Chapter & Hearse

Four

Tricia parked her car and glanced at her watch. She still had nearly half an hour before Ginny’s lunch break, and wondered if she should walk over to the Bank of Stoneham to ask about paying off Ginny’s mortgage. It would probably be a waste of time. No doubt the manager would be away from her office during the noon hour. Still . . . .

A minute later, she walked into the bank and asked the receptionist if she could speak to someone about a mortgage.

“Sure. I’ll tell Billie you’re here. She’ll be glad to talk to you.” Tricia watched as the woman headed for a cubicle at the back of the bank.

It was said that Billie Hanson, manager of the Bank of Stoneham, was named after Billie Burke, the actress who played Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz. Not that she looked like that icon of the silver screen. She didn’t have long, frizzy red hair, nor was she tall. In fact, Billie, short and squat, reminded Tricia of a fireplug. And her close-cropped blonde hair and brusque demeanor had earned her the label of dyke from more than a few of the locals. Tricia didn’t know—nor care about—her sexual orientation. Billie had proven to be an apt businesswoman, and was a fellow member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Not a minute later, the receptionist waved for Tricia to follow her.

Billie stood behind her desk. “Tricia, good to see you. I hope you’re well.”

“I am, thanks. And I’m glad you could see me on such short notice.”

Billie ushered Tricia to one of the seats before her desk. “Always glad to talk to one of Stoneham’s best success stories.”

“Me?” Tricia asked.

“It’s no secret that you and your sister are probably the best businesswomen in town. And I’m pleased you’ve chosen to bank with us rather than one of the national banks in Nashua.”

Tricia liked to do business locally. The fact that the Bank of Stoneham was extremely convenient didn’t hurt, either.

Billie leaned forward on the desk, folding her hands and looking very businesslike. “What can I do for you today, Tricia?”

“I’d like to buy a mortgage.”

“Oh, you’ve found a home in the village? The stairs to that loft finally got to you, right?”

“Uh, no, actually. I don’t want to buy a house. I want to buy the mortgage of someone who has a house that’s about to go into foreclosure.”

Billie frowned. “That’s not a very sound business decision. If the person is in foreclosure, it’s not likely they’ll be able to pay you any more than they can pay us.”

“This person has had an unfortunate string of bad luck. I want to help her—not make money off of her.”

Billie frowned. “Mixing business with friendship is seldom a good idea. Usually one party grows dissatisfied. The friendship is often the first casualty—not to mention the investment.”

“I have thought of that. I’m prepared to walk away from the deal with a complete loss.”

Billie mulled that over for a few moments. “Let me take a guess. You’d like to save your employee, Ginny Wilson, from losing her home.”

“She really loves it. And she’s worked so hard to make that house a home. I’d like to do all I can to help her keep it.”

“Have you spoken to her about this?”

“Not yet. I wanted to see if it was possible before I brought up the subject. I don’t want to buy the house outright. Ginny isn’t one to take charity. But I thought if we could set up a manageable repayment schedule—something that she’s able to live with—in the long run it would benefit both of us.”

Billie exhaled a long breath. “Before you do anything, I think you should talk to Ms. Wilson. Make sure you’re on the same page. She may not want to feel beholden to you.”

“I thought I would surprise her.”

Billie shook her head. “That’s not a good idea. Talk to her. If she agrees, you may pay off the mortgage, including penalties, and I’d advise you to consult a real estate lawyer to set up a new mortgage for you, with terms you both can agree to.”

It wasn’t what Tricia wanted to hear, but it was sensible. She stood. “I’ll do that.” She offered Billie her hand. “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

“Not a problem,” Billie said and smiled, missing Tricia’s cringe at her choice of words.

With Angelica away, Tricia felt uncomfortable going over to Booked for Lunch to take her midday meal, and instead raided her own refrigerator. Funny, in times past, she and Angelica had gone for years without speaking. Now, she found she missed her sister after only a few hours’ absence. Missed their daily bickering sessions. Missed Angelica’s company. And though she almost always ate the café’s tuna salad plate, she liked the convenience of slipping across the street and being served, as well as not having to clean up. The only one happy about her finding her own lunch was Miss Marple, who begged for and got an extra kitty snack.

