“Oh gosh, I’ve never seen the play, and I’d love to go.” Turning off the oven, Marla grasped a spatula as she prepared to cut the lasagna. “That would be okay with you, wouldn’t it?” she asked the homicide detective.
He emitted a growl that Marla took to be an affirmative response. Smiling sweetly, she kissed him on the lips. “You’re a real mensch.”
They were just emerging from the kitchen when the front door crashed open. Goat staggered inside, followed by his dog, Rita, and a harried Georgia. The black poodle dashed into the family room, grabbed a cracker from the cocktail table, and scampered into the hallway before anyone could catch her. Spooks, roused from his torpor, played a game of rush-around-the-dining-room with his gal Rita, before Goat corralled the wayward animals and ushered them outdoors to the patio.
“Ugamaka, ugamaka, chugga, chugga, ush,” Goat chanted, performing his jig for the assembled company. He sported a flowered shirt over a pair of faded jean shorts. With his hair askew and his scraggly beard, he reminded Marla of Shaggy on Scooby Doo. Goat smelled strongly of bleach, as though he’d tried to scrub away the scents from his numerous pets.
“I helped feed his animals,” Georgia explained in a breathy voice. “Did you know his snake has hair?”
“Junior got a dose of an experimental hair-growth molecule,” Marla said without going into the whole megillah. “Goat rescued the formula from some bad people who’d tested it on animals with nasty results. He’s a real hero.”
Goat shuffled his feet. “Marla got screwed by the sneaky bald dude. He played a number sending stylists to their slumber, but she got wise and slashed him between the eyes.”
Marla winced. “Actually, I stabbed Wyeth in the chest, but let’s not go there. The dinner is just about ready. Shall we move into the dining room?”
They were digging into their main course when Roger’s voice boomed. “So, Marla, when are you joining us at Shabbat services again? Anita would really like her daughter to attend.”
Marla swallowed a gulp of tangy tomato sauce. “I’ve been too busy lately, between the hair show and my salon.” Not to mention all these people in my house, disrupting my schedule.
“I hope you wrote down the Passover seder on your calendar for March,” Anita mentioned, wagging a finger. “You can’t get too busy for your own family.”
“I’ll say.” Justine took a sip of water, regarding Marla over the rim of her glass. “Speaking of family, Brianna has a concert coming up at school. Parents usually go to these things, you know.”
Marla stabbed her fork into a slice of lasagna. “Is that so? Brie, let me know the date and I’ll try to get there.”
“You’ll try? How can you expect to give her the nurturing she expects from you as her stepmother if you don’t put her needs before your own?” Justine snapped.
Marla bit back her retort when Anita interrupted. “Marla is a very giving person. She’ll do her best, but you have to cut her some slack. She’s put in a lot of hard work to establish her salon and build a reputation for herself in the business community. I’m proud of her, and I know she’ll be a wonderful mother as well.”
“What are your plans for the weekend?” Vail asked her quietly. His solid presence beside her offered reassurance, especially when he squeezed her hand under the table. He must be feeling just as put upon by their elders as she did.
Chomping on a piece of garlic bread, she spoke between bites. “Tomorrow the Luxor crew is going to the Keys for a photo shoot.” Thank goodness Larry and Justine had decided to stay behind. ‘They’ve booked rooms for an overnighter, but I’ll leave early on Saturday so I can get back to the salon. Darn, that doesn’t give me any time to make an appointment with that dermatologist.”
“What dermatologist?” Anita chimed in, giving her only daughter an aggrieved look.
“I went to the assisted-living facility today to visit Christine Parks’ mother. Violet mentioned that Chris had some project going with Dr. Greenberg. I thought I’d make an appointment to see him, ostensibly for a mole check.”
“Not a bad idea. Insurance companies allow us five office visits a year in Florida without a referral,” Anita told their out-of-state visitors. “You have to be careful of the sun.”
“What else did the old lady say?” Georgia asked. ‘Jan told me that the police detective, Sergeant Masterson, might come down to the Keys with us. I still can’t believe he thinks one of our crowd might have poisoned Christine at the cocktail party.”
