The Diva Serves High Tea

by Krista Davis

  I couldn’t exactly tell her that all those ideas had been doomed to failure and everyone, except for her, could see that. She did have a point, though. I would want my spouse to encourage my dreams, even if they were a little bit far-fetched. After all, if people didn’t dream big, there would be no fabulous inventions, or cures, or spacewalks. Mars hadn’t done that for Natasha. Maybe she and Robert were right about that.

  Natasha grimaced. “He was only interested in me because he wanted someone more sophisticated and worldly—”

  “Excuse me? As I recall, we came from the same little town in Virginia. It’s not like you grew up in Paris and attended a Swiss boarding school.”

  Natasha smiled at me sweetly. “Sophie, you’re so naïve. It’s rather endearing.”

  Uh-huh. Naïve Sophie thought she’d better hightail it over to Robert’s place to send Wanda home before Natasha found out and their mother-daughter relationship crashed and burned for good. “Have you tried phoning your mom?”

  “How stupid do you think I am? She probably has the ringer turned off. She does that when she’s mad at me, which is most of the time.”

  “Maybe you should go home in case she calls. In the meantime, I’ll check around.”

  We were in the foyer when Mars stumbled in, yawning.

  Natasha gasped and looked from Mars to me. “You certainly didn’t waste any time.”

  I hated to say it but I did. “It’s not how it looks.”

  “That’s the standard line, isn’t it? How dare you betray me like this? And you, Mars! Have you no shame? No loyalty? We were together for years, and you’re already shacking up with your ex-wife?” She turned to me and her lips pulled tight. “You won’t keep him interested for long looking like that.” She pulled the door open and left in a huff.

  I locked the door behind her.

  Mars groaned. “You see what I mean? Every day. Every single day there’s a drama.”

  “Want some tea?”

  “I’d better get going. I have a meeting this morning.”

  Just as well. “Okay. I have a quick errand to run as soon as I dress.”

  “With that guy still out there?”

  “It’s broad daylight, Mars. I’m not going to hide in my house.” I ran upstairs to dress in spandex-softened jeans and a big white button-down shirt. Downstairs, I slid into a quilted vest, and dressed Daisy in her harness. We left through the alley that ran behind my backyard in case Natasha had paused somewhere on our street. Maybe it was silly of me, but I wasn’t taking chances. It would be such a shame if Natasha and Wanda had a big falling out over Robert. Natasha might have a lot of fans, but she had precious few friends and needed her mom on her side.

  Daisy and I walked at a good clip. I was glad I had bothered to wear the vest. The lingering warmth of summer days had made a sudden departure. A chilling breeze whispered through the streets, leaving the scent of fireplaces behind.

  As we walked, I wondered why Wanda would have spent the night out when her purpose in visiting was to stay with Natasha so she wouldn’t be alone. Funny that Natasha hadn’t mentioned being afraid last night. Maybe installation of the alarm system had been enough to soothe her nerves.

  We neared Velma’s house, and I couldn’t help looking at the windows. From the street, I couldn’t tell if anyone was spying from them.

  The black door of Robert’s house bore a wreath made of acorns and topped with a burlap bow. I suspected it must have been handmade. Otherwise, Robert’s door seemed very plain, except for the brass mail slot. I saw neither a bell nor a doorknocker. I rapped on the door.

  There was no answer. I turned around and gazed up at Velma’s windows again. She probably knew if he was home. I knocked again, louder this time. “Robert?”

  Still no response. Maybe this had been a stupid idea. He probably took Wanda out for breakfast.

  I turned to leave but Daisy pawed at the door and whined. I froze. She had done that once before, and when I opened the door, I had found a corpse.

  “Come on, sweetie. Nobody’s home.” But Daisy didn’t budge, even when I tugged on her leash.

  “One more time, then we’ll go. Okay?” I knocked again, calling, “Robert!”

  I tried the doorknob. It turned easily. The door was barely open a crack when I thought I heard something. Daisy reinforced that notion by whining.

  The door creaked open to a dark house.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Dear Natasha,

  I found a beautiful tea set in an antiques shop. The salesman told me it was bone china, but I’m not sure I believe him. I’m not familiar with the mark on the back. Is there a way to know?

  —Wasn’t Born Yesterday in Shopville, Kentucky

  Dear Wasn’t Born Yesterday,

  There is a very easy way to tell. Hold it up to the light. Bone china is translucent. You should be able to see the shadow of your hand behind it.

  —Natasha

  “Robert?” I called.

  This time I definitely heard it. A strange wheezing sound that wasn’t familiar to me. Daisy stayed by my side, and we entered the house with caution. I left the door open for light and to beat a hasty exit should that prove necessary.

  I found a light switch and flicked it on. A chandelier lighted a narrow hallway, made even tighter by stairs on the right. Antique paintings lined the walls on both sides, and a marble-topped console held an old-fashioned globe lamp with flowers painted on it.

  We ventured along the hallway at a snail’s pace until I spotted a foot.

  I raced toward it.

  Robert lay on the floor of his living room, his eyes open and staring at the ceiling. A table lay on its side, and an old black dial telephone had fallen to the floor, the receiver mere inches from Robert’s hand.

