Chapter 18
The next morning, I woke up dreading church. Gritting my teeth, I got out of bed and into the shower.
After dressing, I padded by Jenny’s door and knocked. “Time to get up for church.” Hearing a groan in reply, I continued downstairs. Turning on the coffee machine and putting an English muffin in to toast, I asked the cats, “Is anyone hungry?” Excited meows seemed to answer that question, so I put food in their bowls.
Still not hearing any signs of life from upstairs, I called Jenny on her cell phone. “Are you up? Do you want an English muffin?”
“Yes and yes. I’ll be down in ten.”
I buttered my muffin and stood in front of the open refrigerator. Weakening, I grabbed the strawberry preserves and slathered the toast with it. I made Jenny’s muffin and poured her a glass of orange juice. As I bit into my English muffin, melted butter oozed from the side of my mouth. I wiped my lips. So good but maybe a tad heavy on the butter. I took another bite and groaned. Nope. Just right.
Jenny bustled into the kitchen. She slathered the English muffin with the butter and jam. I smiled. Like mother, like daughter.
There was a sharp rap on the back door. Drew said, “Hey, smart stuff, are you ready to go?”
She took one last bite and guzzled her orange juice. She donned her coat. “Ready now.” She waltzed out the door.
Drew nodded at me as he left. “Merry.”
I texted Rob, “They just left. Meet me at the church in ten.”
“Will do.”
I put the dishes in the sink and then got ready to brave the cold. Hurrying to the church, I smiled as I saw Rob waiting on the steps for me. I gave him a quick hug. “Did they see you?”
“No. I haven’t seen them. They must have gone in earlier.”
“Hopefully they sat up front.” We crept into the church, scanning the rows as we went. I whispered, “We’re in luck. Drew and Jenny are in the third pew back.”
Moving forward, we sat five rows behind them. Drew had his head bent toward Jenny as she talked to him, waiting for the Mass to begin. Susan Clime scurried past me to Drew and Jenny’s pew. Jenny scowled as Susan scooted past her to sit on the other side of Drew. Shoulders slumping, Jenny faced forward, ignoring Drew’s whispered pleas.
I gave Rob a sidelong glance. “That’s not going well.”
“No, it’s not.”
The Mass began. I missed most of it watching the show unfolding in front of me. Susan tried to put her arm around Drew’s waist. He batted it away. Settling for tucking her hand in his elbow, she smiled up at him. He disengaged it, glaring at her, and pushed her hand down to her side. She faced forward. Her shoulders trembled. After a few minutes, she stood, pushing her way out of the pew. Then she raced past us, her face wet with tears. Jenny swiveled to follow her progress, eyes wide.
Rob shook his head. “You don’t see that every day.”
Drew put his arm around Jenny and pulled her to him, his other hand holding the hymnal.
The Mass ended. As Rob and I gathered our things, Drew strode by with Jenny just behind him. She mouthed, “OMG,” to me as she hurried to keep up. Rob and I followed behind them. Drew stopped to shake Father Tom’s hand. After a moment’s hesitation, Father Tom took it and said something to Drew. Drew glared at him, grabbed Jenny’s hand, and strode out the door.
Waiting in the line to greet Father Tom, Rob and I inched forward. Conversation buzzed around us. We finally reached him. After we congratulated him on his insightful homily, he laughed. “I don’t think anyone was paying attention. Susan and Drew caused quite the scene.”
I edged closer. “What did you say to him?”
“I told him that if he was going to continue to upstage me, I’d prefer that he pick the early Mass because then he’d do me a service by waking everyone up.”
I giggled all the way home.
As we came in, Rob asked, “Not that I’m complaining, but are you going to laugh all day?”
“I’ll stop. I swear.” And then I giggled some more. “It was all that tension. And then to hear something so unexpected…” I laughed again. “You have to admit, it was funny.”
He smiled. “It was.”
“Do you think that’s it for Drew and Susan?”
“She wouldn’t be dumb enough to forgive him for another public humiliation.”
