Death at a Premium

by Valerie Wolzien

  She sat up in bed, all remaining shreds of optimism vanishing as she remembered her son’s unexplained behavior the night before. Everything had started out as usual. His arrival had been greeted with enthusiasm by Risa and Carol; each had plied him with risotto demanding, not too subtly, to know if hers was the best. Tyler had been busy eating and tactfully responding to their pressure when Sam brought up his senior project. Tyler had changed the subject to his summer job. Then Carol mentioned seeing him talking with the new woman police officer. Josie couldn’t ignore that, but when she questioned him, Tyler had refused to answer, making a joke about older women. Tyler had been raised to be honest and forthright. The night before he had been neither. His one word answer (“around”) to her inquiry of where he had been all afternoon was only slightly shorter than his explanation for what he had been doing (“not much”). Usually voluble, Tyler’s reticence had worried Josie until she fell asleep.

  Now Urchin, Tyler’s Burmese cat, wandered into the room as Josie swung her feet to the floor. She frowned. Urchin preferred her son’s company and usually remained by his side or in his lap when he was home. If Urchin was here, Tyler probably wasn’t. Pulling on a ragged flannel robe, she followed the cat back to the room that served as living room, dining room, and kitchen in her small apartment. The open door to her son’s bedroom revealed only his unmade bed.

  “Tyler?”

  Urchin meowed by her feet and Josie frowned. Tyler wasn’t expected at work until nine—where had he gone? Years before they had developed a system of communicating through messages left on the worn chalkboard hanging near the stove, but the board revealed only the shortage of eggs and mustard in the refrigerator. Josie headed back to her bedroom to get dressed. The previous night’s dinner had been delicious and filling, but she had a lot of hard work ahead of her. A trip to Sullivan’s was in order.

  On the drive to the north end of the island where Sullivan’s was located, she decided it was time to take control of the situation. Her son had given her a little notebook that was attached to her truck’s dashboard, and she ripped off the top sheet, taking a moment to wonder if they could really be out of ketchup as well as mustard. She found a tiny pencil someone had brought from an Atlantic City casino, and prepared to get organized. She would make a list, which would focus her mind as she ate.

  But it was, Josie realized, impossible to focus on one thing when surrounded by people interested in discussing something else. Of the dozen or so diners sitting in the small luncheon area of Sullivan’s, ten had opinions about either the murder, the ghost at the Bride’s Secret Bed and Breakfast, or some aspect of Josie’s upcoming nuptials. By the time her breakfast had arrived at her table, Josie was more confused than ever.

  Her young waitress stopped to chat after delivering her meal. “I was talking to Tyler and he said you haven’t bought your wedding dress yet. Is that true? I’m going to wear something long, white, and silky,” she added, apparently thinking it was an unusual concept. “And I’m going to buy it in New York City! There are stores on Madison Avenue where the most beautiful wedding dresses in the world are made—at least that’s what I’ve heard.”

  Josie was momentarily taken aback by the realization that girls her son’s age were dreaming about weddings; then she had a small epiphany. “You would go all that way to buy your wedding dress? Really?”

  “Of course, it’s the most important day of your life, you know.”

  “Yeah, but . . .”

  “I told Tyler that, and he said that you would never go so far. He said he didn’t think you were that interested in being a bride, and that you’d probably get married in something you bought right here on the island.”

  “Tyler doesn’t think I’m interested in being a bride?” Josie repeated “Really? He said that?”

  “Yes, and I told him . . .”

  “You know what?” Josie asked, putting her napkin in her lap. “I’ve been thinking about it, and Tyler is wrong. I am going to go to New York City!”

  “How romantic!” the waitress gushed. A shout from the cook recalled the girl to her job, and Jose was left alone with her meal. Josie picked up her fork, stabbed the egg on her plate, and watched as the yolk ran into the pile of bacon strips. “And, who knows, I may even get around to looking at wedding gowns,” she muttered, finishing her thought as she stuffed an overflowing fork into her mouth.

