by Sonia Parin
“Oh… Um… The owner recommends The Mill Café across the street.”
“Is that the woman I saw you talking with?”
“Yes. She’s a blow from the past. I’ll tell you all about her at lunch.”
When they reached the counter, Mira introduced them.
Florence Buchanan had a life of the party smile and the habit of tossing her head back when she laughed, which she seemed to do for no reason. When she spoke, her husky tone held Eve mesmerized.
Paying for her chair, Eve spotted a box full of old cameras behind the counter. “The universe is taunting me.” She saw no harm in asking to see them.
“Those came in this morning,” Florence said, “I haven’t had a chance to go through them, and frankly, I wish I didn’t have to. There’s already a shelf full of them. You can have the lot for $100.”
“Are you serious?”
Mira cleared her throat and murmured under her breath, “If Jill finds out, she’ll confiscate your cards.”
“I’ll take them.”
* * *
“So where do you know Florence from? She doesn’t strike me as your usual literary friend.”
“We went to school together.” Mira’s smile spoke of secrets and adventures. “Then we followed different paths. Some people write, others are written about. Her father was a successful lawyer, a drunk and, according to rumor, a wife beater. When Florence inherited his fortune, she devoted several years to running through it. She traveled and, at one time, she became a regular barfly at the Dorchester Hotel in London.”
“A stylish drunk,” Eve mused.
“She’s lived all over the place. Imagine my surprise when I learned she’d eventually settled down to married life. That’s how she came to own Buchanan Emporium.”
“I thought the place was called Yesterday’s Trash.” Eve picked up the menu and studied it, not so much because she was hungry, but rather because she wanted to compare it to her own menu.
“Buchanan Emporium is the original name. Florence renamed it after her husband died.”
“I’ll have to remember to tell Jill about that. I’ve been thinking of renaming the inn.”
“So soon? Why? Has something happened? We’ve only been away for half a day.”
“Why does everyone jump to the same conclusion? With everything going on in my life, I feel I chose the name in haste and, as a woman, I reserve the right to change my mind.”
“But The Sea Breeze is charming.”
“The Carousel is even more charming,” Eve suggested.
Mira tilted her head in thought. “It suggests going around in circles. Remember, you’re trying to avoid certain episodes from repeating themselves.”
“That’s your interpretation. Whenever I think of a sea breeze, I imagine something sweeping through. A carousel, however...” Eve threw her hands in the air. “You and Jill have now ruined it for me.”
Mira chortled. “The voice of reason prevails.” She looked down at her menu. “What do you recommend?”
“I’d like to try the house special, Ricotta and Asparagus Ravioli, but it’s only available during asparagus season. We’ll have to come back. Oh, look. They have crab cake. Isn’t that a favorite of yours?” Eve looked up and noticed Mira gazing out the window. Ignoring her curiosity, Eve returned her attention to the menu but, despite her efforts, the Cast Iron Seared Scallops couldn’t hold her interest. “Lavender Marinated Duck Breast sounds tantalizing.” Eve turned a fraction toward the window. “How about the Truffle and Mushroom Risotto? I think you’d like that.”
Mira clamped her hand over Eve’s hand. “Look.”
Swinging around, Eve’s other hand collided with the glass of water. “Oh.” Eve sprung back and, snatching a napkin, she covered the spill. A waitress approached and without making a fuss, helped Eve, taking away the wet napkin and providing a dry one. “I am so sorry,” Eve offered and turning to Mira, she grimaced. “Something tells me I wasn’t supposed to look.”
“It’s too late now. I swear I saw Florence swinging a baseball bat at someone. Moments before, a man went into the store. I noticed him because he wore a Fedora hat. I haven’t seen one of those in ages. Fedora hats make me think of Cary Grant. When did men stop wearing hats?”
Eve repositioned the fresh glass of water, placing it at a safe distance, and turned. “So, did the man run for his life?”
“No, he’s still inside the store.”
Eve leaned forward and tried to focus. “I can’t see anything.”
“Florence is behind the counter. She’s wearing a bright orange top. Look, there she goes again, swinging the bat.”
Eve half rose out of her chair. “Should we...” She forced herself to sit down, and mentally berated herself saying she really should keep her nose out of other people’s business. In the next instant, she surged to her feet. “We need to do something. You stay here.” Ignoring the voice of reason, Eve rushed out of the café. Before she could cross the street, a young man erupted from the store and sped away, his hand holding onto his Fedora hat.
Eve hurried and reached the sidewalk just as Florence emerged from the store, her baseball bat still in her hand.
“Are you all right?” Eve asked.
Florence threw her head back and laughed. “That’ll teach him. Come back, you dirty rotten scoundrel, and I’ll show you what I can do with this baseball bat.”
“What happened?”
“These young fops. They think they can swindle me.”
Fop? Eve made a mental note to ask Mira about fops. “What did he try to do?”
“He claimed I’d stolen the cameras from him.”
“The cameras on your shelves?” Eve asked innocently.
“No. The ones you purchased.”
“The nerve. How dare he. I hope you gave him a good piece of your mind.” Eve prayed she hadn’t come into possession of stolen goods. “Perhaps you should contact the police.”
