by Jane Tesh
I’d crossed over into dangerous territory. “Hold on. Having a baby doesn’t define you as a woman. You’re as woman as you can be.”
Her gaze was hard and direct. “Are you going to stop before I get angry, or are you going to keep on until you ruin whatever this is we have between us? Because I spent a long time crawling out of a very dark hole to be able to function as a human being again, and I refuse to crawl back in.”
“Kary—”
“I made one mistake. One mistake and it cost me everything. My family. My baby. Almost my life. And the only way this works is if you drop the subject and never bring it up again. Do you understand that?”
This elephant was bigger and tougher than I thought. I backed off. “All right.”
The silence that followed was big and tough, too, until Kary said, “Thank you.”
I sat down at the counter. I felt as if I’d run a marathon and fallen on my face right before the finish line. She wanted the subject dropped, so I dropped it and changed it. “When’s the next Baby Love meeting?”
She yanked a tissue from the box on the counter and blotted away the few stray tears that had escaped, took two clean glasses from the drain board, and went to the fridge for ice. Her first attempt at a reply was unsteady. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Unfortunately, I have rehearsal the night of their next meeting, but I’ve thought of something else. You and I could pose as reporters doing a story on Baby Love.”
“I like the couple idea better.”
Ice rattled in the glasses. “But as reporters, we could get a lot of facts we could check. Doesn’t the editor of the Herald owe you a favor?”
“I don’t want to ask Chance Baseford for a favor, even if he owes me one. You know how he is.”
“But he’d let us go undercover for the paper, wouldn’t he? He likes exposing frauds.”
“Maybe his own team of reporters could go undercover.”
She set the glasses on the counter. “David, you know very well that I want to go undercover, and don’t smirk like that. You know what I mean.” The tea maker gave a little burp and rattled, distracting her for a moment. “What is wrong with this thing? I thought Cam fixed it.” She unplugged it and then plugged it back in. The red light came back on. “There.” She faced me, all traces of that fierce emotion gone. “So let’s do it.”
What could I say? “Undercover it is.”
Chapter Seven
“She’ll have a booming boisterous family.”
Even though she’d warned me off, I was trying to think of a way to apologize to Kary when Camden padded downstairs, still barefoot, rolling up the sleeves of a clean white shirt. He’d put on clean jeans and a gray vest with white stripes. Although nowhere near the sartorial elegance of Reg Haverson, it was a vast improvement. His transformation was just in time, too. Ellin and her mother and sisters drove up. Behind them in her peach Cadillac was Mrs. Folly Harper.
I watched as the Cadillac parked behind the Beltonmobile. “Damn. Ellin thinks you should meet this woman. You know what that means.”
“Too late now.”
Ellin was first in the door, all smiles and good cheer, a deadly combination. “Look who we ran into. Cam, this is Folly Harper. She’s been wanting to meet you.”
I glared at Ellin. Ran into, hell! Her answering glare said, Keep out of this.
Camden shook Mrs. Harper’s hand. “Hello, Mrs. Harper.”
Her blue eyes shone. “Oh, my dear, the pleasure is all mine! I’ve been wanting to meet you for ages! I had no idea this was your house.”
Caroline and Sandra came in next, followed by Jean. Ellin’s sisters gave glad cries of greeting to Kary and hugged her. Then Sandra gave Camden a hug.
“Ellin says you’re in charge of the music. Does this mean no ‘Taco Bell Canon in D’?”
“No ‘Taco Bell,’ no ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.’”
“I love you. I’m so bored with those numbers. Are you going to have ‘Light My Fire’?”
“Yes, and ‘I Want to Make it With You.’”
Sandra and Caroline laughed, but their mother looked puzzled. “Surely you’re not serious.”
Caroline made a face at Jean’s lack of humor. “No, Mother, we’re teasing. I’m sure the music will be fantastic. Cam, is there anything to drink in your house?”
“There’s plenty of Coke and tea. Help yourself.”
The sisters went around to the kitchen with Kary. Folly Harper had kept her high-beam gaze on Camden the whole time. He sent a questioning glance in Ellin’s direction.
“Mrs. Harper has a very important matter she’d like to discuss with you,” Ellin said.
Mrs. Harper clung to his hand. Maybe she thought she could wring out some information. “It is simply vital that I get my important numbers. Ellin says you are the very best at predicting the future.”
Camden carefully pulled free. “I’m sorry. I don’t do that kind of thing anymore.”
“But I’d be happy to pay for your services.” Mrs. Harper dug into her peach-colored handbag. “What do you usually charge?”
“I don’t.”
“Cam,” Ellin said between her teeth.
Mrs. Harper brought out her checkbook. “I need to know my lucky numbers for a certain day. For someone with your talent, I’m sure it would take only a moment of your time.”
Camden shook his head. “I no longer work for the Psychic Service. I’m sure there are plenty of people there who’d be glad to help you.”
“I always go with the best. Name your price.”
There was an audible gulp from Ellin. “No, thanks,” Camden said.
Trying to keep a smile in place, Ellin spoke to Mrs. Harper. “Could you excuse us for a moment?” She took Camden’s arm and propelled him toward the dining room.
