Murder the Tey Way: A Golden Age of Mystery Book Club Mystery (The Golden Age of Mystery Book Club Mysteries 2) (24 page)

I refrained from telling Rosie about last night’s attack on Sadie. Instead, I said, “Jesse’s coming for Thanksgiving. He’s bringing his girlfriend.”

That led to a discussion about my son and Rosie’s three daughters. I asked for her Brussels sprouts and easy apple cake recipes, then invited her and Hal over for dinner the night after Thanksgiving. “This way you’ll get to meet Gayle and Cici.”

“Are you sure you want to make dinner two nights in a row?” she asked.

“I’ll have plenty of leftovers.”

“Instead, why don’t you all come here on Friday night?” Rosie said. “It won’t be any trouble. Tara’s doing the family honors on Thursday. All I have to do is bring three side dishes.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll bring dessert.”

Later that afternoon, I was dressing for my date with Brian, when the phone rang.

“Hello, Lexie.”

I swallowed. “Hello, Al.”

“I hope I’m not interrupting you. I know it’s going on seven o’clock in the States.”

“I’m getting ready to go out with a few friends,” I lied. “He-they should be picking me up any minute now.”

“Then I won’t keep you. I wanted to tell you I’m flying home next Friday. I was hoping to make it for Thanksgiving, but there were no flights available Monday through Thursday.”

“Too bad,” I said as I silently exhaled a sigh of relief.

“Any chance you can pick me up at the airport Friday afternoon?”

My throat constricted. “I’m afraid I can’t. Jesse and his girlfriend are here for Thanksgiving weekend. So is my sister. We’re all going to Rosie and Hal’s for dinner on Friday.”

Silence. No doubt Al was waiting for me to invite him to join us. He knew how close Rosie and I were, and that she’d never mind an extra guest. A giggle of nervous laughter nearly escaped as I pictured Al and Brian at her dining room table.

Finally Al spoke. “Don’t worry yourself about it. I’ll be seeing my daughters on Saturday. We’ll have Sunday and Monday. I fly back to London Tuesday morning.”

“Actually, Monday will be best,” I said, deliberately misunderstanding him. “My company leaves on Sunday. I’m driving Jesse and his girlfriend to the airport.”

“Oh,” Al said, sounding puzzled and hurt. “In that case, I’ll see you on Monday. We’ve lots of catching up to do.”

“Yes, we do,” I agreed.

I hung up, feeling awful. I was such a wimp when it came to breaking bad news. Al assumed I was still his girlfriend, which I wasn’t. Brian was my guy. Telling Al wasn’t going to be easy.

“Corinne didn’t knock Sadie unconscious. Viola did.”

“What? How could I have gotten it so wrong?” I must have looked foolish with my mouth open, because Brian let out a belly laugh.

It earned him disapproving scowls from the couple sitting next to us along the banquette of the upscale Italian restaurant where we were dining. Brian ignored them. He did, however, lower his voice to a near whisper as he explained.

“You heard me. Viola struck Sadie. She claims she didn’t mean to. Her story is she went over to Sadie’s to tell her to stop badmouthing her in school. Sadie shoved her, she pushed back, Sadie fell, and Viola ran.”

I nodded. “So that’s why Ron went over there—to make sure Sadie was all right.”

“Viola sent him.”

I had trouble letting go of my version of the situation. “Are you sure Corinne didn’t attack Sadie?”

Brian reached across the candle-lit table to cover my hand with his. “Positive.”

I shuddered. “Corinne’s so fierce, she scares me.”

“She’s usually fired up on her sister’s behalf.”

I sighed. “I wish they’d move already.”

He pursed his lips. “Barbara Stengel, their WITSEC marshal, is working on it, but it’s turned into a complicated situation.”

“I thought once a cover is blown, WITSEC resettles people in a different location ASAP.”

“They do, when their clients cooperate. Corinne wants to leave Ryesdale.” He hesitated. “And she wants to quit WITSEC.”

I stared at him in surprise. “Really? Why? Isn’t she afraid of Johnny Scarvino?”

Brian examined the nails of his right hand. “Johnny Scarvino’s out of the picture.”

“Dead, you mean?”

“He was shot in a holdup a few days ago. The Jersey police notified WITSEC; their marshal informed Corinne and Felicity.”

I shuddered. “Poor Johnny.”

