Deceitful Legacy

by Justine Wittich

  Freddie hazarded a look at Mindy, who sat across from him sipping a glass of orange juice. She seemed not to be the least disturbed by her aunt’s discussion of auras and active energy.

  He cleared his throat. “Mindy, I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but have you noticed anything , well, anything ‘different’ about your aunt in these last months?” He paused and lowered his voice. “I find many of the activities she’s embracing rather ... out of place ... for a woman of her age and status.”

  A smile crossed Mindy’s face as she set her empty glass on the table. “No more than she ever has, Cousin. My parents were killed in an accident when my sister and I were quite young, and Felicity appeared as if out of nowhere and scooped us up. She never gave a thought to the responsibilities she was assuming, and believe me, we were a handful. One of the things she and Oliver taught us through the years was to open our minds and hearts to other people and other ideas, and whenever possible to embrace them.” She leaned over and patted his hand, then continued. “She simply has a big heart and an enquiring mind.”

  “Oh, I don’t mean to imply that there might be anything wrong with her latest projects, my dear. I simply wonder if she is aware that this young girl, and the other women in that class, might possibly be lying to her, and are continuing their ... their other activities ... while taking advantage of her good nature.”

  Mindy patted his hand once more. “Don’t let Felicity fool you with that fuzzy old lady routine of hers. She’s as shrewd as they come, with a large cynical streak painted on her back. She just keeps it undercover.” She stood as Felicity entered the room. “Is Jenny ready yet?”

  “She’ll be right down. I just want to go finish putting the kitchen to rights.” She stacked the empty plates and gathered silverware. “Would you like more coffee, Freddie? I think there’s a half cup in the pot.”

  “Not for me,” he said, as he stood. “That was delicious, Felicity. I’m amazed Oliver didn’t die of overeating.”

  Pain crossed Felicity’s face at his tasteless reference, and she stated the truth without thinking. “He was murdered, Freddie. I must have forgotten to tell you that.”

  She turned and left the room, not before noting the wary expression on Freddie’s face.

  * * *

  Later in the day, Felicity helped Mindy and Jenny carry in all their purchases. Jenny’s face was flushed with excitement. “Oh, Mrs. Canaday, you have to see the adorable onesies we found at the Baby Exchange! They’re scarcely worn, and couldn’t have been washed more than three or four times. And the adorable little caps! I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am. I don’t know how to thank you.”

  Felicity hugged her and patted her cheek. “Just seeing how pleased you are is enough for me. Here, let me get that shopping bag. It’s too heavy for you.”

  “I’m afraid I have to run for the ladies’ room anyway,” Jenny said, as she hurried through the mudroom.

  “Before she comes back,” Felicity said to Mindy, “I have to ask you a favor. I heard what you said to Cousin Freddie this morning, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t reassure him about my mental state in the future. In fact, if you could find something to question, be sure to tell him.”

  Mindy set down a stack of diaper boxes with a huge sigh. “You’re up to some of your old tricks again, aren’t you, Aunt. When he first came, I wondered if he weren’t aiming at marrying you. I really did. Those huge compliments he threw around that first night were so obvious that Josh laughed all the way home.”

  She shifted the stack and reached for another box to set on top. “Then I wondered if he was trying to encourage me to criticize you this morning. I sure didn’t want to get in the middle of anything until I knew what was going on. I hate to tell you this, but I think Oliver’s cousin is what the Brits call ‘a bit of a loose fish’.”

  “I haven’t decided what he is yet, but I think it’s much better to be on the lookout. He and Kate had pizza together last night. Luckily, Tony had seated Althea and me in that back corner booth, and he didn’t see us. She and I had a sort of ‘confrontation’ yesterday, and she told me I was losing it, whatever ‘it’ is. Anyway, I feel sure she shared her opinion with him.”

  “Well, if that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black, I never heard it,” Mindy exclaimed. “She’s become so critical and demanding that scarcely anyone wants to sit next to her. Even in church.”

