by Leena Clover
“When am I meeting this Bobby?” Sofia pouted. “He has no respect for good food.”
“Oh no, Mama,” Anna corrected her. “Bobby loves my cooking. He’s a fitness trainer so he can’t help commenting on people’s weight.”
Anna had made a caramel cake for dessert. She topped each slice with a dollop of cinnamon whipped cream.
“Let’s talk about the Christmas Eve party now, Mom.” Cassie licked her spoon. “Mom and Dad have been throwing this party since I was a child, Meg. Everyone wants an invitation.”
“I haven’t had the party since your Dad passed.” Anna’s voice was laced with sadness. “But I think it’s time to revive the tradition.”
“How many people are coming?” Meg’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Is it everyone we know, Anna?”
“I think we should keep it small this year,” Anna replied. “Just Gino and the girls.”
“And Leo,” Cassie reminded her. “Bobby will be here by then too, Mom. I say we go all out, invite everyone we know.”
“We’ll need plenty of food.” Sofia rubbed her hands. “I better start making a shopping list.”
“Everyone always brings a dish,” Anna reminded her. “It’s more like a potluck, I guess. Don’t go overboard, Mom.”
“Nonsense!” Sofia dismissed. “You can never have enough food.”
“Don’t forget we’ll be going to the children’s home earlier that day, Mom. I anticipate spending a few hours there. We won’t be back until evening.”
Meg perked up when she heard about the children.
“People have started placing gifts under the tree at the café. Did you see that, Anna?”
“Your idea is pure genius, Meg,” Cassie praised. “A couple of customers at the bookstore noticed the packages under the tree. I told them how we are collecting them for the kids. They promised to come back with some gifts.”
“You’re doing a fine thing, sweetie.” Sofia kissed the top of Meg’s head.
Anna realized Meg herself had been underprivileged for most of her life. She had been moved around from one foster parent to another until a kind couple finally adopted her at the age of sixteen. Anna felt a sense of pride in her granddaughter when she realized Meg hadn’t forgotten those less fortunate than her.
“I already told my cookie exchange group to set aside one set of cookies for the kids,” she told Meg. “We’ll make sure they have plenty of goodies to eat, Meg.”
“Can we not talk about food for a moment?” Cassie grumbled goodnaturedly. “Meg wants to share something with us.”
“What do you mean, Cassie?” Meg set her plate down.
“Tell us about that guy, Meg.” Cassie folded her arms and raised her eyebrows. “Long brown hair, glasses, leather jacket …”
“Him.” Meg sighed. “Just someone I ran into. He came to the café a couple of times.”
“Wait a minute.” Anna’s eyes met Cassie’s. “Is this that guy from the college? The one who made you hold up that banner and chant slogans?”
“The same,” Meg replied.
“How did I miss him?” Anna was concerned. “Has he been bothering you, Meg? Why haven’t you told us about this?”
“Look, it’s no big deal.” Meg tried to make light of the situation. “He’s not important.”
“What did he want?” Cassie asked.
“You’re talking like fools,” Sofia reprimanded them. “What does a young man want from a pretty lady? Bet he was asking her out.”
“Is that true?” Cassie looked incredulous. “He looked so unkempt. I hope you said no, Meg.”
“I tried to.” Meg looked uncomfortable.
“Do you like this young man, child?” Sofia asked kindly.
“I don’t know.” Meg shrugged. “Phoenix came to the café a couple of times. You were right, Nana. He did ask me out. Wanted to take me to dinner. I turned him down but he kept coming back. So I met him at the Tipsy Whale one evening.”
“You should have told me about this, Meg.” Cassie sounded hurt. “I would have helped you choose an outfit.”
“I wore that new dress Anna bought for me. Then I felt foolish.”
“Why?” the three older women chorused.
“It wasn’t a date like I thought. He brought a friend with him.”
“Ugh!” Cassie looked disgusted. “This guy’s not worth your time, Meg.”
