Northwest Cozy Mysteries #1

by Dianne Harman

  She winked at her husband and continued. “You won’t be complaining when you’re the one undressing me later.”

  Cecil’s face flushed. “I hope you’re not planning on teasing me like that for the rest of the day. You know my blood pressure can’t take it.” He patted his pockets and fished out a silver foil packet of pills, popping one out and stuffing it in his mouth. “I’m going to get a glass of water. Cover yourself up, woman, or I will have to undress you right now.”

  Theresa clicked her tongue as Cecil left the room. Her husband was a good man, but he was so dull. He may have alluded otherwise, but the chances of Cecil performing marital duties at any time other than a Friday night after they came home from their weekly date night at the movies, were precisely zero. He showed more enjoyment ravishing a tub of popcorn than his wife.

  Flicking her raven mane over her shoulder, the sight of a rogue silver hair in the mirror caused Theresa to lean in and yank it out. She might be looking at forty, but inside she still felt like she was twenty-one and loved to party. Cecil, on the other hand, was ten years older and acted like he was ready for an old folks’ home. Theresa was grateful to him for everything he’d done for her, but sometimes she wondered if a life of boredom was worth the trade-off for security. It wasn’t even as if they were rich. Theresa had made a big mistake setting her sights on Cecil Larkin rather than his wealthy cousin, but Vinny Santora was out of her league. Cecil didn’t mind that her nose was too big and that she had uneven teeth, but she knew her lack of natural beauty wouldn’t cut it with Vinny.

  Cecil wandered back in. “I heard Clark got promoted at work. Isn’t that great? Things are going well for him.”

  Theresa let out an exasperated sigh. “For goodness sake, Cecil. I could care less that Clark is so successful, marrying a beautiful woman, heading off to the Caymans for their honeymoon, and has a rich uncle who’s paying for it all. Is there anything Clark touches that doesn’t turn to gold? Because if there is, I’d sure like to know about it.”

  She lifted her hairbrush and started pulling it through her hair. The scratch of the bristles on her scalp rang through the air. Turning to her husband, she continued her rant. “Run it by me again. I’m having a real problem understanding why you don’t care that Vinny is paying for Clark’s wedding and is probably going to leave his entire estate to Clark, and not to you. He’s going to get all of it, and we’re not going to get a dime.” She threw the hairbrush down onto the dresser in disgust.

  “Theresa, we’ve been over this before,” Cecil said in a patient tone.

  “Stop speaking to me like I’m a two-year-old,” Theresa said, folding her arms in a huff.

  “Then stop acting like one. Clark is Vinny’s nephew. I’m only his cousin. Besides, he can leave his money to whoever he pleases. I’ve told you before, money just isn’t that important to me. I’ve got a nice little job, we’ve got a house, and we’ve got Doc.”

  Theresa threw her hands up in the air. “Yes, we’ve got Doc! Isn’t that just wonderful? Your stupid hunting dog. You love that ugly mutt more than you love me.”

  Cecil walked over to his wife and patted the back of her shoulder. “Now, dear, don’t go getting all upset. You know how I like to go over to the east side of the Cascades when it’s hunting season, take Doc, and spend some days in the wild, hunting. I know I’m a lousy hunter. As a matter of fact, I’ve never gotten a thing, but it’s being able to get out of the city and enjoy the great outdoors that makes me happy. I’m glad you thought we should come to Seattle when Vinny left Chicago. I like it here. There’s nothing more I need.”

  Theresa pushed away his hand. “Well, what about thinking of me for a change? I need a lot more. I’d like to buy some clothes at a fancy dress shop instead of searching for bargains at discount centers. I’m getting tired of it, particularly since Vinny has all that money. I don’t care if Clark is his nephew, at least some of it should go to you. There’s plenty to go around, and I’m going to make sure it does.”

  “Theresa, I don’t like that kind of talk. Vinny’s been nothing but nice to us. Remember, he even gave us a toaster when we were married. And it’s a four-slice one, at that.”

  “Are you crazy, Cecil?” Theresa stomped her foot on the floor. “A four-piece toaster gift makes you happy when he’s sitting on a boatload of money, and we all know it’s probably not of the legal type,” she harrumphed.

