She calmly started up the steps fingering the ripped blouse with one hand, the knife pointed at Daisy with the other.
She didn’t seem to hear the door open below or be aware of Malcolm’s outrage as he walked in and sensed that his people were in trouble.
Malcolm launched his little body up the stairs and landed on Hazel’s back with enough force to knock her down. He was humping her furiously and biting at the hand holding the knife. Hazel was screaming, “Get him off me. Get the filthy, buggy little bastard off me. Are you all crazy? Get him off me.”
Rose ran up the steps followed by Tom Willis. She stood on Hazel’s hand until the knife slid out of her fingers, then picked up Malcolm and ran upstairs.
Tom pulled Hazel’s wrists behind her and cuffed them. He heaved her upright and held her as she screamed up the stairs at Daisy, “I should have beaten you and that mangy monster to death when I had the chance.” She continued ranting as Tom Willis half led, half dragged her to the squad car.
Angela watched them go, then looked at her daughters and Malcolm. “Well, I’ll be my great aunt Fanny! Who’d a thunk it?”
Angela turned back into the apartment, picked up the still-ringing phone and calmly said, “Champagne Taste. False alarm. Everything is fine, thanks.” She hung up and crumpled to the floor in a dead faint.
After Angela had come to with the help of Malcolm’s licking, Daisy and Rose got her to the couch, gave her a glass of orange juice and made her stay there. They just managed time for a quick conference while Tom was putting Hazel in the squad car and calling the rest of the troops.
Daisy wanted to keep quiet about the diamond pendant until Marc was awake and they knew the whole story of why it was hanging in their chandelier and what should be done with it.
“After all, we don’t know what he was planning. I haven’t even seen it. It might not be the Fleur de Lis anyway. It could be a gift for one of us. Or part of a little Christmas mystery game he was planning. So I think we should leave it out of our account.”
“How do we explain Hazel ranting about it?” asked Angela.
“Stout denial. It should work. Hazel’s gone completely loonytoons, practically foaming at the mouth. We’ll just say we don’t know what she’s talking about.”
They all agreed and Rose said, “If you can keep Tom busy for a couple of minutes, I’ll take the thing down and put it somewhere else. Your ex-husband would just love to have something to hang on Marc. Or, better yet, you!”
A while later they sat in their living room with Bill Greene and Tom Willis. All three women were on their third champagne cocktail. Malcolm had his own in a bowl. Tom laughed and said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone guzzle champagne to calm their nerves. It’s usually straight bourbon or something. I like it. Shows a lot of class.”
“I’ve always tried to find the perfect drink for the occasion. What else to celebrate my sister not getting killed by maniac lady?” replied Rose.
As Daisy held her glass out for another, Bill said, “Daisy, you’ve had enough.”
She looked at him and said, “You are not the boss of me. I’ve just been attacked by a knife wielding psycho and if I want more champagne I will have it. So there.”
Tom got up to make coffee. “If you’re still going ahead with tonight’s cocktail party maybe you should slow down.”
“Well, that’s true enough and I will right after this one.” She put a sugar cube in her glass, popped another one in her mouth, added a dash of bitters to the flute and filled it with ice cold champagne. She took a sip. “Ah,” she sighed, “it really hits the spot.”
Bill shook his head. “Whatever. It’s your headache. Okay, could you begin from the beginning and tell me what happened?”
Daisy told her tale.
“Wait a minute. She confessed all this to you? The break-ins, Williamson’s murder, the attacks on Proctor and you? Why would she do that?” Bill was incredulous. “What are you leaving out?”
“Nothing. She showed up and bragged about everything, and then tried to poke me full of holes. She really seemed to want to kill me. She actually said that she didn’t like me which I thought was uncalled for.”
“That’s it? That’s all there was to it?”
“Yes.” Daisy looked him straight in the eye. “Why would I make this up?”
Bill sat back and stared at the three of them. “Okay. So Angela, what was this big news from the hospital?”
Angela paused as if in thought then told Bill about reading to Marc and getting so excited that she called Daisy. Here she stopped abruptly remembering what she had called to tell her.