This might take a while. “Mrs. Harper, were you able to get in touch with George?” I asked.
She seemed surprised I was still there. “I left a message, but he hasn’t gotten back to me yet.” It was obvious she was much more interested in the tense words growing louder from the dining room.
Ellin’s voice was climbing up the shrill scale. “But I don’t see why you couldn’t do this one simple little thing.”
Camden’s voice was calmer, but not by much. “Because it’s never one simple little thing, you know that. It grows. It engulfs. I have too much on my mind right now.”
Then Caroline joined in from the kitchen. “Good grief, Ellin. Leave the guy alone.”
Sandra had to express her opinion. “If I were you, Cam, I’d run for it.”
I’m sure if I’d looked around the corner, I would have seen a dazzling display of fireworks.
“This is none of your business! Mother, tell them to back off!”
“Now, girls.”
Folly Harper’s eyes were very round, emphasized by all her mascara. “Dear me. Did I start all this with my little request?”
The quarreling voices faded to a dull roar. “No, this kind of thing happens all the time.”
Folly Harper cocked her head. “I don’t understand. Why doesn’t Cam want to do this?”
“He just wants to live a normal life.”
“But when one is blessed with such a talent, one should use it.”
“Not when it gives one a headache.”
She looked surprised. “Is seeing into the future painful?”
“Sometimes.”
“My goodness, I can’t see the pain in finding some numbers for me, especially when I can pay a considerable amount. Which reminds me, Mr. Randall. Here’s the rest of your fee.” She wrote a check, tore it out, and handed it to me.
I thanked her. Footsteps clumping up the stairs told me the argument was over and Camden had retreated. I looked out in time to see Kary hurrying up the stairs after him. In a few minu
tes, Ellin steamed past the office doorway.
“Dear me,” Mrs. Harper said. “Doesn’t look like I’ll get my numbers today.” She snapped her pocketbook shut. “But I won’t give up. Tell Camden to please reconsider my offer. I’ll be in touch. And thank you for your prompt action.”
She went out to her car. I didn’t see Ellin anywhere, but there were footprints smoking on the island carpet, and I soon heard her bell-like tones from the porch, along with her mother’s surprising comments.
“But Ellin, I think it’s admirable he doesn’t want to exploit these people. He knows he’d be taking Folly’s money under false pretenses.”
I took a peek out the screen door. Ellin paced the porch.
“Don’t you understand? He is never wrong! He could make a fortune!”
Jean sat down in a rocking chair. “Whatever is going on, it’s obvious you can’t change his mind. I’ve never seen him look so immovable.”
“He’s impossible to deal with when he gets like this.”
“Well, dear, if the two of you can’t work out problems in a reasonable, adult manner—”
“Mother.”
“It’s not the basis for a stable marriage.”
Caroline and Sandra came up behind me. They peered around my shoulder.
“Shame on you for eavesdropping, David,” Caroline said.
“Yeah, it’s an awful habit.”
Sandra snickered. “Is Mom going on about Cam’s fits?”
“I think she’s on his side on this issue.”
Ellin paced close enough to the door to make all three of us draw back.
“Whoops,” I said. “Maybe we should retire to the island.”
Caroline and Sandra brought their tea and a bag of chocolate chip cookies to the sofa. Caroline passed me the cookies. “What is the deal with Mrs. Harper, anyway?”
I sat down in the blue armchair. “She’s a client of mine. She’s also a supporter of the Psychic Service Network, and she’s hoping Camden will predict the future for her.”
“But Cam doesn’t want to.”
“Right. He’s trying to live a normal life.”
“But he’s going to marry Ellin. There goes the normal life.”
Sandra dunked her cookie in her tea and took a bite. “It all comes down to money. You know how Ellin is.”
“I don’t get that,” I said. “You always had plenty of money growing up, didn’t you?”
“Yes, and we’ve got plenty of money now. Ellin wants more. Money and fame. She’s always got to prove something.”
Caroline looked slightly guilty. “That’s partly our fault. We teased her unmercifully when we were little. Cookies, please.”
I passed her the bag. “As opposed to the merciful teasing now?”
“She was so pretty and so smart. She came along when Sandra and I were at the clunky braces and pimples stage, so naturally, we resented her.”
Sandra took a bite of cookie. “And despite us, she became even more beautiful and successful and she’s marrying a really cute guy who honestly loves her, even though he’s not the chief surgeon or presidential candidate Mom had picked out for her.”
I’d never heard them speak so frankly. “But you’re here to take part in the wedding. That ought to count for something with her.”
Caroline smiled. “She may not believe it, but we do love her.” She paused. “Shh. Listen. I don’t hear anything.”
“Are they dead?”
Their mother came to the door. “Are you girls ready to go? Your sister needs to get back to the TV station.”
They got up. “See you later, David,” Sandra said. “Can we take the rest of the cookies?”
“Of course.”
As soon as they all had gone, Camden came back downstairs. He had his sneakers in his hand.
“Are you leaving town?”
He sat down on one of the island cushions to put his sneakers on. “Rehearsal tonight. Someone’s giving me a ride to the theater, but can you pick me up around nine?”
