Into the Clouds

by Marilyn Leach

  “I would say no, and I certainly hope not,” Berdie answered matter-of-factly.

  “And you think she’s not there because…” Lillie urged, “…go on.”

  “There are the obvious facts we already know.”

  “Linden took Mrs. Mikalos to the procession, but didn’t take her home.”

  “Yes.” Berdie nodded. “And Olivia never found her daughter and grandchildren in the crowd today. She was clearly agitated about something. But the ins are the most convincing.”

  “Ins?”

  “Her car’s in the garage and the roast was in the oven.”

  “That’s it? How does that say she’s not in there right now? In fact, a car in the garage means someone is home.”

  A loud we-wa broke the quiet of the outer road. It was accompanied by the night sky dancing with swirls of blue light.

  “Here comes the cavalry,” Berdie announced.

  “The fire brigade?” Lillie stood. “Did Linden call them?”

  “If he did, this lot flew aboard the Concorde to get here.”

  A winded Linden rushed onto the veranda. “She’s not there.”

  “Good news, too.” Lillie flashed an aren’t-you-clever look at Berdie.

  Linden Davies bent over and placed his hands on his knees. “I suppose,” he said between inhalations, “we really did need the fire brigade. Thank you.”

  Lillie eyed Berdie, who raised her brows but said nothing about not being responsible for the call.

  “They have large extractor fans that can air the place in minutes.”

  “Yes.” Lillie didn’t try to hide a grin. “Berdie has had personal experience with them.”

  Berdie scrunched her nose and glared at Lillie.

  ****

  True to form, the fire brigade had the home aired out in short time.

  Linden shared his concerns about his mother-in-law with the fellow in charge.

  “If we had a pound for each time an old dear has forgotten about their leg of lamb in the oven, we’d each own a Rolls Royce.” The broad shouldered man wore a smile. “Your mother-in-law will have a memory flash and be home soon, I shouldn’t wonder.”

  Berdie was not convinced, but it seemed to relieve Linden for the moment. “May I have a quick look-see about the place?” Berdie asked him after the brigade departed.

  “It’s a splendid idea,” Lillie coerced. “Berdie is so clever about these things.”

  “Yes, I suppose, but I wouldn’t want Mother to find a stranger rooting about in her home when she arrives.”

  “Five minutes. Just for a safety measure,” Lillie endorsed.

  Berdie looked toward the stairway. “Her bedroom, if you please, and we won’t be terribly invasive.”

  Linden directed Berdie and Lillie to Olivia’s bedroom with en suite bathroom. The size of the rooms fit with the rest of what they had seen of the home. The bedroom was lighted by a floral-shaped designer chandelier. The interior had a light ivory and sea grass color scheme. A grand bed with a brocade silk duvet made the white painted wardrobe and side tables stand out. The whole of it could have been an advert for distinctive country elegance.

  “I must go down and clean up the veranda.” Linden left.

  “Good,” Berdie said when he exited, “that will keep him busy for a bit.” Berdie pointed Lillie to the bathroom. “Look for everyday grooming items.”

  “Aye, aye, captain.” Lillie stepped into the small adjoining room.

  Berdie eyed a decorated box on an antique dressing table. She opened it to find very fine jewelry, real stones, nestled in an orderly fashion. “So the earrings were real.” She stepped toward the neatly made bed. “Oh, and medications, any kind of tablets,” she called to Lillie.

  Berdie pulled back the duvet and delicately picked up a pillow. A black silk nightdress lay folded beneath it. Putting all neatly back into place, she moved to the expansive wardrobe and opened it to see enough clothing to dress a small village. And enough shoes, all neatly placed, to shod them as well. “All going well?” Berdie could hear Lillie rummaging.

  “Fine,” she returned.

  There was one empty hanger among the goods and a black silk robe hung on a golden hook attached to the interior of the wardrobe door.

  “I can’t say all is fine here,” she whispered.

  Two pairs of shoes were on the thick carpet near the wardrobe, gray clogs and brown leather dress shoes. “And she decided on the tan espadrilles.” Berdie heard a rather loud Oh, dear come from the bathroom. When she entered, for all it held, it could have been a spa: slipper bath, glassed-in shower, lounge chair, and a spacious sink.

