Finally, by eight, all had left. The Albemarle County contingent and Inez recapped today, and Tally and Inez reminisced about their wonderful, funny experiences when they were students in the late twenties and early thirties of the twentieth century. A sharp wind rattled one of the front windows.
That packed a punch. Harry rose to see. Oh, my God, its snowing. Really snowing. I didnt think it would get here until tomorrow afternoon.
Aunt Tally, Inez, Big Mim, and Little Mim came to the windows. The cats jumped on the back of the stuffed chair to get a better look.
Sweeps over the prairie like wildfire. Nothing to stop it, Inez remarked.
I had no idea. Harry wished she could see the prairie, which she figured started in Kansas. Harry had never seen the west and longed to do so.
This old house is in good shape, but it isnt insulated the way newer ones are. Better put an extra blanket on the bed, girls. Aunt Tally remembered her first year adjusting to Missouri weather.
Harry looked down at Tucker. Oh, little one, wed better get our evening constitutional in right now.
Im not going out in that, Pewter quickly spoke up. Im using the dirt box.
Harry had put the dirt box in the basement and left the door ajar. She cleaned the box about every hour on the hour.
Outside, the snow, coming down in large flakes, was beautiful. Tucker, in her blue collar and blue leash, looked smart as she, Mrs. Murphy, and Harry took a brisk walk.
Harry figured that walking behind the stables was the best idea. Just in case Tucker couldnt make it that far, she had a yellow plastic bag unwrapped over her arm. Her winter coat somewhat got in the way.
Fortunately, Tucker waited until behind the stables. When the corgi was finished, they walked by the manure pile.
The last stall-mucking had been completed, and steam rose off the piled-up mixture of bedding and manure.
Blood. Tucker sniffed, pulling Harry to the pile.
So it is. Mrs. Murphy put her nose at the bottom of the large manure pile.
Come on, Tucker, youve smelled horse poop before. Harry tugged at the leash.
Mom, blood. Fresh blood. If I can smell it through all this, theres a lot of it!
To no avail, Harry chirped to her friend, Come on, Tucker. It really is cold, and its snowing harder.
Reluctantly, Tucker gave up. She knew that when the pile froze, no scent would lift off.
Later, as everyone retired to their quarters, Inez rapped on Aunt Tallys bedroom door. Awake?
Come on in.
The two sat there, wrapped in heavy robes. Across her lap, Inez had a long, wrapped gift.
I brought you a present.
Lets celebrate it with a dash of gin and a cigarette. Im dying for a cig.
Thought you gave them up, Inez remarked, who smoked three cigarettes a day, no more, no less.
Did. But being back at college reminds me of when I smoked like a chimney.
Inez laughed. We thought we were so daring.
Modern. Aunt Tally got up, retrieved her gin from the chest of drawers along with a bottle of vermouth.
Glasses?
Brought two up.
She mixed a martini, sans olive, and handed the stiff drink to Inez.
Potent. Inez smiled broadly.
Im not a wimp. Neither are you. None of these designer drinks. Gimme the real stuff. May I open my gift?
Please. Inez placed her glass on the nightstand and gave Tally the present topped off with a colorful burgundy-and-forest-green bow, school colors.
Like an eager child, Aunt Tally removed the bow and tore off the paper. Its a cane, just like my silver one but with a gold head! Oh, Inez, gold is frightfully expensive.
Pull the head.
As Tally did so, a long, straight sword slid out with a quiet swish from the ebony cane, which was a scabbard. Glory be.
Sharp, sharp, sharp.
What an extravagant present.
Youre worth it. Keep it close, Blossom. These are crazy times, what with young people hooked on meth, some on PCP. Makes marijuana and cocaine look benign. Drugs mystify me. I cant understand why anyone would do them.
Me, either. Gin is much better. Aunt Tally laughed. What a beautiful, beautiful gift. Youre a sweetie to worry about me. No crackhead will get me, Chickpea. Im too mean.
Youve got a point there. Inez savored her martini.
