Dying for High Tea

by Linda Gordon Hengerer

  “We weren’t close. It’s odd to think she’s gone, but what was she doing in the house?” Alex said. “I don’t understand this at all. She lived next door. How did she get in our house? Why?”

  “I don’t know. Police are investigating. Everyone on your street has been questioned.” BevAnne put away the laundry detergent when Alex was done.

  Dani and Chelsea came to the door.

  “We heard the news. We wanted to call Mrs. Browne and Sean,” Chelsea said.

  “I’ve got a casserole in the freezer we can take over,” BevAnne said. “I feel so helpless, but at least we can make sure they get a hot meal when they’re hungry.”

  “That sounds good. I’ve got some chocolate chip cookies I can take, too.” Dani ran a hand down BevAnne’s arm, giving comfort.

  They knew what Colleen and Sean were going through. Although the casserole was a small thing, it helped them to provide food that just needed heating up, for those times when grief overwhelmed and heating something up was all their grieving friends were capable of doing. The loss of Nana Jean one month earlier was always with them, but hearing about another loss freshened their grief and heightened their emotions.

  Sniffles and the sound of tissues coming out of the box was the only sound, and then Chelsea laughed.

  “Someone should invent a smart tissue dispenser that shoots out tissues when it hears someone blowing their nose,” she said. Giggles erupted, and then they all were laughing so hard they needed more tissues to mop up tears of laughter.

  Grief was odd: One moment crying from sadness, the next laughing at absurd comments. The fits of laughter died down, and then Alex looked at Dani and they started again.

  “Okay,” BevAnne said. “Let’s have some tea to compose ourselves, and then we’ll visit Colleen and Sean. I’ll put a lasagna in the oven and it should be ready for us by the time we come home.”

  ~*~

  They drove over to Nana Jean’s house and parked in the driveway. They couldn’t go inside, but the street was already full of parked cars. Loading up the casserole and cookies, they walked next door to Colleen Browne’s home.

  The front door opened just as they walked up to it. Sean Browne stopped short on his way out.

  “Good timing, ladies,” he said. “I was just on my way out to get more ice.” He held the door open for him, and each of them hugged him on their way inside. He led them back to the kitchen.

  “We’re so sorry for your loss,” Chelsea said. She’d been the closest to Sean in age and grade, and while all the sisters knew him and Siobhan, Alex and Dani didn’t know Sean as well as Chelsea did.

  “We can’t believe it,” Sean said. “Mother was at Grandmom’s when she got the call about the fire. I came over to see what was going on, and saw your place. They called me this morning about Siobhan.”

  “What made them think it was her?” Alex asked. They greeted neighbors and friends as they walked back to the kitchen, and came to the busy room.

  Counters overflowed with a buffet line of deli trays, platters of cake and cookies, and bottles of soft drinks. The kitchen table was set up as a bar, with two ice buckets that were almost empty sitting in the middle. Glasses, cups and saucers, mugs, and disposable cups were everywhere. The sink was full and one woman loaded up the dishwasher.

  An economy size bag of napkins was next to a stack of paper plates and plastic forks. People milled around, waiting for others to fill their plate and move down the line. Background noise was quiet but steady, everyone taking care to keep their voices down. Alex overheard several people talking about a missing girl, but she didn’t recognize the name and paid no attention.

  Sean said, “So many people brought food. I’m glad they did, because Siobhan didn’t have any in the house. I guess she’s been eating out.” His eyes filled, but he pressed a knuckle into the corner of each eye to keep the tears from falling.

  “I’ll put the casserole in the freezer for another time, and I’m going to hide the cookies from the crowd.” He took the bag of cookies and put them in the pantry, opening a box of bran cereal and putting the cookies inside to hide them. “They’ll be safe here.”

  “I wasn’t able to get in touch with Siobhan after the fire. The fire investigator hadn’t heard from her, and Mother said she hadn’t talked to her in a couple of days. We moved Grandmom into Citrus Beach Assisted Living, and the past few days have been crazy.” He picked up plastic cups and emptied them into the sink before throwing them in the recycle bin.

