Murder and Tainted Tea

by Janet Lane-Walters

  I opened the carrier and lifted the kitten. “This is who I brought.”

  “Rose Prairie, you shrink.” Megan’s blue eyes widened and she touched the kitten’s brown, white and sable fur. “Him soft.”

  “This is Robespierre’s baby sister. Thought you might like to take care of her.”

  “Me! Daddy, can I?”

  “Yes.” Don met my gaze. “Thanks. This is the most animated she’s been since Ramona...” Sadness clouded his blue eyes.

  I grasped his hand. “The kitten will help Megan with her grief. Rose Prairie has had all her shots and you won’t have to worry about offspring.”

  “Bless you.”

  “Megan, why don’t you take the kitten to the sunroom and let her run? I need to talk to your dad.” Ever since they’d entered the house, I’d wanted to blurt what I’d found, but my concern for Megan had stopped my tongue.

  “What’s wrong?” He trailed me to the living room. “Where’s Dad?”

  “Hoped you would know. When I arrived the gate was open. So was the front door.” I halted in the archway to the dining room. “This is what I found. Looks like he left in a rush.”

  Don frowned. “That’s not like Dad. Maybe he went to the office.”

  “His car’s outside.”

  “He could be at Bonnie’s.” He put his hand on my arm. “She’s planning a bash for New Year’s Eve and might have needed his advice.”

  “Call her.”

  Don did. The housekeeper said Bonnie was out.

  “What now?” I asked.

  “Maybe Carl drove him to the office.”

  That explanation didn’t quell the fear that had grown steadily since my arrival. Was Lars’ disappearance linked somehow to the problem he’d spoken of in vague terms last night? He’d mentioned his dead daughter-in-law. Had he learned Ramona’s death hadn’t been an accident but was part of something more sinister?

  I wasn’t ready to ask Don those questions. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know anything other than Lars was all right.

  “Try the office.”

  He nodded. “First let me show you the guest room. Then I’ll make some calls. Don’t worry. I’ll find him.”

  He carried my suitcase and the hanging bag to the bedroom and put them on an ornate Spanish Mission oak bed. If my neighbor had been here, he could have told me if the room’s furniture was antique or just excellent reproductions.

  After hanging my clothes in the closet and filling the bureau drawers, I carried my stash of mint to the kitchen. Don followed me. The kettle on the stove held water so I turned on the burner.

  “Did you learn anything?” Hope filled my voice.

  Don slumped at the table. “Carl and Damon were in a meeting. The secretary refused to disturb them. She said Dad wasn’t with them and she hadn’t seen him since the middle of the month.”

  “What now?”

  He rested his elbows on the inlaid painted tiles of the table. “Have you seen Consuela? She’s usually here by eight.”

  “No one was here.” The kettle whistled.

  As I reached to turn off the burner, a stout woman with ebony hair entered by the kitchen door. She carried two bags of groceries.

  Don jumped up to help her. “Aunt Katherine, this is Consuela.”

  “Welcome, Senora.” She looked around the room. “Donaldo, where is your padre?”

  “I don’t know. He wasn’t here when Aunt Katherine arrived. Did he say anything about going out?”

  “Nada.” She opened one of the bags. “This morning I make his breakfast. Then he gave me the list for the store. Was very crowded today with people buying food for the New Year celebrations. I have lunch with my cousin and come back.”

  I added a selection of mints to a tea ball. “Was he expecting anyone?”

  “Just you, Senora. He was happy for the visit. He tell me you have been amigos for years.” She opened a cabinet and took out a teapot. “Maybe Senora Bonnie come for him.”

  “She isn’t home,” Don said.

  Consuela shrugged. “Senora Bonnie is always on the move. Maybe they go somewhere.”

  My choice of mints included one to clear my thoughts and several to calm my nerves, a badly needed thing. Not knowing where Lars was and fearing something awful had happened to him made me want to scream.

  Consuela showed me where they kept the mugs. “While you wait for the tea, I’ll show you the bedroom for the guests.”

  “Already done,” Don said. “Just what did Dad talk about this morning?”

