Death By Darjeeling

Chapter 17

Delaine Dish was sitting at a quiet table in the corner when Theodosia returned to the tea shop. The owner of Cotton Duck Clothing, Delaine had arrived at the Indigo Tea Shop earlier, insisting to Haley and Drayton that she simply had to speak with Theodosia. Told that Theodosia would probably be back shortly, Delaine sat pensively, sipping a cup of tea, waving Haley off every time she advanced with a muffin or cookies.

“She’s been here almost forty minutes,” whispered Drayton as Theodosia brushed past him. “Didn’t say what she wanted, just that she wants to talk to you.”

“Delaine.” Theodosia slid into the chair across the table from her shopkeeper neighbor. “What’s wrong?”

Delaine Dish’s heart-shaped face was set in a look of serious repose. Raven hair that normally fell almost to her waist was plaited into a single, loose braid, making her face seem all the more intense. Her violet Liz Taylor eyes flashed.

“Do you know what’s being said out there on the street?” she began.

No, thought Theodosia, but I’ll bet you do. “What’s that, Delaine?” she said.

“There are rumors flying, literally flying, about what happened the night of the Lamplighter Tour.”

“I am aware of some talk, Delaine. But I’m sure they are petty words spoken by a very few.”

“Dear, dear Theo.” Delaine reached across the table and grasped Theodosia’s hand. “Always giving people the benefit of the doubt. Always such a positive outlook. Sometimes I think you should be put up for canonization.”

“I’m no saint, Delaine. Believe me, if someone offends me or hurts someone close to me, I’ll fire back. Have no fear.”

Delaine’s fingernails only dug deeper into Theodosia’s hand. “Didn’t I warn you?” she spat. “Didn’t I tell you Hughes Barron was up to no good?”

“As I recall, you told me he put in an offer on the Peregrine Building next door.”

“Yes. Hughes Barron and his partner, Lleveret Dante.”

Theodosia stared at Delaine. She was obviously upset over something. Maybe if she gave Delaine some space, she’d spit out whatever was bothering her.

“Cordette Jordan stopped by the Cotton Duck this morning. You know, Cordette owns Griffon Antiques over on King Street?”

“Okay,” said Theodosia.

“And, of course, we started chatting. Hughes Barron’s mysterious death is a fairly hot topic of conversation right now. I mean, how many people just fall over dead in a beautiful garden while sipping tea?”

“You don’t really believe he died from sipping tea, do you?” said Theodosia.

“No, of course not. And I didn’t mean to imply it was your tea, Theodosia. It’s just that . . . Oh, Theo...A lot of people are curious. I mean, the police are playing it very close to the vest and haven’t released any information about cause of death. And the man was fairly dastardly in his business dealings. Who knows what really happened!” Delaine pulled a linen hanky from the pocket of her perfect beige smock dress and touched it to her cheek.

“What was it you and Cordette were chatting about?” asked Theodosia, trying to gain some forward momentum in the conversation.

“Oh, that,” said Delaine. She swiveled her head and scanned the tea room. When she was satisfied that the few patrons who were sitting there sipping tea and munching scones were probably tourists and completely uninvolved, she leaned toward Theodosia. “This is very interesting. Cordette told me that Hughes Barron and Lleveret Dante have their office in her building. One floor above her antique shop.”

“Really,” said Theodosia.

“It gets better. Cordette also told me she overhead the two men in the throes of a terrible argument last week. It was when she went up to use the ladies’ room. The ladies’ room is on the second floor, so Cordette would have been on the same floor as their offices. Anyway, and these are Cordette’s exact words: She said the two men were having a knock-down, drag-out fight.”

As Delaine talked, Theodosia scanned her memory. King Street was definitely not the address Jory Davis had given her for Goose Creek Holdings. She was sure of that. So what had Cordette really heard, if anything? Had the two men really been there that day, locked in some kind of argument? Or had Delaine heard pieces of this, fragments of that, and put it all together in one big, juicy story as she was wont to do?

“Delaine.” Theodosia pried Delaine’s tiny but firm paw off her own. Embroiled as she was in Hughes Barron’s death, she decided to give Delaine the benefit of the doubt. “Did Cordette say what Hughes Barron and Lleveret Dante were arguing about?”

Delaine studied her ring intently, trying to recall. It was a giant, pearly moonstone that Theodosia had often admired, and now Delaine twisted it absently.

“Something about buying or selling and one of them wanting to renege or rescind,” said Delaine. “Or maybe it was revenge,” she added.

Not terribly enlightening, thought Theodosia. Even if Cordette Jordan’s story about the loud argument was true, the two men could have been fighting about anything. Money, property, their long distance phone bill.

