Catering and Crime

by Danielle Collins

  Margot cocked an eyebrow at her. “May I ask why the pointed questions?”

  “You caught me,” she said with a light laugh. “I’m more than just a guest here, I’m a party planner.”

  “You are?” Margot was truly shocked by this. How did they not know this about her? When Ann had talked about her business, Margot hadn’t thought to ask what that was. Had Ann hired Roxanne to plan her next party?

  “My brother and I—” She pointed across the pool to the handsome young man. “—provide this service to…elite clients. We don’t advertise and only work based on reference or, in some cases, personal meetings.”

  “Isn’t that interesting,” Margot said.

  “We find it gives us the right kind of clients.”

  “Were you in charge of this party?”

  “In fact, we were. We work with some of the same vendors each time to keep the quality of party the same, but we are not limited by that. I’m sure my brother and I could come up with a truly amazing party for you and your husband. Perhaps a housewarming soirée?”

  Margot tapped her chin. A plan had been forming in her mind and now that she was faced with something as inviting as a chance to work with the person she thought could be behind the thefts, she was almost giddy. It would require some careful planning and pulling in a few—or a lot—of favors, but Margot was confident she could make it work.

  “I think that would be lovely.”

  “Here is my card,” she said, sliding a black card across to Margot, the smooth, thick texture of the card telling of its quality. “Give me a call so we don’t have to conduct business at a party. Sound good?”

  “Sounds perfect. Thank you so much.”

  “You’re very welcome. I look forward to meeting up with you again.”

  “As do I,” Margot said. Then, as if seeing something over Roxanne’s shoulder, she said, “I must go rescue dear Henry from his fans. Get that man talking about golf and he’ll never stop being asked questions. It’s been lovely. You’ll hear from me soon.”

  “I do hope so.” Roxanne smiled as they parted ways and Margot set off across the pool area, the textured tile glowing in the dim lights from tiki torches and hanging bulbs. She tried hard not to smile with the success she’d had, but it was difficult. She now had Roxanne’s card, and introduction, and the woman herself had provided her with a way to contact her again. While Margot wasn’t sure of the mode that these thieves took, she had a feeling this was the first step in becoming one of their targets. Exactly something she’d wanted.

  She made her way toward Adam but glanced behind her in time to see Roxanne meeting up with her brother. A moment later, he nodded once and left toward what Margot thought was the kitchen. That was odd. Odd enough that she needed Adam to make his excuses and come with her to investigate.

  “There you are, dear,” Adam said in a suspiciously upbeat tone. She could see the fakeness of his smile but was certain no one else could tell.

  “I thought I’d lost you forever to the world of golf.”

  “Almost,” he said with a wink to the fellows around him, “but I’ve reached my limit of golf conversations for the evening.” More like the decade, Margot thought.

  “Good, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

  “Alas, fellas,” Adam said with a congenial wave, “duty calls. And she sounds strangely like my wife.” The men laughed, and Adam stepped close to Margot as she slipped her hand through his arm.

  They walked away from the golf crowd and Adam thanked her for the rescue.

  “I thought you’d be getting to the end of the bluffing you could do in regards to golf.”

  “How right you are,” he agreed. “There’s only so much that golf with the chief every once in a while can cover. Now tell me what you found.”

  She filled him in on her meeting with Roxanne to his approving nod, up until she got to the part about inviting Roxanne to their non-existent house.

  “I’m sorry, what mansion are we supposed to have bought?”

  Margot merely smiled. “I’ve got a few surprises up my sleeves, my dear Mister Tharman.”

  “I sure hope so.” He steered them toward the dessert table and picked out a decadent slice of tiramisu. “Now where are we going?”

  “I saw Roxanne talk to her brother after she spoke with me and then he disappeared into the kitchen.”

  “Which would make sense if they were in charge of planning the party.”

  “Or if they were trying to find out more about me.”

  “How?” Adam took a bite of cake and savored the flavors with closed eyes.

  “If they were looking through the checked items.”

  Adams eyes snapped open. “You think so?”

  “I’m sure the waitstaff has access—if they aren’t already running the whole thing. It’s the perfect opportunity.”

  “Wouldn’t they know you didn’t check anything?”

  “Not until they get there.”

  The insinuation wasn’t lost on Adam. “Right. Why are we waiting around?” He dropped the plate of half-eaten cake onto a table nearest them and they made their way back inside. This time, instead of trying to attract the attention of other patrons in hopes of learning something, they kept low profiles, going so far as for Margot to cover up her necklace.

  Making it to the entrance door, they slipped one by one into the hall and then made their way toward the coat check. Just before they could reach it, they heard a shuffling sound and then a figure emerged. It took a moment from him to come into the light, but Margot immediately noticed him as Roxanne’s brother, Zachary Fox.

  “Oh, hello,” he said in a congenial manner. “May I help you?”

  “I was—” Margot started.

  “We were—” Adam began.

  They both laughed and Adam signaled for Margot to continue. “I was thinking of checking my wrap,” she said, good-naturedly.

  When she slipped it from her shoulders, the necklace glinted in the dim light.