  “Now, now. Don’t even go there,” Cecil said. “Vinny’s retired now. What he used to be involved in is in the past, kind of like what you used to be involved in, I might add.” He gave his wife a knowing look.

  “You told me you’d never bring that up, Cecil. You promised.” Theresa’s chin quivered. She had no intention of crying, because it would ruin her makeup, but it was an expression that usually worked to soften Cecil up. “It wasn’t my fault I had to work for a while in a topless bar before we met. You know that was a terrible time in my life.” She sniffed for good measure.

  Cecil dropped his eyes and mumbled. “Sorry.”

  “As a matter of fact,” Theresa continued, “a few of my friends from those days have hinted that your ‘retired’ cousin isn’t actually retired at all, although they can’t prove anything. But don’t you think it’s rather interesting that they all know Al? And Al is Vinny’s right hand man? I’d bet everything I own, not that it’s all that much, that Vinny is back in his old line of work, right here in Seattle.”

  It was Cecil’s turn to get agitated. As he tried to fasten his cufflinks he said, “You told me you’d completely left that business, and you didn’t have anything to do with it anymore. If that’s true, how would you know anything about Vinny or what he’s involved in these days?”

  “Well, once in a while, mind you not very often, I get together with a few of the girls I used to work with for lunch. We talk about old times. The last time we met, the subject of Al and your cousin came up. I thought it was rather interesting, that’s all. Actually, I think you should talk to Vinny and tell him we know he’s back in the game.” She placed her hands on her hips. “Maybe if he knew we’re aware what he’s doing for a living, he might feel like we deserve a little money. I suppose some might call it hush money, but whatever you want to call it, the color’s still green. What do you think?”

  Cecil fixed his cufflinks in place and walked over to the closet where his tuxedo jacket was hanging on the outside of the door. “I think that’s a subject that is no longer up for discussion. Either in the present or in the future. The answer is absolutely no. Am I making myself clear? Believe me, this is non-negotiable.”

  Theresa stared at him in silence. Her husband could be resolute when he wanted to be, and she knew there was no point arguing any more about it. She wasn’t about to let the matter drop, but she may have to go about it in a different way, that was all. Taking matters into her own hands was a preferable alternative to relying on Cecil to do anything. She decided to play along. “Fine, whatever you say. It’s your family, so I’ll keep out of it.”

  Cecil nodded, and appeared satisfied.

  “We probably better leave,” Theresa said. “Don’t want to be late to your cousin’s wedding.” She opened the nightstand on her side of the bed, took a small pistol out of it, and slipped it in her evening bag.

  Cecil wiped his shiny forehead with a folded handkerchief. “Theresa, why did you do that? I didn’t know you even had that thing anymore.”

  “Some habits are hard to break, Cecil. It was a good friend of mine during those years you don’t like to talk about. Actually, it saved me several times. I like to have it with me. It makes me feel safe.”

  Theresa gave Cecil a cold, icy stare, before continuing. “Of course, with Vinny and Al being at the wedding, I probably don’t need to worry. If anything were to happen, it will probably happen to one of them.”

  “Theresa…”

  “Oops, sorry.” She raised a hand to her mouth. “Silly me. I know, the subject is closed. That just slipped out. Let’s
go.”

  Theresa Larkin fastened her cape over her shoulders and flounced through the bedroom door, her husband trailing behind.

  CHAPTER 7

  “I want you to have this,” DeeDee said as she handed Roz a small diamond and silver pendant attached to a blue ribbon with a safety pin. “Mom gave it to me on my wedding day, and it was her mother’s and our great-grandmother’s before that. Now it’s your turn. Pin it inside your bodice so that all of the women in our family can be with you on your wedding day.”

  Roz’s eyes brimmed with tears as she fumbled with the pin, her hands trembling.

  “Let me help you,” DeeDee said, deftly attaching the ribbon to the inside of Roz’s strapless bodice and pushing the pendant under the fabric. “Try not to cry, or you’ll ruin the good work that the makeup artist just spent the last hour doing. Now stand back and let me see you before I attach the train to your dress.”