It is a crazy world, isnt it? I never thought Id live to see my country topsy-turvy, the lunatics running the asylum. Drugs, a fence at the border with Mexico, religious nuts. Crazy.
Though not particularly nostalgic, Inez did think things were better in her youth, with the exception of entrenched sexism and racism; even then, in most situations people behaved with good manners in daily discourse, regardless of hardships. Inez took another sip. You asked earlier if I feel old. When I look at the world now, I dont feel old but I dont understand, and the loss of civility truly upsets me.
Me, too. And the language. Vulgar. Shows a pathetic lack of imagination. If youre going to insult someone, be creative. The F word is so well, noncreative.
Tis. Inez inhaled the smoke Tally exhaled. Oh, give me a cigarette.
Tally lit one for Inez off hers and handed it over. Another nail in your coffin.
Inez laughed. You do bring out the worst in me.
I hope so. What are friends for? Aunt Tally glanced at the small electric clock by the bedstead. Another four hours and I will be one hundred. I was born at 2:02 A.M. She leaned forward, placing her hand over her friends. I wish I could do it all over again.
Me, too.
You know, Inez, I really dont want to die.
I dont, either. I know many of our classmates suffered so at the end that they wanted to die. Were still healthy. Its a game of chance. We drew lucky cards.
So we did, but if its my time, then I hope its fast. No lingering.
I feel the same way. Inezs eyes misted. Oh, Tally, where, where did the time go? Like you, Id do it all over again, even those times when my heart was barbecued on a spit. I love this life.
Aunt Tally finished her gin. Me, too. And one of the reasons I love it is because I have you for a friend.
Oh Inez couldnt finish her sentence.
They cried, then laughed, finished their martinis and cigarettes, and went to bed, as the world outside transformed into a cold but extraordinary winter kingdom.
Given that it was going to be a long day, Inez started the meeting at nine. A foot of snow already covered the ground. Still, it kept coming down.
She looked around the room. Lets wait five minutes.
Flo wiggled in her seat but said nothing. She conspicuously checked her watch.
Five minutes passed.
Does anyone have any idea where Mariah is? Inez asked.
We can go on without her, Liz stated.
Yes.
The meeting went smoothly without Flo and Mariah sniping at each other.
Inez wrapped it up in an hour, to her great surprise. Then she walked through the hall to Kenda Shindlers office.
Hello.
Kenda, did Mariah call you to say she wouldnt be attending the meeting?
No.
Thats not like her.
Inez left after a pleasant exchange. She walked along the shoveled paths back to the Fairchild Alumni House. Once there, she pulled out her cell and called Pete, Mariahs husband. Not wishing to worry him, she asked if he knew where Mariah had stayed last night. He cited a very nice B&B. Then Inez told him that Mariah hadnt attended the board meeting. This surprised him, but he didnt seem alarmed.
Next Inez called Gayle Lampe, because Gayle knew Mariahs habits fairly well; they often traveled to the summer Saddlebred shows together. But Gayle hadnt heard from Mariah after a quick coffee in Gayles office at about 6:00 P.M., the previous evening.
Inez fought a sinking feeling in her stomach. She didnt want to spoil Tallys big day with her worry over Mariah. First she called Jahnae Barnett. Jahnae suggested they sho
uld leave a message with the proprietor of the B&B. If Mariah didnt show up by 2:00 P.M., Jahnae would call the police.
Deputy Knute Sorenson arrived at Jahnae Barnetts office at 3:00 P.M. in a hard snow. Residents of Callaway County might be accustomed to driving in the snow, but there was always a slick spot here or there or the one fool who flew along at sixty miles an hour, only to spin out of control. It had taken the deputy longer to get to the campus than he would have liked.
Inez, tired, waited with Jahnae. The president had also called her husband, Eddie Barnett, a calm figure in a crisis and one not given to flights of fancy. Cognizant of news that the storm would worsen, he was heading home from one of his XVIII Wheelers Truck Washes out on Route 70. While Eddie might not carry an official title at the school, his common sense was appreciated by his wife, who was facing a troublesome, perhaps deeply upsetting situation.