“Angela, why did you call Daisy from the hospital?” he asked again.
She brightened and said, “Marc was showing signs of waking up. I was so excited I wanted Daisy to know right away.”
“Hmm. And that’s all you wanted to tell her?”
“What else? It’s wonderful news!”
Bill shook his head. “Okay Rose, tell me how did you come to be in the squad car with Willis.”
“Oh sure. I had gotten a bee in my bonnet about this woman named Audrey Milstead.”
“Audrey Milstead? That name sounds familiar. Who is she?”
“Well, I really didn’t know who she was. I found her name in some books that belonged to Marcus Worthington and I just got a little curious about her.”
“So I asked Tom Willis if he could get any information for me and he did. Malcolm and I had walked over to the police station to get it.”
“And why would Willis do that?”
“Because he’s a good friend. Anyway, Audrey Milstead was a delusional woman who had decided that Marcus Worthington was her father even though she already had a perfectly good father who had died when she was very young. She started stalking Worthington and finally ended up attacking him with a knife after she had beaten his dog senseless. Then she spent quite a while in the loony bin.”
“When I saw the picture of her standing there grasping the collar of her sweater, something clicked. I realized I’d seen Hazel do that a hundred times when she was upset.”
“And I finally remembered what has been bothering me for days. The other day Hazel was upset. She was going on and on about the murders and people being beaten with fence posts. Nobody knew Daisy and Malcolm were hit with a fence post except you and us!”
“Well, I almost freaked out! I tried to call Daisy, but she didn’t pick up. And she should have. I knew she would still be in the shop. So Malcolm and I started running and, thank God, Tom Willis was driving by and saw us and brought us home. The rest you know.”
“Do I? I don’t think so. And I can’t talk to Ms. Monroe because she was taken right to the psychiatric ward and sedated. But I would certainly like to know why she picked this afternoon to try to kill Daisy and why she was screaming to Willis about Marc Proctor being a thief and the diamond being hers.”
“What diamond would that be?” asked Rose who was sitting there with a great honking piece of brilliant carbon in her pants pocket.”
“I don’t know. I was hoping you could tell me.”
“Maybe she thought Marc had asked Daisy to marry him and given her a beautiful diamond ring,” suggested Angela with a sigh. “I agree with Daisy. I think she’s always been jealous of my girls. Hazel’s a nice woman, but no real personality.”
She stopped for a moment and then said, “Well, of course, probably not as nice as I always thought. And apparently, she has a lot of personality although much of it is delusional which in some circumstances could be quite fun. But I’m afraid in Hazel’s case, it’s simply horrid.”
Bill got up and reached for his coat. “All right, ladies. Have it your way for now. But I can still read you, Daisy. Something is going on. And I will find out what it is. You’ll need to come into the station to make formal statements tomorrow. Now I have to go to the hospital and see what the doctors have to say about Ms. Monroe.”
Chapter Fourteen
&nb
sp; A violent ringing in her ears woke Daisy. “Oh, please be quiet,” she croaked as she fumbled for the telephone. “Yes?” she whispered into the receiver. “That’s nice. Thanks.” She hung up and drifted back into an uneasy sleep.
Two hours later she came to, sat up and grabbed her head. She hobbled to the bathroom and doused her face with cold water. She looked up into the mirror and cringed. “Holy hangover, I think I’m a goner,” she muttered. She scrubbed her teeth and made her way to the kitchen where Rose and Angela sat looking fractionally better than she did.
“Pepsi. And aspirin. Hurry. What time is it?” she pleaded.
Angela got up slowly and handed her two aspirin and a large glass filled with ice and soda. “Ten thirty. Here, dry toast. Eat it,” she advised.
As the three slowly nibbled on toast and sipped their drinks a little color seeped back into their faces. “What did we do?” Rose moaned.
“I think we drank all of our liquor. Champagne, Wassail, a couple of those pomegranate things Mother was mixing. And I topped off the night with a hot toddy to help me sleep. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.”