  “They mentioned the ring on the finger, and I told them I had given Siobhan a Claddagh ring. She nicked it against the wall and never got it fixed. That’s how they figured it out, but they’ll talk to her dentist to be sure.” He wiped up melted ice running from the ice bucket and moved one to the sink.

  “Sweetie, you’ll let us know if we can help, won’t you,” Chelsea said. She put her arms around Sean and squeezed, giving what little comfort she could.

  “Absolutely. I’ve got to get more ice, but help yourselves to food and drinks. Mother’s in the living room and I know she’d love to see you. Thank you for stopping by.” Sean waved to people in the hall and headed their way on his way out.

  BevAnne said, “Let’s pay our respects to Colleen.” She greeted people as they moved from the kitchen to the living room.

  Colleen Browne was their mother’s age. Alex saw her and thought, Mom would have looked like her. Over ten years passed since their parents died in the car accident with Grandpa Hal. Robin and Keith Powell stayed in their mid-forties in her memory until she saw Colleen Browne; she was a snapshot of how ten years made a difference. A few more wrinkles around the eyes, a dusting of gray in her hair, and reading glasses kept on a chain around her neck for easy access.

  Soon after the car accident, Colleen had her own troubles when Sean got into drugs. She moved the family to the Midwest to be near his rehab facility, and they stayed for a few years. Colleen caught up with BevAnne or Alex when she came back to Citrus Beach to visit her own mother. Alex knew she kept the house for convenience when she visited, sometimes for a month at a time. Now that Mrs. D’Arcy was in assisted living, Alex wondered if Colleen Browne would keep the house.

  The line to offer condolences to Colleen was long but it moved quickly. People didn’t want to linger, not sure what to say to a woman whose daughter died under suspicious circumstances.

  “Colleen, dear, I’m so sorry for your loss,” BevAnne said. She leaned down and hugged Colleen before settling into the chair next to her. “We brought a casserole and some cookies. Sean will tell you where he hid them.”

  “Thank you, BevAnne.” Colleen’s voice broke, and she took two tissues from the box next to her.

  Alex didn’t dare look at her sisters for fear of losing their grip and laughing like they had at BevAnne’s about Chelsea’s idea for a “smart” tissue box. Shaking shoulders could pass for tears, but actual laughter would be disrespectful even if they could explain.

  Condolences were given and accepted, and they left soon after chatting with Colleen. People were behind them, waiting patiently.

  They walked next door to get into the car for the drive back to BevAnne’s house. “We’ll call next week, after the funeral, and see how she’s doing. Right now there’s so much going on she probably hasn’t had time to think about Siobhan.” BevAnne got in the back seat. “I’m ready to get home and relax,” she said. “This week has been exhausting.”

  Chelsea got into the driver’s seat. “I’m with you. Dinner, maybe a movie, and then bed. I’m glad we’ll have two days off. We need it.”

  Chapter 6

  Sunday was their day for relaxing and getting chores done.

  Monday brought more business to Beach Tea Shop, and unexpected news.

  Siobhan Browne was alive, and the dead girl was Grace Carson.

  Grace Carson was a young woman whose mother had filed a missing person’s report. She’d gone missing Thursday of the week before, and dental records confir
med her identity. News about the fire received more coverage than that of a missing woman thought to be back on drugs.

  “That’s who they were talking about Saturday night at Colleen Browne’s house,” Alex said. “I heard some people talking about her when we were in the kitchen with Sean. She was in one of Sean’s recovery groups.”

  “Do you know her?” Dani asked. She turned over the Closed sign and sat down for the first time in hours.

  Alex brought a plate of sandwiches and cookies to the table, and Chelsea set down a pot of water for tea. Each of them had their favorite tea, and Chelsea placed a tin of loose tea in front of each of them. Dani liked Cinnamon Spice, Chelsea liked English Breakfast, and Alex’s favorite was Earl Grey.

  She’d found a tin of Smoky Earl Grey in a specialty food shop recently, and loved it with a splash of peaty Laphroaig single malt Scotch Whisky at the end of the day. She knew purists would shudder at this mix but she didn’t care.

