Elfrieda started looking at the merchandise, taking her time.
She bought several items, paid for them, and took them into the small restroom. There was no one else in the restroom as Elfrieda looked around, checking even the handicapped stall. She put both hands on the sack and zapped it somewhere, sack and all. She left with Chelsea's address in her pocket and a smile on her face not unlike the one she wore when she had given the little five year old his big cone of cotton candy at the alligator farm. Back out on the street, Elfrieda stepped around the corner. There was no one in sight. She disappeared.
In seconds, Elfreida reappeared in a recessed doorway not unlike the one in the vieux carre where the murder took place. She stepped down to the sidewalk and looked toward Attorney Chelsea's office. There were very few people passing by and the attorney's door was closed. There was something stuck on it. It was another very unprofessional looking notice the office was closed, to call again later. It had no return time or anything else of any help.
Elfrieda walked slowly to the door and ripped off the unhelpful notice which was stuck on it with scotch tape. She looked at it like a Cordon Bleu Chef would look at oleomargarine and tossed it in the air. It disappeared.
Elfrieda put her cheek to the door, close but not touching it, and listened. She smiled. She could just barely hear the really awful piped in music Chelsea must have gotten a good deal on. She also heard typing sounds. There were no voices. She put her hand on the locked door and turned the knob.
The door opened on a very surprised secretary and the door to the lawyer's office was open. The attorney was unattractive, would never see fifty again, and had a gap in his discolored teeth. He sat with his mouth open staring at Elfrieda.
"I'm sorry—" The secretary finally managed to stammer, staring at the open door and Elfrieda's unruffled expression.
"Good afternoon," Elfrieda said, pushing the door behind her closed with her foot. Her eyes moved from the secretary to the attorney. Through the open door of the attorney's office Chelsea saw Elfrieda for the first time. His eyes went from stunned to startled appreciation and he raised his voice.
"I'll take care of this," he called to his secretary.
He trotted out his best con-artist smile for what looked to him like money-on-the-hoof. His greedy eyes took in her figure, her designer suit, what looked like real pearls at her throat, and the look of security that just having plenty of money and credit can give one. He gaped at the beautiful woman wearing these things that looked like she was used to them and sporting all this grandeur.
"Come in, please" Chelsea lowered his voice and gestured Elfrieda to a chair.
Elfrieda entered. Her eyes had a gleam in them, looking at him like he was something choice on a buffet table.
Chelsea grinned at the look and called to his secretary, "You can go on and take a break, or late lunch if you want to. I'll take care of this lady."
Still a bit surprised at the ineffective door lock and her employer's sudden courtesy, the secretary took her purse out of a drawer and went toward the door.
"Don't forget to lock it," Chelsea called, smiling broadly again at Elfrieda.
The secretary left and Chelsea again gestured toward the chair. "I don't believe I got your name?"
"It's Elfrieda, Chelsea"
"Chelsea," the two bad upper teeth showed in the lawyer's smile. "I like the way you say that." He looked as expectant as a sophomore about to ask for his first date.
"Now." He straightened the designer pen in its holder, hoping she'd noticed it. "How can I be of help to you today?"
"Well, the crisis I had when I first looked up your office address has already been resolved. But maybe we can just simply talk a little while, in case something else comes up, and get better acquainted?" Elfrieda sat down and crossed her legs, glancing around the small office.
"Get better acquainted. Of course." He followed Elfrieda's gaze. "Ah, this office is only temporary, I'm having some repair work done on my office I had before the storms came."
"I didn't realize what time it is until your secretary went to take her late lunch or break, you said? Isn't it a bit late for lunch?" she kept her face straight as Chelsea ogled her legs. She dangled an alligator pump from her toes as if she were enjoying herself.
"Lunch? Er, yes, I hadn't noticed. Guess both of us were too busy to notice." He studied her again. "We're really busy here. Busy, busy, busy. But we love our work," he added hastily.
