Oh, Lord. Mrs. Worthington, my rival for Clive.
After a few confusing moments of chatting with the airhead patroness of “special” dinners, an announcement was made for everyone to take their seats. Relief to have an opportunity to sit once again and be normal…whoever she was now…Serena welcomed the sight of her table and the other two occupants already seated.
An appetizer tray had been placed on their table. Their host for the evening, “Jake Marshall, retired chief of police of Worthington County”, greeted the diners. He encouraged everyone to eat while he explained the plan for the evening.
Characters were introduced, each having to stand up for the others to see. Serena groaned, her stomach twisting in knots, as she realized Justine had done them the honor of being among the top ten players in the mystery. They couldn’t have been given the parts of local residents of Worthington County. Oh, no. Justine had made other plans.
Serena half-listened to their host while trying to hear snips of Dan’s conversation with Justine. She sneaked a peek at them, realizing they seemed to be clicking together and having a good time.
Part of the show? His plan to fleece her newly found wealth? An honest match? Which was it?
They couldn’t be compatible. Nothing about them indicated they’d be well-suited in anything. She ought to know. She’d put them together. They were supposed to be cordial and go their separate, merry ways.
A round of applause for Mrs. Worthington caught her attention and she looked up front to the podium. Mrs. Worthington beamed with delight as the host begged her to play the piano. She agreed, joking how she was rusty and didn’t want to bore anyone to death.
More applause followed and the woman sat down and began to play.
Very badly. Painfully amateurish.
Awful didn’t begin to describe her talent, or in this case, enormously evident lack of talent. There weren’t enough adjectives to express the agonizing way the woman manhandled the piano. Being bored to death wasn’t a true possibility. Death by musical misery was.
Michael clapped when the torture was over, then took Justine over with him to congratulate the performer on her butchering rendition of show tunes. Personally, Serena thought thanking God it was over would be a better choice.
Dan grabbed her hand, his number immediately appearing in her head along with his letters. She gazed at him, badly ringing piano notes reverberating in her head.
“C’mon. We’re heading for the plants.” He pulled her behind him, gliding over the dance floor and through a maze of tables.
Once behind the palms, he backed her into a corner. “You’re driving me crazy. I can’t keep away from you.”
Who was talking? Dan or Clive?
“Huh?”
“We need to talk about your business soon, Serena.”
Back to reality. She pushed out of his reach. “I don’t think I’ll need you.”
“Profits must be good then. Or, are you planning on offering Gino a partnership?”
“It’s not your concern, is it? I can do as I please and make money any way I want to.”
Sadness clouded his eyes. “You’re right.” He cleared his throat as two other couples approached. In a louder, seductive voice he offered, “So, how long will you keep me waiting? Once wasn’t enough for me.”
Back to playing? In a confused state, Serena answered, “I-I need some time to think.”
Dan drew her into his arms and spoke before his lips touched hers. “Maybe this will help.”
The mind-blowing kiss Dan planted on her lips merged reality with fantasy. His number rampaged through her brain, swirling around in bright colors. His letters intermingled with the numbers, bouncing off each other.
Want him, don’t want him, echoed through her brain. So did good, evil, yes, no and fool, lover. Serena gave in to the kiss, her tongue seeking his as their mouths slightly parted.
A dinner gong chimed, startling them. Serena’s head told her to pull away, her heart urged her to grab him, kiss him again and never let go.
“We need to get back. It’s time for salad.” Dan’s uneven tone would match her own, if she’d had to energy to speak. All she found strength to do was nod in agreement and then she preceded him to their table.
Justine and Michael greeted them as they sat. Her appetite gone, food held no appeal for Serena. She pushed around the tasteless meal on her plate, trying to appear interested in eating.
The host announced that before the main course would be served, the highlight of their evening’s adventure would occur. He then ran through the list of characters once again, giving their names and table location, including the mismatched foursome at Serena’s table. Jake hinted that one of the main characters would soon be murdered. All the remaining nine main players were to be suspects and anyone could question them before dessert.
Please, Lord. Let it be me.
Serena silently prayed for a chance to be the walking dead body, immune to holding conversations. Or, having Dan grab and kiss her. He couldn’t kiss a dead body, now could he?
Mrs. Worthington mentioned that every one of the surviving nine characters had motives for killing the unsuspecting victim. Serena chuckled to herself, imagining people running around, browbeating nine suspects, while she could have the freedom to slip out the door.
Dan and Michael both ate quickly, eyeing each other with suspicion…maybe as Clive and Percy, perhaps as Dan and Michael/Mr. “Eight”, and exchanged index card information. After confirming they were both to visit with Mrs. Worthington and stage a heated confrontation about her affections, the men left the table.
Serena watched as Michael made a quick detour before approaching Mrs. Worthington. He stopped by the LaRosas’s table and greeted them, giving Annemarie a quick kiss. Happiness flooded her as she reveled in Michael’s joy at finding the woman he loved. Sadness then look its place and enveloped her as she figured that same type of contentment would escape her future.
