“No, I’m not offended. You described her perfectly. In fact, I found it … touching.” She wiped her eyes and regained her composure. “Well, Ben, I’d like to hear more, but I have some responsibilities here that I need to attend to.”
“How about if we meet later for coffee?” I asked. I couldn’t let her get away.
She feigned astonishment. “You’re trying to tempt me with coffee?” She gestured toward the buffet. “Right here we have wine, seafood, beef tenderloin, imported cheeses, gourmet desserts … and a team of professional baristas serving Peet’s coffee.”
“Yeah,” I grinned, “but that’s not real coffee. I know this all-night diner, Eddie’s, downtown Raleigh on McDowell and Hargett. Their coffee’s unforgettable. Say eleven o’clock?”
Maggie glanced at her mother. “Well, after this is over, I have to tend to some final details, and then I have to take the old bird with the animal around her neck home. Let’s make it eleven thirty.”
I beamed and gave her a small bow. “Thank you, Ms. Marshak.”
She smiled back. “Call me Maggie,” she said. She turned and joined the other guests.
When I returned to the bar area, I relived the encounter and realized just how big of an ass I had made of myself to the woman who had organized and hosted the fundraiser.
After the event ended, I returned to my apartment, changed into a blue chambray shirt and jeans, and left. I arrived at Eddie’s at fifteen minutes past eleven o’clock and waited in my car. No one was more surprised than me when Maggie’s white Bentley pulled up and parked behind my Corolla.
She had also changed. When I opened her door, she was wearing blue jeans and a pink sweater with bright white sneakers. She gave me a once-over.
“Where did you get your clothes?” she asked.
I looked down. “Why? Is there something wrong with them?”
“No, not at all. Sorry. I’m in the clothing business, and it’s just a thing with me.”
It suddenly hit me. “Are you one of the Marshaks?”
“Actually, I am the Marshak,” she replied.
“Well,” I said, “then this is going to be a real treat for you. You’re probably used to people here in Raleigh kissin’ your … I mean … trying hard to please you, and now you’re going to get a taste of good old-fashioned restaurant service—New York style.”
I opened the restaurant door for her, and we entered. Eddie, who was working the kitchen, peered over the counter.
“Hey, Tucker! Long time no see!”
“Hey, Eddie. I’ve got a real classy lady here, so what do ya say ya whip up something special for us?”
He laughed and barked, “The menu’s the fuckin’ menu!” He pointed to the door. “If ya want somethin’ special, go to McDonalds and get your Big Mac with no onions!”
I looked at Maggie. “See? There’s no pretense here.” We grabbed a booth in the back where we could talk.
A pretty black waitress named Veronica came over to take our order. Maggie let me drive.
“We’ll start with two cups of coffee, and follow it up with two chili dogs each with fries.” Veronica took the order, smiled and left.
She returned shortly with our coffee. Maggie took a sip and made a face. “Good god, what is this? It tastes like coal tar! I thought you said the coffee here was good.”
“No, I said it was unforgettable. This is real coffee. It’s probably been brewing for days.”
Maggie pushed her cup away. “I believe you. If you don’t mind, I think I’ll have a Coke.”
Eddie had ventured outside to take out some trash and came back in excited. “Hey you guys! You should check out the car that’s out there!”
I gave him a half-hearted wave. “It’s just my Corolla,” I said.
“Bullshit! There’s a Bentley out here!” Maggie laughed as everyone in the diner went outside to take a look.
We finished our chili dogs, and sat and talked until almost three o’clock in the morning—mostly about our daughters. I also finished off three cups of coffee. It was absolutely horrid.
CHAPTER 31
Maggie and I were now dressed and waiting in the great room, having a starter glass of champagne while we waited for Nora.
Maggie was a sight to behold in a stunning navy blue sequined, one-shoulder gown. It was ruched through the waist, flattering her drop-dead figure and had a fishtail hemline leading into a short train. A matching jacket was draped across the back of a chair. She wore silver, high-heeled open-toe sandals, and she’d iced the cake with a diamond necklace and a matching wrist cuff and teardrop earrings.