  “That’s a stunning necklace, ma’am,” Zachary said, his eyes lingering a moment too long on the jewelry.

  “Why thank you,” she said, touching it affectionately. “It’s been in my family for some time. I wear it whenever I can get the chance.”

  “As you should. Here.” He motioned behind him and another waitstaff man came forward and took her wrap in exchange for a ticket.

  “Thank you,” Margot said.

  “Please, go back and enjoy the party,” Zachary said.

  “Did I see you with Roxanne?” Margot inquired in an innocent tone.

  “You did. She’s my sister.” He began walking with them, arms outstretched to usher them forward, almost as if he didn’t want them to go back to the coat check.

  Margot wondered if she were being overly suspicious.

  “You two have thrown a lovely party.”

  “Ah, so then she’s told you,” he said with a smile. “I hope she didn’t talk too much about business. This should be an evening for you to enjoy.”

  “I was enchanted by her idea. I’m of a mind to call her back in a few days.”

  “I hope you will,” he added with a genuine smile.

  Just then, Roxanne came up to them both, gushing about seeing them together. Then, in the strangest turn of events, Roxanne had her phone out and was asking her brother to take a photo of them. Adam quickly bowed out, saying he had to use the restroom.

  Then, as Roxanne pulled them together, Zachary began snapping photos.

  They parted ways then, and Margot and Adam managed to mingle another hour before finally giving in to the desire to leave. Margot reclaimed her wrap, noting that nothing had seemed to change at the check area, and they left by way of their town car.

  Once in the silence of the back of the car, Margot asked the question she’d been dying to ask. “Why take my picture?”

  Adam nodded, a small smile slipping onto his thin lips.

  “Well?” she prodded.

  “
I slipped away in order to find out just that and thankfully, I’m a fairly sneaky person.” His wide grin said that he was proud of himself. “He snapped a few photos of you together—like for cover, in case you wanted her to send one—and then his last photo was zoomed in on one thing.”

  “What? What was it of?”

  Adam faced her with seriousness etched into the fine lines of his handsome features. “Your necklace.”

  11

  The next day was a vibrantly sunny one with clear blue skies that seemed to stretch for miles. It reminded Margot of the endless pool from the party the night before and she began to wonder if her choice of venue for her and Adam’s wedding had been wrongly chosen, despite the fact that they had agonized over the decision and knew it was the right one.

  “You look distracted, child,” Rosie said, coming out into the front room where Margot had elected to do some of her paperwork. She occasionally came out like this to mingle with her bakery patrons while still getting some work done, even if it wasn’t as much as when she was back in her office alone.

  “I am a little,” Margot admitted.

  “What about? Tell old Rosie.”

  Rosie sat down across from Margot and gave her a look that said she wouldn’t leave until Margot had told her what she needed to.

  “I suppose I’m just having second thoughts.”

  “About the wedding?” Rosie’s eyes went wide.

  “Oh, no,” Margot laughed, “not at all. Well, I suppose in a way, yes, but not in the way you mean. I love Adam and know it’s right to marry him, I just don’t know if all of these details for the wedding will come together. We’re both so busy and—”

  “You listen here, Miss Margot.” Rosie’s look felt like a finger pointed her direction. “You will get done what needs to be done and anything that’s not didn’t matter in the first place. You hear me? All these people now-a-days get so worked up over the wedding details when it’s the marriage you should be worrin’ about.”

  It was Margot’s turn for her eyes to widen.

  “That’s encouraging,” she said with a sly grin.

  “All I mean is that you’re marrying a man, not a day.”

  “Preach it,” Julia said, coming into the front room with a tray of pastries she’d been working on for the upcoming holiday season.

  “You’re so funny,” Rosie said with a grin. “I like this one.”

  “What about me, Rosie Mae?” Dexter asked, popping his head in from the kitchen.

  “I like you just fine. Now get to work.” His devilish grin had the desired affect and Rosie gave a girlish giggle. “Now go on, you.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Dexter said with a grin, then he was gone.

  “What’s all this about?” Julia asked.

  When Margot relayed her worries, Julia pushed them off as well, saying that it would all come together. “Oh,” Julia added, “I think your phone was going off in your office.”

  Margot thanked her and rushed to the backroom, leaving Rosie to sample the new pastries with Julia asking for a play-by-play on the taste and experience. The last thing Margot heard was Rosie saying, “Hon, I don’t know what I taste, I just know that I like it.”

  Margot smiled to herself and rushed to her office door. Her phone rested on the desktop and flashed just as she stepped in. Checking the call log, she saw it was from the friend she was calling a large favor in from.

  She pressed play and listened to the recorded message, her hope soaring. When it was finished, she dialed Adam the next second.

  “Morning,” he said, sounding slightly distracted. Then again, he was at work. “What’s up?”

  “I just got a call back from that friend I told you about.”

  “Oh yeah? What she’d say?”

  “That they are in the Caribbean for the next month and we are welcome to use their house. No questions asked!”

  Adam chuckled. “That’s great, but how are we going to convince someone like Roxanne Fox—who knows all of society’s business—that we the Tharmans have purchased it?”

