Pekoe Most Poison

by Laura Childs

  Sally’s eyes grew even larger. “I can hardly believe it.”

  “Believe it,” Theodosia said.

  27

  “I’m calling a meeting of the executive committee,” Theodosia yelled out the minute she arrived back at the Indigo Tea Shop. Reggie’s arrest was way too important to keep under wraps.

  Haley poked her head out of the kitchen like an inquisitive prairie dog. “Huh?”

  “That’s us,” Drayton said to her. “Come out here and sit down. I’m getting a little tingle that tells me Theodosia might have big news for us.”

  Haley came out, wiping her hands on a tea towel. “Are you sure you don’t just have nerve damage?”

  “No,” Drayton scoffed.

  “Then what’s up?” Haley asked. She sat down at the table with Drayton and faced Theodosia. “Please tell me we’re not shutting down the tea shop or anything horrible like that.”

  “Nothing like that,” Theodosia said. “I give you my word, Haley, your job is safe and secure.”

  “So it’s all good?” Haley asked.

  “Not exactly.” Theodosia paused. “I just wanted to tell the both of you that Reggie Huston has been arrested for murder.”

  “What!” Drayton said.

  “Seriously?” Haley said.

  “The police discovered what might be a vial of poison in the trunk of Reggie’s car.”

  “And . . . ?” Drayton said, twirling a hand, eager for more information.

  “Pending laboratory tests, the police will probably be able to connect that poison to the poison that caused Beau Briggs’s death.”

  “Wow,” Haley said. “Creepy.”

  “And I’m guessing they’ll be able to connect Reggie to the hanging death of Marcus Covey as well,” Theodosia said. She peered carefully at Drayton. “And to your hit-and-run accident last night.”

  “Holy cow,” Drayton said. “So it was Big Reggie all along. Not Doreen or Starla or crazy neighbors or anyone else.”

  “Whatever Reggie’s reason—envy, jealousy, money, hatred—he was the man behind it all.”

  Haley gazed at Theodosia. “And you figured all this out?”

  Theodosia lifted a shoulder. “There were a number of clues that pretty much led to Big Reggie. Especially after he tried to run down Drayton last night. And the fact that his car ended up with an enormous telltale dent in the front fender. After that it was a matter of connecting the dots.”

  “The weird thing is,” Haley said, “you’d think Big Reggie would have taken his car to one of those quickie dent shops and gotten his fender pounded out right away. Or at least ditched the car.”

  “Killers aren’t always careful linear thinkers,” Theodosia said. “They operate with certain disadvantages.”

  “Such as?” Haley said.

  “Well, most of them are sociopaths,” Theodosia said. “They’re people who don’t feel as if they’re bound by the same rules that you and I are.”

  “We’ve got to tell Doreen right away,” Drayton said, sounding almost elated. “Before the police notify her. She’s going to be absolutely thrilled.”

  “I wouldn’t count on it,” Theodosia said. “Considering that Reggie Huston was her husband’s business partner, the one he pretty much handpicked, I’m guessing she’ll be more upset than anything.”

  “Still,” Drayton said, “we should be the ones to break the news to her.”

  “Okay,” Theodosia said. “I guess you’re probably right. Do you want to call her and let her know we’re coming over?”

  “Let’s just pop over to Doreen’s house right now,” Drayton said. “Surprise her with the news. Whether she views it as good news or not, she did promise us that grant.”

  “Grant or no grant,” Theodosia said, “she will be surprised.”

  • • •

  Opal Anne answered the door. She studied Theodosia’s face for about one second and then looked at Drayton’s face. “Something happened,” she said. “Something big.”

  “The nightmare is over,” Drayton announced. His voice sounded somber, but he was fairly dancing on the balls of his feet, his aches and pains seemingly forgotten. “The police have taken Beau’s killer into custody.”

  Opal Anne clapped a hand to her chest. “Oh, thank goodness.” She drew a deep breath, then let her cheeks puff out as she slowly exhaled. “Who?” she asked.

  “Reggie Huston,” Drayton said.