Anna was more interested in the friend.
“Who did he bring along? Maybe he was fixing you up with this other guy.”
Meg laughed.
“Not likely, Anna. Rupert already has a girlfriend. He’s dating Alison Gardiner.”
“Edward’s granddaughter?” Anna burst out. “Now that’s a coincidence. What did he talk about?”
Meg frowned.
“He didn’t appear sad about Mr. Gardiner’s death. In fact, he almost looked happy. Told me he didn’t get along with the old man.”
“What does this Rupert do?” Sofia grunted. “Must be a layabout.”
“Rupert Sadler doesn’t believe in working for another man.” Meg winced. “Those are his words, not mine. He has a lot of business ideas.”
“Let me guess,” Anna said grimly. “He asked Edward to sponsor him and the old man declined.”
Meg was nodding vigorously.
“The old man wanted him to prove himself. All Rupert had to do was start a business and keep it running for a year.”
“Too much for this kid?” Cassie guessed.
“Rupert thinks the young need a head start. It behooves the older generation to give it to them. Especially, filthy rich people like Mr. Gardiner who have millions in the bank.”
“This young man is lucky he doesn’t live with the Gardiners.” Anna shook her head. “He would make a very good suspect with a motive like that.”
Meg couldn’t hide her excitement.
“But that’s just it, Anna. He was right there the night Mr. Gardiner died.”
“What?” Anna exclaimed. “Do the police know about this?”
“Why would he tell you that, Meg?” Cassie wondered.
“He was kind of bragging about it.” Meg’s cheeks turned red. “There’s this old apple tree outside Alison’s bedroom. Rupert uses it to sneak in many times.”
Cassie gave a wolf whistle. Sofia pursed her lips in disapproval.
“I wonder if Gino knows about this.” Anna got up and collected their dessert plates.
Meg followed her into the kitchen and started loading the dishwasher.
“I didn’t like Rupert.”
“What about Phoenix?” Anna hid a smile. “Do you want to go out with him again?”
“He didn’t exactly ask me.” Meg started scraping a plate. “I don’t understand him.”
“Are you afraid of what Leo will think about this?”
“Leo is just my friend, Anna.”
“If you say so, sweetie. What about this Phoenix guy then? Do you like him?”
Meg blew her cheeks out.
“Phoenix plays basketball with the admissions coordinator at DBU. He offered to get me an interview with him.”
“That’s good, right?”
“I’m not sure I like Phoenix, Anna. Will it be fair to have him do something for me?”
Meg put the last plate in and shut the dishwasher. Anna motioned her to sit.
“You’re thinking too much, Meg. I think this boy is just being nice.”
Meg took a deep breath.
“Can people be kind for no reason?”
“Sure they can, dear.” Anna patted her hand.
A light drizzle had started that evening. Anna poured freshly brewed coffee into special red stoneware mugs. Cassie had painted reindeer on them when she was ten. Anna couldn’t believe those mugs were still intact after so many years.
“Let’s go sit by the fire,” she said to Meg.
“Can we roast marshmallows?”
“You bet!”
Sofia brandished a list when they entere
d the living room.
“We are making a huge antipasti platter for your party, Anna. And my special caprese salad with the bocconcini and cherry tomatoes.”
“That’s great, Mama. How about making your garlic rosemary oil? It will be great with fresh country bread.”
“Already thought of that!” Sofia hummed with excitement. “And I’m making my twelve hour balsamic reduction.”
Meg and Cassie giggled while Anna patiently heard her mother out.
“We’ll help you taste everything, Nana. Right Meg?”
Chapter 13
Anna’s arms ached from the heavy bags she carried. Anna and the Firecrackers had spent the morning shopping in the city for presents. They groaned collectively as they walked through the mall’s parking lot to Julie’s car.
“Don’t you remember where you parked?” Anna complained. “You should have noted which section we were in.”
The car was finally located and the ladies heaved a sigh of relief.
