The doorbell rang. The guests had arrived.
We walked to the main door together and Aaron opened it, and we greeted the first of the guests, a man and woman.
“Hi. I’m Liv, and this is my husband, Aaron. Come in.” We stepped aside to allow them to enter. Aaron hung the coats on hangers he found in the hall closet. The couple had no sooner entered than three more couples arrived. Soon the guests all mingled while we attended to their needs, directing them to drinks and munchies.
Grandma had joined us, and when everyone had a filled glass, I had a chance to sit down beside one of the ladies.
“I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your name. I’m Liv, Marie’s granddaughter.” I took a slight sip of wine. The sunlight twinkled against the glass, revealing the tiny bubbles in the wine. The frost on the windows added to the room’s atmosphere.
“I’m Mavis Hunter, dear.” She swirled her glass. “We neighbors need to do more things of this nature. It’s good to get out and meet people.”
“Grandpa loves to grill.”
“They all do.” I took that to mean the men. She craned her head. “I see someone with whom I haven’t spoken for awhile. Excuse me, Liv.” She got up and walked away.
I went for the wine bottle and refilled everyone’s glasses, chatting with each of the ladies along the way. It sounded like they each had a dog or a cat. They were all pulling photos from their purses or showing images from their cell phones.
While the ladies chatted, I went into the kitchen to see if Luke or Grandma needed any extra help.
“Please carry the salads out to the table, dear,” Grandma instructed.
I obeyed by carrying out four large bowls, each filled with a different salad. Then I carried out the fruit and vegetable platters, as well as the dips. Everything looked delicious. Grandma had opted for a spring-like party menu, instead of a heavier meal.
“Here we are,” Grandpa stated, carrying in a platter full of salmon. Aaron was right behind him. They set it in the middle of the table.
“Help yourself to the buffet. Sit wherever you would like.” Grandma’s eyes twinkled as she gazed around the room. “We have set out plenty of coffee tables. No room in these smaller townhouses for a proper dining room table.”
“Quite all right, Marie,” one of the gentlemen, a university professor, said as he pushed his glasses farther up his long nose. “Our homes are basically identical. You are doing a lovely job.” He ran his fingers through his curly, unruly hair.
“Thank you.” Grandma stood to the side and watched as everyone filled their plates and sat down. “Olivia, Aaron, go ahead.”
We did as told and found two seats near the television, close to the professor and his wife.
“What is it that you teach, Mister…? I’m sorry, but I’ve forgotten your name,” I asked, taking a bite of the salmon. “This is really good.” I smiled.
“Doctor Bill Williams. My wife is Mary Ann.” He nodded toward her.
“Nice meeting you,” she said. Her red hair flowed to her shoulders, held back by an aqua-blue scarf, which matched her top perfectly. Even seated, she was almost as tall as her husband.
“I’m in the science department. Mostly biology, genetics… that type of thing.” He took another bite. “This is good.”
“I wonder…” I glanced at Aaron, who rolled his eyes, “about this idea of mine. I hate to impose, but could we speak alone after the meal about a certain matter?”
“Certainly,” Dr. Williams said.
My nerves tingled with excitement. I couldn’t wait for everyone to finish eating so I could tell him about the necklace. I had a gut feeling he’d be able to discover if it was a real acorn inside the necklace or not.
After the meal ended and people began milling about, I nodded at Aaron. To Dr. Williams, I said, “Do you have time now? Aaron and I will have to leave shortly.”
“Perfect time.”
Mary Ann stayed behind while the three of us headed for Grandpa’s study where we closed the door for privacy.
“To make a long story short, we have a necklace that appears to be silvered and in the shape of an acorn. I believe it’s very old. We’d like to have it looked at, and if it’s an acorn, possibly have a genetic test run on it,” Aaron said.
“Could you do that?” I asked.