Brian laughed. “Why do you say that? You never knew him.”

“I saw him, remember? The night he delivered the baby gift. He seemed kind of nice.”

“For a thug.”

“He didn’t strike me as a thug,” I mused. “Was he the only person out to get Corinne?”

“Looks that way. Which is why Corinne wants out of WITSEC. Now she refuses to move until a buyer comes along, one who’s willing to pay a good price for the house. Barbara Stengel thinks Corinne ought to remain in WITSEC, at least for a while, and she’s trying to convince her to reconsider.”

The waiter brought our bottle of wine. He decanted and filled our glasses. Brian and I toasted one another silently and sipped.

“Felicity must be relieved Johnny Scarvino’s no longer a threat to her sister.”

“No doubt,” Brian agreed, “but Felicity has her own weird agenda regarding Corinne. When I drove her home from the precinct, she told me she’d gone to Sadie’s house to talk to her because Sadie understands how she feels.”

“About Corinne?”

Brian nodded. “Felicity wants to stay in Ryesdale. She doesn’t want to live with  Corinne any longer. She went on and on in this vein.” He gave me a sad smile. “When I dropped her at home, she made me promise not to tell Corinne what she’s planning, then ran straight into her sister’s arms and held on for dear life.”

I sighed. “Felicity’s conflicted. It’s difficult breaking away from a bossy, overprotective sister. Frankly, I wonder if she can manage to live on her own.”

Brian smiled. “She’s had the good sense to make a start in that direction. She told me her boss, Carol Barnes, is willing to rent her a small apartment over her garage. She’ll have privacy yet be living close enough to someone she trusts.”

“Is that the word Felicity used—“trusts?”

“It is.”

“Which makes me think she doesn’t trust Corinne.”

“I think you’re reading too much into their relationship.” Brian raised his glass. “Enough about them. Let’s drink up and enjoy ourselves.”

*****

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity as I dove into my Thanksgiving preparations. For the first time in months, I set aside thoughts of murder and mayhem to concentrate on domestic matters. A nervous excitement sparked through me as I wandered through Bed, Bath, & Beyond in search of the perfect tablecloth and napkins.

All the while, my mind never stopped churning out questions:

Were things serious between Jesse and Cici?

How would Jesse and Brian get along?

Would my turkey come out of the oven succulent and tender or tough and dried-out?

How would Al respond when I told him we were no longer a couple?

The Billingses brought their granddaughter home on Sunday. Though they were thoroughly exhausted, they insisted on inviting the original book club members to their home on Tuesday evening to meet Eloisa. We agreed on the condition that they allow us to bring in dinner. And so at seven o’clock Joy, Felicity, Corinne, and I knocked on their door, each of us with a casserole or dessert in hand. Sadie wanted to come, but we told her to stay home and rest.

Marge and Evan were exuberant as they presented us to Eloisa, an adorable three-year-old girl with fair skin and dark hair and eyes, wearing pink pajamas. She took one look at us and ran to stand behind Marge’s legs, all the while never letting us out of her sight.

I crouched down and smiled. “
Hola, Eloisa. ¿Cómo estás?”

“Bien,” she mumbled, not meeting my gaze.

To my surprise, Corinne knelt beside me and rattled off something in Spanish. It must have been something silly, because Eloisa giggled and answered her. As this continued, the rest of us gathered closer to watch them. Finally, Eloisa dashed away.

“Where is she going?” Joy asked.

“To get some of her new toys for me to see,” Corinne explained.

“Isn’t Corinne something?” Felicity asked, beaming with pride.

“She’s something, all right,” I murmured, thinking that Felicity would never muster up enough courage to tell Corinne she wanted to live on her own.

We oohed and ahed over the toys we’d bought for Eloisa. After coffee and cake, we said our good-byes. Evan, his granddaughter in his arms, saw us to the door. Marge embraced Corinne.

“You’ll never know how happy you’ve made us,” she said.

Corinne smiled. “I like to see happy families.”

*****

I woke up early Thanksgiving Day, happily anticipating the long holiday weekend. Puss meowed as he ushered me into the kitchen.
Full house
, I thought as I passed the closed doors of my two guestrooms. Gayle was asleep in one, Jesse and Cici in the other. For once I felt part of mainstream America, sharing my favorite holiday with my loved ones.