I’m sure I was dapper in a classic black tux, but no one would be looking at me. And that would be fine because I wanted to spend the evening watching my beautiful wife without being accused of stalking her. If I had to go to this thing, I would at least be able to admire the most exquisite piece of art there.
Maggie looked at me and smiled. “Stop staring, Ben,” she said. I said nothing and winked at her.
Nora walked into the great room, all decked out and carrying her mink stole. Her slate colored silk dress had a chiffon overlay that was embroidered with an intricate floral pattern of beads and sequins on the bodice. It had three-quarter length sleeves and was fitted on the top before releasing to a softly swirling skirt. The V-neck accentuated the spectacular diamond necklace draped around her neck. Matching slate-colored shoes and gloves completed the ensemble. She looked like royalty.
I smiled and whistled. “”Wow! Don’t you look fantastic. Spin around.”
She beamed as she whirled around and posed like a runway model. I laughed.
I looked at the stole and said, “Um … you know, Nora, there are a lot of animal activists these days who really frown on the animal furs.”
“I know, Benji, but this fur was one of the first things Henry gave me when our first store turned profitable. When he gave it to me, it was one of the happiest days of my life.” She hesitated and added with a hint of regret, “I would never buy another one, though, and if I knew then what I know now, I would have asked him if he would mind if I exchanged it. I wasn’t very worldly back then. I’m still not.” She looked at me uneasily. “Do you think I should leave Bart here?”
“Excuse me?”
“Henry’s middle name is Bartholomew.” Nora’s eyes filled. “I named my animal Bart in memory of my Henry, and when I wear it, I feel like he’s with me.”
I could see that the fur had an emotional value for her far beyond its monetary value. “No way.” I said. “Here, let me help wrap it around you.” I kissed her on the cheek as I did, and she looked up and smiled sweetly at me.
“Oh,” she said, “I forgot my bracelet,” and quickly went to her room.
I looked at Maggie and raised my eyebrows. “So what’s that little getup worth?”
“Including the jewels, she’s wearing a hundred grand,” Maggie said casually.
“Yowza!”
The clock chimed six o’clock. Maggie finished her glass of champagne and said, “Okay, people, let’s roll!”
As we walked through the kitchen, Julie looked up and watched us from the breakfast table where she was working on her homework. She told us we looked like movie stars on the way to receive our Oscars. The real Oscar was sitting at Roberta’s feet as she prepared chicken and dumplings. He ignored the three of us, riveted on Roberta in case anything should accidentally drop to the floor. Now and then something did, but it wasn’t accidental. That dog had Roberta wrapped around his little finger—as they say.
The academy award winners got into the Flying Spur and left. Nora was in the back passenger side seat. My perfectly tailored tuxedo made it impossible to carry Pure Reason. I had tried the shoulder holster on, but it looked like I was stealing something under my jacket. Technically, wearing a concealed weapon to an event where alcohol was served and consumed was prohibited anyway. But that wouldn’t have stopped me.
I wasn’t used to driving the Bentley, and sever
al times, I found myself traveling more than twenty miles per hour over the speed limit. We rolled off of Blue Ridge Road onto the museum access road and wound our way around to the main entrance. As we approached, we noticed two young valet parking attendants in full spit-shine, wearing tuxedos.
“Good god,” Maggie said, “they don’t look old enough to be out of high school.” She touched my arm as I pulled up and stopped. “There’s no way they’re driving my Bentley.”
“Don’t worry, pretty lady,” I said as I opened my door. “I’ll take care of the car.”
I walked around to the other side and opened the door for Maggie. She slid gracefully out and smoothed the wrinkles from her dress. Then I opened the back door and helped Nora to her feet.
“Damn!” Maggie said suddenly. Nora and I flinched and looked at her. “I forgot the M&Ms. Marcus loves them, and I have a huge silver bowl waiting inside to put them in. I wanted to have something silly and fun on the buffet table with all the other fancy things. Where’s my head?”