The party had gone off as planned. Most of the shop owners, their employees and a few of the neighbors had come and it became quite festive. Daisy was celebrating being alive. Everyone was relieved to have an end to the crime spree, but no one could get over Hazel being a crazy murderer.
Daisy, Rose and Angela recounted the evening’s adventure over and over. The refrain “Hazel. Of all people. I simply can’t believe it,” became the mantra of the evening.
Lots of toasts were made - to Malcolm, to Daisy, to Angela, to Rose, to the season and, even, to crazy Hazel. And Daisy and Rose drained their glasses to each. Angela drew the line at toasting the resident raccoons and said her good-nights. Finally, by midnight the guests were gone and Daisy and Rose were out cold.
So here they were nursing headaches in the kitchen. They sat in silence for quite a while until Malcolm walked in looking none too good himself.
“The hero of the hour,” Angela said and lifted her glass in a toast. He put his head in her lap and looked for all the world like he was begging for aspirin and a Coke. She gave him a piece of toast which he swallowed whole.
“We all need a walk. Come on, girls, let’s take Malcolm out and get some fresh air. It’s the only sure cure for a hangover.”
“I hate to admit it, but you’re right as usual. I feel almost normal again,” said Rose to her mother. They had been walking for over an hour. Angela and Malcolm were completely restored and bounced along the trail leading the way.
“I wouldn’t go quite that far, but I don’t feel like you’ll be burying me this afternoon anymore,” added Daisy. “Did I do anything really embarrassing at the party? I don’t remember much.”
“I’m not sure, but I don’t think so. I do remember singing at some point.”
“Yes, we had a lovely sing along,” said Angela. “Mary Newhart started it. She seemed to be celebrating something of her own.”
“Daisy, I think we should get back and open up the shop. I can make it through the day if you can.”
“You’re right. I was planning on taking a really long nap when we got back, but I can manage without. Just don’t expect me to be bubbly. Oh God, bubbly!” She grabbed her head. “I’ll never touch champagne again!”
As they turned onto Azalea they saw a man coming out of the shop. The OPEN sign was on the door. Tonya laughed at their surprise as they came in.
“I figured you really wouldn’t want to be closed the Saturday before Christmas, so I opened for you at noon. It’s been pretty busy, but we haven’t had any problems. I can take care of all this if you want to go home and rest.”
Daisy hugged her and said, “Tonya, you’re too much! This is wonderful. Rose and I are just going to get a shower. Give us half an hour or so.”
“And I’m going to the hospital. I want to see if Marc has showed more signs of coming to,” said Angela as they started for the door.
“Oh, I almost for got. Mr. Proctor called just a few minutes ago looking for Daisy,” said Tonya.
“Mr. Proctor?” Rose and Angela looked surprised, but Daisy smacked her head and said, “Ow! I shouldn’t do that. I’m an idiot! Someone from the hospital called early this morning and told me he was awake. It didn’t even register I was so out of it.”
“Daisy, how could you? But this is great news,” cried Rose. “Let’s go upstairs and get dressed. Then you and Mother go to the hospital. I’ll take care of things here. Call me when you get there and give me an update.”
Half an hour later as they we getting ready to leave, Daisy asked Rose where the ‘you know what’ was.
“I put it in the calico teapot. You haven’t seen it yet, have you?” Rose picked up the teapot and Daisy and Angela gasped as she took out what looked like a really gaudy door knocker.
A huge oval diamond was mounted on a white gold stylized lily. Each leaf of the flower was set with small diamonds and a band in the center held three perfectly matching pearls. It was almost four inches tall!
“It’s really fantastic, isn’t it? Kind of gross. But, boy, does it twinkle. How did we not see this in the chandelier?” Daisy held it up where it sparkled in the light of the kitchen lamp.
“I guess we never really looked up. Marc attached it to the very center of the fixture and it just sort of blended in and hid under the prisms. Of course, once I knew it was there, it was plain to see.”
“I wonder when he put it there.”
