenny held out her hand. Rob turned to me. I said, “A taste.”
He poured a small amount and handed it to her.
I lifted my glass. “What should we drink to?”
Elizabeth said, “Surviving the evening.” We toasted.
I sipped champagne. “This is yummy.”
Jenny laughed. “The bubbles tickle!”
The limo exited the highway and passed Mac’s veterinary office. I took a sip of champagne. “Shouldn’t be long now.”
The limo turned off the road onto the long drive. The gate opened automatically. Lilac trees in full bloom lined the drive. I said, “How pretty.”
Elizabeth agreed, “They’re gorgeous.”
Jenny pressed the button for the window. Their sweet scent filled the air. She said, “I love spring.”
The limo passed under the portico to the rear of the expansive Tudor house. A large horse stable was on the left, and a massive garage sat on the right. Directly in front of us was an enormous barn. Twinkle lights outlined the roof, and several large pots overflowed with peonies, tulips, and vivid pink creeping phlox. The driver opened the door with a flourish. As we exited the limo, a server extended a tray full of champagne glasses. Rob, Elizabeth, and I took one.
Jenny bounded out last. “Mom, can I go see the horses?”
“Let’s see what’s going on first.”
Her shoulders drooped. I gave her a side hug. “Later. I promise.”
The massive barn door had been slid to the side. A crowd of party-goers was inside and on the patio adjacent to the barn. Tables adorned with crisp white linens, plates on golden chargers, and gleaming crystal glasses filled one portion of the room. The other side held white chairs, leading to an elaborate flower-bedecked archway. A raised platform was immediately behind the arch, and next to the platform was a table with three candles.
Elizabeth’s hand clutched Rob’s. “I have a bad feeling about this.”
Rob’s face froze. “You don’t think—No. She wouldn’t.”
A man walked onto the platform holding a musical triangle and striker. He gently struck the triangle to get the crowd’s attention. Ushers wove through the crowd urging everyone to take a seat on either side of the aisle. One wearing a white dinner jacket approached Elizabeth. “Family of the bride? Come with me, please.”
Jenny’s mouth formed a perfect circle. “She’s getting married again?”
A string quartet played Pachelbel’s Canon in D as Mac and Wanda made their way down the aisle. She wore a knee-length rose color dress that highlighted her slender frame, and Mac wore a navy suit. Rob stared straight ahead as Elizabeth, Jenny, and I turned to watch the procession. A justice of the peace performed the short ceremony, and after the “I dos,” he requested Elizabeth and Rob to join the newlyweds by the table with the candles. Rob looked like he was about to refuse, but Elizabeth grabbed his hand and gave a quick tug. They joined the couple.
Wanda said, “These are my children. To celebrate our marriage, they will light candles, which we will use to light our unity candle.” The soft strains of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy started. Rob’s hand shook as he lit his candle. Elizabeth wore a smile that looked frozen. Rob handed the candle to Mac; Elizabeth handed hers to Wanda. Mac and Wanda then lit their unity candle and kissed. By the time Rob came back to the pew, his face was beet red. I took his hand, pulled him closer, and whispered, “Try to hold it together.”
He squeezed my hand and tried to arrange his face in a smile as Mac and Wanda traveled down the aisle, greeting people as they walked. Rob turned to me. “I have to leave. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He slid out the nearest exit, avoiding the crowd of well-wishers at the front.
Elizabeth sank into the chair, her color high as well. “I can’t believe it.”
“Can we leave now?” Jenny shuffled her feet.
“I’m afraid not. I’m sure Rob took our driver, and we’re going to have to tough it out until the limo returns. You can see the horses now if you want.” She made a quick exit, and I sat next to Elizabeth. “That was a shock.”
“It’s so stupid. Who gets married after a few months of knowing someone. And just after your other husband died.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No need for you to apologize. She’s my mother.” Elizabeth turned. “The crowd looks like it’s moving into the dining area. Better put on our happy faces and make our excuses for Rob.”
Chapter 13
Wanda and her new husband Mac hosted a small wedding brunch the next day in the conservatory attached to Mac’s house. Towering topiaries flanked either side of the entrance.
Rob flinched when I touched his arm. “They’re starting brunch. We should go in.”
“I can’t believe she went through with it.” He paced the flagstone patio.
“I’m sorry. I know it’s disappointing—”
“Disappointing?” His nostrils flared. “Is that what you think this is? She’s been arrested for the murder of one husband, and before his body’s even cold she’s married again!” His hand hit his thigh. “It’s stupid, that’s what it is.”
I rubbed his back. “I know you’re mad, but you’re going to have to calm down. There are other guests here.”
He took a deep breath, and then another. His hands stopped shaking. “I’ll be in shortly. I need a moment to get myself under control.” He stalked away.
