Dragonwell Dead

25

It was almost fun, Theodosia decided. All she had to do was mention Timothy Neville’s name and she had the instant ability to strike fear in the hearts of almost every volunteer. Obviously, the Orchid Society members had heard about Timothy’s famously hot temper and decided it wasn’t worth the effort to keep Drayton out of the judging. In fact, they probably figured it was the lesser of two evils. Harlan Noble might glower and fuss, but Timothy would completely blow his cork.

So Drayton’s orchid was in. Thank goodness!

And Drayton was breathing easier now, acting almost ebullient.

“Let’s go inside and check out the silent auction,” he said to Theodosia. “See how that’s going.”

“Only for a couple minutes,” replied Theodosia. “We don’t want to leave Haley and Charlie short-handed.”

“They’ll be fine,” expounded Drayton, smiling broadly now, waving to friends and Heritage Society regulars that they passed.

“Two minutes,” Theodosia told him as they made their way down the wood-paneled corridor to what the Heritage Society called the gallery room.

“Oh, this is going very well,” exclaimed Drayton. A pleasant hum filled the room as at least fifty people actively perused the various auction items and jotted their bids on the bidding sheets.

At the first table, they ran into Delaine and Bobby Wayne Loveday. Delaine looked like she was ready to party all night; Bobby Wayne looked drawn and subdued.

Theodosia reached out and clasped a hand on one of Bobby Wayne’s forearms. “Sorry to hear about Fayne,” she said in a low whisper.

Bobby Wayne’s eyes met hers and he shook his head. “Shocking,” he murmured back. “Almost unspeakable.”

“Such a sad child,” added Delaine. “So misguided.” She picked up a pen, thought for a moment, then scratched out her bid. “I certainly hope nobody else bids on this Hilton Head trip. I would simply adore spending a long weekend there.”

“I’m kind of interested in the fighter jet ride,” Theodosia told her.

“Goodness,” said Delaine, fanning herself. “Way too much excitement for me!”

At Bobby Wayne’s urging, he and Delaine followed Theodosia and Drayton back to their tea table.

“I haven’t had a bite to eat all day,” Bobby Wayne told them.

“You like lobster salad sandwiches?” Drayton asked.

Bobby Wayne touched a hand to his chest as his eyes fluttered. “Be still my heart.” He laughed.

Drayton took a small plate, stacked up a half dozen sandwiches for Bobby Wayne. Usually judicious in doling out tea sandwiches, Drayton was obviously feeling a certain amount of sympathy for Bobby Wayne. After all, there was sure to be some fallout for his company.

“You’re a lifesaver,” said Bobby Wayne, popping one of the tasty morsels into his mouth.

Delaine raised one quivering eyebrow. “Good?” she asked him.

Bobby Wayne rolled his eyes appreciatively and nodded.

“I bet you’d enjoy one of these chicken salad and chutney sandwiches, too,” said Haley.

In answer Bobby Wayne held out his plate.

Delaine’s eyebrows rose a little higher. “Perhaps we could also get a refreshing drink,” she suggested.

“Sure,” agreed Bobby Wayne.

Haley suddenly clapped a hand over her mouth. “You know what?” she exclaimed to Theodosia. “I forgot to tell you something.”

“What’s that?” asked Theodosia.

“Burt Tidwell called you back. I took the phone call just as we were leaving the tea shop. But in all the fuss and furor of getting everything transported and set up, I forgot to tell you.”

Delaine stared at Haley as though she’d just committed an indiscretion. “You’re referring to that boorish detective?” she asked.

“I guess you must have called him about something?” continued Haley. “Because he said he was getting back to you. From the Bahamas?”

Maybe Tidwell did check on that Bahamian company for me, thought Theodosia. She gave a casual flip of her hand. “Not to worry,” she told Haley. “I’ll call Tidwell back tomorrow.” Then, feeling good about things, Theodosia added, “I’ll tell him the case has already been solved. That his services weren’t needed after all.”