“I was wondering about that, too. And I think it must have been when he helped me put the Christmas lights up. I left him alone for a couple of minutes. We had finished the lights, but he was just getting off the ladder when I came back into the room.”
“Well, what should we do with it now?”
Angela picked up the pendant and said, “I’m going to wear it.”
“Mother, you can’t.”
“Why not? Nobody would ever believe it’s the real thing. It’ll be a laugh. I want to see Marc’s face when I walk into his room wearing it.”
“This thing is worth millions of dollars. What if you lose it?”
“I won’t lose it. I’ve got a heavy chain I can hang it on. And I won’t keep it on. Just long enough to get a rise out of Marc.”
Daisy sighed, “This is crazy. It weighs more than you do.” She shook her head and said, “You can’t let anyone else see it. Somebody might recognize it.”
“All right, but you’re not much fun. Let’s go. Marc’s waiting. Rose, I think you should come, too. Tonya’s just fine. And after all we’ve been through we all deserve an explanation.”
Marc looked remarkably healthy when they walked into his hospital room. He was sitting in the chair next to the bed wearing a robe and slippers and reading a newspaper. All he needed was a pipe and you’d think he was in his own den relaxing after a hard day. Well, a pipe and pants. His bare legs looked a little strange.
“Marc, you look wonderful,” said Angela. “Actually, you look like you’ve just gotten back from a vacation!”
“Well, I feel pretty good. I think I surprised everyone when I woke up. The nurses didn’t tell me much. Just said I had been attacked, my spleen had to be removed and I’ve been in a coma. I was stunned. I’ve been asleep for weeks.”
“We know. Mother’s been here almost every day and Rose and I came as often as we could.”
“Ah yes, Auntie! I heard that she was taking good care of me.”
“It was the only way we could see you in intensive care. I knew you didn’t have anyone else to take care of you, so we just fibbed a bit.
“How are you? What did the doctor say? You look good, but are you okay?”
“Okay enough to go home tomorrow. I guess all that sleep gave me plenty of time to heal from the surgery.
“But no one will tell me how I got here. Could you please tell me what happened? Some policeman came by this morning, but I was being tested. They
test a lot around here. He said he’d be back this afternoon.”
As Marc was talking Angela had taken off her coat and scarf. She turned toward him. He stared at her open-mouthed.
Daisy said, “We’ll tell you what happened, but then we want some answers.”
“I suppose you deserve some. Do the police know about the pendant?” He was still staring at it. “I guess not or Angela wouldn’t be wearing it. Why are you wearing it?”
“Why not? It reminds me of the Star of Bethlehem.”
“It’s as big as the Star of Bethlehem,” said Rose. “Marc, where did you get it and why did you hide it in our shop?”
“I’ll tell you. But could you tell me how I got here first?”
“Don’t you remember anything about the attack?” asked Rose.
“I remember getting to the shop early to get the desk ready for shipping. Then nothing. Just a blank until I woke up this morning.”
“That’s so weird. Okay. Here goes,” said Daisy. She related the entire sordid story of Hazel Monroe’s antics – the break-ins, how she found Worthington’s journal, her delusions and her time in Sheppard Pratt, and her homicidal tendencies.
“She vandalized that desk! How could she!” Marc practically shouted. “Can it be repaired? I’ve got to see it and figure out what can be done to fix it.”
“You sound more upset about the desk than you do about all the rest. She killed Ted Williamson, tried to kill you and Malcolm. She even tried to kill me. Twice! I’m not replaceable, you know!” cried Daisy.
“I know, but neither is that desk. Sorry, I get a little carried away. I can’t believe you actually figured out that clue. I don’t even remember leaving it. I guess you do strange things when you think you’re dying.”
“Yes, I guess you do. Your turn now. Why was that monstrosity hanging in my chandelier? Why didn’t you return it when you found it?”
Marc looked a little sheepish. “This is a bit embarrassing. Here goes. That desk was a piece I had gotten for Worthington years ago. The marquetry is on it is exceptional. She didn’t hurt the marquetry, did she?
Roses and Daisies and Death Oh My! Page 17