I inspected the ivy trailing from the topiary. It was impressive how they got it to curve into a green ball; it looked so manicured. I glanced at Rob’s back. It wasn’t as rigid as it had been. Maybe he was getting calmer. I walked into the conservatory.
Mac hurried toward me. He extended his hand, and I shook it. His other hand covered mine. “Isn’t Rob with you?” He frowned.
“He’s here. He wanted to have a quick look at the horses. He’ll be here in a minute.”
“Oh, good. His mother would have been so disappointed if h
e hadn’t come.” Mac’s shoulders relaxed.
Rob entered and strode to meet us. He extended his hand. “Congratulations and welcome to the family. I’m sorry I left in such a rush last night. Stomach trouble.”
I put my arm around Rob. All his muscles were tense again. I rubbed his back.
A smile split Mac’s face. “That’s too bad. Your mother thought that maybe you were upset about the wedding.”
Rob grimaced. “Not at all.”
Mac extended his arm. “Have a seat. They’re about to serve.”
Rob and I took our seats between Jenny and Elizabeth. Rob leaned toward Elizabeth and said, “Are we having fun yet?”
She punched his arm. “Not now.”
Mac stood and clinked his glass. “If I could have your attention please.” He pulled Wanda to her feet and faced her. “I’m so happy to share my life and my happiness with my lovely new wife. To Wanda.”
The group murmured, “To Wanda.”
I sipped my mimosa. Rob put his down. He whispered. “Not drinking to that.”
The servers came out with silver-covered dishes and placed them in front of us. With a flourish, they removed the covers. Jenny smiled. “Eggs Benedict. My favorite.”
Rob turned to her. “I thought pancakes were your favorite.”
She cut into the egg. “Only when you make them.”
A smile lit his face.
I stood and walked to the sideboard. There were several platters, including one that had smoked salmon artfully arranged into roses. I put a bagel onto a plate and two of the salmon slices and rejoined the table.
Elizabeth looked up. “Ooh. Can I have a piece of salmon?”
“Yes. And you can have half of the bagel too.”
“When you and Rob get married, you’ll be my favorite sister-in-law.”
I handed her the plate.
Rob stood. “I don’t feel much like eating. I think I’ll walk around the conservatory.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No. You eat.”
He wandered off, inspecting the myriad of plants under the dome. I returned my focus to the plate. A butterfly flew past and landed on Elizabeth’s shoulder. I was about to point it out to her when I noticed Rob. He was on the other side of the conservatory standing stock still. His face was ashen. I hurried to his side. “What’s wrong?”
With his arm glued to his side, he lifted his finger and pointed. Two rows back was an excellent specimen of Ricinus communis.
My mouth dropped. “Why is everyone growing castor bean plants when they’re so poisonous?”
✽ ✽ ✽
“I’m so full. I don’t think I’ll ever eat again.” I sank back against my couch cushions.
“Say what you want, that man knows how to feed people.” Elizabeth’s sock-clad feet were stretched out onto the coffee table.
Rob grunted. “His chef feeds people.” He turned to me. “Mind if I make myself a sandwich?”
I swept my arm toward the kitchen. “Be my guest.”
Jenny pushed herself off the chair. “I’m stuffed too. I’ll be up in my room if anyone needs me.” She ran up the stairs.
Elizabeth rubbed her eyes. “I can’t believe I have to fly back tonight.”
“You’re welcome to stay.”
“That’s sweet of you, but I have patients tomorrow.” She rolled her shoulders. “What a mess.”
Rob walked back in carrying a sandwich and cola. “Last chance. Anyone want anything?”
Elizabeth and I groaned in unison.
“I’ll take that to be a no.” He sat. “What are we going to do?”
Elizabeth turned toward him. “Not much we can do. We need to ride it out, like the other ones.”
“What if he ends up dead, like the last one?” He took a bite of the sandwich.
Elizabeth sat up. “What on earth do you mean?”
Rob told her about the castor bean plants.
She blanched. “You don’t think—”
“I’m not sure what to think. She was the only one in the hotel room with him, and we now know she had access to poison. Maybe she was tired of waiting to inherit.”
“She was only married for two years. Kind of a short time to get tired of someone.” Elizabeth clutched her stomach. “I may be sick.”
“I have peppermint tea. That might help.” I started to stand.
She put her hand out to stop me. “That’s kind of you, but I don’t think it will.” She turned to Rob. “What do you think we should do?”
“As much as it pains me to say this, we’re going to find out if she did it. And if she did, we’re going to turn her in to the police.” He rubbed his neck.
Elizabeth fell back against the cushions. “I pray it doesn’t come to that.”