  I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed 911. “Robert?” I felt his wrist for a pulse.

  One of his fingers moved, almost imperceptibly. Faint rasping came from his throat. He seemed to be having difficulty breathing.

  The dispatcher answered my call, but I didn’t know the house number.

  “I’ll be right back.” I dashed outside to get his house number and relayed the information to the dispatcher. She told me to stay on the line. I left the door open and rushed back to Robert. “Wanda?” I shouted. “Wanda?”

  If she was there, she didn’t respond. I should probably check around. She might be in a similar state. But first I had to do what I could do for Robert.

  I kneeled beside him. “Can you sit up?”

  He was having so much trouble breathing that I didn’t dare try to move him. “What happened? Can you speak?”

  The gurgle that came from his throat scared me. “It’s okay. Don’t try to talk. The ambulance will be here soon. Just hold on. Can you wiggle your fingers?”

  The forefinger on his left hand twitched very slightly.

  “Great!” I pretended like I thought that was wonderful but in reality I feared for him.

  Daisy howled and a moment later, I heard the siren. That was one good thing about Old Town—it was so small that the police and ambulances never took long to arrive.

  Knowing that help was on the way, I decided I’d better just reassure Robert and forget trying to do anything to help him breathe. I placed my hand over his, hoping he could feel it. “Did you hear that? They’re on the way.”

  He seemed unable to move. Had he broken his spine or possibly his neck?

  It appeared he was trying to say something. I leaned forward. “Do you need something? Is there anything I can do for you?” Only a weak hiss emanated from his mouth. I turned my head and brought my ear closer to his lips.

  “Rosie.”

  That was all he said. I sat back and looked at him. Clearly he couldn’t be talking about a flower. What could he be trying to say? Rosy like a color? Maybe the S sound
was a result of his difficulty breathing. It could be the beginning of a longer word.

  “Rosie?” I asked.

  He made no effort to clarify. I patted his hand, and chattered again. “Help will be here any minute.” He didn’t look good, though.

  Thankfully, the EMTs arrived with Wong on their heels. I jumped to my feet to get out of their way. As if she understood, Daisy stayed by my side.

  I answered their questions but wasn’t any help at all. I didn’t know how long he had been lying there or what he had been doing or if he had any allergies. “I don’t really know him.”

  One of them stared at me like he was wondering what I was doing in Robert’s house. “Do you know his name?”

  “Robert Johnson. I came over looking for someone else and found him like this. Wong, I think Natasha’s mother, Wanda, might be here. I’m worried that she might be incapacitated as well.”

  Wong nodded. “I’ll check the second and third floors.”

  She sprang up the stairs with surprising energy. I hoped she wouldn’t find Wanda in the same sort of crisis. I didn’t think it was going to work out well for Robert.

  Meanwhile, I searched the main floor of the house. There wasn’t a soul in the dining room. It was beautifully furnished with an inlaid table and an antique sideboard that sparkled with crystal bowls and candlesticks. Huge portraits of people from days gone by hung on the walls. The kitchen was surprisingly modern. Outfitted with dark walnut cabinets, it was immaculate. No one had cooked in the kitchen for a while, though. No loaf of bread waited on the counter. There was no bowl of fruit, not even salt and pepper shakers. A door led to the backyard. I peered through the window as the wind kicked up leaves around a wrought-iron table and four matching chairs. A high brick privacy fence separated the tiny backyard from the neighbors. At the far end, a gate led somewhere, presumably to an alley.

  Daisy and I returned to the hallway.

  “Robert! Robert! What’s going on?” Velma sailed down the hallway toward us.

  One of the EMTs stepped into the hallway. “Ma’am, are you related to Robert Johnson?”

  “He’s my brother-in-law. Is he ill? Did he fall?” Velma tried to push past me.

  “Maybe you could step over here and give me some information?” He led her outside.

  Daisy and I followed them, pausing on the way to open three doors. One led to a stunningly gorgeous powder room with a small chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and paintings in gold frames covering the walls. One was a closet, and the final one led to a basement.

  I heard footsteps behind me and waited for Wong. She shook her head. “No one upstairs at all. Have you been in the basement?”

  “No. But she’s not on this floor.”

  Wong disappeared down the stairs, but Daisy and I hurried outside to Velma.

  “Why won’t they tell me what’s wrong with him?” Velma grabbed my arm and held on tight. “Did you see him?” Velma asked.

  “Yes. He was laying on the floor.”

  “So he fell.” She shook her forefinger at me. “It’s those threadbare Oriental rugs he likes so much. I told him he’d trip on one of them. Probably broke a hip.”

  “I don’t know, Velma. He didn’t look like someone who fell. Although . . .”

  “What?” she demanded.

  “A table had fallen over and the phone was on the floor near him.” That did suggest that he’d been trying to make a call or had stumbled against the table as he fell.

  While she yammered about not being allowed to see him, I was thinking that he wouldn’t have trouble breathing if he broke a hip. Maybe he had a heart attack. Would that make it hard for him to breathe?