“How very strange,” Dr. Williams said, rubbing his chin. “If the silver looks old, but not too tarnished, then it’s vintage most likely. Back in the Civil War era, and even after, women did that type of thing to preserve whatever little keepsakes they had. Or they had things silvered to make their family look not so downtrodden, like they had a little bit of money. Or maybe even just to hide their jewelry. Any number of reasons, really.” He thought for a moment. “I suspect the tarnishing has been reduced because it had been wrapped and kept out of the elements.”
“We found it today hidden inside of an old hatbox.” Aaron touched my arm, warning me not to say too much.
“We do have a machine at the university that can do a scan, but why would you want to?” He glanced from one of us to the other. “It could destroy the outer layer, and would you want that to happen?”
“The method of the wrapping, plus the location of the find, only creates more questions and leaves me stymied.” I took a deep breath. “I must know the answer.”
“We’re both just really curious,” Aaron offered, raising his brow.
“Oh, sure,” Dr. Williams said. “I’ll do it.”
“It must be kept a secret, and depending on the find, the police will be involved,” Aaron said.
“It’s for an investigation, I take it?” Dr. Williams asked. “Yes,” Aaron answered.
“Here’s my card.” Bill fished his business cards from his wallet and handed one to each of us. “E-mail me. We’ll arrange a time for testing.”
“Thank you.”
When the card went into my pocket, a shiver raced up and down my spine.
Chapter Six
We wound our way past Lakewood Cemetery as we drove down the boulevard that ran beside Lake-of-the-Isles and led to Lake Calhoun. It was one of the oldest cemeteries in Minneapolis. Most of the state’s famous people were buried there, including Vice-president Hubert Humphrey. Minneapolis was once known as a milling town. The founders of Pillsbury flour were buried there as well veterans of the Civil War in a special memorial section. A small lake lay within the perimeter, and an old trolley car track, a major tourist attraction, ran along the cemetery edge. During the summertime, its clackety-clacks, announced its presence.
“We’ll practice several times this week. I’ll take off when I can from work. That’s how we’ll have to do it, but the team members will rotate shifts for the games next weekend. I have Saturday evening games,” Aaron said, “and I want you to be with me.”
“I love to watch you skate. How about Tim?”
“Don’t worry, you’ll be able to sit with Maggie. We requested our time off together.”
“That’s great,” I said. “Maggie and I always find plenty to talk about.”
“I know.” Aaron chuckled.
It wasn’t long before Aaron parked on the street near the Longfellow Park warming house. We gathered all our needed items and briskly walked toward the door.
Already filled with team members, the chatter was loud. We found a place near the back wall. It took Aaron a few minutes to dress, lace his skates, and tighten his goalie pads. He looked like a cartoon figure.
“I’ll meet you out there,” I said. “Good luck.” “Thanks, hon, I’ll need it,” he said.
Maggie entered just as Aaron hiked outside. The cold draft caused me to shiver. “Hi Maggie. Where’s Tim?”
“On the rink. He’s already dressed. He put his skates with blade guards on in the car,” Maggie said, wrapping a scarf tightly around her neck.
“Are you ready to bear the cold?” I pulled an extra pair of mittens on over my gloves. “Why couldn’t they like swimming?”
“Goo
d question.”
We spent most of the hour-long practice outside. Occasionally, we went inside to warm-up and regain feeling in our tingling toes. Both of us were happy when the men finished.
“You looked great out there,” I said to Aaron. “Just like high school. Our lead goalie. You still have your moves.”
“Thanks,” he said, giving me a wink. “Always knew you were my biggest fan, prettiest too.”
“Matt’s for burgers?” I asked Aaron while he removed the equipment.
“Yep. The pitchers are being poured already.”
“I’m sure of that,” I said, knowing that Tim and Maggie would probably arrive at the destination first.
“I can’t wait to sink my teeth into a Juicy Lucy.” “Me neither,” I said.
We hustled out the door, and boy, was I sure happy that the car was nearby. The temperature had dropped again. Aaron started the car and before long we turned onto Cedar Avenue. We parked, went inside, and sat beside our friends. As the room filled with teammates, the noise level grew louder. We got our burgers and had a great time, though after a while the crowd became smaller, and Aaron suggested we leave for home. Hockey, ice skating, going for food and refreshments after games, reminded me of how long we’d known each other and the all the fun we’d had together as friends.