“One would think. But she hasn’t proven that she’s the brightest bulb in the box.”
Rob started the coffee machine. “What’s the plan for today?”
I rubbed his arm. “Are you feeling strong?”
“Absolutely.” He adopted a strongman pose. “I can’t believe you even need to ask.”
I laughed. “Let’s get the Christmas tree today. I can’t wait for the smell of pine throughout the house.”
“Do you promise you’ll water it? It’s a little early for a cut tree. I don’t want the house to burn down.” He hugged me. “Especially with you in it.”
I laughed as I held up the middle three fingers of my right hand. “I Girl Scout Pledge it.”
“Then I would be happy to be your muscle for the day. When do you want to go?”
“Let me text Jenny.” My phone dinged. “She said she’ll be home by one.”
“Do you mind if I work on a story while we wait?”
“No. That would be fine. I have some things I need to do anyway. You’re welcome to use my office if you’d like.” He nodded, disappearing with his MacBook.
Picking up a magazine that Andy wanted to read, I readied to brave the cold air. I flew through the alleyway and up Andy and Ed’s steps.
Andy opened the door before I could knock. “Girl, you should go out for track the way you were moving.”
I laughed and handed him the magazine. “I finished reading that magazine you wanted.”
“Oh, good.” He paged through. “I love getting new design ideas for the store.” He set it on the kitchen counter. “Can you stay for a moment? I’ll make tea.”
I took off my coat. “Just for a few minutes. Rob, Jenny, and I are picking up our tree today.”
“I’m so glad those days are behind us. We just wheel the tree out from the spare closet, flip it over, put the top on, and, voila, ready to decorate. No more chilled hands or scratching the top of the car.” He poured the tea. “It just seems so much more civilized.”
“I love the tradition. And the incredible odor of fir.” I sniffed. “Speaking of which, if you don’t have a live tree, why do I smell one?”
He gave me a smug smile, pointing to a candle burning at the end of the counter. “I repeat, so much more civilized.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.” I sipped my tea. “Ooh, this is lovely. What is it?”
“A special blend called Ancient Happiness. Do you like it?”
“It’s floral, but it doesn’t overpower.” I took another sip and closed my eyes. “Yes. This is lovely.”
“I hate to interrupt you, but since you stopped by, would you like to look at the plans for the shop?”
“I’d love to.”
Unrolling the blueprints, he anchored them to the counter using the teapot and some salt and pepper shakers. He pointed. “This is the existing shop. Customers will have to go through the shop to get to the tea room, which will be accessed through the French doors right here. Then the kitchen will be here, and both open to the patio right here.”
“It all looks wonderful.” The notes section of the blueprint included the date. My eyes widened. “You had these done three years ago.”
“Yes. We’ve been working on them for some time. Amanda blocked us from creating our dream for three long years. Thank God the witch is dead.”
My mouth opened in shock. “Andy, a woman died.”
He shrugged. “She was evil. I don’t want to pretend that we miss her. She made our life a living hell, and I, for one, am glad she’s gone.” He stood. “You can pretend that you miss her, but I remember that she wasn’t your favorite person eith
er.”
“It’s true that she was abrasive. But no one’s life should be snuffed out early. That’s evil too.”
“You really are a Pollyanna.” He kissed my forehead. “That’s what I love best about you. You’re a calm sea of innocence in a turbulent and messy world.”
I smiled. “Thanks, I think.” I caught sight of his clock. “Is that the time? I need to run.”
Rob and Jenny were waiting in the kitchen as I propelled myself through the door. Jenny said, “Where have you been?”
“At Andy’s. I’m sorry. I lost track of time. Are we ready to go?”
Chapter 19
Exhausted after putting up the tree, I crawled into bed for what ended up being a dreamless sleep. The next morning, I was enveloped in the lovely scent of fir. I scampered down the stairs and sat on the third one from the bottom. That tree’s not too big. It looks just right. A feeling of peace washed over me as I leaned against the rail and admired our handiwork from the day before. I love Christmas. Courvoisier sat next to me and head butted my hand. I pulled her to me, stroking her fur.