  “I would say Mrs. Mikalos will be returning soon.” Lillie pointed to a container of tablets. “Two times daily for blood sugar regulation.”

  Berdie was not pleased with this discovery. “Deodorant, toothbrush?”

  “All here,” Lillie answered. “Actually, there’re two bottles of the tablets. All daily makeup items are here, quite expensive, too.” She swept her finger across the items. “Toothpaste, hair brush, and a lovely matching comb in their proper place.”

  “Though Olivia Mikalos is not here, she’s spoken volumes,” Berdie declared.

  Suddenly something erupted from the slipper bath.

  Lillie shrieked and grabbed Berdie with such aggression it nearly knocked her over.

  “My good heavens,” sprang from Berdie’s lips as she regained her balance.

  Lillie had recovered a modicum of composure and was shaking her head.

  Berdie felt something fuzzy on the calf of her leg. She shot a glare down to discover a cat rubbing itself against her appendage.

  “Silly thing gave me a fright,” Lillie muttered, hand on her heart.

  “I’d have never guessed.” Berdie straightened her rumpled blouse.

  “Why would it be in the bath?”

  “It missed its morning shower?”

  “Or thirsty,” Lillie noted.

  “Or thirsty,” Berdie repeated. “The clattering bowl in the kitchen.”

  Lillie bent down to stroke the creature. She put out her hand. “Hello, sweet kitty.” Without warning she jerked straight up with a gasp.

  “What?”

  Lillie pulled back. “Look at it.”

  Berdie bent down to behold the feline. The animal had a white face surrounded by black, including a V shape between its eyes, making it appear to have a widow’s peak. But the most noticeable and horrifying feature were the incisors. Fangs protruded from the mouth and just overlapped the bottom lip. “Have mercy,” Berdie breathed.

  The cat’s front legs were black with white paws. Black fur encircled the body nearly to the end where a white back end was accompanied by white legs and tail. For the look of it, the cat could be wearing a tiny tailored cape.

  Berdie stood up.

  “It’s Dracula,” Lillie uttered with a sound of horror edged with pity.

  Linden entered the bathroom. “Oh, I see you found Tiddles.”

  “Tiddles?” Berdie eyed the fangs.

  “I wondered where he may be. Quite shocking, isn’t he?” Linden lifted the animal and held it close to his chest. “Actually, Tiddles is a very sweet cat.” He stroked it gently. “My son wanted a pet, so for his birthday we let him choose one. Of course, he loved the look of this fellow. However, the moment we got Tiddles home, my daughter broke out in itchy red bumps.”

  “Hard for your son, I can imagine.” Berdie empathized.

  “He was devastated. Our home is quite small for a child who’s allergic.” Linden released the animal, and the cat scampered off. “So my mother-in-law graciously took the creature into her home and offered to let Phillip visit as often as he wishes.”

  “Good for Grandmum,” Lillie cheered.

  “Yes. Grandmum.” Linden hesitated. “Well, we must be off.” Linden smiled for the first time this evening. “As the fire brigade said, she’ll probably be home any time.”

  “You will ring when she gets in,”
Lillie prompted.

  “Of course.”

  The ride home in Linden’s car was a non-stop, good natured barrage between him and Lillie about the qualities necessary for a choral director and how to select suitable sacred music for a performance.

  Though Berdie considered it a good distraction for Linden, she mulled over what she had just seen at the home of Mrs. Mikalos. She was convinced the woman had planned to return home that afternoon. Would Olivia cross the threshold of her beautiful home any time soon, or ever at all? Lord, whatever the case, watch over and keep all concerned in Your care.

  This big game hunt was becoming less sporting and moving into the realm of something much more serious.

  What would they come upon next?

  4

  Berdie stared at the cheese and pickle sandwiches she had just prepared as if her scrutinizing eye might change them into something a bit more gastronomic.

  Poor Hugh. He left a lovely meal to attend his parishioner, and now he would come home to a cheese sandwich.

  What a way to end Ascension Sunday, but her search in the pantry had yielded nothing more edible. “Lord, a miracle wouldn’t go amiss here. You did some amazing things with loaves and fishes.” She tapped her finger on the edge of the plate. “Somehow, a seaside feast would certainly suit him better than cheddar and pickle on brown bread.”