  “Big Reggie,” Opal Anne said in a sad, almost accepting, manner. “Of course it was him. We should have known all along.” She took a step back and said, “Please come in. Doreen’s going to want to hear this news in person. And I want to hear every single detail.”

  Opal Anne led them into the library and then quickly rounded up Doreen and her son, Charles.

  Theodosia gave a quick recap of last night’s hit-and-run assault on Drayton, and then told them about how she’d discovered the red Porsche brazenly parked in the lot at Gilded Magnolia Spa.

  “The dent was the final piece in the puzzle,” Theodosia said. “It was enough evidence for the police to get a search warrant.”

  “And they’ve already started their search?” Doreen asked. She looked stunned, but not as upset as Theodosia thought she would be.

  “Right then and there,” Theodosia said. “They started digging in Reggie’s car and found a vial of what they suspect might be poison.”

  “Eeeeiii!” Doreen cried. She flung herself back in her chair and banged the chair’s arms with her fists. “Reggie! Reggie killed my poor dear Beau!”

  “I’m afraid that he probably did,” Theodosia said.

  “We’re so sorry,” Drayton said.

  Doreen was shaking her head slowly from side to side. “It’s awful, but at least now I know. At least now I have a definitive answer.” She waved both hands in front of her face in a rapid fanning motion. “My poor, poor Beau. Will he ever rest in peace?”

  “Of course he will,” Drayton murmured.

  Theodosia waited a few minutes, letting everything sink in for Doreen. Then she said, “I’m sure the police will want to speak with you. To explain everything and confirm our suspicions.”

  “Particularly Detective Riley,” Drayton said. “He worked very hard on this case.” He gave a quick glance in Theodosia’s direction. “As did Theodosia.”

  “You’re a wonder,” Opal Anne said with open admiration in her voice. “Both of you.”

  “We thought it was important to come here and break the news in person,” Theodosia said. “Since we feel a connection to everyone here.”

  Doreen reached out and fumbled for Drayton’s hand. “You are such dear, sweet friends.” She gripped his hand and pulled him closer to her. “And Drayton, to hear that you were practically run over last night . . . my heart just aches.”

  “I think we all need to do some much-needed healing,” Opal Anne said.

  “Thank you, Theodosia,” Charles said. “You’ve done so much. You’ve helped our family and gone above and beyond the call of duty.”

  “And we won’t forget it,” Doreen said. “I told the two of you that I’d double my grant to the Heritage Society if you helped me find an answer, and I meant it.”

  “Dear lady,” Drayton said. Now he was the one gripping Doreen’s hand.

  “I’m going to write a check on Monday,” Doreen said.

  “So generous,” Drayton whispered.

  “There’s just one problem,” Doreen said.

  Drayton eyed her carefully. “What’s that?”

  “Gilded Magnolia Spa,” Doreen said. “I know it’s not your problem, but who’s going to run it now?” She looked around, searching the faces of each of them as if hoping to find an answer.

  “Perhaps hire a general manager from the outside?” Theodosia said. “Somebody with experience in the fit
ness or hospitality industry?”

  “I had another idea,” Doreen said. She glanced sideways at Opal Anne. “What if we asked Opal Anne to step in and try to run things?”

  “Me?” Opal Anne’s voice rose in a surprised note and then cracked. “Are you serious?”

  “I think it’s something you could do if you put your mind to it,” Doreen said.

  “I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Charles said.

  “So do I,” Drayton chimed in. “I think she’d be a natural.”

  But Opal Anne was the only one who seemed completely unsure. “I don’t know . . .”

  “Is running the spa something that you’d consider doing?” Theodosia asked. It seemed like an awfully big job for someone who’d just recently graduated from college.

  Opal Anne gave a nervous shrug. “I don’t know. I never thought much about it before. I mean . . . I certainly enjoy working out and all.”

  “You sure do,” Doreen said.

  “And it’s . . . well, Gilded Magnolia is in the family,” Opal Anne said. Now she seemed to be considering the idea. “So who knows? Maybe running a spa could turn out to be my passion after all.”

