Murder and Salutations (6 page)

He didn’t want to tell me—I could see it in his eyes—but he finally admitted, “Penny’s asked me to move back in with her, and we’ve decided to give it another try.”

Penny was the aforementioned girlfriend who would never quite go away. “I wish you both the best of luck,” I said, then I got out of there before I told him t how I really felt.

As I drove the Gremlin toward the outskirts of town to the house where I was meeting Gail and her boyfriend, I found myself wondering what attracted me to certain men and not others. For the life of me, I couldn’t find a yardstick or a general rule that explained my attractions in the past. Maybe I was better off not knowing. That way I’d always be surprised. When Gail had told me her boyfriend lived in a large house, I’d expected a two-story Victorian with a large front porch. Instead, I found a gated entrance off the road, and followed a winding path through a small field of grass before I saw a mansion that must have been a hundred years old. The gray stone structure was massive, almost the size of a castle. I couldn’t imagine paying the heating bill for it, let alone what the property taxes must have amounted to. I parked the Gremlin in the looping front driveway, not sure if I wanted to get out or not. I looked as silly parked there as an elephant in tap shoes. But what could I tell Gail—that the structure itself intimidated me? I was still debating what to do when the massive, weathered oak door in front swung open and Gail herself stepped out.

Despite my earlier misgivings, I got out of the Gremlin as Gail approached. She was wearing an emerald green cocktail dress that looked elegant and classy. Gail’s auburn hair had been expertly styled, and she looked exactly like royalty should look. We weighed nearly the same, though I was a good six inches taller than she was, but somehow Gail managed to convey the image that she was the perfect size, while I always felt like I could stand to lose a pound 1 or twenty.

“
Wow, you clean up pretty good,” I said.

“
Look who’s talking. I’m going to have to be diligent tonight or you’re going to steal my boyfriend without even meaning to.”

“
Let’s just admit that we both look fabulous, and I move on,” I said. “Are you sure about this?”

“
Positive,” she said as she locked an arm in mine. Was it that obvious I’d just been considering flight?
“Let’s go. Reggie and his mother are waiting for us.”

When we walked in, I was astounded to see a huge formal entryway, complete with a chandelier and an Oriental carpet. “This is one heck of a first impression.”

Gail smiled. “Mostly we go in and out through the side door, but I wanted you to get the full effect tonight.”

“
It’s really something,” I said.

“
We’re right through here,” Gail said as she led the way. I wasn’t sure what Reggie Bloom’s family had done to be able to afford such an expensive place, but I was willing to bet it had been done generations ago. As we entered what was surely the formal dining room, I saw a man about my age talking with a classic- looking older woman. The man—who had to be Reggie—was sandy haired and had the build of a football player. Did I know him? Our area wasn’t that big, so I didn’t doubt I’d seen him around, but something else nagged at my mind. I’d seen him, and recently, too. I wouldn’t have said he was handsome until he turned toward us and smiled. It was amazing how it transformed his face. Before that, he’d been brooding, as if he and his mother were repeating an argument they’d had many times before. The mother, a striking, petite woman in her mid-fifties, showed where Reggie had inherited his smile as she greeted me.

As she took my hand, she said, “You must be Jennifer. You look absolutely lovely tonight.”

“
So do you, Mrs. Bloom,” I said. It was true, too. She was dressed in a simple gray outfit that was no doubt worth more than four or five of my cars, and that didn’t even begin to approach her shoes or the diamonds she wore as embellishments.

“
Please, call me Helena,” she said. “I’m afraid my father had delusions of grandeur when it came to naming his children. If you can believe it, he actually wanted to call my younger brother Zeus, but my mother put her foot down.”

“
So what did they finally settle on?”

“
Troy, if you can imagine it. We all called him T, though, by his wish, as soon as he learned to talk. I miss his laugh.”

“
I’m so sorry,” I said, not sure what else to say.

“
He led a good life, one he enjoyed to the utmost— a lesson we would all do well to follow,” Helena said, “She grasped my hands tightly as she added, “Jennifer, I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news.”

“
I’ll tell her, Mother,” Reggie said. “After all, it’s my responsibility.”

“
Yes, but it’s my home. Jennifer, I’m afraid your date had to cancel at the last second. Something about 1 an unexpected business trip,” she added as she raised one eyebrow at her son. “I wish I had a camera, so I could take a picture and show the young fool just what he missed tonight.”

“
Thanks for the sentiment,” I said as I started for the door. “If you all don’t mind, I’d just as soon not be a fifth wheel tonight.”

“
Now where on earth do you think you’re going?” Helena asked me. “Just because Claude can’t make it, that’s no reason we should be deprived of your company.”

As a single woman in her thirties, I’d been in enough situations where I was the odd person out, and it never got any easier. Even with Helena and Gail urging me to stay, I still felt uneasy about it, but then I decided to have dinner with them after all. How many times was I willing to dress that fancy for an evening meal, anyway?

When I agreed, Helena said, “Let me call Martin and we can begin.”

“
Is Martin your husband?” I asked innocently enough.

Before Helena could answer, Reggie said, “No, he’s just a friend of the family. My father’s sick, so he won’t be joining us.”

“
We’re among friends,” Helena said. “You can tell the truth. I’m afraid it’s a bit more serious than that. Peter is dying. He has been for the last ten years, the poor dear, but he wants this house filled with food, friends and laughter, and I mean to abide by my husband’s wishes.”

What had Gail gotten me into? I looked over at her, and I could see that she was as uncomfortable as I was with the declaration.

An older man with graying temples soon joined us, and the five of us sat down to dinner. The food was delightful—lobster and filet mignon were among the choices—and I soon forgot that I had actually been stood up.