“Where to?” Julie yawned. “I say we pick up something to eat and head home.”
They agreed to grab something from a drive through.
“Do you have to go back to the café?” Mary asked Anna.
“I don’t think so. It’ll be late afternoon by the time we reach Dolphin Bay. Meg will already have closed up.”
“All I want is a hot bath.” Julie was weary. “I say we make use of that hot tub of yours, Anna.”
“Great idea!” Anna perked up. “That sounds perfect in this weather. I can put a casserole in the oven and then we can just relax in the tub. Dinner will be ready by the time we are done.”
“Sofia might beat you to that,” Julie laughed. “Just the thought of those hot jets massaging my back makes me feel better already.”
They picked up cheeseburgers from their favorite fast food joint along with hand cut fries. Anna and Mary insisted Julie park the car while they ate.
A couple of hours later, they sat in the tub with their eyes closed, breathing in the heady scent of the numerous candles around them. Anna had chosen an assortment of winter scents, combining pine, cinnamon and pumpkin spice.
“Did you get everything on your list?” Mary asked her friends.
“I got something for Cassie, Meg and Mama. And I put in an order for some special jewelry for us.”
“What about Gino?” Julie’s lip curved into a smile.
“I got him a silk tie.”
“When have you seen him wear a tie?” Julie rolled her eyes. “Why not get something monogrammed, like a watch or wallet?”
“Or wine glasses,” Mary suggested.
“I don’t want to look brazen.”
Julie gave her a spiel on how she needed to make the most of the time available to her.
“Any update on the Gardiners?” Mary asked, trying to change the subject.
“I’m pretty much stumped,” Anna admitted. “Hard to say anything at this point.”
“I’m ready to get out of here.” Julie stood up suddenly, examining her wrinkled fingers. “Let’s do something useful. I have an idea.”
Half an hour later, Anna was dressed and sipping coffee in the living room. Julie had found an old stand in the garage, along with a whiteboard. She had written down three names on it.
“I think we should start with the men. Let’s face it. Whoever smothered that poor old man must have had some strength.”
“How much strength do you need to hold down a sleeping man?” Mary argued.
“Mary’s right.” Anna looked at her friends. “But let’s go with the men for now.”
She looked at the three names Julie had noted on the board.
“Finn O’Malley is the outsider. He is known to be angry. I think he had a grudge against Edward.”
“But why wait until this precise moment?” Julie asked. “Hasn’t this Finn been living with the Gardiners for a long time?”
“He doesn’t actually live in the house,” Mary pointed out.
Anna shook her head thoughtfully.
“No. But he could have easily come in through the back door.”
“So he did have an opportunity.” Julie put a check in front of Finn O’ Malley’s name.
“Pearson is next.” Anna chose the next one. “He’s been with the family for decades. And Edward just gave him a raise and settled a pension on him. I think he’s loyal to a fault.”
“But could he have done it?” Mary asked. “Did he have access to Edward’s room?”
Anna thought of the small swinging door connecting the staff wing to the main house. George Pearson had told her there was no lock on that door. So the staff could come and go easily whenever someone rang for them from the main house.
“He did,” Anna said reluctantly.
Julie put a check against Pearson’s name.
“Rupert Sadler.” She read the next name on the board. “I don’t know who this is.”
“Alison’s boyfriend,” Anna supplied. “We wouldn’t have learned about him if not for Meg.”
“He must not be local,” Mary observed. “I don’t know any Sadlers in Dolphin Bay.”
“I never thought of that, Mary.” Anna bit her lip. “He asked the old man for money but Edward refused. I’m sure he didn’t like that.”
“So he had a grudge too.” Julie placed a check against Rupert’s name. “What about opportunity? Was he anywhere near the mansion on that fateful night?”
“He was!” Anna was triumphant. “Right there in Alison’s room. He told Meg himself.”
Julie reluctantly added another check against the boy’s name.