Fifteen minutes and a container of lemon yogurt later, Tricia was back behind the counter at Haven’t Got a Clue. Ginny was with a customer, and Miss Marple had resumed her post on the shelf above the register to keep a careful watch on things and/or sleep the afternoon away.

The black Art Deco phone on Tricia’s cash desk jangled loudly. Tricia picked up the monstrously heavy receiver. “Haven’t Got a Clue, Tri—”

“Tricia?” said a tearful voice that she instantly recognized as Frannie’s.

“What’s wrong?”

“I . . . I—” She seemed to choke on the words.

“Do you need someone to talk to?” Tricia asked, resigned.

“Do you mind?” Frannie had always appeared so strong; to hear the vulnerability in her voice was heart-wrenching.

“I’ll be right over.” Tricia hung up the phone.

“Don’t tell me,” Ginny said, and sighed. “Another crisis. This time I’m betting you’ll head for the Cookery.”

“Right in one. Angelica picked the wrong week to reach for bestsellerdom. Sorry.”

“Hey, I’m fine. And Mr. Everett will be here by one, so we’re covered.”

“Unless we get a couple of buses of tourists,” Tricia said.

“One can only hope,” Ginny chirped.

Tricia forced a smile and sailed out the shop door. Ah, youth. Ginny was remarkably chipper for someone in her circumstances. At that moment, Tricia envied her optimism. She had a feeling that for the foreseeable future, she’d be bouncing back and forth between her sister’s businesses like a Ping-Pong ball. Maybe she’d chart the time on a spreadsheet and present Angelica with an invoice. The thought made her smile—not that she’d follow through with it.

Tricia was startled to find Angelica’s larger-than-life cutout standing outside the Cookery. Frannie had taped a note between the photographed Angelica’s hands that read Get Your Signed Copy of Easy-Does-It Cooking Inside! As she reached for the door handle, Tricia wondered if the cutout would discourage—instead of encourage—customers to enter the Cookery.

There were no browsers inside the store. Frannie stood behind the cash desk. All traces of Angelica’s aborted book launch party were gone, as evidenced by the fresh vacuum tracks on the carpet. And it looked like the Cookery was having as slow a day as Haven’t Got a Clue.

As always, Frannie was dressed in one of her cheerful aloha shirts—this one turquoise with white hibiscus flowers in full bloom. Her face, however, was anything but jovial. Bloodshot eyes looked out from under her fringe of bangs, and her nose was crimson.

“Do you need a hug?” Tricia asked.

Frannie nodded, and burst into tears. She clung to Tricia as sobs wracked her slim body. Tricia patted her back as one would a small child. “What’s wrong?”

“My heart is broken forever,” Frannie wailed.

Tricia pulled back. “Come and sit down,” she said, and led Frannie to the only upholstered chair in the store. Angelica had no reader’s nook, saying it took up valuable retail space. Idly, Tricia wondered if she should have flipped the Cookery’s OPEN sign to CLOSED.

“Can I get you a glass of water or something?” she asked Frannie.

Frannie shook her head, and pulled a damp tissue from the pocket of her slacks to wipe her nose.

“Now, tell me all about it,” Tricia said.

“I’ve never told anyone before, but—” Frannie took a breath, exhaled it loudly, as though trying to steel herself. “Jim Roth and I were more than just casual friends.”

No surprise there. Tricia waited for more.

“In fact we were . . . lllllooov—” She couldn’t seem to say the word.

“Lovers?” Tricia supplied.

Frannie blushed, hung her head in shame, and nodded.

“Forgive me, Frannie, but you and Jim were two mature, single adults. What was wrong with the two of you seeing each other?”

“His mama didn’t approve.”

“But why?”

Frannie shrugged. She sniffled, and pressed another damp tissue to her nose.

“Bob still won’t say what he was doing at Jim’s store last night. Do you have any idea?” Tricia asked.

“Probably hounding him for the rent. History Repeats Itself hadn’t been doing so well, what with the economy and all, and Jim was a little bit behind.”

“How much is a little?”

Frannie winced. “Six months.”

No wonder Bob didn’t want to talk about it. He probably didn’t want it to seem like he had a motive for murder. It wasn’t like Bob to let someone slide for so long—and maybe his reticence was due to the fact he didn’t want others who owed back rent to find out.

“How long had Jim had the store?” Tricia asked.

“He was the first bookseller Bob lined up to open a shop here in Stoneham.”