  “He talk about the Senora’s visit and tell me how she grow the mint in her garden. He laugh and say when he drink a cup at night, he think of her.”

  “Lars?” I laughed. “Always thought black coffee was his preference.”

  She shrugged. “I never see him drink the tea, but he is a truthful man.”

  Megan ran into the kitchen. “Consuela, look. Rose Prairie.”

  Consuela took the kitten from Megan. “La gatita.”

  “Megan, why don’t you get her dishes from the carrier?” I asked. “She’s probably hungry and thirsty.”

  “Okay.” Megan darted away.

  Don followed her. He returned with the litter box and took it into the sunroom. “Looks like Button and I need to go shopping.”

  “I’ve a bag with enough food and litter for several days in the bedroom.” I filled a mug with tea. “Remind me to get them before you leave.”

  “Will do.” He smiled. “It’s hard to believe she was out of my sight for more than five minutes without crying. This is the first time for months.”

  “How are you doing?”

  “Coming to grips.” He sighed. “Considering a drastic change. Hope you don’t mind being used as a buffer when I tell Dad. He has his own ideas about my future.”

  His mention of Lars brought my uneasiness to the fore. “We need to do something about your father, but I can’t think of anything.”

  “The police?”

  My knowledge of what happens when a person is missing is limited. There was something I’d heard about twenty-four hours or more except when a child was missing. I think there were other factors like age and mental status.

  “I’m not sure they can do anything yet. We don’t know how long he’s been gone.”

  His shoulders slumped. “Hours, but he could have left just before you arrived.”

  “We need professional advice, but I don’t know anyone here. Are you acquainted with any of your local police officers?”

  He straightened. “I know who to call. Ramona’s cousin, Rafe. He’s a former cop and does some investigative work for Dad. He’ll know where to begin.” He strode to the living room.

  My knowledge of this area was based on books. What I knew about my friend’s life here was limited. Though we indulge in bi-weekly phone calls, our conversations center around family and mutual friends. As I sipped the tea, a shroud of helplessness settled over me.

  Lars, where are you?

  Consuela stored the rest of the groceries and joined me at the table. “Senor Lars has given me the vacation while you are here. He said you would take good care of him. If you wish me to stay, I will.”

  “There’s no need. He’ll be home soon.” I had to believe Lars would walk in the door and tease me about my fears.

  “Now let me show you where things are kept. Then I finish my work and go.”

  She opened the door to the pantry and showed me the staples. Then we entered the laundry room that opened into the sun room. In the kitchen, she opened cabinets and drawers. Stoneware canisters on the counter held flour, sugar, tea and coffee.

  As we passed through the living room, Don covered the phone with his hand. “I’ll be here a bit.” He pointed to the couch where Megan and the kitten were curled on one end, asleep.

  Consuela beckoned and I followed. Now that I wasn’t frantically searching for Lars, I could appreciate the paintings in the hall and on the bedroom walls. Some were Don’s, but other artists we
re represented.

  “The linen closet,” Consuela said. “Here are the extra blankets, sheets and towels. In your bathroom, you will find all you need for the bath.”

  I nearly lingered in the office to look through the papers on the desk. There might be some clue, but I had no idea what I wanted to find.

  Consuela paused in the hall. “I will finish with my work and go. Do not worry. Senor Lars will come.”

  I leaned against the wall. Did she know something about his disappearance? Intent on asking, I followed her. A cold draft eddied around me. I dashed into the foyer. When I reached the door, my eagerness turned to disappointment.

  “Daddy, we have to talk.”

  Lars’ beautiful and willful daughter had arrived.

  Chapter 2

  “Aunt Katherine, how was your trip?” Bonnie’s lips brushed the air by my cheek. Though her greeting held a facade of friendliness, beneath the cordiality a distinct coldness hummed. She drew back, but the cloying sweetness of her perfume lingered.

  Of all Lars’ children, she resembles him the most. She’s a tall blonde with skin tanned to a golden hue. Her graceful movements imbued her with the essence of a magnificent jungle beast on the prowl for prey. The leopard skin coat she wore added to the picture.