  “Then I think you should go for it!” Doreen said.

  Opal Anne ducked her head shyly. “Do you really mean that?”

  “Of course I do,” Doreen said. “And I hate to spring this on you at such a late date, but you could start with the party tonight.”

  Opal Anne looked startled. “What?”

  “You can deliver the welcoming speech at the grand opening party,” Doreen said.

  “Do you really think I should?” Opal Anne asked. “The plan was always to have Reggie give the speech. Or Starla, since she was so active with all the publicity.”

  “No,” Doreen said. “I think you should be the star of the show tonight.”

  “I think Gilded Magnolia Spa is really the star,” Opal Anne said. “But I promise I’ll try to do my absolute best.”

  “Then I think congratulations are in order,” Theodosia said. She hadn’t been much older than Opal Anne when she’d gotten her first job in marketing. She’d been so confident and carefree back them, unafraid to fail. Perhaps that was the exact same attitude and chutzpah that was needed here.

  “Then you’re all going to be there tonight, aren’t you?” Opal Anne asked. “I mean, if this is supposed to be my debut, I need to have all of you around me. For luck?” She ducked her head shyly. “And for love.”

  “Of course we’ll come,” Theodosia said, her heart going out to the girl. It looked as if Opal Anne might really have found her niche after all. “We wouldn’t miss your big night for anything in the world.”

  28

  Gilded Magnolia Spa looked like even more of a showplace this Saturday evening. Searchlights raked the dark sky overhead as red-jacketed valets hustled to park Audis, Mercedes-Benzes, and even the occasional Bentley. Inside, the lobby throbbed with energy and excitement. Hundreds of toned and tanned ladies hung on the arms of well-heeled gentlemen, champagne and chilled white wine flowed freely, gorgeous magnolia and orchid plants blossomed everywhere, and a tuxedo-clad string quartet played jazz versions of pop tunes.

  Drayton had begged off, pleading a sore knee, and Theodosia was glad that he had. He could definitely use the rest. And because Delaine’s date was a no-show for the second night in a row, Theodosia had offered herself up as a consolation prize.

  “Isn’t this all quite lovely?” Delaine asked. She gave an excited little shiver as they strolled through the crowded lobby. “It looks like everybody’s here tonight. Ooh, and paparazzi, too.” She aimed her face at the first available camera lens and smiled broadly as a photographer moved in to snap their photos. “Maybe we’ll make the society pages.”

  “Maybe Gilded Magnolia Spa will luck out with a feature,” Theodosia said.

  Delaine nodded. “That, too. This party looks like it’s shaping up to be quite an event.”

  Theodosia smiled to herself. She knew there was no way this party could ever be as strange and eccentric as all the events leading up to it.

  “Too bad Drayton couldn’t make it tonight,” Delaine said. “He’s going to be okay, isn’t he?”

  “I’m fairly sure he’ll recover.”

  “And it was one of the spa’s owners who tried to run him down? That Reggie person?”

  “Don’t look so nervous,” Theodosia said. “He’s behind bars now.”

  “But the show must go on.” Delaine glanced around. “And what a show it is.”

  Theodosia and Delaine had worn cocktail dresses tonight, and so had many of the other women. But some of the ladies, mostly the younger ones, were dressed in the hip new athleisure style. Body-con dresses in bright colors, designer yoga pants and crop tops, and long, flowing skirts worn with skimpy bandeau tops.

  “Lots of skin showing,” Delaine said, sounding just this side of catty.

  “It’s the grand opening for a spa,” Theodosia said. “A certain casualness is to be expected.”

  “So where’s this poor little rich girl you’ve been telling me about? The girl who took over the spa as of today?”

  “Opal Anne? I’m sure she’s floating around somewhere. She’s certainly got her work cut out for her.”

  “Oh my goodness, what’s going on over there?”

  “It looks like a fashion show,” Theodosia said.

  “Then we absolutely have to go over and have a look.”