I fed Puss, put up a large pot of coffee, then whipped up my sweet potato casserole. I seasoned the turkey and was sliding it into the oven for a slow roasting, when Jesse padded barefooted into the kitchen. He bent down to kiss my cheek. Then he sniffed the air.

“Smells great, Mom.”

“Did you sleep well? I’ve no idea if the mattress in your room is comfortable or not.”

“It’s fine, mom. Cici’s still zonked out, and she doesn’t sleep well in new places.”

Interesting.

Jesse peered into the refrigerator. “Do you have any OJ?

“It’s on the door.”

“Got it.”

He was about to drink directly from the plastic container, when my hand shot up to stop him. “Get a glass, please.”

Jesse burst out laughing. “Sorry, Mom. I forgot what a stickler you are about following the rules of decorum.”

“It’s not decorum. Just being sanitary.”

He drew back, his expression one of exaggerated surprise. “Afraid you’ll catch germs from your only son?”

I grabbed a dish towel to swat him, but Jesse was too fast. He dodged me, then backtracked to hug me from behind. I was glad he couldn’t see my grin. He’d stopped being openly affectionate toward me at puberty. I supposed this change was the result of Cici’s influence.

Gayle wandered into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes. “Is the coffee made?”

“Sit down. I’ll pour you a mug.”

I filled three mugs, then brought out the bagels, lox, and cream cheese I’d bought the day before. Jesse finished his coffee and stood.

“See you later. I’m going for a run.”

Gayle and I gorged ourselves as we caught up with each other’s news. I told her about the second murder and Sadie’s injury, and she told me what was happening with Shawn Estes’ trial.

“He’s in jail right now, but I’m still afraid of him.” She shuddered. “I wish I didn’t have to testify. Shawn’s one scary dude.”

“If you don’t testify, he might get off. Then you’ll really have something to worry about.”

Gayle frowned. “That’s what I tell myself. And I’ve had lots of support, even from other cops. There’s one who’s been extra nice. His name’s Ryan Felling.”

As I listened to her, I mused how life goes on. People die. People fall in love with new people.

Cici came in silently and joined us at the table. She and Gayle talked about California, then we had a nice chat about how well Jesse was doing with the band. He was writing songs for them and even writing a few for other groups.

I watched Cici as she spoke, a pretty girl with long, brown hair and large brown eyes that reminded me of Sandra Bullock. She seemed solid and normal, and she loved my son. What more could a mother ask?

A wedding. Grandchildren.
All in good time
, I told myself. I chuckled to think I was fast turning into the stereotypical mother, when for so many years I’d done my darnedest to be unique.

Brian called to ask what time he should come by.

“The turkey will be done at four, but come whenever you like.”

“I’m bringing a few bottles of wine. How many are we?”

“Just the five of us, but I think we’ll eat in the dining room.”

“Whatever. It’s your show, babe.”

As it turned out, we were five for dinner but many more for dessert. After breakfast I called Sadie to find out how she was feeling, and she mentioned she’d been invited to Felicity and Corinne’s for dinner at four.

“That’s when we’re eating,” I said. “Why don’t the three of you come here for dessert?”

“Sounds good to me,” Sadie said. “I’ll mention it to Felicity and Corinne.”

A few minutes later Corinne called to say she loved the idea. “We’ll bring the cakes and pies over to your house.”

“Fine, as long as you take whatever’s left back home with you.”

Since they were coming, I decided to include Joy, Mike, and the kids, who were having an early Thanksgiving meal at Mike’s mom’s.

“You’re sure you want us all?” Joy asked.

“Bring some videos for the kids. They can watch them in the den.” I thought a moment. “I’ll call Marge and Evan, too.”

Marge and Evan were delighted. “Frankly, we’re walking around like zombies, afraid to fall asleep in case Eloisa needs us. But this will give her a chance to be with other kids.”

I told everyone to show up between five and five-thirty, which allowed us plenty of time for a leisurely meal. And time to have my family to myself.

My family
, I thought, and realized I’d included Brian in the group.

I showered and dressed, then returned to the kitchen to prepare the rest of the meal. I was about to ask Gayle and Cici to help me open the dining room table, when I saw they were already putting in the extra leaves.

“For when everyone comes,” Gayle explained. “We can sit at this end for dinner, then set places for the others.”

“How did you know I keep the extra leaves in the hall closet” I asked.

“I remembered that’s where Mom kept hers.”