  “You know, he felt a little queasy yesterday,” Velma said. “I told him he couldn’t skip the auction. After all, it was bringing people into his store to see the auction items.” She waved her arms in the air. “Francie! Over here!”

  Francie crossed the street from Velma’s front door. “What’s going on?”

  Velma filled her in, Oriental rugs and all.

  “Was your sister’s nickname Rosie?” I asked.

  Velma gave me a perplexed glance. “Whatever made you think that? Her middle name was a flower, but not a Rose. We called her Livy. Short for Olivia Violet. She was the fun one in the family. It didn’t matter if it was a party or only a trip to get an ice cream cone. Everything was a celebration with Livy.”

  “How did she die?”

  “It was the craziest thing, completely unexpected. You know, you go through life thinking every day will be pretty much like the one before and then out of the blue, something totally bizarre happens—she fell. It was that simple. She fell and hit her head on a rock.”

  “She was gardening in her own backyard,” added Francie.

  “That’s crazy! Who dies from a fall like that?” I said.

  “Apparently it’s not all that unusual,” Velma said. “They had some decorative boulders and as far as I can tell, it was just her time. If she had shifted a little one way or the other, she might have lived. But she conked her head and was dead almost immediately. I don’t know who was more upset, me or Robert.”

  We stepped aside as the EMTs rolled a gurney by us. A little crowd had gathered to see what was happening.

  Velma hurried to the gurney and walked beside it. “Robert, dear. How are you feeling?”

  She stopped in the middle of the road.

  Francie and I exchanged a glance and walked over to her.

  “Velma? Are you all right?” I asked.

  She spun toward me. “That’s no broken hip!”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Dear Natasha,

  My husband hates green tea but I heard it helps people lose weight. He likes regular tea okay. What is the difference between green tea and black tea?

  —Mrs. Tubby in Green Acres Valley, New York

  Dear Mrs. Tubby,

  He should drink more coffee. Forget the tea.

  —Natasha

  “What’s wrong with him?” asked Velma.

  She wasn’t a slender woman but she sure could move fast. She approached one of the EMTs. “What’s that on his face?”

  “It’s to help him breathe.”

  “What happened to him? Why can’t he breathe?”

  “Ma’am, I wish I had an answer but I don’t know.” He told her to which hospital they were taking Robert.

  “I’ll take you,” offered Francie. “You’re in no condition to drive.”

  The two of them headed for Velma’s house at a respectable clip.

  “You leave anything in the house?” Wong asked me.

  “No.”

  “I’m going to secure the premises.”

  “You mean like a crime scene?”

  Wong scowled at me. “Is there something you haven’t told me? Do you have reason to think this is a crime scene?”

  “No!”

  “Okay, then. I’ll just lock up the house.”

  The ambulance left, and the crowd dissipated. I waited for Wong.

  She stepped outside and tried the front door to be sure it was locked.

  “Wong, did you get a good look at Robert?”

  “Of course.”

  “Have you ever seen anything like that before?”

  “Sophie, I’m a cop. I’ve seen things you don’t even want to imagine.”

  “Eww.”

  The glimmer of a smile crossed her lips. “The guy looks sick, okay? I don’t know what happened to him. I checked around for meds. Sometimes that helps the EMTs figure out what’s up, but I didn’t find anything useful.”

  “So you’ve seen people who couldn’t move before?”

  “Not exactly like him. But sometimes people are afraid to move or they’re in pain.”

  I hadn’t thought of that. It
didn’t explain his breathing problems, though.

  “Why did you think Wanda was here?” she asked.

  I shrugged. “Poor guess on my part. Apparently she didn’t go home to Natasha’s house last night. The last time I saw her, she was having tea with Robert at The Parlour. I thought they might have hit it off.”

  Wong snorted. “Not a chance. Robert is as prim and proper as Natasha. I can’t see him being interested in Wanda.”

  “I’d have thought the same thing but I was there when they met. The immediate attraction was obvious.”

  “How come that doesn’t happen to us?” asked Wong.

  I laughed, wrapped an arm around her, and gave her a little squeeze.

  “Is it true that Natasha kicked Mars out when he came home?” Wong asked.

  “Wow. News gets around fast. And inaccurately. She didn’t throw him out. But I’m not quite sure whose idea it was to break up. Sounds like it might have been mutual. You won’t believe this but apparently Natasha has her eye on Robert!”

  We walked past Callie’s house. The drapes on the bay window were open.

  “Something wrong?” Wong asked.

  “I was just thinking how difficult it must be to have windows right on the sidewalk where everyone can peer inside.”

  “Well, you better start thinking about Mars. I have it on good authority that a couple of divorcées are sharpening their claws and making Botox appointments.”

  “Over Mars?” I couldn’t help giggling. “He’ll be very flattered, I’m sure.”

  “Listen to me, girl. You better quit laughing and get busy or someone will snap him up before you know it.”

  “Oh, Wong. Would you go after your ex-husband?”

  “Not a chance! But he wasn’t like Mars. He was a devil rat.”

  Wong’s radio sputtered with an unintelligible voice. “Gotta go.”