  Normally a fast eater, Josie polished off her breakfast in record time. She left a large tip, since unintentional good advice could be as valuable as a well-considered suggestion, and hurried back to her truck. She couldn’t leave the island until she had talked to a few people.

  She hadn’t been sure how her workers would feel about her sudden departure, but they all seemed perfectly happy to continue to work on their own. Sam, though surprised, was happy when she explained that she was going to be shopping for a wedding gown— he even offered her a sheet of directions from the island to Manhattan that he had made for his mother to use on her frequent trips back and forth. Josie tucked the page into her jeans, kissed him good-bye, and hurried to her apartment. The thought of leaving without seeing Tyler caused her some momentary qualms, but Risa, also thrilled with the thought of her wedding gown shopping, promised to feed and care for Tyler until she returned.

  And it was not as though she was going to be gone for long, Josie reminded herself, changing into the one pair of black slacks that she owned. With a clean white shirt and black leather sandals, she felt she was properly dressed for her task. She wound the three gold mesh bracelets Sam had given her for Christmas around her wrist and noted the sparkle of her large diamond engagement ring. Pausing only for a trip to the local ATM, Josie was off the island and on the highway in record time.

  Her optimistic view of what she was doing lasted for almost fifty miles. The next hundred miles were haunted by doubt. By the time she was stuck in a traffic jam in the middle of the George Washington Bridge, she would have turned around and run home, if only she could have. By the time she arrived at Betty and Jon’s Upper East Side apartment lobby, she was starving, tired, and wishing someone else had waited on her at Sullivan’s. She had called Betty from the road and the doorman was expecting her. He explained that Betty was waiting in her apartment. “Go on up. Fourteen E. The elevator’s to your right.”

  Josie followed his directions and was immediately reminded of the fondness elevator designers had for mirrored walls. Her disheveled appearance was reflected and multiplied over and over. Her clothing, which had seemed simple and sophisticated at home, looked simplistic and wrinkled here. Her hair could use washing and the skin on her nose was peeling. She refused to consider her fingernails.

  She forgot all of this when the door of Fourteen E opened and her best friend flew into her arms.

  “Josie!”

  “Betty!”

  “Mommmeeeee!”

  The last was wailed from inside Betty’s apartment.

  Betty laughed and pulled Josie through the door. “Come on in. JJ’s going through a dependent stage, poor dear. I have to be in sight constantly. But he’s ready to go with us,” Betty continued, pointing to the plush stroller where JJ Jacobs sat waving a Ziploc bag stuffed full of Cheerios. As Josie approached, his fat face wrinkled up and tears began to drip down his chubby cheeks.

  “He’s afraid of strangers—it’s just a phase and I’m sure he’ll love you as soon as he gets to know you.” She turned to Josie. “Do you have to use the bathroom before we go?”

  “Go where?”

  “To buy your wedding gown.”

  “How do you know about that?” Josie was mystified.

  “Let’s see, Risa called right after you did. She said to tell you that Tyler is spending the night with Sam and Carol and that you should not worry about feeding Urchin. And she suggested that with your hair color cream might look better than pure white.” Betty stood back and examined her friend from head to toe. “Risa has great taste and, you know, she’s probably right.” />
  “But . . .”

  “Then Carol called. She wanted you to know that Tyler can stay with Sam all week long if you want and that you shouldn’t hurry back.”

  Betty pulled a long list from a large quilted bag sitting on a nearby chair. “She also wanted to make sure we go to the right stores—she actually knows the personal shoppers at Saks, Bergdorf’s, and Bendel’s, although she suggests we try a small boutique about six blocks from here on Lexington as well.”

  “She probably knows at least one person at every boutique on the Upper East Side,” Josie muttered.

  Betty grinned. “That does sound like her. I was thinking we should start up at Vera Wang’s, but maybe we should go to the place Carol suggests instead.”

  “But I . . .” Josie didn’t finish yet again. Betty flung her arms around her neck again and gave her a hug.