“Well disaster!” I said. She narrowed her eyes at me.
I grinned. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. It’s early yet. I’ll go find some.”
Relief spread over her face, and she kissed me lightly. “Thank you, Ben. This night is always so important to me. I want it to be perfect for the guests who are coming here. They donate a lot of money.”
I turned to Nora and whispered. “She’s just cranky because she knows if she weren’t here, you and I would run off together.”
“I heard that,” Maggie said. “Can we please quit with the flirting with my mother for one night?” I gently slapped Nora on the rear as the two of them began to walk away. She giggled like a schoolgirl.
Maggie looked over her shoulder and shot a flame at me with her eyes. I then turned to the two young valets drooling to drive the Flying Spur. “Who are you dashing young men?”
The young black man said, “I’m Warren and this is Marty.”
“Well, nice to meet you both,” I said. “I’m–”
Warren quickly said, “You’re Mr. T … Ms. Marshak’s husband.”
“Yep, I’m Mr. T. Well, I hate to disappoint you guys, but my wife doesn’t want anyone but me to drive her car.” They deflated, and it was downright pitiful.
“Anyway, I need to take a quick run to a supermarket,” I said. “Do either of you know if there’s one nearby?”
Warren pointed south. “There’s one south on Blue Ridge about a mile away.”
I looked in that direction. “I’m not sure where I’m going,” I said. “Sure would be great if one of you could come with me and show me where it is.”
“I’ll go!” they both shouted at the same time. They started bargaining with each other over who would get to go.
I mediated and suggested they both go and leave the valet station unattended for a few minutes. “Paying guests probably won’t be starting to arrive for a while anyway.”
They became six-year-olds and couldn’t get into the car fast enough. Warren sat up front and Marty sat in the back behind him. We rolled down Blue Ridge Road and pulled into a Harris Teeter parking lot a few minutes later.
I handed Warren the keyless transmitter and winked. “Here, find some music on the radio.”
Maggie didn’t tell me what kind of M&Ms to buy so I used my executive procurement management skills, and I got some of each: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, peanut, almond, peanut butter, and those new ones with the little pretzel inside. She also didn’t tell me how big the silver bowl was, so I just threw caution to the wind and got a shitload. Marcus Renault Bradley better thank me big-time.
Marty and Warren switched places, and we were back at the museum by twenty minutes before seven. I dropped them off at the valet station, parked the Bentley in the back, and walked across the plaza to the west building.
Officer Stanton was standing to the right of the door, shivering.
“Officer Stanton, I’m surprised to see you,” I said.
I noticed the added heft under her coat. “You wearin’ a vest?”
She nodded. “Yep. Orders from the Lieutenant until further notice.”
“Well, he cares about you and wants to make sure you don’t get hurt.”
“I’m sort of your protection tonight,” she said. “No one thinks Plum will do anything at the fundraiser, but the Lieutenant isn’t taking any chances.”
“I’m actually surprised he would put you up alone against such a cold-blooded killer.”
“Oh,” she said. “I’m not supposed to confront him if anything happens. My orders are to call for backup and—” She stopped mid-sentence as if the rest might be awkward.
“Backup and what?” I asked, waiting.
“Well, the Lieutenant told me I should prevent you from doing anything crazy.”
I laughed. “Don’t worry about it. Netter’s always callin’ me crazy. I’m not sure why. I never do anything crazy.” She grinned. Someone had been telling her things.
Why don’t you go in?” I asked.
She turned and looked inside at all the dazzle and glamour. “I don’t want to dampen the party.”
I scoffed at her. “Nonsense. Come on in and enjoy yourself.” I laughed. “Besides, I can’t have you standing out here. What if I go crazy in there?” I put her arm through mine and led her through the museum door.
Maggie and Nora walked over to greet us, and I introduced Officer Stanton.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Tucker. I hope you don’t mind my being inside. I can stay outside the entry door if I’m in the way.”