  “No. Rose Bradford popped in this afternoon and passed along the info. I wonder if we’ll hear from Elizabeth Weaver.” Alex’s phone pinged. “Speak of the devil.”

  “Hello?” Alex listened for a moment. “We’re at Beach Tea Shop. Come anytime in the next hour or so, otherwise we’ll be at BevAnne’s house.”

  “That was Elizabeth Weaver. She’s coming over.”

  “Do we have time to eat?” Chelsea asked. She looked dubious at the thought, but cheered up at Alex’s reply.

  “We always have time to eat. She can join us if she wants to, but I need something in my stomach.” Alex was serious about eating. She got cranky when her blood sugar dropped, and her sisters made sure she didn’t get cranky too often.

  A knock on the door got their attention.

  “That was fast,” Dani said. She stood up and set out another place setting. “I’ll get another plate of sandwiches.” She walked back to the kitchen.

  Alex answered the door and invited Elizabeth Weaver in. “We’re having a snack before we wrap up work. Would you like something to eat or drink?”

  Chelsea offered her a chair. “We have cream cheese and olive sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies. Would you like hot or iced tea?”

  Elizabeth Weaver stood for a moment before sitting down. “Iced tea, please. I’ve been in the heat most of the day. Thank you for this. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

  She put a sandwich and a cookie on her plate and began to eat.

  Dani came back to the table with another plate of sandwiches and more cookies. She set a glass of iced tea in front of Elizabeth and then sat down.

  “You’re welcome,” Dani said. “We heard you know who the dead girl is.”

  “Yes,” Elizabeth said. “The dental records didn’t match Siobhan Browne but they were a match to a runaway.” She ate for a moment, taking her time.

  Alex wondered if Elizabeth was thinking about how much information to share with them. It was their house that was burned and a dead girl found inside, but they weren’t part of the investigation.

  “Siobhan is still unaccounted for. Have any of you seen her?” Elizabeth asked.

  “We knew from Colleen Browne that she’d been staying there, but we haven’t seen her,” Alex said. “Colleen said her boyfriend was staying with her. We didn’t see him, either.”

  Elizabeth took a sip of iced tea and relaxed in her chair. “We know he’s a former DEA Special Agent named Ronald Parker. There were fingerprints in the house.”

  “Before Saturday?” Alex asked. She thought of trying to fingerprint the house after everyone stopped to offer condolences.

  “Yes, we did it the day after the fire when we couldn’t find Siobhan.” Patting her mouth with a napkin, Elizabeth leaned forward.

  “We don’t know the whole story, but he might not be dating Siobhan. He’s not a good guy, so if you see either of them, give me a call. I’ll let the authorities know.”

  “Will do,” Alex said. She wondered why Colleen Browne thought he was Siobhan’s boyfriend but Elizabeth Weaver thought he wasn’t.

  “Thank you for the food and iced tea. Everything was delicious,” Elizabeth said. “I’ve got to go. Let me know as soon as you see either Siobhan or Ronald Parker.”

  She stood up, walked to the door, and left.

  Dani cleared the table and took the dirty dishes to the kitchen. “I don’t think we’ll see either of them, do you? Maybe if we were still at Nana Jean’s house.”

  “I hope Siobhan is all right. It doesn’t sound like Ronald Parker is good news.” Alex took a bin of silverware and a pile of napkins and began rolling the silverware into the napkins. Chelsea put a napkin ring around each finished bundle and set them in a deep tray on the buffet against the wall.

  “We can get everything ready for tomorrow if we hurry,” Alex said. “I’m about ready for today to be over.”

  “Me too,” said Chelsea.

  “Me three,” said Dani.

  Chapter 7

  “How did Grace end up with Siobhan’s ring?” Alex wondered.

  “I don’t know. Sean said it had a distinctive mark on it, and that’s how he recognized it.” Chelsea thought for a moment. “I remember when he bought it for her. It was a college graduation present, something she’d always wanted.”

  “If it’s the same ring does Elizabeth Weaver know how Grace came to have it? I didn’t think of it when we saw her.” Alex puttered around the kitchen.