Not wanting to appear rude, she decided to join the happy family. No reason not to share in their joy just because her life fell apart and no love awaited her.
Serena spoke briefly with the LaRosas, then searched the dining room, hoping to spot Justine and spend a few minutes with her. She was anxious to see how Dan’s date for the evening viewed their meeting. The woman gushed with joy, happy to have met Dan and loaded with enthusiasm at her tablemates’ dedication to their performances.
“He’s so charming. Thank you for matching us. I guess you saved the best match for me.” Justine reached over and patted Serena’s hand. “He’s so good at playing his part. That kiss he gave you before? Man, that melted my insides. I can’t wait until we go out and he kisses me like that.”
“Did you guys talk over a lot of things? Find you have some common interests?”
Distracted, Justine casually tossed out, “We both like having money and spending it.” She waved to Jake, motioning him over to where they stood.
Serena checked her index card and realized Jezebel needed to flirt with the retired chief big-time, to the point of gaining the attention of her husband, Percy and lover, Clive. Time to turn on the seductive charm and spur jealousy in the two role-playing men in her life.
Great. Can’t someone kill me now?
Chapter Seventeen
Jake proved to be extremely skilled at making her feel comfortable in her new persona. Soon, even Serena had to admit she thought of herself as the vixen mesmerizing the other men in the room. She joked and laughed with Jake, a charmer himself, flirtatious comments and sexual innuendos bantered back and forth. Others had joined in their conversations, witnessing the exchanges.
From the corner of her eye she saw Dan eyeballing her, a look of disapproval covering his face. She raised her head in an effort to show no weakness at his displeasure. Part of the mystery they were performing? Something related to the real-life drama of their relationship?
Jake whispered something in her ear, a new twist to the play. She was to go
to the ladies’ room for exactly five minutes, then return to the main dining room. He bowed in gentlemanly fashion and offered to escort her out of the room.
She snaked her arm through his, wondering if she were heading for her sought-after demise. Heated words from Dan and Michael caught her attention and she glimpsed the two arguing while a flustered Mrs. Worthington fanned her face with one hand, the other hand held to her chest.
As she exited the room, she witnessed Justine walking out and turning left toward the phone area. At the ladies’ room, Jake took Serena’s hand and lifted it to his lips for a soft kiss. He marched away, heading for the front entrance. Two figures strolled outside ahead of him…Dan and Michael.
Checking her watch, Serena decided to enjoy her five minutes of peace. Other women came and left, but she remained behind to savor her time. She hoped, prayed, that someone would come in, point to her and say, “You’re dead.”
Where the hell is she? Dan gave a quick peek back into the dining room just before stepping outside, searching for Serena. Losing sight of her wasn’t in his plans. Watching that Jake guy maul her irked him, although she seemed to be enjoying his company a little too much. Maybe much more than just playacting would warrant.
He’d done his thing, arguing with Gino over their hostess, then both had walked outside. They’d gone to separate sides of the parking lot, as dictated. Obviously, he wasn’t the dead body as no one mentioned it to him.
Dan’s cell phone rang and he quickly answered. “Reese.”
Steve’s voice replied, “We have a new development in your case. Gino Conti’s here. Came in offering information. Must be looking to earn brownie points for the next time he screws up. Anyway, he says Serena Sight told him to go after the mayor’s daughter, charge her for services and they’d split the money. And, assuming he accomplished that, she’d supply more women for him.”
Dan’s stomach lurched. “Is the mob involved?”
“Not according to Conti. He says she’s the brains of the whole operation.”
Dan hung up after assuring Steve he’d bring her in for questioning. Deciding not to ruin everyone else’s evening, he opted to finish his date, then nab Serena.
Or, should he call her, Madam Serena.
He took in a deep breath of night air, hoping to clear his head of any illusions about Serena’s innocence. Want her or not, guilty was the verdict. And, “Gino”/Percy had to be an accomplice. Too much subterfuge surrounded him. Not to mention the fake Conti. Dan would have to bring both of them in.
After the designated five minutes passed, Serena left the safe confines of the ladies’ room and strolled back into the dining area. She searched for the other nine major characters, wondering where her brother ended up. A scream drew everyone’s attention to Mrs. Worthington as she placed the back of her hand against her forehead and leaned against Jake. She moaned, “Oh, no,” as a crowd gathered closer.
That’s when the retired police chief announced someone had been murdered and the distressed, grieving hostess had found the body.
Damn. It’s not me. Serena resigned herself to being bombarded with questions. Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Dan meandering his way through the crowd. He wasn’t the dead body either.
A chill covered her body and she realized all the other main players were accounted for, except Michael. Jake asked the guests to take their seats, as dinner would be served. He announced that the dead character was Percy and gave a little more detail about him and his relationships with the other players.
Serena half-listened, wondering if Michael would be allowed to return to their table. Even if he were dead, he still had to eat.
After arriving at their table, Dan spoke to Justine, virtually ignoring her. Although matching the two was what she was supposed to be doing, hurting over his interest hadn’t been what she’d expected.