Theodosia patted Delaine’s hand. “You’re a dear to try to help. Thank you.”

Delaine blinked back tears. “You mean the world to me, Theodosia. I mean it. When my Calvin passed on, you were the only one who really understood.”

Calvin had been Delaine’s fourteen-year-old calico cat. When he died last spring, Theodosia had sent a note expressing her condolences. It was what she would have done for anyone who was sad or emotionally distraught.

After Delaine had departed, Theodosia fixed herself a small pot of dragon’s well tea. Technically a Chinese green tea, dragon’s well yields a pale gold liquor that has a reputation for being both refreshing and stimulating. Because of the tea’s natural sweetness and full-bodied flavor, milk, sugar, or even lemon is rarely taken with it.

“We need to talk about the holiday blends.”

Theodosia looked up to find Drayton staring intently down at her.

“Absolutely,” she replied. “Now?”

“Only if you’re not too distracted,” said Drayton. “I know a lot of things are weighing heavily on your shoulders right now. And haven’t Haley and I helped enormously by putting added pressure on you to try to salvage Bethany’s job at the Heritage Society?” Drayton rolled his eyes in a self-deprecating manner.

“Drayton, nothing would make me happier than to focus on what I love best. Which is the Indigo Tea Shop and the wonderful teas you continue to blend for us.”

An enormous grin split Drayton’s face as he plopped down next to Theodosia. He balanced his glasses on the tip of his nose, flipped open a leather binder, and wiggled his eyebrows expectantly.

Theodosia rejoiced inwardly at this show of unbridled enthusiasm. Drayton was in his element. Blending tea was his passion, and every autumn, Drayton blended three or four special teas in honor of the upcoming holidays.

“You realize we’re starting late,” said Drayton.

“I know. Somehow, with our initial work on the Web site and taking part in the Lamplighter Tour, things fell through the cracks. But if we need to jump-start things,” said Theodosia, “we could repackage the Lamplighter Blend.”

Drayton managed a pained expression. “We’d have to. It hasn’t exactly been a top seller since . . .” His voice trailed off. “Let me put it this way. Even when we had a display of the Lamplighter Blend, nobody bought any. People seemed to view it more as a curiosity. Except for one woman who came in and bought a pound.” Drayton paused dramatically. “She said she was thinking about killing her husband.”

“Goodness!” exclaimed Theodosia unhappily. “Delaine might be right after all. Rumors are flying!”

Drayton nodded sagely. “They certainly are.”

“Tell you what,” said Theodosia. “Let’s just start from scratch as usual. You’ve obviously put a lot of thought into the holiday blends, and I’m dying to hear your ideas.”

Drayton picked up his notebook. “This year,” he began, “I suggest we use an Indian black tea as our base. I’d recommend Kahlmuri Estates. It’s well-balanced and rich but highly complementary to added flavors.”

At the top of one of the pages in his notebook, Drayton had written Kahlmuri Estates black tea.

“I like it.” Theodosia nodded.

“Okay,” said Drayton, pleased. “Now for the tricky part. I’ve come up with four suggested holiday blends.”

Theodosia inclined her head toward Drayton’s notebook, following along as he read aloud his notations. For the moment, all thoughts of the disastrous events at the Lamplighter Tour were pushed from her head.

“Apple,” said Drayton, tapping his notebook. “Apple pies, cider, and dried potpourris are a holiday staple, so let’s add it to our black tea as well. The aroma will impart a sweet, crisp fragrance and make a delightful beverage for holiday parties. More sophisticated than apple cider, but still warming and flavorful.”

“Have you got a name for it?” asked Theodosia.

“That’s your province, isn’t it?” Drayton grinned. “Or have you left your advertising and marketing days behind?”

“I don’t think you ever stray far from that,” said Theodosia. “Seems like most decisions made in business these days are marketing-related.”

“Including naming these teas and creating labels.” Drayton smiled slyly.

“You come up with the blends, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Deal,” said Drayton. “Okay, then. Next holiday blend, black currant. This should be a big, fruity berry flavor. Great for afternoon holiday teas, pleasing with desserts.”

Theodosia smiled. Dear Drayton. He had thrown himself headlong into this project and, like everything he attempted in the realm of tea, wine, or the culinary arts, it would be a rousing success.

“Next,” said Drayton, “I want to do an Indian spice. Overtones of cardamom with various spices to be determined. We’ll aim for a slightly heady, intoxicating fragrance.”

“Sounds heavenly,” said Theodosia.