  BevAnne relaxed in her recliner, feet up and eyes closed. She looked like she was napping, but every now and again she’d make a comment that let the sisters know she was paying attention.

  “We should ask Sean. He might know,” BevAnne said. “I hate to intrude with questions since Siobhan is still missing. I hope nothing happened to her.”

  “I’ll call him,” Chelsea said. “I’ll see if he wants to go out and get coffee. He might want a break from the drama.”

  ~*~

  Sean and Chelsea sat in a quiet corner at Citrus Beach Roast House. Steam from coffee curled up from both of their mugs and a plate with croissant crumbs sat between them. Sean relaxed against the wall with his eyes closed, a hand clasping the mug as if for warmth.

  Chelsea watched him for a moment and then closed her own eyes. Sounds of grinding coffee, people chatting, frothing milk, and the ping of an oven washed over them. Chelsea was soothed by the noise, familiar but not her business. She felt relaxed in a way she hadn’t ever since Nana Jean’s death.

  She felt Sean’s hand on hers.

  Opening her eyes, she looked at him. “Just like old times,” she said.

  He smiled at her and nodded his head. “Just like old times,” he echoed.

  Friends in high school, they were part of a group of neighborhood kids who socialized together. Chelsea didn’t date much in high school but when she did it was with a friend from this group. She and Sean went to the movies together a few times, but it felt odd more than romantic. They kept in touch sporadically after Sean was in drug rehab and Chelsea was in school, but they hadn’t spent time together like this in years.

  “Isn’t this cozy?”

  Chelsea looked up, startled by the sneering tone. Siobhan Browne and a man stood behind Sean. Chelsea felt Sean’s fingers tighten around hers before he let go and slouched back in his chair.

  “Back from the missing?” he asked. “Mother’s been wondering where you got off to. She’s got enough to worry about with Grandmom, don’t you think?”

  “I don’t think about that. Ronald and I were in Mount Dora for a few days,” Siobhan said. She didn’t introduce him to Chelsea or Sean, but Ronald Parker was the man whose fingerprints Elizabeth Weaver said were in the house.

  “Couldn’t pick up your phone to let us know that?” Sean asked. “You didn’t used to be so selfish, Siobhan.”

  “Life happens. Things change,” Siobhan said. “You know all about that, don’t you?”

  “What are you talking about?” Sean asked.

  “You’re experiment with drug
s uprooted my life. If we hadn’t moved to the Midwest because of you, my life would have been different.” Siobhan’s voice got louder as she talked.

  Chelsea noticed people beginning to look at them, and tried to calm Siobhan down. “We’re glad you’re alright. Have you let your mom know you’re back?”

  Siobhan glared at Chelsea. “What’s it to you? The perfect Powell family, butting in where they don’t belong.”

  Chelsea was shocked. She didn’t understand where Siobhan’s hostility came from. The last time they’d seen each other everything seemed fine.

  “Let’s go, hon,” Ronald said. “We’ve got an appointment to get to.”

  He looked like he was more than a few years older than Siobhan. Chelsea wondered how they met and what the appeal was. Ronald looked like the years hadn’t been kind to him, and his manner towards Siobhan was business-like.

  Sean said, “Can’t you take a minute to talk? I’d like to know what’s going on. How did the ring I gave you end up with someone else?” He pushed his chair back from the table and turned to stand.

  Ronald put his hand on Sean’s shoulder and shoved. “Stay here,” he said. “Don’t pretend you’re interested in her now.” He slung his arm around Siobhan’s shoulders, but Chelsea noticed when it rode up close to her neck Siobhan let it stay there.

  Chelsea shuddered. She didn’t like anything tight around her neck, and seeing Ronald’s arm like that gave her the creeps.

  “Nice guy my sister’s hooked up with,” Sean muttered. He looked at Chelsea and said, “Let’s get out of here.”

  They walked outside and saw Siobhan and Ronald standing nearby. Siobhan waved Sean over and when Chelsea and he got closer, Siobhan said, “I sold the ring. I wanted the money more than the memory.” She turned away and got into the car and Ronald started the engine.

  They drove away and Chelsea asked, “Are you all right?”