I awoke the following morning to frosty windows and sunshine still on the horizon. It was already eight, and the sunbeams were barely reaching between the houses and trees. A very cold January day was dawning. Frost hung in the air while the tree branches were white with newly fallen snow.
“Brrr,” I murmured, dressing in a heavy knit sweater and turtleneck and pulling on a pair of jeans.
My coat, scarf, and boots in the kitchen were handy to slip into.
The brisk walk to work left me half-frozen, and so, I hiked to the Brew Café first and got in line. Luke’s absence was noticeable as I ordered two blueberry muffins, coffee, and a chicken salad wrap for lunch. I figured that with the first annual First Lady celebration, the store would overflow with customers, preventing me from taking a lunch. Will Grandma brave the weather? My phone buzzed with a message providing the answer. “Don’t worry, I’m coming.” I didn’t give it another thought. My amazing Grandma even knew how to text, and I knew faithful Grandma would be right on time. Ten on the button.
As I shivered outside the back door of my store, I noticed Luke pulling into a parking spot behind the cafe. A woman, different than either of the other two helpers, climbed out of the passenger seat. She was too bundled up for me to catch a glimpse of her features, but I already suspected another cousin had arrived. I would have waved at them, but my hands were full. I barely managed to tap in the right code keys to enter. Brrr! I couldn’t wait to get inside out of the cold. I figured my ancestors immigrated to Minnesota because they enjoyed ice fishing and freezing their you-know-whats-off in the wintertime.
I opened the back door and stepped inside, flicking on the hall light with my elbow. I stomped the snow from my boots and removed my outerwear. My Victorian style dress, similar to Blanche’s, hung in the workroom so I slipped the dress on.
The stench hadn’t caught my attention when I first came in, but it did once I stepped across the hallway into the bathroom. I went for my phone and placed a call to the building’s maintenance office. The pipes were frozen by the extreme cold weather we’d been having. My next call went to the temporary cleaning service I had previously used. The service’s secretary arranged for two ladies to clean up the mess.
My store’s phone rang and I ran to pick it up. “White House Dollhouse Store, Liv speaking.” The caller questioned the store hours. “Closing is five.” I hung up the phone.
“Maybe a sale?” Max entered the room. “I need something to eat—I’ll be right back.”
“Okay. Warming up the cider is next on the agenda.”
After smoothing the set tablecloth, I busied myself with arranging cookies, straightening the cups and paper plates. In the back corner, I set out the large electric crockpot for warming the cider. I stepped back and took a sip of my coffee, smiling to myself. I was ready. Once the door was unlocked and I had turned the cardboard Open sign in the window, and the lights came on and gave me a huge burst of pride and energy.
“Good morning, ladies! How was your night?” I asked the First Lady dolls.
I snapped up a tipped over table in the George H.W. Bush family living room and placed it upright. “Mrs. Bush, how are your granddaughters? Did you bake cookies with them?” Nancy Reagan looked more tired than usual. “Mrs. Reagan, did Ronnie chase you around the oval office last night?” I peered closely at the doll because I was sure that she winked, and then I turned my attention to other matters.
I made a mental note to find a shelf to place the miniature house collection. Next, I tweaked the First Lady portraits that hung on the back wall, making sure they were all straight. The shelved Penny dolls needed a bit of dusting and fixing, so I took care of that as well. Pretty soon the computer was humming. The phone rang. It was Mikal from next door, asking to come over for a visit. Within a minute, he entered the store.
“Mikal. I haven’t seen you for a while. It’s so cold out!” I looked him over. He hadn’t aged a bit. His eyes still twinkled while his white hair and round head reminded me of a fluffy ball of fur.
“I’m grabbing a cookie. Is the coffee hot yet?”
“It’s cider, and no.” I hesitated a moment. “Grab what you want and let me bring a chair out here for you. I don’t want anyone walking near the back hallway because there is sewer water seeping onto the floor.” It didn’t take long to fetch a folding chair from the workroom and open it. “There. Have a seat.”