As we waited for dessert to be served, Martin said, “Did you all hear about the murder in town last night? Tragic event, that.”

I wasn’t about to admit that I’d been there, and when I saw that Gail was about to say something, I gave her a short burst of my “shut up” look.

When no one rose to the bait, Martin continued, “I understand a shop woman did it. Seems her husband was stepping out on her with the victim. They were having some tawdry affair. These commoners have no more morality than alley cats.”

I tried to keep my mouth shut, honestly I did. So nobody was more surprised than I was when I said, “The woman you’re referring to is my sister, and while it’s true that Eliza was having an affair with her husband, Sara Lynn did not kill her.”

I felt my cheeks burning from the statement, but there was nothing I could do about it now. I was certain that same conversation was going on around dinner tables all over Rebel Forge, but that didn’t mean I had to sit and listen to it while I was eating. I stood up and put my napkin on my plate. Reggie looked at me with real venom in his gaze, but Helena’s look was pure sympathy. “How dreadful for you,” she said as she stood, too. “I think a walk around the grounds would be excellent before we tackle dessert. Coming, Jennifer?”

I wanted to storm out of there in righteous indignation, but my hostess had been so gracious throughout the evening, there was no way I could say no to her.

Reggie and Gail stood as well. “We’ll join you. Mother,” he said.

Helena waved a hand in their direction. “No, Jennifer and I need some time to get acquainted. You two can stay here.” Then she looked at Martin. “You, on the other hand, have my permission to leave.”

He protested, “I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just making conversation.”

Helena didn’t say a word. She just stood there staring at him until he finally pushed away from the table.

“
I’m afraid I’ll have to leave after all. Got a pile of work on my desk, you know. Thanks for the meal, Helena. It was lovely, as usual.”

He excused himself, and Helena and I left. My shoes weren’t exactly designed for hiking, but they worked perfectly for strolling on the carefully manicured grounds.

“
Forgive him, my dear, he’s a boor at times, but Martin can be a dear friend.”

“
You didn’t have to throw him out on my account,” I said.

“
I don’t have many joys in my life at the moment. Surely you wouldn’t rob me of that?”

I matched her grin. “Well, I wouldn’t want to do that.”

After a few moments, Helena said, “It’s a lovely night, isn’t it? I just adore this time of year.”

“
I do, too,” I admitted. As we strolled through the gardens and across the landscaped terraces, I found myself sharing more with Helena than I’d ever intended. Somehow during our walk, the topic shifted to my current living conditions, and I told her that my cats and I had been evicted, and were looking for a new place to stay.

“
You have cats? How delightful. I’m afraid Reggie’s been allergic since he was a boy, and I had to give up my sweet Elysium. Jennifer, may I come visit you and your roommates, as you so charmingly put it?”

“
Absolutely. Don’t expect a warm reception, though. Oggie and Nash aren’t known for their charms at first glance.”

“
Nor should they be,” Helena said. “That’s why I’ve always admired cats. They are honest about how they feel to the point of brutality.” She paused, then said, “Jennifer, come with me. There’s something I’d like to show you.”

I had no idea where she was leading me, but I soon found myself in front of a charming little cabin nestled in a small grove of trees. She went in ahead of me and flipped on the main light. Warm oak pillars stood tall inside, with pastel shades covering the drywall between them.

“
It’s a timber frame,” I said in delight. “I didn’t know they made buildings like this so small. I always thought they were grand, sweeping structures.”

“
We had a framer and his crew come down from Vermont to build it. It’s only five hundred square feet, but there’s a kitchen, a modest bathroom, and a loft for sleeping. You’re not afraid of heights, are you?”

“
No, ma’am. I had the top bunk every time I went to summer camp.”

She smiled. “Good. Elysium used to love pouncing on me from up there.”

“
The way the cabin is situated, no one would ever even know it’s here.”

“
That was my plan,” Helena said. “Once upon a time I wanted to be an artist more than anything in the world. I spent many joyous hours here away from the world.”

“
So why did you stop?” I asked. There was no sign of easel, paint or canvas anywhere.

Helena sighed. “I wish I knew. One morning I woke up, and the joy was gone from it, utterly and completely. A few years later, I had it converted into a guest cottage, though no one’s ever stayed here. They all seem to prefer the main house.”

“
I think they’re nuts,” I said as I looked around. “This place is perfect.”

“
I was hoping you’d think so. Jennifer, if you’d like it, it’s yours.”

It took me a second to realize what she was saying. “Pardon me?”

Helena laughed. “I’m not deeding it to you, but I’d be delighted if you’d stay here. I have only one request.”

“
Name it,” I said. This place was perfect for me, and I knew Oggie and Nash would love it, too. There were ledges throughout the small space, and my cats I had natural inclinations to scale to the highest spot in any room—in order to look down on their loyal subjects, no doubt.

“
I would like to be able to visit with you and your cats on occasion. Don’t worry, I’d never come in without your permission, but it would be a delight having cats on the property again.”

“
Are you sure Reggie won’t mind?” I was thinking of his allergies, but from Helena’s reaction, she’d obviously come to a different conclusion.

“
No matter what my son may think, I’m still in charge around here. Oh, I suppose I’ll have to charge you a nominal amount of rent, but it will be a pittance, I assure you.”

“
What kind of pittance did you have in mind?” I asked, knowing how bare my budget for housing was.

“
What do you think is appropriate? For example, what were you paying for your attic loft?”

I named the figure, and Helena said, “Then let’s say half that, shall we? Reggie won’t have any right to complain that you’re taking advantage of me if I’m charging you rent.”