“Had they been friends?”

Frannie nodded. “But Jim and I never really talked about Bob—we had so little time together, thanks to Jim’s mother,” she added bitterly.

“I suppose it was really quite sweet that he had his mother come to live with him.”

“That’s not exactly the way it was. He always lived with his mother,” Frannie reluctantly admitted.

“He’d never lived away from home?” Tricia asked, astounded. After all, Jim was in his fifties.

Frannie shook her head, clearly embarrassed for him. “I invited him to come live with me, but he said he couldn’t leave the old lady, even though he would’ve been only two blocks away. She’d come to depend on him. I mean, she is in her eighties.”

Had Jim, the man obsessed with warfare, been a spineless mama’s boy?

“I hadn’t talked to Jim in a few months. Am I remembering that he hadn’t been feeling well?”

Frannie nodded. “He had stomach problems that came and went. Never anything too alarming—just enough to make him cancel the few dates we made.”

Tricia frowned. “Did he see a doctor about it?”

“No. Like I said, it wasn’t anything he worried about. And the next day he usually felt fine. He really was strong as a horse.”

Tricia knew from experience—ten years of riding lessons—that horses were actually quite delicate creatures. “I wonder why Jim didn’t smell the gas.”

“He had terrible allergies, and with everything coming into bloom, he probably couldn’t smell a thing.” Frannie wiped at a tear.

Tricia laid a hand on Frannie’s thin shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Frannie.”

“I thought I was doing okay until I called the Baker Funeral Home to see what arrangements had been made for Jim.” She took a couple of gasping breaths.

“And?” Tricia prompted.

“Since there’s no body, Mr. Baker said Jim’s mother has decided against a wake or service.”

“Nothing?”

Frannie shook her head. No wonder she was so upset. Those rituals made acceptance of death easier on the loved ones left behind.

“I’m so sorry,” Tricia said again, knowing the words were inadequate. “But you know, there’s no reason Jim’s friends and colleagues can’t celebrate his life.”

“What do you mean?”

“We could hold a memorial service for him.”

Frannie’s eyes widened, and she sat up straighter. “Yes, we could.”

“We could invite the Chamber members and any other friends or relatives.”

“No other relatives,” Frannie said. “Jim was an only child—and so were both his parents.”

Tricia nodded.

“I think I should be the one to arrange it,” Frannie said, her voice suddenly stronger. “Jim wasn’t religious, so I don’t think it should be held in a church. I’ll call Eleanor at the Brookview Inn to see if I can book the function room for Sunday morning, when all the shops in town are closed—that way the other bookstore owners can come.”

“That’s a wonderful idea.” Planning the service would keep Frannie from dwelling too much on her grief—at least for a few days. Only time would dull her long-term pain.

Frannie stood, suddenly all business—there was a reason Angelica’s store had thrived under her management. “I have lots to do—and you’ve got your own store to tend to.”

Tricia gave her friend a smile. “I promised Angelica I’d be available if you or Darcy or Jake needed me, so don’t hesitate to call.”

“You have no idea how much you’ve already helped.” Frannie headed for the cash desk, found a legal pad and a pen, and quickly jotted down a few notes.

Tricia wished all life’s problems could be solved so easily.

“I’ll just let myself out,” Tricia said, and headed for the door. Then she paused, and turned to face Frannie. “Just one more question: What’s Angelica’s cutout doing outside the shop door?”

Frannie rolled her eyes. “It kept staring at me. It was like having Angelica looking over my shoulder all morning. I finally couldn’t stand it, and put it outside. Don’t worry, I’ll bring it in if it looks like rain.”

Tricia nodded, but secretly hoped someone would steal the cutout. Much as she loved her sister, Tricia couldn’t stand looking at the thing, either.

It was well after one by the time Tricia returned to her store, and Ginny had disappeared up the stairs to Haven’t Got a Clue’s second-floor employee break room. Mr. Everett stood behind the sales counter, helping a customer, while Miss Marple looked on. She was always interested in promoting good customer relations.

Mr. Everett finished ringing up the sale and wished his customer good-bye before greeting Tricia. “Hello, Ms. Miles. Isn’t it a lovely day?” he said without much enthusiasm. He swept a hand toward the front display window and the sunny street beyond.

She glanced around the empty store. “Looks like another slow day,” she observed.