  “That’s why it was so interesting to see her all cozy with Freddie, I haven’t figured out yet why he’s making such a long visit, and he’s not at all like the Freddie Oliver always talked about. They used to spend hours on the phone, and for the life of me, I’m finding it hard to carry on a decent conversation with him over breakfast.” Felicity stacked two boxes of diapers and lifted them. “And I caught him trying to get into my office last night after he thought I’d gone to bed.”

  Jenny came running down the stairs as fast as her bulk would allow. “Mrs. Canaday! Mrs. Canaday! Come quick. There’s something dead in the doorway to my room.”

  “Oh, dear,” said Felicity. “Not ... a person, surely.” She reached out to smooth her hand over the girl’s shoulder, which shuddered beneath her touch.

  “No ... not human, but it’s ... it’s been chewed,” she replied, her voice shaking with disgust.

  From the top of the stairs came an outraged shout. “What in the hell is this dead mole doing in the hall!”

  To Felicity, Freddie’s reaction sounded over the top. She patted the girl’s hand and said, “Lazarus brought you a gift. It’s his way of showing you how much he likes you.” She turned to Mindy, who was holding her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. “Take Jenny into the kitchen and make her a cup of tea, will you? I’m going to deal with Freddie.”

  With that, she headed up the stairs. She would have to open a can of salmon for Lazarus tonight. Once again, he’d done a wonderful job. As she reached the top tread, she said firmly, “Freddie, Lazarus brought that in to show his love for Jenny. Be grateful it’s dead. A month ago he brought in a live chipmunk I had a simply terrible time trying to catch the creature before he killed it.”

  * * *

  Freddie’s day had had its ups and downs. So far as the downs went, Lazarus topped the list. Felicity’s tolerance of that animal’s behavior was unacceptable. Somehow, the cat had to go, particularly since he intended to make his own stay permanent. At least his day on campus showed promise.

  Several students had expressed interest in his fictitious internet company that needed only young fresh minds wanting to contribute quite nominal amounts of money to a sure bet. He would have chuckled at his success, only his gaze was still fixed on the mutilated mole in front of the guest bedroom he coveted. His mood darkened as his hostess came briskly down the hall carrying a plastic bag and a pair of gardening gloves she’d gathered from a small closet at the top of the stairs.

  “Really, Freddie, you needn’t make such a fuss. Heaven knows we have to get rid of those moles in the backyard anyway. And this is so much more sensible than poisons and traps. Lazarus loves Jenny and me. Besides, ugly as this is, there’s only one. Sometimes there are half a dozen.”

  She pulled on the glove and neatly scooped the dismembered mole into the plastic bag. “I would appreciate your making more of an effort to befriend Lazarus.” She went back to the cupboard and returned with a spray bottle and several paper towels, then knelt to clean the carpet in front of the door.

  Drawing a deep breath, Freddie knelt beside her. “Felicity, my dear, I don’t think you realize the risks you’re running by giving that animal free run of both the house and the outdoors. Cat bites and scratches have been known to be toxic, and have even killed people.”

  “Lazarus has never bitten anyone in this house, Freddie, and he doesn’t scratch, either. Oliver saved his life, and that cat has been grateful ever since.” She stood, then said, “I haven’t heard anything about you teaching that seminar Josh mentioned. Have you chec
ked on it? I wondered if it might interfere with your getting back to Stanford to take up your own schedule.”

  He hadn’t expected this, and found himself at a loss for a moment. Recovering quickly, he said, “I’ve been on a leave of absence, teaching abroad. Very broadening, if you’ll pardon the pun. When classes begin in late summer, I hope to be in my accustomed place. Until then I want to become better acquainted with you and with the world my dear Cousin Oliver thought so highly of.”

  The response pleased him so much he nearly patted himself in the back. No one had ever accused him of not being quick on his feet. The only thing that dismayed him was the disappointment that flashed over his hostess’s face.

  It was quickly replaced, however, by a fixed smile. “Well, if you intend to be here so much longer, we’ll have to set up some kind of schedule. I’m not accustomed to having a man around the house anymore, and of course, I now have Jenny to bring along ...”