A disheveled Jenny opened her door. “What are you looking at?”
I smiled dreamily. “The tree.”
“It’s too big.”
“Nope. It’s just right. Come see.” I patted the stair.
She sat next to me and draped her arm across my shoulders. “It does look pretty good.”
I studied her face. “Are you sad your father’s not going to be able to take you to Jamaica?”
“Not really. It means I get to spend Christmas with you. And besides, he told me he’ll take me there to celebrate once these stupid charges against him are dropped.” She sighed. “I remember the last Christmas we had with him. We went to New York City to see The Nutcracker. It made me want to dance.” She smiled and leaned against me. “It was so much fun.”
The living room grew brighter as the rising sun refracted against the tree’s clear glass icicles, setting them aglow.
“I’m really glad you’re going to be here. It wouldn’t be Christmas without you.” I put my arm around her waist. “I love you, Jenny.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
I kissed her. “I don’t want to move, but it’s getting late.”
She groaned and cozied up closer to me. “Why don’t you call in sick for both of us? We’ll sit by the fire drinking hot chocolate, eating bonbons, and admiring the tree.”
I smiled. “That sounds like a great idea, but I remember someone telling me they had a drama club lunch today.”
She jumped up. “That’s right. We can’t play hooky today. Maybe tomorrow?”
I laughed. “Let’s do it on Saturday.”
Later that evening, Rob and I cuddled by the fire after dinner. I asked, “Remember how I went over to Andy’s house yesterday?”
He stroked my arm. “Yes.”
“He showed me the plans for their business expansion.”
“And?”
“They were dated three years ago. He was pretty bitter about how Amanda blocked their progress. In fact, Andy said that he was glad she was dead.”
“That’s pretty harsh.”
“I thought so. I can’t think of Andy, or Ed, committing murder. But they had a pretty good motive. And with Amanda’s death, their plans are steamrolling along.” I looked into Rob’s eyes. “I hope it just looks bad versus being bad.”
He kissed my forehead. “Me too.” He frowned. “Ed wouldn’t be able to make those scones of his in prison.”
I smacked his chest. “Not funny.”
He smiled and pulled me closer. “Enough murder talk.”
I lifted my face for a kiss. He was kind enough to oblige. I said, “I wonder how Susan is doing after yesterday.”
“Didn’t we put a stop to the talk of murder for the evening?”
“You did; I didn’t.”
Rob laughed. “John Little told me he saw her in the grocery store. She was creeping around the edges like a skittish mouse who didn’t want to be seen.”
“I feel bad for her.”
“It’s not as if she’s some innocent. She brought this on herself.”
“True.” I sat up. “I just don’t like to see anyone hurt.” The clock chimed eleven. “Wow, how did it get so late?”
“I guess that’s my cue to leave.” We stood. He pulled me to him for a lingering kiss. Groaning, he broke away. “It’s getting harder to leave you.”
I touched the tip of his nose and smiled. “That means you’re that much happier when you see me again.”
“Or something like that.” He readied himself for the shock of the weather, giving me one last kiss.
I was in the midst of shutting the door when his arm came back in. He crooked his finger, so I stuck my head out the door. “What’s wrong?”
He put his finger to his lips and pointed toward Drew’s back door. Susan, bathed in the light from Drew’s porch, was hunched against the door, knocking. After a few seconds, the door opened, and she was pulled inside.
My eyes widened.
“What is wrong with that woman? Has she no pride?”
“Apparently not.” I shivered.
He pushed me gently back inside. “Warm up. We’ll talk more tomorrow.” Giving me a kiss on the forehead, he eased the door shut.
I texted Patty, “Susan’s back for more.”
“No sympathy. She deserves what she gets. Lunch tomorrow? Noon?”
“Okay. Sweet dreams.”
As I spooned clam chowder into my mouth, my eyes nearly rolled back into my head. Patty laughed. “You make it look like you haven’t been fed in years.”