“Yes, but the economy has picked up, and good weather brings tour buses,” he said, but his voice lacked its usual cheerfulness.

“I want to thank you for saving those books last night. Ginny told me all about it.”

Mr. Everett shrugged. “It was the right thing to do.”

Tricia nodded. “How’s Grace? Has her cold improved?”

He nodded. “Her sniffles have abated and she is her smiling self once more.”

“And where is your smile?”

Mr. Everett’s frown deepened.

Perhaps it was time to open a more candid dialogue. “Mr. Everett, you’ve seemed preoccupied for several weeks. Is something wrong?”

“You’re very perceptive, Ms. Miles. But I don’t like to burden my friends with my petty troubles.”

“Maybe I could help.”

He seemed to wrestle with the idea. “Perhaps. You see, it’s . . . it’s Grace.”

“Oh, dear, I hope her cold hasn’t gotten worse.”

“Oh, no. As I said, her sniffles have almost disappeared.” His expression grew more solemn. “It’s her . . . her . . . her generosity.”

Generosity a problem? “I don’t understand.”

“When Grace and I married, I had some outstanding debts—all tied to the closing of my grocery store. However, when my statements arrived this last month, I found that she’d paid off all my creditors.” His cheeks colored, and he avoided her gaze. “I’m afraid we had words over it.”

“Oh, dear.”

He nodded, his gaze heavy with . . . disappointment?

“I’m sure she had the very best of intentions,” Tricia said.

“Oh, no doubt. But . . . my pride, you see.”

Tricia nodded. Pride goeth before a fall, she repeated silently to herself. “You can’t let this come between you. The two of you have been so happy together.”

“Yes. And I’m sure we shall be again. Although I’m afraid desperate measures may be necessary to alleviate this situation.”

“Desperate?” Tricia repeated. She didn’t like the sound of this.

“I may have to take out a loan,” Mr. Everett said and gave a heavy sigh; and suddenly Tricia felt just as weary. The day was barely half over, and already she felt wiped out. It also seemed as though she’d started a new career—personal counselor to half of Stoneham.

Before she could give a word of advice or comfort, the shop door opened. A woman customer entered, and Mr. Everett sprang into action, as though grateful for the opportunity to end their conversation.

Tricia headed for the coffee station. She needed a strong jolt of caffeine to jump-start her afternoon. But the pot held only dregs. She poured them out and started a fresh pot, working on automatic pilot.

She thought again how used she’d gotten used to having Angelica around during the past year and a half, and now that she was gone—albeit for only a couple of days—Tricia felt oddly isolated. Poor Mrs. Roth must be feeling terribly alone. Since Jim was an only child, and had been recruited by Bob to relocate to Stoneham, the poor woman might have no one to reach out to. And it was obvious Frannie wouldn’t extend a hand of friendship to her anytime soon.

On impulse, Tricia crossed the store and grabbed the slim phone book from behind the cash desk, hoping the Roth home still had a landline. In less than a minute, she found the number and dialed it. Someone picked up on the second ring.

“Hello,” said a wavering voice.

“Mrs. Roth? My name is Tricia Miles. I own the mystery bookstore here in Stoneham. I was a friend of Jim’s. I’m so sorry for your loss. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“How kind of you to ask,” said the old woman, with more than a hint of an English accent. “As it happens, I could use some help. James had the family car. I’m sure it’s probably still parked in the municipal lot, but I have no way to get there to retrieve it. I’m afraid my knees couldn’t handle a hike that far.”

“I’d be happy to pick you up and take you to the car.”

“If it wouldn’t be an inconvenience,” she said.

“Not in the least. When would you like to go?”

“Is an hour from now too soon?”

“Not at all.”

“Thank you, dear.” She gave Tricia the address. “I’ll look forward to meeting you. James never did introduce me to any of his lady friends.”

Tricia choked back a laugh. “Jim and I were members of the Chamber of Commerce. Sadly, I didn’t know him all that well.”

“I see,” said the old lady, her voice cool. “Well, I’ll see you in an hour, then.”

Tricia heard a click, and the line went silent. She frowned at the receiver, feeling a bit dismayed. Had Mrs. Roth been expecting Frannie to call? Had she believed Tricia that she and Jim had only been acquaintances?

As she replaced the receiver in its cradle, Tricia wasn’t at all sure she should have made the call.