  DeeDee knew she was chattering, but if she didn’t stop talking she was in danger of getting emotional as well, and she was trying her best to keep Roz’s nerves at bay. Roz had been so calm during the time leading up to her big day, until she’d awakened that morning at DeeDee’s house. That’s when the reality of the coming changes in her life had hit.

  “Look at the weather,” she’d moaned to DeeDee, bursting into her older sister’s bedroom shortly after eight and pulling the drapes back. “Wet, cold, and windy. It’s a sign. I just know it. Remember when it rained for your wedding to Lyle? And I don’t need to remind you how that turned out.”

  DeeDee rubbed her bleary eyes. “No, but we had twenty or so good years, and two beautiful children, so it wasn’t all bad.”

  “Hmmph,” Roz said. “What if Clark and I end up divorced like you and Lyle did? I must be crazy to even think about getting married.” Roz was chewing her lip. “I suppose it’s too late to call it off now, though. What do you think? Would Clark hate me forever?”

  DeeDee had sat up in bed and eyed her sister with a mixture of merriment and concern. “I don’t think Clark would ever hate you, but if you really want to call it off, you should. In that case, can I go back to sleep for a little while longer? You can close the drapes when you leave.”

  Roz had glared at DeeDee and yanked the blankets off the bed, so DeeDee had no choice but to get up. “I guess this means you’re going ahead with it,” DeeDee had mumbled, before Roz hit her over the head with a pillow.

  “The weather forecast is for it to clear up later,” Tink said hopefully over breakfast, as the three women sat in silence eating croissants and crispy bacon, watching the rain drizzle down the window panes. Even Balto’s mood was subdued. Sitting underneath the table at DeeDee’s feet, he made his usual attempt at swiping some bacon, but even that was half-hearted.

  “More Mimosas, anyone?” Roz asked as she topped off their orange juice glasses with champagne. The mood in the room had relaxed by the time DeeDee moved the remainder of the bottle to the refrigerator before anyone got tipsy. By the time they’d all showered and changed into the robes that Tink had brought for the occasion, the hair stylist and makeup artist had arrived to start their pre-wedding transformations.

  “The rain has stopped,” a triumphant Tink announced a little while later, one eye on the mirror and one eye on the window, as the makeup artist applied her mascara.

  “You need to stay still, Tink,” Nicole, the makeup artist, scolded. “Unless you want me to poke your eye out.”

  Roz, her hair in curlers, and wearing a white robe that had ‘Bride’ emblazoned across the back in bright pink embroidery, jumped up and ran over to the window that looked out at Puget Sound. Her face had broken into a smile for the first time that day, and it was at that moment that DeeDee knew everything was going to be fine.

  Now, in the room at the church, making the final adjustments to the train at the back of Roz’s dress, DeeDee was alone with her sister. When she was done, she stood back for a moment, and thought that her heart would burst with happiness at the sight before her. Roz was the picture of radiance, her natural beauty complemented by her makeup which had been done with a light hand. Her hair was piled loose on her head, several curls escaping at the sides, with diamond chandelier earrings. The tiny crystals and pearls that seamlessly adorned the bolero and the bodice of her dress made it look as if she was shimmering when she moved in the afternoon light. Outside, by some sort of miracle, the clouds had dispersed and the wind had died down. A sense of calm prevailed.

  “My baby sis,” she whispered, choking up. “I wish our parents were here to see you today.” She held out her arm and squeezed Roz’s hand, composing herself. She was afraid that saying anything more would open the floodgates, and the two of them would start bawling.

  “I know,” Roz said, her eyes shining, as if she could read DeeDee’s mind. “But you’ve been like a parent to me, DeeDee, more than you’ll ever know. I’ll be forever grateful that you’re my sister. Thank you.”

  DeeDee gulped down a sob, half-laughing, half-crying. “I love you Roz, and I am so happy to welcome Clark into our family today. I’m sure you will have a long and happy marriage.”

  Roz beamed at her, and squeezed her hand back.

  There was a knock on the door, which opened just enough for Tink’s head to appear around the side of it.

  “Jake and Mitch are here,” she smiled. Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open when she saw Roz. “Oh Roz, you look like a million dollars! Quick, give me your phone.”