  The unmistakable sound of the front door opening was followed by Hugh’s voice in conversation.

  “Who on earth?” Berdie glanced at the clock. “And at this time of night.” She scooted to the front hall.

  “Hello, love.” Hugh had a lively tone. “Look who I met on the doorstep.”

  Loren and Lillie stood behind Hugh. Loren carried a large food hamper, and Lillie wore an enormous grin.

  “Surprise, and special delivery.” Lillie swirled the words. “I hope you’re hungry.”

  Loren lifted the basket. “Evening meal round two: salmon fish cakes, asparagus mousse, and chilled couscous.”

  Berdie was gobsmacked. Her jaw nearly touched the floor. “Now I know how the five thousand felt.”

  “What?” Hugh’s face was aglow. “This comes as a real treat.” He rubbed his hands together with delight.

  Lillie leaned toward Berdie. “Saying good evening wouldn’t go amiss.”

  “Sorry? Oh yes.” Berdie worked at getting the words out. “What an unexpected blessing.”

  “That’s us, a late night blessing.”

  “Won’t you come in?”

  “I’ve got early duty tomorrow at the lab,” Loren said. “Must push on. But, I can take this through to the kitchen for you.”

  “Oh yes.” Hugh moved inside. “I’ll go with you.”

  Berdie stepped out to stand next to Lillie. “Aren’t we in high spirits?” She tipped her head. “And what happened to ‘be sure you lock up when you leave’?”

  “Loren’s done the sweetest thing.” Lillie’s eyes could have lit the front door light. “First of all, when I got in, he had finished all the washing up.”

  “A modern man.” Berdie wrapped her arms over her chest against the cool spring night.

  “He made delicious fish cakes from the uneaten salmon.” Lillie nearly gurgled. “He made the asparagus into a mousse, just from what I had in my pantry. And fit for a king.”

  “The couscous?” Berdie’s mouth began to water.

  “Oh, that’s just the leftover from the dish I made originally.”

  Berdie smiled. “A reasonable cook, your Loren.”

  “Reasonable? Brilliant, more like.” Lillie leaned against Berdie’s shoulder. “Then, as if all that wasn’t enough, he not only laid me a table, but he also created a hamper to bring to you and Hugh.”

  “So Loren is generous to a fault, as well.”

  “Yes.” Lillie put her voice low. “He’s agreed to go with me day after tomorrow to visit Aunt Margaret.”

  “Aunt Margaret in Cornwall?”

  Lillie nodded.

  Berdie became pensive. “So, why don’t you ask him to marry you?”

  Lillie pulled back. Her eyes grew large, and her face went crimson. “Loren may need my assistance in there.” She tried to dash through the doorway, but Berdie blocked it and dipped her chin with a coy smile. “After all, he sounds the perfect man, Lillie.”

  “Now, Berdie, you know better than that.” Lillie shifted her handbag to the other shoulder. “Besides, that’s rather his responsibility. Proposals and all.”

  “Is it?”

  Lillie glanced through the open doorway. “Oh, look. Hugh’s coming. Now stop this silly conversation.”

  Berdie took her friend by the arm. “Would you say yes if Loren asked?”

  Lillie pursed her lips. “Perhaps.”

  “Perhaps?”

  “Love the man, intensely dislike his career and its demands.”

  “Smells good in the kitchen.” Hugh arrived at the door. Again, he rubbed his hands together like a child preparing for a dip in the paddling pool. “Loren’s just coming.”

  “I’ll go lay the table,” Berdie pronounced, but not without giving a smile and a quick squeeze of the hand to the flustered Lillie.

  Just as Berdie was ready to go through the kitchen door, Loren exited, nearly bumping her, car keys in hand. “Must be off,” he said.

  “Yes. Well, thank you so much for sharing your cooking skills with us. We’ll thoroughly enjoy our meal.”

  “Good.” Loren fumbled the keys.

  Berdie tipped her head. “Can I see you to the door?”

  “Actually, may I have a quick word?”

  “Of course.” Berdie wasn’t sure what to expect.

  “This evening, when you and Lillie left on your errand of mercy,” Loren shifted his weight. “I realized what it feels like for the first time.”