Michael marched in, his steps swift. A look of anger clouded over his eyes as he approached their table and sat down. He wore a sign designating him as “Dead Body…Do not ask questions”. No one was to speak to Michael about his murder, but could talk about other things, as long as his conversation didn’t involve a one-on-one chat.
The two men glared at each other, then both turned their attention to Serena. Both were mad. At her? The game? Each other? Michael could be angry about being the dead body. Or maybe he’d hoped to spend more time with Annemarie and now figured that wouldn’t happen.
Dan could be angry about…what? Part of his act? It could be something other than anger. Maybe he was the murderer and anxious about being caught. The man could possess acting skills she’d never expected.
“I’m starved. We can talk about anything except the murder. How do you guys like this so far?” Justine smiled at everyone, enthusiasm oozing with every word.
Serena, Dan and Michael voiced their willingness to go on with the evening. The three of them agreed they’d never done a murder mystery dinner before but found the experience entertaining.
Justine did the bulk of talking during dinner. Dan paid particular attention to her attempts at being clever, laughing at her jokes and ignoring the others. Michael gave Serena nervous looks. Serena couldn’t figure out how to talk to him without the other two privy to their conversation.
Serena dropped her napkin and bent down to pick it up. Michael quickly bent over and whispered in her ear, “His name’s not Reese. It’s Carrington. And, he’s a cop.”
Serena’s stomach churned and dropped. For just a moment she forgot to breathe. Dan? A police officer? Why was he hiding it from her? What else about him was false?
He could be embarrassed by a lack of dating skills. Maybe he didn’t want to disclose his true job, thinking some people shy away from having anything to do with law enforcement. What if he was looking for another source of income, something akin to using her clients for money?
Damn. Did it matter? He’d lied about who he was and probably lied about everything else. She shuddered as a shiver raced down her spine. Her lovemaking episode with Dan the insurance man was a sham. That man didn’t exist. Everything about him pointed to only one conclusion…she’d been trying to help a very skilled con artist worm his way into her world.
Furious now over his deception, Serena wondered how to pull the rug out from under him and save Justine from falling under his lying spell. A decision to string him along, make him think she’d changed her mind and wanted him as her partner, popped into her head.
She’d inform him that as her partner, he’d have to back off from any serious dating of clients, just as she’d mentioned she’d shied away from doing. She’d ask about his sneaking looks at files and see what he came up with. Her seeing Gino/Michael could be explained as trying to interview him as a potential partner, not as a matchmaking attempt.
One tiny shred of hope urged her to give him a chance to explain, a way to vindicate his actions. She’d intervene now, during dinner and grab his attention away from Justine. She’d start out as Jezebel, the jealous vixen after Clive.
Lord, grant me acting skills to get through this.
* * * * *
Dinner ended and the remaining nine players found themselves surrounded by other guests asking questions. Serena watched Dan fielding their questions while keeping a sly charming grin on his face. She started to find the questions bombarded at her annoying, but had the grace to keep her answers in the spirit of the fun evening she was supposed to be enjoying.
Jezebel had motive to kill Percy, her unwanted, boring husband. She’d stayed married to him for money. Clive saw Percy as a rival for his money target, the lovely Mrs. Worthington.
Jake, in love with Jezebel, wanted Percy out of the picture, so could have murdered him and hoped to blame Clive. Rosalia could have murdered him in a fit of rage. She wanted him to divorce his wife, marry her and have all his money. Percy had dumped her once she informed him she was pregnant with his child.
Even the hostess had motive to murder Percy. The other guests had ample
time and reasons to want Jezebel’s husband dead, so all were suspects in the game.
Grateful when dessert was announced, Serena dragged herself back to her table, head pounding from all the inquiries about her possible part in dispatching Jezebel’s husband to the pearly gates and heavens above. Or, fiery gates of hell.
Michael had remained at the table, talking on his cell phone. He greeted his tablemates as they sat down.
Justine suggested they remain in character, trying to solve the mystery. Michael had waved his hand in a “go ahead” manner, indicating he didn’t mind their concentrating on the game.
“Fine,” Dan spoke first. “Jezebel, I think you killed your husband because of me.”
“You? A lying, untrustworthy charmer? Guess again.” Serena huffed to add credence to her declaration, something that came very naturally in her frame of mind.
Dan moved closer to her, anger registering on his face. “Me? Untrustworthy? A liar? Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?”
Serena gritted her teeth and seethed. “Just when do you think I haven’t been truthful? At the office? Dinner? When we made love?”
“I’m wondering about the last part. You seemed to enjoy it as much as I did. What was it? A ploy to gain my confidence, throw me off track?”
Serena’s anger flared. “Listen here, you charming snake. I’ve been honest about everything. You’re the one playing a pretend game and not who you say you are.”
Each glared at the other when Justine interrupted. “Uh, guys? This is just for fun. Am I missing something here? Are you talking about this mystery?”
Totally embarrassed and prepared to call the evening a nightmare, Serena jumped up and headed for the door. She looked back to get Michael’s attention and found him quickly jogging after her, closely followed by Dan, Justine, Mrs. Worthington and Jake.
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