The Silence Of The Library

FOURTEEN

The Farrington House was the finest hotel in Athena, and I figured that must be where Gordon Betts was staying. I looked up the number and jotted it on a notepad. Before I could place the call, however, Laura breezed into the kitchen with Diesel trotting beside her.

“Morning, Dad.” She kissed my cheek and gave my arm a quick squeeze. “Seems like ages since I saw you.” She poured herself a cup of coffee. “What have you been up to?”

Both my children were avid mystery readers like me, and I knew Laura would be interested in hearing about the murder of Carrie Taylor. I wasn’t ready to talk about it with her, however—at least not right this minute. I was more interested in catching up with my daughter. Push the awfulness away for at least a little while, I thought.

“I’ll tell you all about it later,” I said. “Right now, why don’t you bring me up to date on the wedding plans? You haven’t asked for my checkbook for at least two weeks now.” I grinned to show her I was only teasing.

She had a sip of coffee before she spoke. “I’ve picked out my wedding dress. It’s an absolutely stunning Badgley Mischka.” She batted her eyes at me. “I’m sure you’ll love it.”

“What’s a Badgley Mischka? Sounds expensive.” I thought she might be teasing me, but with brides and their dresses, you never knew.

“Badgley and Mischka are designers who work together. And yes, their dresses can be expensive.” Laura giggled. “But don’t worry, I have a friend who got it for me wholesale through somebody she knows in Memphis. It really is gorgeous. I’ve got some fittings coming up, and then everything will be set.”

“You’ll look beautiful no matter what you wear. Your mother . . .” I felt my eyes sting suddenly as I envisioned escorting Laura down the aisle. How excited her mother would have been to see it, too.

Diesel, back from a visit to the utility room, meowed at me and rubbed against my legs. Laura came to me and gave me a hug. “I know, Dad. I’ve been thinking a lot about her lately. But I know she’ll be there with us.”

I slid my arm around her and held her close for a long moment. I cleared my throat. “Yes, I’m sure she will.”

Laura smiled at me as I released her. She picked up her coffee and moved over to the table. We sat across from each other. “All the arrangements are pretty much set now. The chapel at the college is reserved, and the chaplain is all set, too. My best friend, Dodie, will be my maid of honor, and Helen Louise offered to cater the reception. Now we just have to wait for June ninth to get here.” Laura leaned back in her chair, obviously pleased with her plans.

“I won’t have any trouble remembering your anniversary,” I said. June ninth was my maternal grandmother’s birthday. “Have you decided where you’re going on your honeymoon? Last I heard you were leaning toward New York.”

“We were at first. We thought about California, too,” Laura replied. “But I’ve had enough of Hollywood for now, and I’ve never been to London. Frank has been several times, and he wants to show me around.”

“London would be perfect—the West End and all the wonderful shows.” I drained the last of my coffee. “I’m sure you’ll want to experience the London theater scene.” Jackie and I could never afford to take our children abroad, but we did take them to New York and Hollywood, among other places.

“Absolutely. I can’t wait to see The Mousetrap.” Laura laughed. “I know it’s probably hokey, but as a mystery lover, I can’t pass up the chance.”

“I’d love to see it myself,” I said. Agatha Christie’s play, the longest running in theater history, had entertained audiences for over six decades now.

Laura grinned slyly. “Maybe you can go to London on your honeymoon. And then of course over to Paris. I’m sure Helen Louise would love to show you her favorite city in the world.”

I gazed sternly at my daughter. “None of that, now. I have to get you married and off my hands first. Sean, too. You’ve both been hanging around this house unmarried far too long. I need grandchildren to spoil. Then maybe I can think about Helen Louise and a wedding of my own.”

At the mentions of Helen Louise’s name, Diesel—who had been dozing quietly under the table—perked up and meowed. He adored Helen Louise, and she pampered him whenever we visited her bakery. She always had tidbits of chicken for him.

Laura held up her hands in mock surrender. “I’m not getting married for two months yet, Dad. You’re going to have to wait a year or two for a grandchild.”

We laughed together, and Diesel chirped along. “I don’t mind waiting awhile longer. But at the rate things are progressing with Sean and Alexandra, I’m sure you’ll produce the first sprig of the next generation.”

“Oh, they’ll work everything out.” Laura shrugged. “Sean’s just being stubborn, but he’ll come around. Alexandra will sort out her father, and peace and happiness will reign once again for my big brother.”

“I sure hope so,” I said. “I’m keeping out of it.”

“So am I,” Laura replied. “Enough about weddings. Tell me what you’ve been up to. How’s the exhibit shaping up?”

For the next ten minutes I shared with my daughter the events of the past couple of days. Her eyes widened in excitement when I told her about meeting Electra Barnes Cartwright. Laura had read the Veronica Thane books and loved them. She held back her comments, though, until I finished with the last, most horrible, event, the murder of Carrie Taylor.

“How awful.” Laura shook her head. “That poor woman. Why would anyone do that to her? From what you’ve said, she sounds like she was a nice old lady. Was it a robbery gone wrong, do you think?”

“It might have been.” I told her my suspicions of Gordon Betts.

“That’s downright crazy,” Laura said as I got up from the table to retrieve the piece of paper with the hotel phone number on it. “It’s not like we’re talking about a fabulous piece of art here, like a Renoir or a Rembrandt. Do you really think anyone would kill over a collection of children’s books?”

“It does sound pretty senseless, doesn’t it?” I shrugged. “People have killed for less, though. What might sound nutty to you or me might not sound that way to a rabid collector perhaps. The lust to possess has driven many to murder.”

“I guess,” Laura said, “but you have to wonder if there isn’t something else going on, something no one knows about yet.”

“That’s entirely possible,” I said. I brandished the piece of paper. “I was about to call the Farrington House when you walked in. I thought I would see whether Gordon Betts is staying there.”

“And if you can track him down, you’ll try to talk to him, won’t you?” Laura shook her head. “I don’t blame you for being curious, but do you think you should? Won’t Kanesha have a fit if she finds out?”

“Kanesha is probably going to have several fits with me before this is over,” I said with as much nonchalance as I could muster. “I’m not going to be able to stay out of this.”

“No, I don’t imagine you will be. Just be careful that Kanesha doesn’t lock you up.” Laura’s wry tone caused us both to smile.

I wouldn’t have admitted it to my daughter right then, but I hadn’t actually considered how the chief deputy would react. Laura’s questions gave me pause, however, because I didn’t want to get caught in the crosshairs over this. Kanesha might seek my help, as she had done on occasion when she thought I had access to information she needed. On reflection, I decided I probably ought to wait to talk to Gordon Betts until after I was sure Kanesha had questioned him first.

My cell phone rang, and I pulled it from my pocket. Melba Gilley’s name popped up on the caller ID. “Morning, Melba. How are you?”

“Oh, Charlie, just awful,” Melba wailed into the phone. “I’m so upset about Carrie, I can’t tell you.” She paused for a sobbing breath. “I’ve got to talk to someone. Carrie told me all about helping you with the exhibit at the library. I know that’s what got her killed.”