“Kary’s not going?”
“The director needs to reblock a few scenes, so he doesn’t need the orchestra.”
Kary came down the stairs next, fussing because Camden would miss dinner.
“Angie’s cooking ribs tonight, Cam.”
“Sorry, Kary. I’m not very hungry.”
“I’ll save some for you.”
A member of the cast came by and took Camden to the My Fair Lady rehearsal. Folly Harper called to ask if Camden had changed his mind. I told her he hadn’t, and five minutes later, she called again.
“No, he really hasn’t changed his mind,” I told her.
Right when I sat down in my office to contact the three Dahlias, she called again. I figured she’d forgotten she’d already phoned twice. “Still no change, Mrs. Harper.”
She apologized for being such a bother. “But this is important.”
“No problem,” I said. “I promise I’ll let you know.”
Once Folly was off the phone, I could make my calls. Only Dahlia was home. Even though she was the youngest of the three, I wanted to talk with her. She informed me she had a Cousin Vern, a Cousin Velma, and a Cousin Vickie Sue, but no Cousin Viola. I thanked her and crossed her off my list. I tried the remaining two. Still no answer at either number. Time for dinner.
Angie fixed a hearty he-man meal: ribs, mashed potatoes, rolls, and pound cake. Although the sight of Fred mumbling through mashed potatoes could discourage the heartiest eater, I managed to make short work of the artery-clogging feast.
Rufus took another handful of rolls. True to form, he hadn’t removed his cap and pieces of rib were stuck in his beard. “Nice spread, sweetie pie. More than I can say grace over.”
I can always count on Rufus for a descriptive Southern saying. He once told me he was so Southern, he was related to himself.
“Thank you,” Angie said. “You boys eat up, now. There’s plenty more.”
Rufus pointed a rib at me. “What’s on Cam’s mind? He looks like he’s trying to carry water with no bucket.”
Rufus looked slow and dull, but he didn’t miss a thing. I wasn’t sure if Camden wanted the rest of his odd family to know about his new power. “One of the women in the show was killed.”
“Oh, that ain’t good. Is he taking it hard?”
If he didn’t freak out when Viola’s body was found in the cellar, then he was okay, but this was a good excuse. “I think so. She wasn’t a close friend, but you know how he is.”
“You on the case?”
“Sort of. No one’s officially hired me.”
“We’re both on the case,” Kary said.
Rufus reached for the barbecue sauce. “Good for you, girl. When you goin’ to deputize me, Randall?”
“Whenever I need a wall of muscle to cut up rough.”
“I hear you. I speak ‘noir,’ you know.”
Angie cut another piece of cake. “Well, not tonight. We’re going house-hunting.”
I certainly didn’t want to stand in the way of that endeavor. “Have you found anything?”
“Couple of places. We’d like to stay in the neighborhood.”
Kary gathered the empty plates. “You know you can stay here as long as you like.”
“Yeah, but with Cam getting married and Ellin moving in, we all might be happier elsewhere. You planning to stay on, Randall?”
“As far as I know.”
Rufus chuckled. “Good luck with that. We all know how Miz Ellin feels about that. Wanna know how welcome you’re gonna be?”
“Enlighten me.”
“As welcome as an outhouse breeze.”
Chapter Eight
“One day I’ll be famous!”
Around nine o’clock, after other unsuccessful attempts to cont
act Dahlias Two and Three, I went to the theater. Camden was waiting outside, deep in conversation with the actor who was playing Henry Higgins.
“It’s okay,” I heard him say. “You’ll get it. Your scenes went much better tonight.”
The man shook his head. “I don’t know, Cam. I think this role’s too much for me. I should’ve started out with something smaller. All this dialogue and the songs—I’m not sure I’m going to be ready by next week.”
“You know your character doesn’t actually have to sing.”
“That’s one good thing, at least.”
“You’re doing fine. You’ll be ready.”
“Guess I have to, don’t I?” The man’s cell phone beeped, and he checked it. “My wife’s wondering where I am. Better go. Thanks for the pep talk.”
Camden got into the car and we started for home.
“Is he going to make it?” I asked.
“I hope so. He’s really good in the part, if he’ll just relax.”
“Did Viola’s pal Millicent Crotty show up? Did she take Viola’s part?”
“Yes, but she called in sick.”
“Right now she’s the only suspect I have.”
“We’re going to have a memorial service for Viola after rehearsal tomorrow night. I’m pretty sure Millicent will attend, and you can grill her.”
At the intersection, I said, “How about changing this red light for me?”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“Ellin still in the dark?”
“Yes, thank goodness.” The light changed on its own, and we started forward. “What’s this business with Folly Harper? She strikes me as a particularly unlucky woman.”
“And a persistent one. She called three times this evening to see if you’d changed your mind.”
“She wants me to tell her some numbers. She could figure that out on her own.”
“Do you see special Harper numbers?”
“I see a lot of numbers, but I don’t know what they mean in relation to Mrs. Harper. I don’t want to know what they mean. I’ve told Ellie I don’t work that way.” He sighed. “I don’t suppose it matters now. I’m wondering how the hell I’m going to tell her.”