  Theodosia and Delaine strolled into a large lounge that featured leather sofas and chairs, a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, and French doors that led out to a large outdoor swimming pool. Tiki torches surrounding the pool flamed against the dark sky and were also reflected in the shimmering water. Inside, rock ’n’ roll music blasted loudly over the loudspeakers as a DJ played tunes and models strutted their stuff on a white vinyl runway.

  “Are the clothes they’re modeling all from the spa’s gift shop?” Delaine asked.

  “Have to be,” Theodosia said.

  “Hmm.” Delaine, ever the fashion maven, observed the models with a keen eye. “This athletic look has really caught on, hasn’t it?”

  “You see it everywhere. Even out on the streets.”

  “I wonder if I should stock up on this type of clothing at Cotton Duck?”

  “You’d certainly be right on trend,” Theodosia said.

  “Maybe I could even work some of these athleisure pieces into my spring fashion show.” Delaine reached out and accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. “That show is coming up awfully soon.”

  “Go for it.”

  Delaine watched the show while she sipped her champagne. “So what else is going on here?”

  “I know there’s a health food demonstration.”

  Delaine wrinkled her nose. “Wheat grass shooters and sprouts? I’ll pass on that if you don’t mind. What else? Is there any . . . ?”

  “Theodosia!” an excited voice suddenly called out.

  Theodosia spun around to find Opal Anne practically running toward her.

  “You came,” Opal Anne exclaimed. She clapped a hand to her chest. “Thank you so much!”

  “I wouldn’t miss your party for the world,” Theodosia said. “Neither would Delaine. You two know each other, right?”

  “We met briefly last night,” Opal Anne said. “At your Candlelight Tea.”

  “Briefly,” Delaine said. She put a hand on her hip. “I understand congratulations are in order. You’re going to be managing Gilded Magnolia Spa from now on?”

  “I’m going to try,” Opal Anne corrected. “That’s not to say I won’t be hiring outside consultants when I need them.”

  “I think that’s wise, dear,” Delaine said. “Considering you’re still quite young and inexperienced.”

  “Have you heard a
nything more about Reggie Huston?” Theodosia asked.

  Opal Anne shook her head. “No. I thought the case was kind of closed.”

  “Detective Riley called me just before I left to come over here,” Theodosia said. “He’s promised a full-scale investigation.”

  “As well there should be,” Delaine said. “Especially with two murder charges hanging over Reggie Huston’s head.” She smiled at Opal Anne. “But you shouldn’t have to worry about that. Tonight, it’s all about the grand opening.”

  “Have you visited our gift shop yet?” Opal Anne asked, practically bubbling over with excitement. “It’s absolutely stocked to the rafters with the most gorgeous things. Spa robes, aromatherapy candles, yoga gear, you name it.” Opal Anne was dressed in a very glam sequin top paired with sleek black leggings. With her big brown eyes, she looked, Theodosia decided, like an adorable elf.

  “So far we’ve just been taking in the music and the fashion show,” Theodosia said. “You’ve got a lot going on here tonight.”

  “This isn’t even half of it,” Opal Anne said. “You have to visit our juice bar and then wander back to the spa treatment area. We’re giving free manicures and pedicures tonight. And we have gift bags for everyone, too.”

  “That sounds divine,” Delaine said.

  • • •

  They wandered back to the juice bar then. Where Theodosia was more than a little surprised to find Sally, Reggie Huston’s secretary, manning the counter. She quickly introduced Delaine and then said, “I hope you’re in better spirits after this afternoon’s shocker.”

  “I guess I’m okay,” Sally said. “The upside is that Opal Anne is taking over, so I get to keep my job.”

  “Job security is so important,” Delaine said. “Especially in this day and age.”

  “Tell me about it,” Sally said. She put both hands on the counter and leaned forward. “So what can I whip up for your amusement? The waiters are serving champagne, of course. But we’re also offering samples of our special juices and smoothies.” She smiled at Theodosia as she lifted a silver pitcher. “I think you might like this. We whipped up a wonderful iced chai drink and laced it with coconut milk.”