  She paced the room slowly, a look of deep thought crossing her face. “And then there are my other interests, the ones I haven’t mentioned since I thought your visit would be a short one.”

  Thinking she was making reference to her monetary plans, he smiled broadly. “My dear, I don’t want to be a burden to you. Just explain what you need, and I can be most accommodating.”

  Chapter Nine

  Felicity clapped her hands together. “Wonderful! I can use some help with the swans on the lake in the park. The cygnets have hatched, and they’re so beautiful. But there are people complaining, because the mother swans are attacking them when they get too close to the young.”

  She fixed an intent gaze on him. “And I think you’re just the person to give the little lecture I’ve scheduled for the Friends of the Park meeting tomorrow night. People will pay attention when someone from Stanford tells them how essential it is to give them space, and what a natural instinct it is for mothers to guard their offspring.”

  Freddie wanted to run out the front door screaming. The woman was terrifying. Now she intended to get him mixed up in one of her bleeding heart projects. Still, he knew he had to be careful. If he refused her outright, she might find something even worse to occupy his time. “I’m not sure I know that much about swans, Felicity. You might want to find a naturalist, or someone connected with the parks system might be even a better choice ...”

  “Of course not! Your Stanford credentials will give weight to whatever you say, and don’t worry, I have a great deal of material that I’ve accessed over the internet. I’ll just print it all out for you.” She moved toward the hall, talking as she walked. “It won’t take me any time at all.”

  Recognizing a chance to get at her computer, Freddie followed her and called, “No need to print all that stuff, my dear. I can just as easily read it online and save you wasting paper on a one-time project.”

  The office door shut in his face. Through it, he heard her say, “I won’t be fifteen minutes. Why don’t you go watch television?”

  * * *

  Felicity left Freddie with a wealth of information to study about swans and the park system before she hurried to Althea’s. When her neighbor answered the door, she said, “I need help. I tricked Freddie into giving a lecture on the need to nurture the swans on the pond at the Friends of the Park meeting. Actually, I was going to do the talk, and had the material all organized, but now I have to find some way to make him think I’m a little batty over the idea. Help me!”

  Once settled in Althea’s kitchen with a cup of tea and an English muffin, the two schemed.

  By mid-afternoon, they had their plans in place, and had gone together to the drama department at the college. One area of Felicity’s generosity was the theater, and she remembered clearly the dramatized mythology presentation featuring Zeus disguised as a swan to seduce Leda. She and Althea had a wonderful time in the wardrobe department, and, with the help of several enthusiastic students, soon had what they needed.

  By the time she returned home to prepare dinner, all her plans were in place, and she hummed contentedly as she made cream sauce for the leftover chicken. Basmati rice bubbled merrily in a pan, and she was happily immersed in one of her favorite pastimes. Cooking. Therefore the musical ringing of her cell phone didn’t register immediately. By the time she wiped her hands and lowered the heat beneath the sauce to warm, the caller had given up.

  She returned the call immediately, only to have Jo answer with, “Felicity, there’s been an attack in that alley behind the library! Right beside the night depository. A student was hit over the head and robbed. He’s in the hospital in critical condition.”

  “What’s happening in this town?” Felicity sank into a kitchen chair. “That’s the second attack like that, if you count that poor man who’s been at the hospital for over a week. And that robbery last week was the first of its kind in two years. This has always been such a safe, peaceful town.” She wanted to cry.

  “Even worse, Max won’t let me out the door without some kind of escort. He’s arranged for one of his workmen to hurry over and guard me when I leave here. And he told me to tell you he and Josh will make sure you and Jenny have someone with you whenever you leave the house. Do you think Freddie will be available to help out?”

  Felicity couldn’t help laughing. “Freddie help out? I don’t think he could protect a fly. Now, if I could get Lazarus to consent to wearing a harness and being leashed, no one in the world would ever attack me.”