  “Uneventful until I...” Before I finished, she glided away.

  “Don, where’s Daddy? There are some important matters he and I need to discuss.” She tossed her coat on one of the chairs facing the fireplace.

  Her brother replaced the receiver in the cradle. “He’s not here and we hoped he was with you. When Aunt Katherine arrived, she found the front door open and his partly eaten breakfast on the table.”

  “Oh lord, maybe he’s had a heart attack. Did you check the house? What about the grounds? I really need to talk to him.”

  I joined the pair. “I’ve checked the house twice. He’s not here.”

  She brushed her hair from her face. “I’ve been out all day. Been busy with preparations for the party. Did you try Carl or Damon?”

  Don raked his hair in an awkward parody of his sister’s graceful gesture. “The office was the second place I called. Carl and Damon were in a meeting and couldn’t be disturbed. The secretary said Dad wasn’t with them.”

  “Maybe Daddy had some last minute shopping to do in preparation for Aunt Katherine’s visit.”

  “He sent Consuela to the store.” Don glared at his sister. “Didn’t you notice his car’s still here?”

  “Never looked.” She smoothed her blue sweater over her slim hips. “What’s eating you? Ever since Ramona died, you’ve been jumping at shadows.”

  “We’ve talked about what I plan to do.”

  “And I’ve said it’s impossible.”

  Don rose. “Right now, I’m worried about Dad. Haven’t you noticed how edgy and distant he’s been lately?”

  Bonnie laughed. “That’s just your imagination. He’s been fine.”

  “He’d never go off without leaving a note for Aunt Katherine. You know how much he’s looked forward to her visit.”

  Bonnie planted her hands on her hips. “He was more worried about how she’d fit in with our friends. I’m sure he’s gone off with one of his cronies.” She turned and manufactured a smile that left her blue eyes as cold as diamonds. “No disrespect meant, but you don’t move in the same circles as Daddy and I do.”

  My jaw clenched. Back east Lars and I have the same set of friends. While the people here were unknown to me, as a nurse and former choir director, I’ve dealt with the rich, the poor and the in-betweens.

  A few calming breaths controlled my anger and my need to lash out at this rude young woman. I couldn’t allow myself to forget what was important and that was my friend’s whereabouts.

  “For heaven’s sake, have you forgotten Dad’s missing?” Don grasped his sister’s shoulders.

  “You don’t know if he is. He could be anywhere. Maybe he’s planning something for my party. I know he wants the affair to be as perfect as mine usually are.”

  “So glad you’re pleased with your social success, but get real. Did Dad mention having any new problems with the business?”

  While they bickered, I tried to recall the little I’d learned from Lars’ phone call. “Last night when we talked he seemed worried about his retirement plans and—”

  “Just what did he say?” Don asked.

  Bonnie jerked away from her twin. “I doubt he would tell her anything and there couldn’t have been a problem or I would have known. He’s turned everything over to me.”

  “Are there missing records?” Don asked.

  “What do you care about the business as long as you and your br...child can live off the profits?” She stabbed her finger toward the sleeping child.

  “I’ve never taken a cent I haven’t earned.”

  “Pardon me if I don’t believe that. What about the house where you’re living rent free?”

  “You have the same benefit. Does Dad charge you rent for the mansion you talked him into building to enhance your image?”

  “The house is necessary.”

  Don rolled his eyes. “Maybe Carl and Damon know something. Let me try the office again.”

  She glared. “How could they? When Daddy’s not around, I’m in charge.”

  He shook his head. “This isn’t about you being boss. They might have some idea where he is.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “I’ve been thinking.”

  Bonnie cut him off. “About time.” A sneer distorted her perfect features. “Did you call the police?”

  “I doubt they can do anything yet,” I said.

  She waved me aside. “This isn’t your problem.” She pointed at Don. “You call the hospital. I’ll use my cell phone and call the police. They’ll listen to me or else.”

  Megan stirred and grasped the kitten. “Aunt Bonnie, look what Aunt Kaferine bring me. Rose Prairie.”

