Diva Runs Out Of Thyme

TWENTY-NINE

From “THE GOOD LIFE”:

Dear Sophie,

My guests are still hanging around for the weekend after Thanksgiving. I’m itching to start decorating for Christmas, but I don’t dare make that kind of mess until my mother-in-law leaves. How do I create a transitional ambiance without a lot of work?

—Eager in Earlysville

Dear Eager,

Think red and amber. It doesn’t take a lot to create a cozy winter feel. Look around for wide-mouthed jars in shades of amber and red, drop a votive candle in each and use them on your table or mantel. The amber and red glass will cast a soft romantic glow. Use similar narrow-necked jars and glasses by popping in a single branch of berries or pine and place them among the candles. Just be sure they don’t get too close to the flames!

—Sophie

Mars tensed and protectively snaked an arm around his mother’s shoulders. They wouldn’t arrest June for arson, would they? Even if she did set the fire, I felt sure it was an accident.

“Apparently there were small glasses of candles on the stairs in the foyer,” said Wolf. “It seems they had something flammable tied to them.” He shook his head in disbelief. “Stairs are no place for candles. One of them caught fire. It ignited a basket of dry pinecones on the stair landing, basically a basket of kindling. The basket rolled down the back stairs into the kitchen and the blaze spread from there.”

Andrew and Mars stared at Wolf, speechless. June rushed Wolf. She hugged him like a long-lost friend and Wolf broke into a grin for the first time in days. Pointing a finger at her sons, June said, “There is nothing wrong with your old mother. Just because I have a few wrinkles and I sag in the wrong places doesn’t mean I’m ready for the old folks home. And don’t you pretend you weren’t planning on that. I’m young enough to see a gentleman friend and enjoy myself and that’s what I intend to do. Talking to a ghost doesn’t mean a person is a looney tune.”

She straightened her shoulders and strode from the room.

Simultaneously, Andrew and Wolf said, “Ghost?”

Their question brought Mars to life. “It’s nothing. Wolf, would you mind going over to Andrew’s house to tell Natasha about the fire? We’ll follow you. Mom should come with us.” Mars walked across the kitchen toward Wolf, paused, and turned. “Colonel, perhaps you’d care to join us for lunch? Bernie?”

Hannah jumped up. “It’s been fun but we have a little shopping to do . . .”

“Good golly, Hannah. Haven’t you seen every bridal store yet?” asked Dad.

“Christmas shopping, Dad.”

But we’d forgotten all about Francie. She huddled on the bench, forlorn. Everyone else had someplace to go and something to do. Following the colonel wouldn’t be fun for her anymore. Actually, I wasn’t sure she deserved much sympathy, but I felt sorry for her anyway. She left my house as though each step zapped her strength.

Within half an hour, everyone scattered for the afternoon. I invented an excuse to stay home because I needed a little time to think through my scheme to reveal the killer and bring Nina up to speed on my plan.

I packed my black burglar-chic outfit, shoes and all, in a duffle bag. With all the commotion, I’d forgotten to give Wolf the poison vial. I withdrew it from my pocket and studied it. The rounded ends or gemstones might have yielded good fingerprints if I hadn’t inadvertently messed them up. No one could have worn gloves on Thanksgiving without being noticed. No wonder the killer wanted it back so desperately.

I debated letting Wolf in on my plan to identify the murderer but decided against it. He’d say it wasn’t accepted police procedure and would surely throw a monkey wrench into my plans. Tonight had to be the night. Everyone else would be accounted for at the restaurant. An opportunity like this wouldn’t come along again.

Using masking tape, I attached the plastic bag containing the poison vial to the underside of a drawer in my nightstand. It wasn’t the most original hiding place, but it wouldn’t be discovered by snoopy Craig right away, either.

Carrying the duffle bag, I dashed through the rain across the street to Nina’s. After filling her in about the colonel, I laid out my proposition for the evening. Naturally, she jumped at the opportunity to help.

After much gnashing of teeth that she didn’t have a widow’s walk on top of her house from which she could spy, we decided her best vantage point would be the dormer window in her attic. From there, she could observe anyone entering through my front door or the kitchen door. Only the sunroom entrance would be out of her field of vision. It was a chance we had to take.

I jogged home, adrenaline coursing through my veins already. I had never been a risk taker, but I didn’t feel this was too dangerous. Besides, I would have Mars’s Taser with me.

One key factor remained to be set up. I needed a spy at the restaurant. Mom or Dad were the obvious choices, but they’d be worried to death the whole time. But there was one other person who shared our parents’ spying genes with me. Hannah. Could she be trusted not to say anything to Craig? If he was the killer and she revealed our plans, I’d be putting myself in danger. On the other hand, I needed a spy whom I could trust. And the one thing I knew for sure was that Hannah wasn’t the killer.

As soon as she came home, I corralled her in my bedroom, claiming I needed help with my hair. I closed the door and whispered in case nosy Craig was outside listening. “There is something you can do to help me but you have to promise me you won’t say anything to Craig. Not a word.”

Hannah grinned and held out her pinkie. I hooked mine into hers and squeezed just like we did when we were kids. “I think Mochie found what the killer has been looking for. It’s a small vial that Nina and I think could have contained the poison used on Mars.” I pulled the drawer out of the nightstand and showed it to her.

She ripped the baggie off the drawer and held it up to examine it. “Looks handmade. Indian or African, maybe?”

