Arsenic And Old Books

NINE

I wouldn’t admit it to many people, but I was a bit on the nosy side. People fascinated me, particularly when I observed what I considered odd behavior. I detected an undercurrent between Jasper Singletary and Kelly Grimes, mainly due to the latter’s focus on the former. She might think she was being discreet—and perhaps most people wouldn’t have noticed—but I was sure all her attention was squarely centered on the young politician.

“I thought you might like something different today.” Helen Louise once again startled me, and I hastily turned my attention to her.

“Smells wonderful,” I said as I took a second deep breath of the rich aroma. “What is it?”

“Chicken chasseur,” she said. “Chicken cooked in a sauce of butter, mushrooms, cognac, white wine, and shallots. Plus a few other things. Served with rice and fresh bread.” She set a small plate of plain cooked chicken on the table as well—treats for the cat.

Diesel put both front paws on my thighs and raised his head to stare at the food on the table. He meowed and looked back and forth from me to Helen Louise.

“Poor starving kitty,” Helen Louise said. “Things are a bit busy at the moment, so you’ll have to get Charlie to feed you, boy. See you soon.” She hurried back to the register.

I knew better than to taste my own food before giving the cat a bit of his own. While he was occupied with a chunky morsel, I tried the chicken chasseur. I would have to ask Helen Louise later what chasseur meant. In the meantime, I decided after one savory mouthful, I would tuck in and enjoy myself.

For the first few minutes I was busy stuffing my face and keeping Diesel happy with his lunch, and I didn’t pay any attention to Kelly Grimes and Jasper Singletary. When I did look over in their direction, I saw that the politician seemed engrossed in food and conversation with his companions. The writer, her plate empty now, was scribbling furiously on a notepad.

The bell jangled again to signal fresh arrivals, and I of course had to see who it was. To my surprise, I saw Lucinda Long headed for the register.

Helen Louise had finished with the previous customer, and she greeted our mayor with a smile. “Good afternoon, Lucinda. Nice to see you. What can I get for you today?”

The mayor smiled briefly. “I’m sorry, Helen Louise, no time for food today. I was hoping to find my son here. I checked with one of his aides, and she told me he would be stopping in here right about now.”

“You just missed him,” Helen Louise said. “He and his group left about five minutes ago. I don’t believe I heard anyone say where they were heading next.”

The mayor sighed. “How aggravating. I barely get to talk to him these days, he’s so busy with his campaign. I was hoping to snatch a few minutes of his time.”

“Campaigning is hard work, and it must take a toll on family life.” Helen Louise offered Mrs. Long a sympathetic smile.

“That it does,” the mayor said. She stood at the register, her shoulders slumped.

“Are you sure I can’t get you something to take back to the office with you?” Helen Louise waved a hand toward the dessert case. “Maybe a piece of your favorite chocolate cake?”

Mrs. Long said, “I really shouldn’t. I had a big lunch.” She paused. “But it’s going to be a long afternoon. Why not? Yes, that would be lovely.”

“I’ll be right back,” Helen Louise said.

As I chewed another bite of my delicious meal, I saw Kelly Grimes leave her table and approach the mayor. Mrs. Long had her back to the writer, and she started slightly when Kelly Grimes touched her shoulder.

“Pardon me, Your Honor,” Ms. Grimes said. She identified herself. “I’d like to ask you a couple questions about your son’s campaign if you have a few minutes.”

Mrs. Long shook her head. “Now is not the time. You need to call my office and arrange an appointment with my secretary. I’m swamped this afternoon, and I have to get back to the courthouse.”

The writer shrugged. “Very well. I’ll do that, but I really want to talk to you as soon as possible.”

“Just call my office and make an appointment.” Mrs. Long sounded impatient. “Now, please, let me get on with what I’m doing.”

Ms. Grimes stared at her for a moment before she nodded and headed back to her table.

Helen Louise came back to the register with a small to-go container. “Here you are, Lucinda. I think this will help perk up your afternoon.”

The mayor frowned. “Oh, dear, Helen Louise, I came away from the office without my purse or even any money in my pocket. I’d better pass on the cake for now.”

“Nonsense.” Helen Louise laughed. “I know you’re good for it. Or we could simply call it a frequent-customer perk. Take this with you and enjoy it.”

“I can’t resist an offer like that.” Mrs. Long gave a grateful smile as she accepted her cake. “The afternoon looks better already.” She thanked Helen Louise and then bade her good-bye.

As she turned away she spotted me. Naturally I had a mouthful of chicken chasseur when she came over to me, and I swallowed hastily. “Good afternoon, Your Honor.”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Harris.” She smiled when she spotted Diesel’s head suddenly poking up above the table. “And your beautiful boy as well. How are things going with the diaries?” Her expression turned grave. “I hope you haven’t had too much trouble over them.”

I figured that was an oblique way of referring to Marie Steverton. I didn’t intend to burden her with the details of the morning’s nasty scene. I decided, however, to take this opportunity to broach my idea about a digital copy of the diary.

“No, everything’s fine,” I said. “I know you’re in a hurry, but I would like to suggest something to you that I think will make access to the diaries easier for everyone interested in them.”

The mayor glanced at her watch. “Certainly, do tell me.” She remained standing, and I knew this was my cue to be succinct.

“The diaries are in good condition, but I think scanning them and making a digital copy is the best way to proceed. That cuts down on the actual number of people handling them and will preserve them better in the long run. I have the necessary equipment in the archive office, and I can do it myself, or I can get help from other library staff. What do you think?”

Diesel chirped a couple of times, as if he liked my idea. Mrs. Long laughed. “Your assistant seems to think it’s a good idea. I do, too. That would probably make all our lives easier. How long would it take, do you think?”

I considered that for a moment. The scanning process wasn’t fast—not if you wanted the best-quality results—and it was tedious. Even so, I could get a significant amount of it done this week, if I had help.

I told the mayor that, and she nodded. “Sounds good. Go ahead, and if you need funds for additional help, let me know. I’m sure my husband will be happy to discuss arrangements with the library director.” She glanced at her watch again. “Now I really have to get going. Good-bye for now.”

“Thanks, and have a good afternoon,” I called after her as she headed for the door.

Helen Louise came over to the table. “What’s all this about diaries?”

“Do you have a few minutes to sit with me? I can tell you all about it.”

She surveyed the room. Her two staff members were behind the counter and were not busy at the moment. “Looks like things have slowed a bit, and I’m more than ready to sit for a while.” She pulled out a chair.

“First, fabulous lunch. Thank you.”

Diesel, who had finished his chicken, chimed in with chirps and a meow or two. Helen Louise grinned. “Have to keep my men well fed and happy. I’m glad you both enjoyed it. Now, about these diaries.”

“They belonged to a relative of Andrew Long—Rachel Afton Long. Great-great-grandmother, I think. Can’t remember exactly how many greats at the moment.” I went on to tell her about the interest in the diaries from Marie Steverton—at whose name she grimaced—and Kelly Grimes. “And there’s the latter over in the corner, next to Jasper Singletary’s table.”

Helen Louise turned her head to see where I indicated. She turned back to me with a frown. “That’s interesting,” she said. “I’ve seen her in here several times recently, but I had no idea who she was. She’s never introduced herself. The truly odd thing is, though, every time she’s been in here, so has Jasper.”