Murder on the Eightfold Path (33 page)

“No, that’s pretty much the story. Mother cleared her name. With a little help from me and Stella Borin.”

“That’s great! What happened?”

A.J. filled Andy in on everything that had happened since he had left them at his parents’ vacation home on the weekend. She finished, “So Mother is demanding a full apology from everyone up to and possibly including the governor and Stella has sworn to stick by her man. Although she may have to stick for a long time given the charges of extortion and accessory to murder.”

“And what about you and Jake?”

“He was great. He probably saved Mother’s life although she’s sure she did it all herself.”

“No, I mean what about
you
and Jake?”

“Oh. Well, there’s nothing to tell there. We’re still—”

She could hear his sigh all the way across the Atlantic. “Can I give you some advice?”

“No. I do not want romantic advice from my ex-husband. My gay ex-husband.”

“You’re going to get it anyway. Stop being so freaking chivalrous about this Witness Protection broad and go talk to the guy.”

“He knows where to find me, Andy. If he wanted to—”

The door to A.J.’s office burst open and Suze, her blue eyes nearly bugging from her excited face, gasped, “Oh my God! Lily has been hired as the new manager of Yoga Meridian.”

Somewhere in the background A.J. could hear Andy saying, “He probably feels like a jackass. Give the guy a—” She absently replaced the receiver, still staring at Suze.

“Say that again.”

“You heard me. Lily has been hired as the new manager of Yoga Meridian. She’s replacing Mara Allen.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“It’s
true
.” Suze was gleeful.

The phone rang. A.J. picked it up. “Sorry, Andy. I just had some unexpected—”

“It’s me, pumpkin,” Elysia chirped. “I’m at the airport.”

“What? Which airport? What are you doing at the airport?”

“I’m flying to Los Angeles for a meeting with Brad Schuster.”

“Who’s Brad Schuster?”

“He’s a Hollywood producer. He called last night to tell me about a TV series he’s putting together featuring a team of ‘mature’ female sleuths. I’m flying into LAX for lunch with him tomorrow.”

“Wait a minute. Are you sure this guy is legitimate?”

“Oh yes. He’s produced all kinds of shows. He describes this as a cross between
The Golden Girls
meets
Charlie’s Angels
. He saw me on the news last night and was so impressed that he tracked me down then and there.”

“How long are you going to be gone?”

“Oh, just a day or two,” Elysia said cheerfully. “Unless I get the part. Then I suppose I’ll move to California for at least part of the year.”

“What?
Mother
!”

“Must run, lovie. They’re calling my flight. I’ll ring later. Cheerio!”

There was a dial tone in A.J.’s ear. Slowly she replaced the receiver.

 

Jake’s
sports car was parked out in front of his house. There did not appear to be any other car on the street, which was a relief. No way was A.J. marching up to that house to have a dreaded Talk with Jake if Chess was anywhere in the vicinity.

The fact that Chess was
not
in the vicinity seemed like a positive sign. A.J. knew it was Jake’s day off because he had casually mentioned it in passing when he’d called the night before to let her know that Stewie had been booked and was already spilling his guts in the hope of a plea bargain.

She went up the tidy walk and knocked. She could smell something good cooking and hear music through the door—The Boss, she thought.

She was just reflecting that this impromptu visit might be a really bad idea when the door swung open.

Jake stared at her through the black mesh. After a long moment, he reached forward and unlocked the security gate. “This is a surprise.”

“Pleasant or unpleasant?”

He flicked her a quick look. If it had been anyone else, she’d have thought he was uncertain. “I guess that depends.”

She followed him inside, looking around. She’d been to his house a few times and everything looked unchanged. What was she expecting? Telltale signs of gingham curtains and antimacassars on the chair arms?

“So how’s Chess?” she asked as Jake led the way to the kitchen. He was apparently having his supper. A newspaper lay folded beside a half-finished plate of frozen pizza. He didn’t take his seat at the table, however. He leaned against the sink.

Jake wasn’t looking at her as he answered. “She’s requested the WPP to move her again. She told them she’s been recognized, which is true.”

A.J.’s stomach was churning as she asked, “Are you going with her?”

Jake shook his head. “My life is here.”

She had to get the nerve up before she could ask, “But is there anything here that you couldn’t find somewhere else?”

In the silence between them she could hear the rattle and hum of his aged refrigerator. “You,” he said at last.

Relief washed through her. “Then if you feel that way,” A.J. said, “
why
haven’t you called or been to see me?”

Jake winced, shaking his head. “I wasn’t sure what to say to you. I feel like a complete jackass. I couldn’t imagine you being anything but totally finished with me.”

“Me either.” His expression told her now was not the time to joke—not about this. “But, well, at least you had a really good excuse for being a . . . a . . .”

“Jackass.”

She bit her lip. “You were honest with me. That helped. It still hurt, but it helped. It is—was—kind of an unusual situation, you have to admit.”

“Yeah, I freely admit that.”

“So,” A.J. said tentatively, “it’s over between you?”

Jake nodded. “I admit I was confused when Chess showed up. I thought I’d never see her again and you know how you build something up when you don’t have a say in losing it—even if it’s something you weren’t sure you really wanted.”

“You weren’t sure you really wanted Chess?”

“The engagement was broken off twice before that last time. I loved her, but I don’t think it would have lasted with us. In fact I know for sure it wouldn’t have lasted. We don’t actually have anything in common. To tell you the truth—” He stopped.

“What?”

“I don’t like her all that much.”

A.J. relaxed. She couldn’t have stopped herself from smiling if her life had depended on it. “Oh? Do you like me?”

His mouth quirked reluctantly. “Yeah. You make me laugh. You make me think.”

“I make you mad.”

“Sometimes. Yep.” He was grinning. “Somehow it doesn’t matter. You make me happy.”

A.J.’s throat closed with unexpected emotion. “You make me happy, too.”

“Yeah?” He stretched his hand out and A.J. placed hers in it. His fingers closed warmly, gently around hers. “Where do we go from here, A.J. Alexander?” His smile was uncharacteristically tender.

“I don’t know yet,” A.J. admitted. “But one thing I’ve learned. It’s as much about the journey as the destination.”

These two exercises are good for back trouble—however, always consult your physician before beginning any new exercise routine, especially if you do have health issues.

Cover the porcini in a bowl with the warm milk and let stand until softened (20 minutes). Rub the porcini in the milk to rinse off any grit, then coarsely chop them. Reserve the milk.

 

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter. Add the onion and celery, cook over moderate heat until browned (15 minutes). Add the porcini and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Add the stock, bay leaf, sage, and barley and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the potatoes, cover and simmer until the barley and potatoes are tender (30 minutes). Stir in the reserved milk, stopping when you reach the grit at the bottom. Simmer for 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve, passing olive oil and Parmesan cheese at the table.

Much of the success of this recipe depends on how you choose to roast the chicken. I prefer an herb-roasted or garlic-roasted chicken, but a light lemon roast can be lovely as well.

 

After the chicken is roasted, transfer to a carving board.

 

Toast chopped walnuts in a small fry pan over low heat for approximately 10 minutes. Shake often. Transfer walnuts to a plate and set aside.

In a large bowl whisk together the walnut oil, vinegar, shallot, salt, and pepper.

 

Tear the lettuce leaves into bite-size pieces (please!) and add them to the bowl with the dressing. Toss lettuce to liberally coat with dressing. Sprinkle with half of the toasted walnuts.