Florence snorted. “Oh, no. No need for that. I can look after myself.”
“Is he likely to come back?”
Florence’s shrug spoke of confidence. “If he does, I’ll be waiting.” She smacked the bat against the palm of her hand and laughed. “Thank you for coming to my rescue. You’re a doll.”
“Think nothing of it. Anyone would have done the same.”
“You think? Most people would prefer to cross the street and keep walking.”
“Well, I’m not most people.” She asked if Florence would be okay and quickly returned to the café thinking the less she knew about Florence’s problems the better chance she’d stand pleading ignorance. She already had a reputation for meddling and landing in the thick of it. She really needed to make an effort and steer clear of trouble.
As she entered the café, she looked over her shoulder and thought she caught sight of the man with the Fedora hat hovering around the corner.
It really wasn’t any of her business, but it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye out.
When she strode toward Mira, she had another surprise waiting…
Chapter Seventeen
“David. What a surprise to see you here.” Eve repositioned her chair to face the window so she could keep an eye on Florence across the street as well as on the Fedora hat wearing fop.
Mira chortled. “Surprised, Eve?”
“Well, yes. What are the chances of bumping into David?” Quite good, actually, since the retired detective they’d met a few months back aboard a cruise ship had retired to his fishing weekender along the coast, which happened to be a couple of hours away from Rock-Maine Island. The chances were even better since Eve had been in touch with him and had organized to pay him a visit. However, she hadn’t expected to see him at the café.
David Bergstrom shook his head. “I’m sorry, Eve. The cat is out of the bag. Mira knows you called me.”
Mira gave her a knowing smile. “So, you can drop the act, Eve.”
“I can’t tell if you’re pleased or annoyed with
me.”
“Amused,” Mira admitted. “We’ve actually stayed in touch and had planned on catching up soon, but what with one thing and another, we kept postponing it.”
“There you go. All’s well.” Eve picked up the menu. “Did we end up ordering or not?”
“Not yet. You rushed off to rescue Florence. How is she?” Mira asked.
“The man ran for his life but I saw him lurking around the corner.” Eve lowered her voice. “He’s up to no good. I’m sure of it.”
David laughed. “Are you trying a new tactic, Eve? Find trouble before it finds you?”
Eve made a point of ignoring him by studying the menu and changing the subject. “David, how would you feel about visiting the island and doing me a favor? It’s not conditional. You’re welcome to visit any time.”
“But you’d still like me to do you a favor,” he said.
Eve grinned and nodded. “I’ve purchased some old cameras but I can’t be seen arriving home with them. Sorry, long story. If I give them to you for safekeeping, would you mind bringing them with you when you visit and pretending you’re giving them to me as a gift?”
He held her gaze for a moment. “You’re serious.”
“Oh, yes she is,” Mira said.
“Am I allowed to ask why you’re taking such extreme measures?” David asked.
Mira put her hand on his wrist. “You really don’t want to know.”
“Okay.” He laughed. “Just so we get our stories straight, why exactly am I giving you a box of cameras?”
Eve smiled. “Because you thought I’d love them.”
“Yes, I could see that the first time I met you. You’re just the type to love cameras because…”
“I appreciate fine craftsmanship,” Eve said. “Wait until you see them. They’re magnificent works of art.”
“Out of curiosity, am I going to be sorry I said yes?” David asked.
“Would I do that to you, David?” Eve resumed perusing the menu and wondered where she could find a display cabinet for all those wonderful cameras.
* * *
Saying she needed to stretch her legs, Eve finished her coffee and left David and Mira to enjoy catching up.
The small coastal town offered a full array of stores including a pet store, and to her surprise, she ended up making a few purchases.
Eve smiled as she took her bag of purchases from the store clerk. “Mr. Magoo and Mischief will love their new winter coats.” The fact she was saying more than thank you to a sales assistant showed what a difference living on the small island town had made. Back in the days when she’d lived in Manhattan, she’d barely managed a smile. Now, despite the few glitches she’d experienced, she’d managed to mix business with pleasure, enjoying a more appreciative life and the company of new friends. Had she finally learned to stop and smell the roses?
She strode out of the store thinking Mira would get a kick out of the “Never you mind what I’m reading” gag book jacket she’d found in a local bookstore. Mira had mentioned once seeing a reader with one of her books covered in plain brown paper to hide the delicious bare-chested pirate on the cover. It seemed some people were quick to cast aspersions on readers’ choices. Each to his own, Eve thought. She’d also found the perfect gift for Jill who never turned her nose up at new sable brushes. Eve had found a set in a lovely wooden box.
Pleased with her purchases, she strode along the main street, mentally whistling a happy tune. When she spotted Yesterday’s Trash, her lips curved into a knowing smile. Eve mentally heard her friend Jill telling her to keep walking, but the pull of temptation won out.
Another quick look won’t hurt, Eve thought. To her surprise, she spotted another Quaker chair hanging from the rafter. In fact, there were a number of chairs she hadn’t noticed before. Without giving any thought to Jill’s disapproval, she decided if one chair could fit in her car, then two would be a cinch.