“Thanks. My pipes aren’t right, either. Someone’s coming out this afternoon to look at them.” Mikal plunked down into the chair and sighed. “We haven’t talked since the murder. We need to catch up.” He shivered, so I turned up the thermostat.
“I don’t know any more about the case, either.” I leaned against the counter and told him all that I knew, including the concentric puzzle from Blanche and the picture likeness at Luke’s café.
He rubbed his chin and ran his long fingers through his hair. “Did you know that a staircase is a Masonic symbol?”
“No! Really?” I gave him a puzzled look. “Masonic? Never gave it a thought.”
“Sure is. Used to belong, but I don’t anymore.” He crossed his legs and popped the last bite of his cookie into his mouth. “Go ahead. What else did you find out?”
“The hatbox had a false bottom.” I placed my hands on my hips. “What was so funny is that we found a hidden newspaper. Why hide it? The newspaper was in the bottom but was from Bloomington, Illinois, on the exact date of the Lost Speech.” I took a deep breath before continuing, “Isn’t that just incredible? Or a little too coincidental?”
“Odd, that Luke’s pictures are similar.” He shook his head. “Doesn’t make any sense at all, but neither did she.” Mikal glanced around the room. “That woman, Mary Todd, was very smart, so I read. Abe’s rival, really. If women could have run for office in those days, she would have bested the men. Mary pushed him into the presidency because she knew he was brilliant.” He massaged his chin. “I dare say, this has me puzzled. If I knew how to operate one of those electronic gadgets, I’d search for the speech.” He grinned. “I just don’t get those things.”
“Electronic gadgets? You mean computers?”
“Yes. Just plain old cell phones are enough electronics for me. It’s too confusing to figure out the rest of those gadgets. Come by for a writing analysis. I might get some pearls of wisdom that will help you figure out the puzzle.” Glancing out the window, he said, “I think my next customer just passed. I recognize her red cape and scarf. I’d better go. She wants both a palm reading and writing analysis.”
“I’ll do that later. Thanks for stopping over.”
I watched him get up and leave. At the same time, I wondered about his age
. He had to be in his mid-eighties. At least now he had someone to manage his little store when he was gone, which made me happy. I didn’t like to see him work alone.
Finally, it was possible to give my attention to the computer and checked messages. There were several from friends. First I opened the one from Inga.
It read,
Liv, whatever became of the hatbox? Did you find anything? I’m so curious about this, write back asap.//Inga. PS. I’m home because of the broken water pipe.
I responded,
Inga, Mikal was just in here asking about the murder and suggested the staircase may be a Masonic symbol. What’s your thought? I’m also hoping for a flow of traffic and enough fresh air to keep the stink at bay. I’ve put in a request for cleaning ladies. Take care, Liv
The next message was from the House. Frances wrote,
Liv, I dropped the two items you purchased in the registered mailbox this morning. You should get the package in a day or two. The police have notified me about the dress and hat. Don’t worry about it. This dress isn’t important nor is the hat. She had probably worn both when in NYC and trying to sell her belongings.
Enjoy! Frances.
Curator, The Mary Todd Lincoln House
I typed a simple “thank you” and sent it.
The back door opened, allowing Aaron to enter.
“I’m by the computer,” I hollered to him. Turning toward the hallway, I saw him at the showroom entrance. “Going to stay awhile?” I went toward him.
“Only staying a minute. I’m basically just checking up on you.” He grimaced. “The smell’s not too bad in here. Thank heavens.” “I know. I’m hoping for a lot of traffic. I’ve called for cleaning ladies.”
“How about dinner tonight with Tim and Maggie?”
“You want to invite them over?” I cocked my head. “What could we fix instead of our usual pizza? We could throw some potatoes in the oven and you could grill a couple of steaks.”
“That occurred to me.” He took my hand and asked, “How are you doing? You’re not frightened or worried anymore about being here alone, are you?”
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