“For my final tea, I pulled out all the stops. A cranberry blend. Heavy on the cranberry with an accent of dried oranges and a nip of orange flavoring. Tangy, tart, perfect for the crisp days ahead. Very complementary with holiday dinners.”

“You were thinking of getting your dried cranberries from the Belvedere Plantation in the low-country?” asked Theodosia.

Drayton tapped his black Mont Blanc pen against the page. “They’re the best.”

Theodosia retired to her office where she brainstormed on names for Drayton’s tea blends for the rest of the afternoon. By the time long shadows dappled her windows and Earl Grey rose from his rug and stretched, ready for his late afternoon walk, she had devised quite a few names.

Drawing upon her advertising background, she had come up with a list she thought might intrigue holiday shoppers. For the apple tea blend she liked the name Applejack. It was casual and fun. She had pondered the name Black Magic for the black currant tea, but finally settled on Au Currant. It sounded punchier and a little more elegant.

On the Indian spice blend, Theodosia decided to be straightforward and name it exactly that, Indian Spice. She knew from past experience that a good, descriptive name would usually outshine an overly clever one.

And for the cranberry orange tea, she went with Cooper River Cranberry, a tribute to the nearby Cooper River that contributed to the vast, wet cranberry bogs.

Pleased with her efforts, Theodosia’s thoughts turned toward the visual elements: packaging and labels. Because these were holiday teas, she decided to purchase gold-colored tea tins. They were festive looking and easily obtained from several manufacturers.

That left the labels. She would have to devise colorful labels for each of Drayton’s blends.

Her first thought was to call Todd & Lambeau, the group that was working on the graphics for her Web site. They were good commercial designers, but somehow their brand of design felt a little too slick. Wouldn’t it be nicer to convey a more intimate, boutique feel for these holiday tea blends?

She had a friend, Julia, who was a highly skilled calligrapher. Julia did posters for the Charleston Museum, the symphony, wedding invitations, all manner of other things. Julia’s calligraphy might be well suited for this project. But, she still needed a talented illustrator to convey the essence of the holiday teas on a label.

Then she remembered the paintings she’d seen that morning at the Shorebird headquarters. The free-spirited, slightly whimsical illustrations Tanner Joseph had created also somehow embodied an Eastern spirit. Would that style work for her tea labels? The thought intrigued her and began to grow on her.

Most tea labels were what Drayton called “flowers and bowers.” They were fussy and floral. But Tanner Joseph’s drawings had an elegance to them. The style was slightly Asian, which would be perfect. And, if her memory served her correctly, Tanner Joseph also did lovely brush-stroke calligraphy!

The notion excited Theodosia, and she vowed to call Tanner Joseph first thing the next day. She hoped he’d take on the project. Even though the tea shop didn’t have a huge budget for graphics, Tanner Joseph might view this commercial assignment as a welcome windfall.

The light flickered on and off above her head.

“Time to lock up,” called Haley. She stood in the doorway, a book bag slung over one shoulder. “You’ve been hard at it all afternoon. Did you get lots done? Drayton said you were working on the holiday teas.”

Theodosia stretched both arms over her head and groaned. “I think so. You’re off to class?”

“Literature in contemporary society. Tonight we’re studying Cormac McCarthy.”

But still Haley stood there, quietly looking at Theodosia.

“What?” said Theodosia. She knew something was brewing behind the girl’s furrowed brow. She beckoned to Haley. “Come.”

Haley stepped closer to Theodosia’s desk. “It’s Bethany,” she said, her face flushed pink with embarrassment. “Without her job, with nothing to do, she’s . . .” Haley left her sentence unfinished, dropped her head shyly.

“What if . . .” said Theodosia slowly, “what if Bethany came and helped out for a while? Poor Drayton’s going to be awfully busy supervising the blending of the holiday teas. You’ll have extra baking to do...” Theodosia looked at Haley as though the thought had just occurred to her. “Do you think Bethany would come back and lend a hand in the tea shop again? Of course, you’ll have to give her a refresher course in brewing tea. And that old cash register is a bear to use—”

Haley’s face broke into a wide grin. “It’s not a problem. She can do it, I know she can. But are you sure that...?”

“Am I sure we need help?” Theodosia threw her arms up in mock despair. “Thanksgiving is three weeks away, and Christmas and New Year’s will be upon us in no time.” She placed her palm on her chest. “I still haven’t gone out and found those extra sweetgrass baskets. And the Web site . . . Well, the delay on that project is decidedly my fault. I haven’t made the necessary decisions on graphics and Web architecture. Yes, Haley. To answer your question, I’m sure, in a matter of days, we’ll be swamped!”