  “What it feels like?”

  “To be left behind.” Loren ran a finger over his key. “I’m the one who usually does the departing in the midst of a meal or when Lillie and I are to have time together.”

  “Yes. I see.”

  “I realized, I mean, really realized, for the first time how my lovely Lillie has the patience of a saint.” He hesitated. “But it’s my work, Berdie. And I do love my career. And for all that, when they call, I’ve got to go.”

  Berdie took a deep breath. “Yes, she knows that.”

  “But she doesn’t like it.”

  “Did you like being alone at the table this evening?”

  The doctor swallowed. “Be honest with me, Berdie.” He gripped the keys as if they opened a grand secret. “If I asked Lillie to,” he paused, “to marry me, would she?”

  Berdie read the hope in Loren’s eyes while beholding the grit of his jaw. This was a moment a vicar’s wife was expected to be wise, encouraging, and insightful, despite the fact she was peckish and longed for her first bite of salmon fish cake. Her response could set a course of action. Berdie wanted her words to be just right. Loren wanted honesty. And she hoped to encourage. What to say? “Perhaps.”

  “Perhaps?” Loren wrinkled his brow.

  “Loren.” Hugh shot down the hallway. “Lillie is anxious to get on.”

  Loren shook his keys. He leaned toward Berdie and whispered. “I trust your complete discretion.”

  “What happens in the vicarage, stays in the vicarage.”

  Loren gave an easy laugh and strode to the door.

  “God go with you,” Berdie called.

  Hugh entered the kitchen after seeing Loren and Lillie off.

  Berdie was still smiling. “Hope springs eternal.”

  “What?” Hugh yawned. “Nothing springs at this hour. Food, my love. Let’s tuck in.” Hugh gathered plates as Berdie grabbed some silverware.

  “How’s Natty?”

  “Exhausted and confused. She overdid at the procession today and twisted her ankle. She’ll be released to go home in the next forty-eight hours or so.”

  “Poor dear.”

  “Yes, speaking of a poor dear,
Loren told me you’ve had a bit of an adventure this evening, helping that fellow, Linden Davies, is it? It was a bit of a ramble, but he said something of the fire brigade, a vampire cat, and someone gone missing. So, will you tell me what’s going on?”

  “That is a conversation for another time.” Berdie didn’t want to launch into the whole story. Being tired could easily take things in a negative direction. “I’m knackered, and I dare say, you are, as well.”

  And a genuinely amazing thing happened. Hugh didn’t raise his left eyebrow nor did he insist they discuss it here and now. “Knackered, indeed,” he agreed. “Let’s eat.”

  “Two miracles in a ten minute time span,” Berdie said under her breath. “Thank you,” poured from her grateful lips.

  ****

  Berdie expected it.

  At six forty-five A.M. in the morning a panicked Linden called Lillie, and Lillie called Berdie.

  “He’s absolutely beside himself,” Lillie informed. “He decided to clean the people carrier at St. Matthews before going to work this morning and found Olivia’s handbag in the backseat, her credit card, driver’s license, money, all there.”

  “Oh, dear. Not good.”

  “He fully believed she would be there in her home, but when he found the bag he rang her up and she didn’t answer. So, he called the Timsley police again and they told him the same thing they said yesterday: at this point the absentee has to be vulnerable, and they don’t consider Mrs. Mikalos vulnerable.”

  “That is their policy, for better or worse.”

  “We’ve got to help him Berdie.”

  “Yes. We can work out what’s going on, but it will take some time, and I need to inform Hugh.” Berdie took a deep breath.

  “But surely he won’t object. After all, it does seem she disappeared from a St. Aidan event.”

  “True,” Berdie agreed, “that does rather put it at our door. I’ll speak to him.”

  “You can fetch me at half nine,” Lillie said with confidence. “See you then.”

  Hugh did not fight her on the issue. To the contrary, he encouraged her, which was a delight. “Yes, it is down to us. It appears to have happened at our church event. I understand the law’s hesitation, there’s no real evidence of foul play as yet. But circumstances do call for some kind of look-see.” He set his amazing blue eyes on her. “No church commitments today, and if there’s anyone within a hundred miles who can investigate well, it’s you.”