“When you go out to dinner tonight, I’m going to make an excuse and stay behind. Nina will be outside watching the doors and I’ll be hiding in the living room.”

“Cool. What do you want me to do?”

“I need you to call me and tell me who doesn’t show for dinner. That way Nina and I will know in advance who the killer is and who to expect.”

“I’m in. We’ll communicate through cell phones?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Better give me yours now for a minute so I can set it on vibrate and it won’t ring.”

I handed my cell to her. “And not a word to Craig?”

“I pinkie swore, didn’t I?” She laughed.

While she fixed my phone, I hunted for an outfit sexy enough to please my mom. I’d forgotten about the white hand-knitted sweater she’d made. It crossed over in the front, creating a deep V-neck. I pulled it on and Hannah gave me a thumbs-up. Then I put hot curlers in my hair and sat down next to her on my bed.

“So you realize that you’ve been dressing like a coed from the sixties, don’t you?” I asked.

Fortunately she laughed.

“You mean my new demure look? Craig says only single pearls for earrings unless we’re going to a gala. He hates short skirts, so they’re out. And he loves these old-fashioned sweater sets.”

“I like the sweater sets, too. But I’m worried about you changing yourself so much to please him.”

“So I can’t wear fuchsia or dangly earrings anymore. If it makes him happy, I’m willing to do it. But you can wear anything you want. C’mon, I’ll do your makeup.” Despite my misgivings, I let Hannah smudge my eyes with smoky eyeliner.

“Too bad only the killer will see you looking so good.” She giggled. Her words sent a little tremor through me. I didn’t want to be foolhardy. But Nina would have my back.

Mom yelped with glee when I emerged from my bedroom. “Mars will have to come to his senses when he sees you tonight.”

I took her hands into mine. “It’s over with Mars, Mom. You and June have to give up and let us move on with our lives.”

She bit her lip and squeezed my hands. “Well, then, I hope Mars notices how gorgeous you are and that he makes Wolf jealous.”

I hugged my hopeless romantic of a mother. Nothing would ever change her quest to see her daughters happily married. Even if it meant one of them would be married to weird Craig.

The rain had stopped and darkness had descended on Old Town by the time we gathered in the kitchen. While the others donned their coats, I carefully walked through the house, turning out lights.

“I’m taking Daisy to Nina’s to play with Duke while we’re out,” I announced as we left. Daisy and I ran across the wet street to Nina’s while everyone else waited on the sidewalk.

Nina was already wearing her burglar black outfit when she answered the door. “You look great. It’s a pity you’re not going out,” she said, closing the door behind me.

I released Daisy from her leash. “Are you ready?”

“Honey, I’ve got two pairs of binoculars, my phone, and a thermos of coffee upstairs waiting by the window. Who do you think is going to show up?”

Hot air escaped from my mouth and I sagged like a deflating balloon. “The colonel, Mars, Andrew, and Bernie all hated Simon and were at the hotel that day. The only one who scares me is Craig. If you see him going in the house, call the police immediately.”

“Craig? Why would he be the killer?”

“I haven’t been able to get anything out of him. But he went back to the scene of the crime the next day and he acts so strange and creepy. He’s up to something.”

“My money’s still on Natasha. Maybe Simon found out about her affair with Clyde and threatened to tell Mars. Besides, it would be so like her to bring poison in a fancy vial.”

“I don’t know, Nina. I’m still kind of hoping it will be Mrs. Pulchinski.”

“Fat chance. Are you ready for act one?”

I had no choice. It was now or never. I took a deep breath of air and nodded.

Nina swung the door open and I ran outside and across the street.

“Nina’s husband was taken to the hospital in Chicago,” I said, trying to catch my breath. “She’s a complete wreck! You go ahead and I’ll catch up as soon as I can calm her down a little bit and find out what’s going on with her husband.”

“Oh, honey,” said Mom, “maybe I can help.”

“No. We have reservations. Besides, the others will be waiting for you.”

“Let’s go, Mom. Sophie will come soon, I’m sure.” Hannah prodded them along.

I felt guilty as I watched them walk away in the dark. Hannah hooked her arm into Craig’s. The colonel walked beside June. Mom consoled Francie, and Bernie brought up the rear with Dad.

When they were out of sight, I hurried back to Nina’s. After changing into my black outfit, I patted Daisy and Duke and scurried out of Nina’s back door. The alley behind her house was inky and much creepier than I’d expected. The lights from the houses simply didn’t reach that far. I ran behind the Wesleys’ house, turned right, and dashed up the sidewalk. But when I reached our street, I kept going until I hit the entrance to the alley that ran behind my own house. I stopped to catch my breath.

An occasional car drove by. I shivered, only partly from the cold night air. The other part stemmed from my nerves, which were stretched to capacity. Searching the night for any hint of movement, I knew it was time for the final leg of my return home. I fled through the alley, fumbled with the latch on my gate, finally managed to open it, and slid through. I closed it slowly and without noise. Leaning against it, I watched the back of my house for a couple of minutes but it appeared peaceful. No shadows crossed through the sunroom.

I let myself in through the sunroom door and locked it behind me. Tiptoeing, I collected Mars’s Taser from the cabinet in the kitchen where I’d stashed it. Lest anyone see me from the street, I hurried back to the den. Propping the door to the living room ajar so I could see, I picked up my phone to call Nina and let her know I was in place.

The phone was already vibrating.