  Bonnie stepped back. “Keep that beast away from me. I detest cats.”

  Megan flinched as if she’d been slapped. “Sorry.”

  “Go play. Your father and I don’t have time for your nonsense.”

  “Bonnie, that’s enough,” Don snapped. He crouched beside his daughter. “It’s all right. Your aunt’s upset.”

  Since Bonnie had taken charge of the search for Lars, I crossed to the couch and took Megan’s hand. “Why don’t you and Rose Prairie come with me? I’ll see if I can find you a snack.”

  Megan nodded. When we reached the kitchen, she put the kitten down. “Stay here, Rose Prairie. Aunt Bonnie don’t like you. She don’t like Mommy either. She yell at Mommy. Then Mommy don’t come home.”

  The child’s matter-of-fact statements about her aunt chilled me. Was there a connection between the quarrel and Ramona’s death? How long before the accident had the argument occurred?

  I saw tears in Megan’s eyes and gathered her close. “I like you and I liked your Mommy. Let’s see if your pop has some cookies hidden away.”

  While I rummaged in the pantry, I wondered what Bonnie and Ramona had quarreled about. Dare I ask? Was their disagreement somehow connected to Lars’ disappearance? Except Ramona had died eight months ago. I pushed the child’s words aside until I had time to ponder their meaning.

  After putting several cookies on a plate and pouring a glass of milk, I heated the remainder of the tea in the microwave. Had I left home to become involved in another incident leading to someone’s death?

  Gooseflesh covered my arms. Not Lars. I had to hold onto the belief he would be all right.

  “What do you mean you can’t do anything?” Bonnie’s voice, shrill with anger, carried into the kitchen. “Do you know who I’m calling about? Lars Claybourne is no ordinary citizen. He’s an important businessman in this community. He’s not senile and he doesn’t wander off. What if he’s been kidnapped?”

  Silence followed her outburst. I edged toward the archway between the kitchen and dining room and studied
her. Though her voice had been loud and shrill, no emotion showed on her face.

  She paced around the gleaming oak table. “No, there hasn’t been a demand...I see...If anything happens to him, you’ll be sorry.”

  The front door banged. I rushed past Bonnie to reach the foyer. “Lars.” Neither of the men was my friend.

  Bonnie ran to them. “Daddy isn’t here. He wasn’t home when Aunt Katherine arrived. None of his friends have seen him. He’s not at the hospital and the police won’t do a thing.” She grasped my arm. “Tell them what you found.”

  After relating the tale of my arrival, I led them to the dining room. Unfortunately the table had been cleared. I should have told Consuela to leave the dishes, though I wondered if the unfinished breakfast would have told anyone a thing other than Lars had departed in haste.

  The tallest of the men had to be Lars’ son-in-law. Though I’d never met Carl Grayco, Lars had shown me pictures. Carl was darkly handsome with penetrating anthracite-colored eyes. He was a perfect foil for Bonnie’s blonde beauty.

  The other man must be Lars’ executive assistant. He was shorter than Carl, but more muscular. His blond hair had been razor cut to attain a tousled look. Hazel eyes held glints of humor. Did he find the situation amusing or did he possess secret knowledge? An odd question surfaced. What connection other than employee did he have to the Claybourne family?

  Bonnie touched my arm. “Aunt Katherine, I’m so rattled about Daddy’s disappearance that I forgot to introduce you. This is my husband, Carl Grayco, and this is Damon Webster. I’m Daddy’s right hand and Damon’s his left. Mrs. Miller and her husband were dear friends of Mommy and Daddy.”

  Both men turned to me. “Pleased to meet you,” Carl said.

  Damon took my hand. “A pleasure. Lars has told me so much about you.”

  Bonnie linked arms with him. “Now don’t be repeating Daddy’s stories.”

  As though I’d been shocked by static electricity, I sucked in a breath. The heat pulsing between the pair startled me, but I couldn’t decide if what I sensed was animosity or attraction.

  Damon shrugged off Bonnie’s hand. “Lars has so many plans for your visit, but he wished you had come in the summer.”