Elfried was beautiful, self-assured, clad in designer clothes and was wearing what he knew were real jewels. He kept all that in mind as something warned him, wondering why she was wasting time on him. He concentrated on finding out how fast he could benefit from this bit of luck. Then sudden suspicion crept into his avid expression.
"You're not a, er, working girl, are you? An expensive, selective, one-of-a-kind working girl?" He hastened to add. After all, there was money in that too. This encounter had all kinds of possibilities and he intended to check them out.
"You mean a whore?" Elfrieda laughed. "No. Certainly not."
Chelsea turned red, wondering at Elfrieda's good humor and seeming friendliness.
"But in case I do need some legal work later on, I'd like to get better acquainted. Don't you think that would be a good idea?"
"Oh, would you like to give me a retainer? Let's talk about some of the legal instruments you might need," Chelsea suggested.
"Good idea. Why don't we do it over a late lunch like your secretary?" Elfreieda got up. When Chelsea hesitated, she added, "I'm paying."
Chelsea hurriedly got up.
"Don't you want to leave a note for your secretary? Tell her where you are, that you've gone to lunch?" Elfrieda prompted.
Chelsea grabbed a letter on the desk and turned it over to write on. He hurriedly scrawled, "Gone to lunch."
Elfrieda looked at the open drawer in Chelsea's desk. "Is that cookies I see in your desk?" Elfrieda came to look closer and pointed.
"Yes, they're my favorites. I keep them there to snack on." He tried to look successful and in demand, "In case I don't have time to go out, like today." He didn't bother shutting the drawer.
"Shall we go?"
"Um-hum," Elfrieda agreed. "I really didn't plan to stay here long."
She stood facing him. "This won't take but a minute, Chelsea." Elfrieda was in front of his desk, Chelsea beside it. Elfrieda held up one hand about six inches higher than Chelsea's graying tonsure and slowly brought it down.
Chelsea began shrinking. His mouth open in surprise, he was unable to move. By the time he got to the floor he was on all fours and covered with grizzled gray hair like that he'd had only on his head before Elfrieda's visit. He switched his long tail and ran to a corner in the back of the small room.
Elfrieda picked up the note he had written for his secretary and closed his office door before he could escape in his panic. She placed the note on the secretary's desk and left, looking satisfied.
* * *
Troy Spruce called Cas to tell him his good news. His voice excited that Muriel had agreed to marry him and soon. They were discussing when.
"Congratulations, Troy." Cas smiled. "That's good news to Connie too. You know what a matchmaker she is, a wedding is always good news to her. Any idea when's it going to be? Or haven't you a clue—that's the way it sounds to me." He laughed.
"We've had a long discussion about it and I lost about eighty percent of the negotiations."
"Hey, that's pretty good, Troy. Women are better bargainers than we are. They get a lot of practice shopping." He laughed at Troy's gruff tone.
Troy snorted. "You might say I lost the battle but won the war."
"Yeah? How's that?"
"We're going to elope this weekend so we will be married right away as I wanted to."
"So far, so good," Cas said guardedly.
"But, we're going to put off having a honeymoon for a month."
"Oh. Well, that won't be so bad. Not so much of a loss.
"
"No," Troy's tone brightened. "This is where I stuck to my guns where it counts. After that month to get Tim caught up as she calls it, Muriel is going to retire."
"You're sure? She promised?"
"Yes." Troy's answer was chiseled in stone. "I held out for that. And I think she's glad of it. We're both thinking about where we want to go. Are you laughing?"
Cas caught his breath. "Yes, but I'm ashamed of myself. Poor Tim. You'll have to go far enough on your honeymoon not to hear Tim groaning. This isn't going to be good news to him."
"I know. But that's how it is. Elope now, work a month, then we'll both be retired and have the rest of our lives to enjoy."
"Sounds wonderful. Has Muriel told Tim yet? That she's retiring?"
"She's going to tell him today. Before she comes home. She promised."
"Well, good. And congratulations on the elopement and the retirement too. You know Connie and I wish you well."