  “I’ve been working on that. Trust me, I’ll have a good explanation as soon as she comes over.”

  “And you have a way to get in the estate?”

  “Yes. My friend has told her head guard to give us full access. She’s already told her maids to clear the rooms we’ll be using of any personal material and the house staff will be there to pull off the rest of the façade.”

  “This is coming together rather well, darling,” Adam said, sounding like his persona for Henry Tharman.

  “I thought so myself, darling,” she countered.

  “So you’ll put in the call?”

  “Yes, just as soon as we get off the phone.”

  “All right,” Adam let out a sigh. “Then let’s get this show on the road.”

  They hung up and Margot pulled Roxanne’s card from her purse. She hadn’t anticipated calling this quickly, but things with her friend now overseas had progressed so quickly that she felt it was the right timing. Besides, she had a feeling she could pull off her explanation fairly well. The only question now was whether or not Roxanne would fall into their trap.

  The phone rang and the next moment, Roxanne picked up. “Hello, this is Roxanne Fox.”

  “Hi, Roxanne, this is Wila Tharman. We met last night.”

  “Oh, Wila, I am so glad you called! And so soon. I hope this means good things.”

  “I think that it does. Would you be interested in coming to my estate tomorrow evening to discuss plans for a housewarming?”

  “Your— You mean you got it? The house?”

  “I didn’t want to say anything last night because it’s been very sudden and a little shocking, but suffice it to say for now—yes! There will be a reason to host a housewarming party. I’ll tell you all about it if you can come tomorrow evening, though.”

  “I, uh, wasn’t expecting your call so soon. Is there any way to postpone?”

  Margot detected the hint of hesitation. She’d caught the woman off guard, but that was good. “I’m afraid there isn’t. My husband and I have business in New York soon and tomorrow night is the best for us.”

  “Oh, going away so soon? Not a problem. I’ll make tomorrow work.”

  Margot wondered if she’d just imagined it or if Roxanne really had been happy to hear they’d be gone from the house again so soon.

  Either way, they had what they wanted. A meeting with Roxanne Fox and a way to gain information on the process she and her brother went through to steal from the wealthy from right under their noses.

  Margot thought she could get used to a life like this—lush carpets, real hardwood floors likely imported from some exotic location, and waitstaff to meet her every need. It was extravagant to say the least, but she was enjoying it for the moment.

  She had borrowed some of Ann’s clothing and now sat on a sofa that likely cost more than Margot’s car, waiting for her guest.

  While Adam had wanted to come, his work duties had made that impossible, but Margot knew what they were looking for and their conversation was going to be recorded so that he could go over what was said.

  Roxanne was scheduled to arrive any minute and Margot felt nervous energy. She had already met the woman so there was nothing to be worried about, but the thought was still there. Expelling a loud breath, she was ready when the maid stepped into the doorway to announce Miss Fox.

  “Hello,” Margot said, putting aside the book she had merely been holding, extending a hand to Roxanne.

  “Hello again, Missus Tharman.”

  “Wila will do,” Margot said, taking her hand and then directing her to a chair across from the sofa. After ordering them both iced coffees, Margot settled back into the couch and grinned.

  “So, do you want to hear the story?”

  Roxanne smiled and nodded like a doting parent. “Of course.”

  Margot had rehearsed her explanation the night before with Adam and felt confident sharing it now, but she re
ally had to sell it.

  “You know this house wasn’t on the market,” she began, testing the woman’s knowledge.

  “I do, actually.” Roxanne grinned and gave a lighthearted shrug. “I know a lot about the wealthy in this town.”

  “And for good reason,” Margot added. “It’s your job.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Well, I have a friend of a friend—can’t name names at this point of course—” She gave a conspiratorial nod that Roxanne seemed to interpret as such, and continued. “—but they found out for me that the owner, who is currently overseas somewhere, had thought about leaving permanently.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes.” Margot shook her head as if she couldn’t believe it either. “One thing led to another and before they could even list it, it was sold—to us. We’re so lucky.” She grinned like an idiot hoping that Roxanne bought her story.

  “My goodness, what a stroke of complete luck.”

  “Completely.” If only she knew how much.

  “Well, I am so happy for you and Mister Tharman. So when are you thinking about doing this party?”

  “As soon as possible. I know that’s probably a lot to put on you at such short notice, but I was hoping that, since you work with the same people usually, you’d be able to pull something together. I loved what you did at last night’s party.”

  “Thank you so much. I think we can pull something off, but we’ll need to start as soon as today. Do you have some time?”

  Her offer surprised Margot, but she took it in stride. “I think we could do that. What do you need to know?”

  “We’ll go over the general things, theme, food, attire and such, but what will be most helpful for my team to get working on now is where we’ll host it and how your guests will arrive. We make security a priority and that takes the longest for us to set up.”

  “Really?” Margot was beginning to understand.

  “Oh, yes. The team we work with are dressed to look like part of the waitstaff so as not to alarm your guests, but we prize security over everything therefore it takes the longest amount of time.”

  “I suppose that makes sense. I could likely have our security man brief you.”