✽ ✽ ✽
Patty and I finished lunch at Delightful Bites. I took a sip of coffee. “So now you’re up-to-date. It was a heck of a weekend, and I’m thankful it’s over.”
Patty leaned closer and whispered, “Does Rob think his mother did it?”
“He’s afraid she did. Remember the night of that awful storm?”
“How could I forget? We ended up with all four kids in bed with us, and we have a queen size mattress.”
“Wanda met me in the basement when I was checking the fuses—”
“And?”
“Her feet were wet. Why would her feet have been wet?”
“No idea.” Patty lifted the iced Frappuccino to her lips.
“What if she snuck over to Alex’s greenhouse that night? The sound of the storm would have hidden the sound of the back door squeaking.”
“How would she have known that Alex had castor bean plants in her greenhouse?”
I drummed my fingers on the table and then lifted my forefinger. “Alex told me she had been giving tours. A lot of people were interested in what she was growing. What if Wanda was one of them?”
“But I remember when Wanda met Alex at Ed and Andy’s party. Neither of them mentioned that they’d met before.”
“True.” I leaned back in my chair. “Back to square one.”
✽ ✽ ✽
Rob and I were clearing up the kitchen after dinner. There was a knock at the back door, and Jay walked in. “Am I interrupting anything?”
“No. Would you like coffee?” I loaded the last dish into the dishwasher.
“Of course.” He sat at the table Rob wiped off.
Rob retrieved the cookie jar and handed it to Jay. “What’s up?”
“We finally got the toxicology report on the champagne.”
My neck grew tight. “And.”
“It was clean. There was no ricin in the glasses, the champagne, or anywhere else in the room.”
Rob sank onto a chair. “Thank God. So my mother didn’t kill him.”
Jay held up his finger. “I didn’t say that. I said that she didn’t kill him with the champagne. The Doc told me that Richard would be having symptoms as early as four hours after being exposed, and as late as twenty-four. ”
“When else would she have had a chance to give him the ricin? We went to dinner that night. No one else got sick. And she was staying here. Richard was at Rob’s. She couldn’t have done it.” I smiled and handed Jay a mug.
“That’s what we’re going to have to work out. I still think she’s guilty.” He turned to Rob. “You said you didn’t know that your mother and Richard had gotten back together the night he died.”
Rob gave a slow nod. “That’s true.”
“So they could have seen each other earlier in the day, and you two would never have known it.” Jay pointed with his cookie at me. “You said she borrowed your car that day.”
“Yes—”
“So she could have been anywhere with anyone during the day. Even with Richard.”
I broke in. “But they didn’t act like they’d seen each other.”
“Maybe they’re good actors.”
Rob chewed the cookie slowly and t
hen drank some coffee. He shook his head. “If they had seen each other earlier in the day, I would have known.” He touched my hand. “Remember—she wanted to switch seats with Jenny. Why would she have wanted to do that if they had made up earlier in the day?”
Jay stood. “Didn’t you think it was odd that they ended up together that night? Maybe they planned it when they met earlier.”
“Not the way she was acting that night.” I pulled on my ear. “Although they resolved their differences at warp speed.” I turned to Rob. “They only had a few minutes to talk before we got in the car. I guess that is suspicious.”
Rob stood. “Not necessarily. We’re forgetting that they could have spoken by phone that night after we got home. We went to dinner early that night. They would have had plenty of time to talk.” He retrieved the coffee pot, and I put my hand over my mug; Jay beckoned him forward.
I nodded. “I went to bed early that night. I was catching up on my sleep after the awful storm the night before.”
Rob sat down, leaned back in his chair, and crossed his arms over his chest. “See. She didn’t do it.”
Jay rose. “As far as I’m concerned, she killed her husband.” On that note, he walked out the door.
“Your mother was a busy woman.” I put my cookie back on the napkin.
Rob’s eyebrow rose.
“She had Mac on a string and looked like she was reconciling with Richard.”
Jenny ran down the stairs and bounced into the kitchen. “Ooh. Cookies. Yum, I need them.” She took one from the jar, poured a glass of milk, and plopped down at the table. “What’s up? You both look so serious. Did Detective Ziebold have bad news?”
“Not bad news. Actually, it might be good news,” I said. “He told us that the poison wasn’t in the champagne or the glasses.”
“Oh. That’s good.” She turned to Rob. “I’m glad your mother didn’t kill her husband.”
“Thanks. We’re trying to figure out when she and Richard agreed to meet at the motel.”
“That’s easy. She was talking to him on the phone that night. You had zonked out already. I came down for an apple, and she was here—” she motioned toward the table. “It was pretty gross. She was cooing into the phone. She glared at me, so I grabbed an apple and high-tailed it back upstairs.”
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