  “Be serious. I just wanted you to know Max would be over after dinner to go over your plans for the next few days with you. I think he’s gone around the bend. The next thing I expect is for him to climb a tree and beat his chest while giving unearthly yells. ‘Me Tarzan!’, or something like that.”

  Amusement at a visual of Max in a loincloth in the front yard momentarily took Felicity’s mind off the more serious problem of the recent crime wave. “I have to thank you for warning me, Jo. It’s only natural for Max to be protective. You’re the best thing that ever happened to him, and after losing his parents years ago, it’s only natural that he’d overreact. Try to soothe him. If he insists on trying to put a security fence around Jenny and me, so be it. My cream sauce will get icky if I leave it any longer. I’ll talk to you later.”

  She set her phone on the table and then picked it up again. Probably it was best that she warn Althea about the invasion of protectors. Josh knew about her own license to carry, but Max didn’t. Not that Josh would hesitate to share the information. Maybe if she recruited Althea, they’d leave her alone.

  After notifying Althea, a thought struck her. Certainly Max wouldn’t go so far as to notify Andrew. The dear man would be patrolling the neighborhood every night, and he needed his sleep. It was obvious the household would have to make some of its own arrangements for safety, or Max and Josh would be hiring security police. Felicity valued her independence too much to accept that kind of surveillance.

  She waited until they were seated at the table to tell Jenny and Freddie about the impending arrival of their protectors. “Freddie, I feel sure Max will expect you to do some escort duties. Jenny will need someone with her when she goes to her doctor’s appointment tomorrow, and I have a meeting at the church after my craft group is here. Can you take on the job?”

  Freddie appeared to choke on the radish he’d just bitten into. “Wha ... me? At the maternity clinic?”

  Jenny hid her smile behind her napkin. Felicity was glad to see the girl saw the protection nonsense for what it was – the male instinct to shove the little woman into a glass shell. “Well, certainly. After all, you had a mother once, didn’t you?”

  “Well, of course, but ... dammit, surely there’s someone else who can go with her.” Color suffused his cheeks, and his fork clattered against the edge of his plate. “I’m a bachelor, Felicity. I know nothing of that sort of thing.”

  Felicity almost felt sorry for the man, but she was having so much fun it was hard to continue the joke.

  Jenny rescued bot
h of them. “Mrs. Canaday is teasing you, Professor. Marcus, the youth pastor, called yesterday and offered to make sure I got to my appointment.” It was her turn to blush. “I don’t want you to think I’m getting the wrong idea, Mrs. Canaday. I’ve learned my lesson with men.”

  “Marcus is an extremely nice young man, Jenny, and he takes his calling very seriously. You can be sure I’m not jumping to any conclusions.” She turned to Freddie and chided, “I’m quite disappointed in you, Freddie. This would have been an opportunity for you to do a kindness, and to see another segment of the community. You’ve been out and about nearly every day since you arrived. Have you been conferring with any of the professors at the college or getting to know the personnel at the library?”

  She knew perfectly well he’d not been at the library, since Jo had commented on it the last time she called. It was high time to inquire just what Freddie was up to at the college.

  Once again, her guest fussed with the food on his plate and refused to meet her eyes. “I’ve, ah, been visiting various establishments and meeting the people. I’m interested in the economic health of the town, and the best way to take the pulse is to mingle with the general public.” He raised his eyebrows as he speared her with a look. “Why should my activities be of any interest to you?”

  Not at all embarrassed, Felicity replied, “I just don’t want you to be bored, and what with the recent little spurt of robberies and attacks, I wanted to be sure you were staying in open areas. I feel sure Max and Josh will want to talk with you when they show up this evening.”

  “I wasn’t aware that I was to be included in the discussion.”

  “Of course you are. I may complain about them being overprotective and ordering me around, but it’s heartwarming to have someone care, and you’re included in their caring.” She stood and picked up her plate to begin clearing the table. “If you’re nearly finished, I want to tidy the kitchen and start a pot of coffee. We’ll have dessert together after they get here.”