“Can I help it I enjoy my food? Especially when all I had to do was buy it? And when it tastes this good? I mean, just look at those pieces of bacon.”
“I’m one to talk.” She dove into her hot pastrami on marbled rye.
“Did you come for the food? Or was there something you wanted to talk to me about?”
Putting up her forefinger to tell me to wait a minute, she finished the bite of her sandwich. “Mmm. That is good.” She dabbed her lips with the napkin. “I had lunch with Samantha Smith yesterday.”
“The woman who worked in Amanda’s shop? You do get around.”
She smiled. “It’s nice to have excuses to eat good food.”
“And?”
“She and her husband are thinking about buying Amanda’s shop from Caroline. She wanted to pick my brain on some design ideas, should they be able to complete the purchase.” Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom, Patty was an interior decorator. She still kept her hand in on jobs that struck her fancy.
“Did she hire you to design it?”
“It was just a preliminary conversation. On the positive side, I did get a free lunch.”
“Somehow I don’t think that’s why you wanted to talk to me. What else happened?”
“She said that Andy had a meeting with Amanda the morning of the fashion show. He didn’t know Samantha was there because she was working in the back of the shop on last-minute alterations.”
“And?”
Patty leaned closer and put her hand on my arm. She glanced around. “He was making a last-ditch effort to get Amanda to sign on the dotted line for the Tasty Treats expansion. It didn’t go well. Samantha was busy, so she wasn’t paying much attention. Sudden shouting startled her. Amanda said she would die before she signed the variance. And that she was tired of them wasting her time with their smelly ideas. Andy yelled back that Amanda was a stupid cow with no design sense. Then he lowered his voice. Samantha said she really had to strain to hear him. Andy told Amanda that if she continued to block the tea room, her death could be arranged. The door slammed, so Samantha crept out of the back room to see if Amanda was okay. Red faced, Amanda screamed for her to get back to work.”
I sat back, my meal forgotten. “Wow. Did she tell the police about the argument?”
“No. She likes Andy and Ed and didn’t want to cause them prob
lems. I told her that she could get in trouble for withholding information from the police and gave her Detective Ziebold’s number. She said she would call him this morning.”
“Do you think she followed through?”
“I know she did. Jay was leaving here just as I came in. He thanked me for telling her to come to him.” She eyed me. “You don’t seem very happy. I thought you were trying to clear Drew.”
“Andy and Ed are friends. I want Drew cleared but not at their expense.”
Patty frowned. “I know what you mean. Maybe I shouldn’t have told Samantha to call Jay.”
“No, you did the right thing. I’m sure they have an alibi for the time of death.” I drummed my fingers on the linoleum table. “I think I’ll go over to Ed and Andy’s tonight to see how they are doing.”
“Keep me posted.”
I wrapped up the half sandwich that came with my soup to have for lunch the next day. Giving Patty a kiss on the cheek, I returned to the office.
Andy couldn’t have killed Amanda. I refused to believe it.
Rob texted that he’d meet me at my house at six. Eyeing the clock, I thought I had just enough time to drop by Andy and Ed’s house. When I approached their front door, Jay was striding down their steps. I ducked behind one of the massive street oaks. After he drove off, I scampered up their steps and rang the doorbell.
Andy swung it open. “What else?” He jumped when he saw me standing on the porch. “Sorry, Merry. I thought you were someone else.”
“You thought I was Jay?”
“How did you know Detective Ziebold was here?”
I pointed to my eyes. “Aren’t you going to let me in?”
“Of course. It’s just so strange to see you at the front door.” Andy moved aside so I could enter.
“It’s strange for me too. I’m seeing all of your art from a different perspective.”
Andy smiled. “Is it better? Or worse?”
“It’s always impeccable.”
“Ed’s in the kitchen getting dinner ready.”
I followed Andy and claimed a chair at the island so I could watch Ed work.
Andy sat next to me and placed a glass of wine by my right hand. I grinned. “You know me so well.” I took a sip. “Why was Jay here?”
Murder So Festive Page 16