“Of course not. Please come right in and join the guests. And please call me Maggie.” Nora took Officer Stanton to show her around, and I wandered in another direction to check out the shindig.
To the right of the information desk and directly across from the entrance was a harpist. A year ago, I would have found this a little corny, but she was extremely talented, and I discovered that I enjoyed it very much.
My friends from Carletti were managing the bar again at the east end of the building by the coffee bar. After shaking hands all around and saying my hellos, I borrowed a tray, put a glass of champagne and a cosmopolitan on it, and returned to my wife and Nora. Marcus had now joined them.
When Maggie looked at me, I said, “I’ve had some complaints about you.” She smiled. “Maybe we can discuss them later this evening. There’s a little place I know called Eddie’s. They have unforgettable coffee.” Her eyes sparkled, and her smile lit up the room. I hoped some poor waiter bastard was in charge of dimming the lights. She opened her small silver evening bag, pulled out something gift-wrapped, and handed it to me. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
I opened the gift. It was a dazzling watch. “Wow, this is beautiful. Thank you, my love.” I kissed her. “You really didn’t need to give me anything. All I need is you.”
Marcus examined the watch. “Hey, that’s a Rolex. That looks like platinum. Jesus, I’ll bet that thing cost—” Maggie elbowed Marcus in the ribs and looked at me with a huge smile. She handed Marcus the serving tray, took my left arm, and replaced my fifty dollar watch with the new Rolex. She tucked my old watch in her bag.
Maggie and Nora left to mingle with the guests, especially the influential ones. A bountiful, first-rate buffet was set up along the floor to ceiling windows directly across from the museum restaurant. Marcus and I spent the next hour there munching and shooting the breeze.
Stanton walked by, and I stopped her and introduced her to Marcus. I made sure she felt welcome to help herself to the spread. Marcus helped me and made a point of showing her to his M&M bowl and to the coffee bar behind us. She talked with us for a few minutes and then scanned the area. I assured her I’d be fine, and she excused herself and left to explore the museum collections.
I exchanged text messages with Amanda Jane to see how she was doing. It had only been seven hours since burying her mother. She told me she was okay, but I knew better. I sent “459”
. Nothing came right back. I smiled. That’ll keep her busy for awhile.
At eight fifteen, Maggie stepped up onto a low speaker’s platform and turned on a microphone. She thanked all of the guests for their support and generosity and told everyone how important the museum and the arts were to the Raleigh area.
My cell phone vibrated, and I pulled it out. I smiled as I looked at a text from my daughter. “4592”.
Maggie said a few more words, and then it was time to announce the winners of the silent auction.
“The first item,” Maggie said, “is a one thousand dollar gift certificate from Marshak’s Department Store. The winner is … Mr. and Mrs. Robert Golen for a bid of seven hundred seventy-five dollars.” Robert Golen walked up and accepted the gift certificate. After each item, everyone applauded.
Finally, she reached the bottle of wine. “This next item is a bottle of Dancing Frog Vineyards cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley, California. The winner is—” She stopped reading the card in her hand and looked over at me before continuing. “Mr. Benjamin Tucker, my husband, for a bid of—” She stopped briefly before continuing. “Five thousand dollars!” She turned to me and mouthed the words, “Thank you.”
I walked up and accepted my bottle of wine like it was an Oscar. Julie would have enjoyed it. Maggie smiled, and I reached for the microphone and said, “I wanted it for the label.”
There was laughter, and then some of the guests began tapping their forks on their glasses like people do at weddings. Maggie was delightedly surprised when I wrapped my arm around her waist and dipped her, and planted a great big kiss on her mouth. The crowd erupted in cheering and applause, and when I caught Nora’s eye, she gave me a big smile and a thumbs up.
Maggie took the microphone back and said, “Thank you, Mr. Tucker … and I’m sure we’ll talk about this later.” When the guests stopped laughing, she continued. “Our next item is a gift certificate from Harvey’s Steak and Lobster House for two hundred dollars.”
Vengeance is Mine - A Benjamin Tucker Mystery Page 18