“Oh, great. That’ll help everyone’s mood. It’s bad enough that they’re all stuck here until he finishes his investigation.”
“I can move into the hotel if it’s more convenient.”
Marla waved a hand. “I didn’t mean that. I just wish…No one seems upset about Chris or Heather.”
Brianna broke in. “Wasn’t that the model?”
She nodded. “I assume Heather died because she found out something regarding Chris’s death. Did it have to do with Luxor, or with that doctor? Dalton, would you be able to check him out for me, even though you don’t have jurisdiction on this case?”
Roger’s son, seated at the other end of the table, raised his arm. “Would that be Jake Greenberg? If so, I know how you could meet him without making an appointment.” He grinned broadly as though privy to a secret no one else could guess.
“Well, don’t keep us in the dark,” Marla said wryly.
“If he’s the right Dr. Greenberg, then he’s a bigwig in the American Melanoma Society. They’re having their annual ball this Sunday night I have tickets, but I wasn’t going to go because I…Anyway, if you’d like to come, I can probably still RSVP.”
Marla glanced at Vail for his reaction. Her fiancé’s expression remained impassive, but she noticed he began shredding his napkin. “Would you mind?” she asked him, intending to abide by his response.
“Go ahead,” he grated. “It’s the perfect opportunity.”
“Will you still look into his background? I need your input.”
“Gee, thanks.” She didn’t miss his sardonic tone. Vail pointed to his daughter. “Brie, maybe we’ll let Marla off the hook this week. She has too much to do.”
“No way,” Marla said, shifting in her seat. “Honey, which day is your concert? Nothing will stop me from being there.”
“It’s Wednesday,” the teenager said in a small voice, “but if you can’t make it, I’ll understand. It’s more important to find out who knocked off those two ladies.”
“Brianna, mind your conversation,” Justine chastised her.
“But you’re all picking on Marla, and that’s unfair. She’s trying her best.”
“Thanks, Brie. I’m glad someone’s on my side. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll let the dogs in the house.” Scraping her chair, she rose hastily before anyone could see the moisture tipping her lashes. This dinner party had been a bad idea from the start, and it had just gotten worse. Tempted to stay out on the patio, Marla slid open the glass door and stood aside while the poodles charged past.
Georgia found her in the family room, fluffing the pillows on the couch. “Don’t let them get to you,” Georgia said in a hushed tone. This could happen any time two families get together with a cultural gap.”
“Oh yeah?” She swatted at a pillow until the dust billowed. “We have more like a deep chasm between us. It’ll never work.”
“That’s not true. Dalton is totally willing to compromise, and so are you. Like, Justine and Larry aren’t even his parents, for heaven’s sake. For all you know, his folks might love you.”
“Justine and Larry are still Brianna’s grandparents. They have every right to visit her.”
“And you’ve been very gracious in allowing them to stay at your house.” Georgia grabbed the pillow from Marla’s hands before she beat it to death.
“You’d think they would be grateful, but Justine is doing everything she can to sabotage me. Look at the snide remarks she makes in front of everyone, and the photos of
Pam that just happen to stick out of her purse. Doesn’t she realize that these things hurt? Why would she be so mean? I thought she wanted to stay here so we could get to know each other, but her actions only serve to alienate me.”
Georgia put a hand on her shoulder. “Try to understand how difficult it must be for Justine to see another woman take her daughter’s place. She may only want to assert Pam’s personality so Brie’s mother isn’t forgotten. No offense, but I don’t see you going out of your way to remember her.”
Marla lifted her gaze to Georgia’s bright eyes. “I asked about her interests.”
“Yeah, but you’ve been encouraging Dalton to pack away her favorite objects, as though you don’t want any trace of her in your new home.”
Marla glanced away. Was that true? If so, it made her sound heartless. “Brianna is keeping some of her mom’s collections. Dalton and I have agreed to start fresh.”