  “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re here to buy your dress. I’ve been feeling, well, sort of left out. My life here is wonderful, but I miss the island, and being an important part of planning your wedding is almost like being back there for a bit. How long can you stay?”

  “I really have to get back to work. You know how it is. The job we’re on is huge. Remember the Bride’s Secret Bed and Breakfast? It’s being turned into a private home.”

  “And Island Contracting has the job! That’s wonderful! You’re going to have to tell me all about it.”

  “So I can’t stay here for more than a day. But I do have to use the bathroom,” Josie said.

  “Oh, you’ve been on the road for hours—of course! That door right there, and be sure to check out the sink. It’s the latest thing.”

  Josie rushed into the small room and closed the door behind her. Buying a wedding gown had only been her excuse to come to New York. She had really come to the city hoping to talk to Jon Jacobs about her insurance situation. Jon, a criminal lawyer and good friend of Sam’s, might have a solution to her problem. She had thought they might talk, he would make a few calls, and then she would go back home. She realized now that her plan had been completely unrealistic. She should have stayed home working with her crew instead of standing in her oldest friend’s bathroom preparing to disappoint her. Josie looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. Sam had said they were obligated to include their friends in their happiness, and she knew Betty would adore helping her look for a dress. It wasn’t as if they had to actually buy one. In fact, if Carol was right, wedding dresses took months and months to manufacture, so there was no way Josie would be able to buy one here anyway. Josie pulled her shoulders back and smiled at herself. She would give Betty this shopping trip, spend the night if she must, and get up early the next day and drive home. Surely the traffic would be light in the early hours of the morning. She could probably make the trip in half the time it had taken her to arrive. Having a plan, she turned and opened the door.

  Betty and JJ were waiting. The broad smile on Betty’s face made Josie glad of her decision. She chose to ignore JJ’s scowl.

  “Where do we go first? Saks?” Josie had become familiar with the huge edifice on Fifth Avenue the winter before when Carol had dragged her through department after department trying to get her wardrobe in shape for a New York City winter. At least she would feel at home there.

  “I suppose . . .” Betty sounded reluctant.

  “And you mentioned Vera Wang.” If Josie was doing this for her friend, she was determined to get it right.

  “They’re the most beautiful dresses in the world, but they’re sort of expensive.” Betty pulled her son’s fist from his mouth before asking a question. “You’re not paying for the dress yourself, are you?”

  “Of course I am!” Josie maintained, although her nest egg had vanished.

  “I got the impression from Carol that price was no object. I assumed that meant that Sam—or Carol—was paying for it.” The phone on the tiny table in the hallway rang, and Betty answered it, explaining to the person on the other end of the line that she was busy.

  Josie sighed and bent down to JJ’s level. He had fallen asleep in his stroller, his head lolling against the padded back. She touched his soft skin with one fingertip, and he opened his eyes and stared at her, a serious expression on his chubby face.

  “Well, that’s settled,” Betty said, hanging up. “So let’s get going and find you a dress. If you make your choice quickly, maybe we’ll have time to shop for mine.”

  “Your what?”

  “My dress for your wedding. You are here to ask me to be your maid of honor, aren’t you?”

  JJ began to scream. Josie smiled at the child. She knew exactly how he was feeling.

  TWENTY

  IF SHE WAS doing this for all the years of Betty’s friendship, she was going to do it right, Josie decided. They began at Saks, then moved up and across the street to Bendel’s and Bergdorf’s. The white dresses washed out her pale complexion, and her muscular arms were not made to be exposed above layers of tulle and lace. At least her chunky legs were hidden by the long skirts. Then, just as Josie was feeling fatter and poorer than she had ever felt in her life, they left Fifth and started up Madison. Josie was tired and hungry, but Betty was on a quest and seemed to have unlimited energy. Just when Josie thought her feet were going to fall off, JJ began to scream again. Betty responded immediately.

  “That means he’s hungry. There’s a great little Italian place just around the corner a few blocks up. Let’s go there. JJ loves panini.”

  Josie didn’t even know what panini were, but she was starving. “Great idea. Poor kid,” she added as an afterthought.