Inez explained to Deputy Sorenson, a competent fellow of about thirty-four, who was missing and why she thought it highly unusual.
Any reasons you can think of concerning her absence? He was a pleasant, respectful young man.
No, Inez replied patiently. She did borrow from the alumnae accounts without clearing it with the board, but she replaced the money quickly. Twenty-five thousand dollars.
Did anyone else know but you?
The president, Dr. Barnett, was informed yesterday.
Did Mrs. DAngelo have enemies that you knew about?
Flo Langston. Perhaps rival is a better term than enemy. They graduated in the same class in 1974. Never did get along.
Did Mrs. Langston know about the twenty-five thousand dollars?
No, Inez crisply replied. Had she known, she would have used it against her. The two have been fighting for control of the board for the last year. It reached a nadir recently. The standing chair had to step down, which is why Im acting chair despite my advanced age.
Which is? Hed been scribbling in his notebook.
Ninety-eight.
He looked up quickly from his notebook, his brown eyes wide. Ninety-eight.
Ninety-eight. Inez smiled, and old though she was, a hint of flirtation infused that smile.
If you dont mind me asking, maam, how have you kept so, uh, fit?
Im an equine vet. Still go out on a case as a consultant. Lots of physical labor and using ones mind. And Im an alumna of William Woods. I like to think Ive kept going because I want to know whats happening at my alma mater.
Jahnae said evenly, I called the bed-and-breakfast where Mariah was staying; she never came back last night. Her car is parked by the barns. She often parks there when visiting here. Shes a passionate horsewoman. We are beginning to worry, obviously.
Inez spoke up, No one has touched the car, for what thats worth.
Might be helpful. He then asked, Did she ever threaten anyone physically?
Well, Inez temporized, not exactly. Two board meetings back, she threatened to tear off Flo Langstons face.
Was Mrs. Langston frightened or angry? He scribbled again.
Angry. She said if she were to tear off Mariahs face, she wouldnt know where to start since she always saw two.
It took the deputy a moment to grasp the insult.
Jahnae said, Officer, is there any way to keep this low-key? Were celebrating the one hundredth birthday of one of our alumna this evening. The weather is already causing some distress. We dont need she thought for a momentanother problem. Weve assembled the alumnae board so that you might question them as soon as possible. Theyre sworn to secrecy until after the event.
Think theyll keep their promise? Hed seen enough of human behavior to know that most people couldnt resist being the bearer of bad news; the greater the disaster, the happier they were to report it.
I believe they will. Inez smiled. If not, they answer to me.
He studied her for a moment, then smiled slightly. I see.
Before questioning the board, Deputy Sorenson called for a backup. Gina, Im at William Woods. Will you go to the stables on campus and He glanced at Inez.
New Range Rover Sport, black. She supplied the information.
Find a new black Range Rover Sport parked back at the barns. The owner is missing. Ive got some people to question. If theres anything there, I dont want it to walk.
Gina readily agreed. As everyone knew the university, she needed no directions. Deputy Sorenson then walked into the conference room.
Jahnae touched Inez on the shoulder. Would you like me to attend?
No, you have enough to do. If theres any further development, Ill call you on your cell. Inez breathed deeply. Shes dead, Jahnae. I feel it in my bones.
Her face registering not shock but sad agreement, Jahnae nodded. Lets pray shes not.
By 4:00 P.M., nothing new had turned up, and Inez walked through the snow to clear her head, then returned to the Fairchild Alumni House. Tally, Big Mim, and Little Mim were upstairs, getting ready for this evenings festivities. Harry was ironing her skirt in the kitchen. She hated ironing but had dutifully found the ironing board in a hallway closet. Inez told Harry everything, because she trusted Harrys keen mind.
Tally wont find out until after the celebration, hopefully. Harry set the iron on its haunches. Could Mariah have been involved in something more scandalous than a money problem?
Possible. These days anything is possible. Actually, it was probably always that way. Its just now were badgered by news around the clock. It only makes things worse, I think. Inez sank into a kitchen chair.