“Hah.” Haley laughed. “That’ll just about kill him. Tidwell thinks he’s smarter than Sherlock Holmes, Kojak, and the whole CSI team put together!”

Delaine plucked at Bobby Wayne’s sleeve, trying to get him away from the table. “I do believe Timothy Neville is going to make a short speech now,” she said in a somewhat strained voice.

“Oh, I don’t want to miss that,” said Drayton.

“What’s the big deal?” asked Haley, who had always been a little fearful of Timothy.

“He’s going to talk about the partnership with the Orchid Society,” said Drayton. “It’s one of Timothy’s new initiatives for the Heritage Society. Partnering with other arts organizations or like-minded groups. He’s even put out feelers for partnering with the Arts Board on the next Charleston Film Festival.”

“Thinking outside the box,” murmured Theodosia.

“That’s a good thing, huh?” said Haley.

“A very good thing,” smiled Theodosia. “Whether you’re in business, running a nonprofit organization, or just navigating your life.”

Drayton and Delaine began drifting toward the far side of the patio.

“You go, too,” Theodosia urged Haley. “Scoot.”

“You can handle things okay?”

“No problem. Besides, Parker and Charlie are nearby.”

“Okay,” said Haley, moving off to join the group.

Theodosia heard the PA system click on, was aware of a spatter of appreciative applause from the crowd. Then she turned her attention to her tea table. They’d been hit with a spurt of guests earlier and she wanted to replenish things.

Bending over, she grabbed another tray of sandwiches, plucked a brass tea strainer and a tea thermometer from a wicker basket.

“Theodosia.”

Theodosia looked up to see Bobby Wayne staring at her, looking a little bit excited and slightly jittery.

“Theodosia,” Bobby Wayne whispered again. “Don’t say anything to anyone, okay? Just come see the ring I bought for Delaine.”

Bobby Wayne’s words suddenly struck a chord with Theodosia. “Ring?” she said.

Bobby Wayne managed a nervous smile. “Yeah. It’s an . . . an engagement ring!”

A wide smile spread across Theodosia’s face. “Are you serious? You’re going to ask Delaine to marry you?” This was news! Major news!

Bobby Wayne gave a tight, gleeful nod. “She’s the one. I know it in my heart.”

Theodosia scurried out from behind the table, sliding the tea strainer into the pocket of her slacks. “Show me, Bobby Wayne.”

Bobby Wayne made a furtive gesture. “Come over here. Don’t let her see us, though. It’s gotta be a surprise.”

Theodosia stepped off the patio, following in Bobby Wayne’s footsteps. They rounded a giant magnolia bush and were suddenly in shadows. “Nobody saw us,” promised Theodosia. “Don’t worry.”

“I’ve got it stashed in my car.”

Theodosia followed Bobby Wayne another twenty feet to the edge of the parking lot.

“What I need is a woman’s opinion on this,” said Bobby Wayne. He reached into his jacket pocket, fumbled for his keys. “Delaine’s got such impeccable taste, I don’t want to screw up and give her anything that could be construed as too gaudy or even old-fashioned.” Bobby Wayne popped open the trunk and reached into the darkness. When he withdrew his hand, a purple velvet ring box rested in the center of his palm.

“I’m sure she’ll love anything you get her,” said Theodosia, plucking the box from his hand. Oh boy, will she ever.

“Open it,” prompted Bobby Wayne.

Curiosity aglow in her eyes, Theodosia opened the box slowly.

It was empty.

In a single heartbeat, Theodosia’s curiosity winked out and stunned bewilderment rushed in to take its place.

“Bobby Wa—” Theodosia began just as she caught the blur of a giant shovel swinging toward her head. Inhaling sharply, she had time to move perhaps an inch before the enormous piece of galvanized metal connected solidly against the side of her skull. Absorbing the bone-jarring thwack, feeling every molar rattle, Theodosia was briefly cognizant that she’d sustained a terrible, crippling blow. And then she was falling. Falling softly into oblivion.