Cas hung up, feeling good about Tim and Hannah and Troy and Muriel too. He went back to work until about three o'clock when his usual cup of coffee had become a habit. He looked up at the clock wondering what Connie was fixing for dinner and suddenly froze, a frightened look on his face. His hands dropped the folder he was holding on the desk, worry lines on his forehead.
He reached for the phone as they looked out at Gladys.
Gladys had the Dictaphone in her ears, typing something.
"Anderson Flower Shop," someone answered his call, sounding hopeful.
"Yes. Cas? What can I do you for?"
"I want a big, gorgeous arrangement with red roses at the center and all that white stuff and greenery you put with it and a ribbon or whatever. A really big and pretty arrangement."
"Can do. Where do you want it sent or do you want to pick it up?"
"No," he looked at the clock. "I haven't got time. I want it sent to Connie with just a note that says 'I love you' and sign it Cas. And I want you to make it, put it in the van, and take it out to her now."
"Now?" Miss Mayme was at a loss for words.
"Yes. Now. If there's a problem, I'll pay extra for the delivery. Just do it now."
"All right. I'll do it now and take it soon as I get it done."
"Thanks."
Miss Mayme stood in the office door with her mouth open but speechless. She looked to Miss Minnie like she'd been struck by lightning.
"What is it?"
Miss Mayme told her. "And he said do it now and I said I would."
"What's he done? Did he say anything else?"
"No. But he must have done something, or think he has, maybe?"
"I don't know. Just go on and do it and take it. Maybe you'll get a clue when you take it to Connie."
Miss Mayme nodded and quickly went to work.
The Anderson's Flower Shop van sped up the Larkin's driveway and Connie saw it from the kitchen window. She ran to meet Miss Mayme at the kitchen door.
"It's a wonder you didn't get a ticket, is the van on fire?" Connie laughed then sobered at Miss Mayme's expression.
Miss Mayme set the beautiful arrangement on the kitchen table and gave Connie a big hug. It was one of those we're friends, I love you no matter what, hugs.
Connie looked surprised at her worried face. Words failed her.
Hand on the door, Miss Mayme said only, "Call me if you need to talk," and she was gone.
Connie was stunned. She looked at the card and smiled. "I wonder if I've forgotten an anniversary," she wondered looking puzzled. "And why was Miss Mayme in such a hurry?"
She had turned off the coffee which was still luke-warm and put some in a cup in the microwave to take a break. She pulled out a chair to sit down but the phone rang.
"Larkin residence."
"Hi, Connie, it's me, Muriel. Just wanted to tell you the latest on my and Troy's plans."
"Oh, good. What did you decide on?"
"We're going to elope. This weekend."
"This weekend! Oh, how romantic! Muriel that's exciting. I don't guess you're telling where you're going?"
"No, we're going to pack a few things and just go. Travel light." She giggled, sounding happy.
"But you'll be back after the weekend? To help Tim get caught up, you said? Well, congratulations on getting Troy Spruce to agree to that," Connie laughed.
"I can't believe we're going to do this. Acting like teeny-boppers again at our age," Muriel laughed again sounding girlish.
"Well, why not? You've got as much right to the pursuit of happiness as teeny-boppers. Ask any matchmaker," Connie laughed with her. "And Troy agreed about the coming back and working a month before having a honeymoon?"
"Yes, but he's a pretty good negotiator himself. He wants me to retire and he stuck to his guns about it. And I was going to when Margaret does anyway. So I agreed."
"Oh, you're really going to retire?"
"Yes. We're coming home after the weekend, I'm going to work for Tim one month. After that, then I'm officially retired."
"Well, good. You've earned it. Tim will live." Connie smiled. "Have you told him yet?"
"No. But I will. Today. I promised Troy I'd tell Tim I'm retiring before I go home today."
"Congratulations." Connie stopped suddenly, looking at the clock. "Muriel, did Troy call and tell Cas about this? Or do you know?"
"I don't know. Wait a minute, I think he did say he was going to talk to Cas."
"Well, I've got to get busy and fix him some dinner. Congratulations, Muriel."