“That doesn’t mean you can erase Pam’s existence from his life. She’s always going to be a part of him, and you have to accept it. Why don’t you embrace her influence instead of denying it? Making peace with the past isn’t only Dalton’s task.” Georgia smiled gently as though to mitigate her harsh words. “Now, what’s for dessert? Goat said he would show me his parrot after dinner.”
“Did I hear mention of dessert?” Dalton strode into the room. “Are you okay?” he asked, kissing Marla.
She fixed a lock of his peppery hair that had fallen onto his forehead and stroked it back into place. The gesture provided pleasure, but she was self-conscious with Georgia watching. “I’ll be fine. It’s just difficult with two sets of parents pouncing on us.” She included Roger in that assessment, linking him with her mother and their obvious attempt to land her a Jewish husband, namely eligible optometrist Barry—who seemed amenable to their goal.
“I’ll entertain the in-laws over the weekend so you can get things done,” Dalton said when Georgia left them alone. “Besides, you’re escaping to the Keys.”
“Will it bother you if I go to that affair with Barry after we get back? Because if so, I’ll change my plans.”
“Go ahead. If you find a link between Chris’s death and the dermatologist, it would take the heat off the Luxor group, and they could all go home. I can’t wait until we’re alone.” Drawing her close, he gave her a mind-searing kiss. “Look, if you really hate everyone being here, Justine and Larry can come to my house.”
She pulled back. “No, they’d make things uncomfortable for you. I can handle it. Anyway, they’ll have the place to themselves when Georgia and I leave tomorrow.”
Marla had hoped to prod Georgia about her interest in Goat during the trip south, but she didn’t get the chance. As soon as they turned onto the turnpike extension toward Homestead, Georgia brought up a more compelling topic.
“Do you think it’s safe for us to be staying with the Luxor gang?”
“What do you mean?” Marla gripped the steering wheel as they whizzed down the highway.
Georgia flicked a glance her way. “Someone among us might be a killer.”
“Tell me about it. We’ll be in a group, though, so I wouldn’t worry.” Thinking of the group reminded Marla that she probably should have offered to pick up some of the others at the hotel, but she didn’t think she could have endured their company during the two-hour drive.
She put on her turn signal to pass a car that crawled along at forty-five miles per hour. The driver was so short, Marla couldn’t even see a head until she got parallel to the vehicle. The gray-haired lady could barely see over the dashboard.
Stepping on the accelerator, she sped ahead. She’d like to arrive at their destination early so they could scout around before the rest of the crew arrived.
By the roadside, an egret took flight, its long white neck arching gracefully. Various species of palms lined the highway as did the invasive Australian pines. In a circle-wide view, the blue sky stretched under the rising morning sun. It promised to be a glorious day with low humidity and temperatures in the seventies. Under other circumstances, she’d enjoy a trip to the Florida Keys, but this was a working weekend. She doubted they’d have time to enjoy the beach or to lounge by the pool.
Sadness snatched her joy away. Christine and Heather wouldn’t be splashing in the ocean anymore.
“If we eliminate you as a suspect,” she said to Georgia, “who does that leave?” Her arm itched, and she scratched idly at a mosquito bite.
Georgia pursed her crimson lips. She’d gathered her curly hair up with a large clip, making her eyes look enormous with her expertly applied makeup. ‘For one thing, there’s Liesl. It’s been no secret that she likes Tyler, but Chris had dibs on him when she was alive.”
“I presume he put the move on you in the lounge so as to chase Chris off.”
“Didn’t work too well, did it? It only made her madder and more intent than ever to get him into her bed. That sure backfired. She was nuts to accuse us of having an affair.”
“Chris was sick, not nuts. She’d already begun to experience a bad drug interaction.” Marla’s gaze sharpened. “Get a move on it,” she called to another slow driver, who hogged the passing lane. Some of these people should go to driving school.
“Hey, look,” Georgia said, pointing out the window. “What’s that tree with the red blossoms?”