  Tink rushed into the room and grabbed the device from the dresser. She pulled the three women together, extending the phone in front of them, and snapped a selfie with her mother and her aunt—all of them grinning ear to ear.

  “Are you ready?” DeeDee asked as she smiled at Roz, handing her the cascading bridal bouquet of winter-white orchids and blush roses. “You better be, because it’s show time.”

  *****

  DeeDee rested her head on Jake’s shoulder as they swayed in time to the music. “I think I’m wrung out with emotion,” she said. “Today was perfect. I know I’m biased, but I thought Roz was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. The look on Clark’s face when he was watching her walk down the aisle towards him was a sight I’ll never forget.”

  “You’re right,” Jake said, his arms around her waist. He pulled her a little closer. “The Matron of Honor wasn’t too bad either.” DeeDee smiled as Jake lightly kissed her on the forehead. “By the way, I think you have an admirer.”

  “You mean you?” DeeDee asked as she lifted her head and raised her face to Jake’s. She paused when she saw the serious look on his face.

  Jake shook his head. “No,” he said, staring into her eyes. “Clark’s Uncle Vinny. Have you seen the way he’s been looking at you all day? He’s staring at us right now.”

  Still dancing, Jake rotated DeeDee ninety degrees, so she could see Vinny and Al seated at a table by the edge of the dance floor. Both men were looking their way.

  DeeDee faltered. She’d noticed Vinny’s gaze linger on her earlier, when the photos were being taken outside the church after the wedding ceremony, but she hadn’t thought anything of it.

  “So, what’s he like?” Jake asked. “You never said much about the dinner you had with him the other night.”

  DeeDee frowned at Jake. “I haven’t really seen you since you got back from your trip. And it wasn’t just me and Vinny at dinner, remember? Roz and Clark were there as well, and Clark’s friend John.”

  Jake smoothed DeeDee’s hair. “Shh, it’s fine. I’m not accusing you of anything. Vinny, on the other hand…”

  “I think you’ve made a judgment about him ever since I told you about his background,” DeeDee said, “and as a result, you’ve decided you don’t like him.”

  Jake raised an eyebrow. “And you didn’t? Come on, admit it. I’m surprised you didn’t hit the roof when Roz told you.”

  DeeDee shrugged. “Sure, I was apprehensive, but as Roz pointed out, Clark was always shielded from th
at side of Vinny’s life. It’s my role to support Roz, and from what I can tell, Vinny has been nothing but devoted to Clark, and now to her.”

  “I knew I should have had Clark checked out before now,” Jake said, crinkling his brow. “Then at least we wouldn’t have been blindsided by the news.”

  It was DeeDee’s turn to challenge Jake. “Just because you’re a private investigator, you can’t get your assistant Rob to run checks on everyone you meet.” She tilted her head to the side. “Did you have him run one on me?”

  Jake grinned. “There wouldn’t have been any point. I knew the moment you came to my place that afternoon to inquire about buying Balto, that I had to see you again. Even if you were a felon, I still would have taken my chances on asking you out for dinner, but I had a feeling you weren’t.”

  The music being played by the band had changed to something more upbeat, but DeeDee and Jake continued dancing slowly.

  “My feeling about Vinny is that he’s not a bad person,” DeeDee said. “I may not agree with some of his previous business activities, but since I don’t know the details, that’s probably all the better. From what I hear, he’s out of all that now. I found him to be charming and intelligent company at dinner, but that’s as far as it went.” She stared intently into Jake’s eyes, her lips skimming his. “In case I need to spell it out for you, there’s only one man I’m interested in, and it’s not Vinny.”

  “Good,” Jake said, his eyes brightening, “because I thought I was going to have to talk with him, and I wasn’t looking forward to it.”

  “Really? To say what?”

  “DeeDee, if I thought another man had designs on you, any man, not just Vinny, I would speak to him to ask him what his intentions were. Because, you and me? I’m all in.”

  DeeDee’s heart was whooping inside. “Me too,” she whispered, and closed her eyes. Jake’s lips met hers, and she lost herself in the moment. Despite all the dancing and partying going on around them, right then she felt like she and Jake were the only two people in the world.