Connie hung up the phone, looking at the clock. Her cup of coffee sat forgotten. She picked up her purse and hurried out the kitchen door muttering, "I've got time. Eggs, bananas, vanilla wafers too."
* * *
Cas went out to Gladys's desk and stood there till she looked up. "Gladys, hold my calls. Don't put anyone through. Nobody."
He looked dead serious.
"Not even if it's Connie?"
"Especially if it's Connie." He went back in and closed the door.
Gladys sat staring at the door. "Especially if it's Connie?"
* * *
By the time Cas got home Connie had set everything out on the table and put a large banana pudding on the stove top where he could see it when he opened the door. When his truck turned in the driveway Connie took the top off the crockpot and fanned it, filling the kitchen with the scent of well done roast beef and potatoes smothered in onions. She replaced the lid and glanced at the banana pudding browned just right and with a few wafer crumbs decorating the top.
She smiled to herself and opened the door, waiting for a hug.
"You must have seen me drive in," Cas hugged her and kissed her lips and forehead. He drew back, "Um, It sure smells good in here."
"Roast beef."
"And banana pudding still warm." Cas grinned from ear to ear. "My cup runneth over."
He looked at the arrangement. "I see Miss Mayme made it, how do you like it?"
"I like it. And I like you pretty good too."
"I could tell. Everything looks so good, I'll just eat with my boots on, but I'll wash up," he added.
"Okay, I'll fill your plate while you do that."
Cas sat down and looked at his plate full of his favorite meal, the banana pudding waiting on the stove, then at Connie. "What are you grinning like that for? Can't a fellow send his wife flowers?"
"Troy spruce called you, didn't he?"
"What's that got to do with all this and banana pudding?" Cas tried to look innocent.
"Did Muriel tell Tim today she was going to retire?"
"How should I know?"
"Because Troy probably told you. Muriel told me she promised Troy she was going to tell Tim before she went home today that she's going to retire."
Cas carefully concentrated on cutting a piece of roast beef.
"You were afraid Tim was going to try and talk me into going to work full time again, weren't you?"
Cas put his fork down and nodded, looking miserable. "I sudden
ly remembered about Muriel calling to make sure you would help them that last month. And Tim did ask you when he first took office if you would consider working full time again." Cas was serious. "I'm sure he would have offered you any amount of salary he could milk out of the budget to get you, too."
"Well, you can stop worrying. He hasn't asked me yet. And if and when he does, the answer is no."
She got up and went to the back of his chair, putting her arms around his neck, her head on his shoulder. She impulsively kissed the back of his neck.
"I've already got a job and I love my boss. I'm not going anywhere. Certainly not for eight hours a day and several more years of my life. I'm going to stay right here with you. I love you."
Cas got up and put his arms around her. "I love you, too. I just wanted to remind you."
Chapter 41
"Got a minute?" Detective Duggan called through Daniel's door. Daniel got up and came to open it.
"Sure. I hope it's nothing that's going to keep me here tonight?" He studied Duggan's worried face. "Or cause me any trouble."
"Me too," Duggan nodded seriously.
"Okay, let's have it."
He went to sit at his desk, Duggan took the chair.
"I went to see that bad-actor in the hospital. That murderer with the sugar cane machete." He looked at Dubois. "You said your pretty blonde saved his life with a tourniquet?"
Dubois nodded. "She said sudden death's too good for him." He grinned. "What's this about?"
"Just wanted to make sure you know about a few things. About the crime scene, I mean. One, the dog's teeth match perfectly with the bite on his leg. But there wouldn't have been as much blood from that bite as there was on that step at the scene. Two, the only other wound he had besides the one the alligator gave him was that gash on his thigh, which they were dressing while I was there." His eyes met Daniel's. "It looked more recent to me than the time the murder happened, must have been at the same time the alligator smacked him with that tail. There would have been quite a lot of bleeding from that."
His eyes held Daniel's. "Even though the blood on the step was dried a bit. I've seen many a similar situation and it looked fresher to me, made me wonder if it really was there since the murder. That and the dog bite was just too much good luck to our investigation."
The Mardi Gras Murder Page 21