Maybe she had something on someone on the board. Blackmail. If business is on the skids, human behavior can always be relied upon for misdeeds. Or sex. Never run out of problems there.
The DAngelos are successful people; they contribute heavily to political campaigns. Its crossed my mind that she might have gotten involved in something unsavory, as you have said, gotten the goods on a prominent public figure. Mariah is too smart to try blackmail. It would have been disguised as something else. Inez tipped her head back, her silver curls catching what little light there was. Shed lit a cigarette, one of the three she smoked every day. God, that tastes good.
Cooper loves Dunhills, too. Terribly expensive. She cant afford them, but I know when she treats herself, its the red pack. She doesnt like menthol.
Havent seen Cooper in a while. Remind me to bum a cig off of her. I love it. Clears out my sinuses. I shouldnt be smoking, but
Inez, at your age, you can do as you damned well please.
A big grin crossed Inezs symmetrical face. I need to be reminded of that more often. I dont know how long I have to live, but less than you.
I hope not. Harry smiled.
If only I could live forever, Inez said wistfully. I find this earth fascinating. I dont want to leave. She took another deep drag. Youll never know how I struggled to give up this habit. Used to smoke a pack a day when I was practicing. At this point, why bother? Your sentiments. She nodded to Harry.
Harry returned to the subject at hand. Do you know the candidates or elected officials that Mariah backed?
No. Ill ask Flo. Theyre at loggerheads about that, too. Flos Democrat. Mariah, Republican.
Have they ever agreed on anything? Charity, perhaps?
Inezs head perked upward slightly. Why do you say that?
Theyre community leaders; leaders are always involved in some kind of charity. Its easy to steal from charities. For instance, you create a special need, like funding wheelchairs for indigent children. And when money comes in for your wheels-for-kids, you do supply wheelchairs. With lots of publicity. You then run all your expenses through the 501(c)3 corporation, a charitable nonprofit. You can live like a king. You can also create another corporation, and the wheels-for-kids makes gifts and loans to it.
How do you know about this?
Had some dealings with the Brothers of Love on the mountain.
Up next to Swannanoa. Inez cited a place just to the south of Route 250, below the Skyline Drive on- and off-ramp. It may
well be one of the most interesting places in Virginia, as it was founded, in a sense, to study religions without judgment, perhaps a century ago.
Right.
The Brothers of Love are crooked? Inez was shocked.
Some were. Its been straightened out.
Im happy to hear that. Iwell, I dont want to get off track here. You think Mariah might have set up a charity?
Just a thought.
Ill investigate. If she had, Id think Id know about it. Board members are merciless in pressing other board members about some special project.
Harry excused herself for a moment to go upstairs to the bathroom. Shed imbibed far too much tea.
Mrs. Murphy jumped onto Inezs lap. Theres blood mixed into the manure. Tucker said so.
Tucker, on the floor, said, If only you could learn what were saying.
I still think youre making it up. Pewter rolled over to her left side. You just want me to be jealous because I didnt come along.
Pewter, Ive read astronomy books over Harrys shoulder. I dont remember learning that you are the center of the universe. Mrs. Murphy flashed her Cheshire cat smile.
Hateful fleabag, Pewter insulted her friend.
Oh la, Mrs. Murphy sassed, which further inflamed Pewter.
Harry returned to the kitchen.
Inez was enjoying her nicotine hit as the cigarette burned down. Both Flo and Mariah are totally devoted to William Woods and both were in Kansas City at the American Royal horse show in 1984, when Skywalk and Imperator went head to head in the five-gaited class. They were often at important events, not together, but there.
I dont know much about Saddlebreds, but I really loved the Shelbyville show, and that Shortro is a dream.
Good minds. Good mouths. Well, Skywalk, trained and ridden by Mitch Clark, and Imperator with Don Harris in the irons, were like the Yankees versus the Dodgers in the old days. Electricity. I was there, too. That is the extent of Flo and Mariahs confluence in the horse world. As to fund-raisingfor, say, rebuilding a historic place or something like thatthey were often involved.
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