“It’s a weeping bottlebrush.” Marla glanced at the willowy branches with brilliant red flowers resembling an elongated brush. Something tickled the back of her mind, prompting a question she wanted to ask, but she couldn’t quite grasp the thought. Maybe it would surface later. “I’m trying to learn my trees so I can compete with Dalton and Brianna. Did you know he grows tomato plants? I never thought a tough cop like him would be a gardener.”
“You’re lucky he puts up with your snooping. But then again, he’d probably never have fallen for you if you were a timid housewife.”
“I did the domestic thing with Stan, thank you, and it led to strife. I like being a free spirit.”
“You won’t be one any longer once you tie the knot, hon. On the other hand, you might surprise yourself and enjoy being a mother hen.”
“We’ll see.” She swerved as a car cut in front of them. “Back to the cocktail party. Did you see anyone bring Chris a fresh glass of wine other than the waiter?”
Georgia frowned in concentration. “Amy Jeanne approached her at one point, and I can picture them both sipping their drinks. Chris may not have had anything in her hand before, now that I think about it.”
“I’ve noticed Amy keeps to herself. She looks alert, as though she knows what’s going on but doesn’t want to get involved. Yet she makes a statement with her nail art which seems incongruous, like someone who seeks attention.”
“No one can tell what’s on her mind. I’ve heard her mention Chris with a trace of bitterness, but if she holds a grudge, she isn’t talking.”
“Not to us, at any rate.” Marla squinted at the windshield. Even with her sunglasses on, she felt the sun’s glare. “I wonder what she’s said to Sergeant Masterson.”
“He makes me uncomfortable. I can’t understand why he wants to hang with us this weekend. His presence will make everyone nervous.”
Marla came to the junction where the road segued into the Overseas Highway. Soon they were barreling down the bridge with the Atlantic Ocean on their left and the Gulf on their right. Pinpoints of sunlight glistened off the water.
“I’m looking forward to this experience, even if the detective is there,” she replied. “It’ll be my first on-site photo shoot. This could open up a whole other avenue for publicity, don’t you think?”
“As if you have time.”
She rolled her shoulders to ease the stiffness from driving. “You know, Luxor’s models worked with Heather. I wonder if she said anything to them that might be significant. This weekend will give me the chance to ask.”
Georgia gave her a reproving glance. “If I were you, I’d worry about being too
nosy. Like, Heather’s killer might have hung around the Turkish Bath long enough to mark you. In which case, you could be next on the hit list.”
Chapter Fifteen
Regarding the tropical scene unfolding before her eyes, Marla felt as though she’d entered paradise. Luxor had gone all out in booking accommodations for its crew. She’d taken a turn as directed down a palm-lined road and on to Great Heron Key, where a privately operated resort straddled fifty acres of luxurious landscaping bordered by aqua seas.
A bevy of signs met their approach, making Marla jam on the brakes in confusion. Arrows pointed to various restaurants, gift shops, pools, and conference centers along with villa lodgings, tennis courts, a sailing school, and marina. Where was the hotel registration?
“Way cool,” Georgia burst out, her eyes wide. “I could spend a week here. Too bad it’s only one night.”
“Tell me about it. I have a feeling, though, that this place is out of my budget range. Maybe they gave Luxor a break because they’ll be in the advertisements.”
Spotting a sign for the hotel lobby, Marla headed down the narrow lane indicated. An open-air jitney rattled past on the opposite side, holding a group of laughing guests in swimsuits and straw hats.
“Tourists,” she muttered. The ocean temperature was usually too cold in January for her to go swimming, but she wouldn’t mind sipping a drink while viewing the sunset on the Gulf side, or strolling the grounds where hibiscus, Hong Kong orchids, and winter impatiens bloomed. Hopefully, the soothing balm of the sea would lull her colleagues into revealing their secrets, or at the very least, seduce them into lowering their guard a bit. Was this why Sergeant Masterson planned to hang around? She didn’t see how he could keep track of everyone when accommodations were spread over the entire island.
Hoping for a villa, Marla merely shrugged when she and Georgia were assigned a regular hotel room, albeit with an ocean view. “Has anyone else from our group checked in yet?” she asked the clerk, one of many behind a Disneyesque reception desk.
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