“Ugh. Closed.” She frowned at the sign on the door. “It’s not even three o’clock.” Pursing her lips, Eve looked at what she already thought of as her chair. She couldn’t leave without it. Who knew when she’d have another free day…
Her gaze skated around the dark interior. Out of the corner of her eye she thought she caught sight of some movement in the back of the store. Eve knocked on the door, her heart skipping with excitement over her gold nugget find.
A few seconds later, the door remained locked. Clearly, Florence hadn’t heard her, so Eve knocked again and pressed her nose to the window.
If she couldn’t get the chair today, she supposed she could slip a note under the door with her payment and get David to drop the chair off when he visited the island but then, Jill would accuse her of collusion. Yes, her savvy friend would be quick to put two and two together.
She suspected Florence had slipped out the back door, so Eve rushed along the street and turned into an alleyway, nearly twisting her ankle on the cracked pavement.
The alleyway led to a parking bay and beyond that, the back of Yesterday’s Trash. She made a beeline for the back door, crossing her fingers. If she’d missed Florence, she’d… she’d…
“Huzzah!” Eve exclaimed when she saw the back door partly open. Hurrying toward it, she was almost breathless when she called out Florence’s name. “It’s Eve. Eve Lloyd. I came into your store earlier.”
Eve waited a few seconds. After seeing Florence in action with the baseball bat, she didn’t dare risk startling her, so she called out her name again. Still no response.
“If you’re after Florence, I just saw her drive off,” someone said.
Eve turned and saw a young woman stuffing cardboard boxes into the recycling bin.
“Do you know if she’s coming back?” Eve asked.
The young woman shrugged. “Can’t tell with Florence. She comes and goes.”
“She left the back door open,” Eve said.
“I’m not surprised. I suspect she does that on purpose, hoping someone will either clean her out or set the place on fire. Just close it. She’ll either thank you or curse you.” The young woman smiled and went back inside her store.
While the young woman had said she’d seen Florence leaving, Eve wanted to make sure Florence wasn’t still inside, so she called out her name again and took a tentative step inside the store.
She didn’t find Florence, but Eve refused to give up her chair so she retrieved one of the business cards she’d had printed for the inn and left a note begging Florence to put the chair aside for her. Satisfied, Eve left the way she’d come in through the back door. When she closed it, she heard a click. She tested the door and, sure enough, it was now locked.
Moments later, she rejoined Mira and David at The Mill Café.
“Eve? Do my eyes deceive me or are you carrying shopping bags?” Mira asked.
Eve silently groaned thinking she should have put them in the car. “I bought the boys some new winter coats.” She smiled as she pictured Jill’s Labradors in their new tartan coats. “I have something for you too, but you can wait until we get home.” She checked her watch. “Should we have another coffee and then decide where we can have dinner?”
“Yes to the coffee,” Mira said. “But it will have to be a quick one. Florence dropped by a moment ago and invited us over to see the monstrosity of a house she lives in. Her words, not mine. David is coming along too.”
“Florence came here?” Eve looked out the window and worried her bottom lip. She’d have to draw Florence aside and tell her about the chair without Mira finding out.
“Eve? There’s something you’re not telling me.” Mira turned to David. “I can always tell when she’s keeping something from me. Even as a little girl she used to bite her lip.”
Eve considered coming clean about the chair. “Oh, look. They have baked lemon cheesecake. My favorite. I’m going to order some.”
“Avoidance,” both Mira and David said.
“I’m a thirty… something year old woman and I resent being comp
ared to a child.”
Mira leaned toward David. “Now she’s being defensive. She’s definitely hiding something.”
“You do know I can hear you,” Eve complained.
Mira laughed. “And now she’s spitting the dummy.”
* * *
“You’re welcome to come with us, David. We can drop you back at your car on our way home,” Eve offered as they left the café.
Mira laughed. “Eve’s a good driver, David. You don’t need to look so worried.”
He nodded. “It’s okay. I’m a great backseat driver.”
David helped her move the chair to the back of her SUV. “Nice find, Eve.”
“Yes, I think so too.” To Eve’s amusement, both Mira and David chose to sit in the back. Eve had to bite her lip or risk blurting out the first silly remark that came to her. Catching them smiling at each other, she forced herself to look ahead.
After a short drive, she parked the car and gasped. Florence hadn’t been exaggerating. They all stared at the monstrous house, their mouths gaping open.
“It’s… It’s…” Eve scratched around her mind trying to find the right words.
“Words fail,” Mira murmured.
“It’s actually growing on me.” Eve took in the various shades of yellow, green and red. “The upkeep must cost a fortune.” The house looked freshly painted. Eve lost count of the number of windows and verandas. “And look at that lawn. It’s immaculate. Think of what fun Mischief and Mr. Magoo would have digging for treasure.”
They managed to climb out of the car but stood there staring, their eyes wide as they took in the elaborate architectural style which included several round and square towers, overhanging eaves and multicolored shingles.
“Do you have anything like this on the island?” David asked.
“No, nothing like it,” Mira said. “But wouldn’t it be fun having those turrets?”
“The inn has a tower but it’s not as elaborate as this one,” Eve remarked and wondered what it would take to add one.