  JJ sobbed until they turned the corner and the café came into view. “He loves to eat here,” Betty explained. “I just hope they’re not too busy.”

  “Boy, when you said little, you meant little,” Josie said, peering into the restaurant. Tables were jammed together leaving little space for customers or waiters to pass, but fortunately, as they arrived two women got up from one of the trio of tiny tables set up on the sidewalk. Betty, showing her skills as an adopted New Yorker, wheeled her son over and sat down, staking her claim on the spot.

  Josie dropped onto the remaining chair as Betty undid the straps keeping her son in his stroller and lifted him onto her lap. “So what do you think?” she asked Josie, smoothing JJ’s hair.

  “It looks nice, but I haven’t seen a menu.”

  “I mean the gowns. Which one did you like best? I loved the last one you tried on at Saks. You know, Risa had a point. You do look better in ivory than pure white. And that drop waistline and the full skirt really made you look thin.”

  “Betty, it was over eight thousand dollars! I can’t afford anything like that! You know how I live.”

  “But I thought Sam . . .”

  “Sam would pay for anything I ask him to pay for, but I really don’t want to start our marriage asking him to splurge on a dress I’ll only wear once. I’m not like that! It’s just not like me.”

  “What do you want to eat?” Betty asked. “The salads are excellent, and the panini, of course.”

  Josie had a feeling that Betty was intentionally changing the subject. “Whatever JJ’s having,” she answered sullenly. “And coffee.”

  “Espresso or cappuccino? Low fat or decaf?” A skinny waitress wearing black pants, a white shirt, and looking exceptionally chic appeared at their table.

  Betty placed their order with Josie explaining that “regular old American coffee” was just fine with her, and the young woman took off.

  “She looks better in her outfit than I do,” Josie said, watching their waitress slip through the small space between tables with ease.

  “She didn’t get up early this morning, drive almost two hundred miles, and then spend two hours trying on wedding dresses,” Betty reminded her.

  Josie just smiled.

  While Betty and JJ enjoyed playing a game of “Where’s JJ?” with a large linen napkin, Josie looked around. In the city the winter before, the many fu
r coats on the street had amazed her. Now, relieved of their bulky furs, these women were universally thin. Josie, starving, wondered if they had come to the right place for their late lunch. Her doubts vanished when three huge platters of food appeared before them. Panini turned out to be the grilled sandwiches Risa had been feeding her for years. The one Betty had ordered for her was stuffed with two cheeses, grilled peppers, pesto, and leaves of fresh basil. “JJ eats pesto?” Josie asked after swallowing her first delicious bite.

  “Loves it. I give him the cheese and pesto here—he can’t handle the bread yet—but at home I put it on pastina, and he just wolfs it down.”

  Josie had begun to feel better and she smiled down at the child, now back in his stroller. “Risa would love to hear that. When Tyler was a baby she used to say that children need pasta each day—and she made sure he got it too.”

  “How is Risa?” Betty asked, picking up her fork and stabbing a tiny tomato on top of her salad.

  It was a long lunch and Josie spent much of it catching Betty up on island matters. By the time they were sipping the dregs of their coffee and JJ had fallen into a deep sleep, Josie was feeling better and was willing to look at a few more wedding dresses.

  “The place Carol called about is nearby,” Betty said.

  “Then we’d better go there first. Did you say she gave you the name of someone there?”

  Betty smiled. “Gertrude Weintraub. And you’re in for it. Carol described Gertrude as someone who can find the perfect dress for anyone. And she was going to call and tell her that we were on the way.”

  Josie closed her eyes. “I have a feeling I’m being set up for ruffles and a train—something like Princess Diana’s wedding dress.”

  “I think that would be a mistake—even for someone as young and beautiful as she was,” Betty said, getting up.

  “And I’m neither.” Josie sighed, straightened up, and smiled at her good friend. “Okay, let’s go.”

  The place Sam’s mother had recommended was up a flight from the street. There was an elevator, but while Betty and JJ waited for it, Josie took the stairs.