“I don’t know, Anna. If the kid was guilty, he wouldn’t advertize the fact that he was in the vicinity of the scene of crime.”
“Julie has a point,” Mary agreed quietly.
“So this is how it is.” Anna waved her hand at the board. “We are stuck until some new information comes along.”
Sofia came in holding a platter of cheese and olives with crusty bread. Meg and Cassie followed with bowls of marinated mushrooms and sweet peppers.
“Set that aside, Julie.” Sofia sat in her favorite chair. “Time to eat.”
Anna didn’t sleep well that night. She went over everything she knew about the Gardiners over and over in her mind. Had she missed picking up on some vital clue? What had Sharon told her about her brother?
Anna was already in the kitchen the next morning when her alarm went off. She mixed the batter for her cupcakes, trying to still her mind. She decided to spend an extra ten minutes in the garden. Maybe the fresh air would help soothe her.
An hour later, she suddenly remembered something as she bit into her avocado toast.
“Who was that man with the big sideburns who was flirting with you, Cassie?”
Cassie looked up sleepily from her frosted flakes.
“What?”
“Wake up, Cassie! You remember the Gardiners’ holiday party? There was a man there, named after a vegetable, something green.”
“Basil?” Cassie laughed. “He called himself a major domo. Or estate manager in plain English.”
“Do you have his number?”
“He insisted on giving it to me.”
“Use it. Tell him you are meeting him at the Tipsy Whale for lunch.”
Cassie rubbed her eyes and tapped some keys on her phone. She told Anna Basil had agreed immediately.
The café kept Anna busy for the next few hours. Julie and Mary were both busy running errands and had begged off their coffee date. Anna pulled off her apron at 11:30 and went into the bookstore to get Cassie. They walked to the local pub, enjoying the cold sunny day.
Murphy, the pub owner, greeted them cheerfully.
“You’re going to love today’s special, Cassie.”
The Tipsy Whale was famous for its hearty gourmet sandwiches, made with the best quality of produce.
A tanned man with red sideburns waved at Cassie from a booth. He didn’t look surprised when Anna joined them.
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“Did you find out what happened to the boss, Mrs. Butler?”
Anna guessed the whole town knew what she was up to. Or Basil had been talking to Sharon or Pearson.
“I could use your help.”
“Edward Gardiner was the most generous employer anyone could ask for. He didn’t deserve to die like that.”
“Shall we order first?” Cassie smiled at Basil.
“I recommend the special. You won’t find a barbecued chicken sandwich like it anywhere along the coast.”
“Not even in Hollywood,” Cassie agreed. “That’s what I’m getting.”
“Who do you think gains from Edward’s death?” Anna asked the major domo. “I know the will hasn’t been opened yet. Did he ever mention who was going to inherit everything?”
“Alison,” Basil said promptly. “She was the sole heir since Ruth died.”
“What about Sharon or Finn O’Malley?”
“I don’t think the boss would leave them in the lurch.” Basil plunged his straw in his iced tea. “But the bulk of the estate would go to Alison.”
Anna sensed there was more coming.
“Why don’t you look convinced?”
“That’s how it was for the longest time,” Basil said thoughtfully. “But there was something afoot. The boss had a lot of meetings with his lawyers.”
“Could it have been about some new business deal?” Anna offered.
Basil shook his head confidently.
“There are two sets of lawyers. The boss met with the ones who make his will.”
Chapter 14
Cassie drained her glass of fresh squeezed orange juice and laced up her sneakers before stepping out. She slowly made her way to the Coastal Walk. It was cold and windy. The icy wind felt prickly on her skin but Cassie didn’t mind. She had been yearning for fresh air and a good long run after indulging in all the rich food her Nana cooked every day.
The Coastal Walk stretched from a small cove at one end to the magnificent Castle Beach Resort at the other. It was the crowning glory of Dolphin Bay. Cassie jogged toward the resort end as usual and collapsed on a strategically placed bench that faced the bay.