Staged to Death (A Caprice De Luca Mystery) (17 page)

“How would you decorate it?” Caprice wanted to see if Roz really pictured herself here.

“I don’t care if something is in or out. You know me. I like curvy furniture, nice thick rugs, jewel colors. I know you’ll do a good job for me.”

They exchanged a look, and they both laughed.

“Tell her your other news,” Joanie prodded. “I’ll see if I can get hold of the manager.” Taking her phone out, she went into the kitchen so Roz and Caprice could talk.

“What other news?” Caprice studied Roz, trying to figure out if it was bad or good.

“An offer came in on the house.”

“And . . .”

“It’s a low offer.” She named the price. And lowball or not, it was more than enough to fund anybody’s retirement.

“Have you decided what you’re going to do?”

“I can either take the offer, counter, or wait for something better. The real question is whether or not I want to sell the house and move on.”

Caprice was glad to see that Roz had clarified it for herself. “Still . . . you know counselors give the advice not to make life-changing decisions the first year after a spouse dies.”

“I suppose that’s good advice. But my situation is a little different, don’t you think? Why would I want to hold on to it and have that reminder of what happened? I can remember the good times in my marriage to Ted without the house.”

“Why don’t you consider it overnight, at least?”

“I’ll think about the offer on the house. Later you and I can discuss it more. And I’m having lunch with Dave tomorrow. Maybe he can give me an unbiased opinion too. But I’d like to sign the lease on this condo. If I get arrested, well, I guess I’ll have to forfeit the security deposit.”

Although Roz was being flippant, Caprice could sense the real worry underneath her cavalier attitude. “I think an investigation with PA Pharm is going to take the pressure off the case against you. But I’m not sure you should move in any place by yourself until Ted’s killer is apprehended.”

Roz looked around the room, as if by imagining herself here, she could have an optimistic outlook. “Did you mean what you said about me taking Dylan?”

“He’s adopted you. He follows you around, sits in your lap, and sleeps with you. I want to see you both happy. So yes, I meant it. I know you’ll give him a good home.”

Roz’s eyes glistened with unshed emotion. “I don’t know what I would have done without you through all of this.” She stared down at the papers again. “You know this is only the second place I’ve looked at. And if I take Dylan, he really should have a yard. Maybe I shouldn’t be so eager to sign.”

This was exactly why a person with any kind of loss shouldn’t make a major decision the first year. Roz had to be hurt, angry, and maybe even confused by everything that had happened. But an impulsive decision could definitely cause her more stress.

Or could get her killed.

“I’m sure Joanie won’t mind showing you other properties.”

Roz lowered her voice. “But she’s calling the manager.”

“She is. But you haven’t signed anything yet. You’re not committed. Be sure, Roz.”

“I’ll stop at your house before I visit more properties, so I can let Dylan out. What are you up to?”

“I have to drop off furniture and a few art pieces at the Heinz’s loft. I’m going to have tea with Nana around two. Do you want to come?”

“I don’t think so. I don’t know how long I’ll be tied up with Joanie. And then I think I just want some time to chill with Dylan and Sophia and the kittens. Your grandmother is a sweetie, but—”

“But you need alone time. I get that. Give the furry brigade cuddles for me.”

Since Roz looked like she needed a cuddle herself, Caprice gave her a hug. “I’ll see you around supper time, and we’ll create something brilliant with a pound of ground beef.”

When Roz laughed and hugged her back, Caprice knew her friendship with Roz was becoming almost as strong as her friendship with her sisters. What would happen if she was arrested? What would Caprice do then?

Her friend wasn’t going to get arrested. She was going to figure this out. Had Isaac found the provenance of the dagger yet?

That was her next clue on her list to investigate.

 

 

Caprice cherished her teatime with Nana Celia. She and her grandmother had shared a cup of tea as often as they could since Caprice was around ten. When she was sick and had to stay home from school, Nana took care of her and always brewed tea. When she had good news to share, she’d visit her Nana, and her grandmother would bring out a box of wonderful flavored teas. As a child, the idea of strawberry or blackberry or peach tea had been a treat like a piece of candy. But even more than the tea, she enjoyed her grandmother’s stories. Caprice had asked over and over again why Nana had married when she was only seventeen. She’d enquired about her grandfather’s barbershop and studied old photo albums. Nana Celia embodied family history, Old World charm, and all the best traditions. She was cooking and laughter and comfort and joy.

She’d called Isaac before she reached the door of Nana’s suite but had only reached his machine at the shop. She’d have to try again.

Fifteen minutes later Caprice was sitting with Nana in her parlor. At least that’s the way she thought of the small living room. Nana’s taste ran to antiques, lace, and small, flowered patterns in lilac, yellow, and pink. Her grandmother was regal. Only five feet three, Nana always held her head up high and her shoulders straight. They were seated in wing chairs near a window, sipping from delicate teacups, munching on biscotti laid out on the tray on the marble-top Victorian table between them.

“So tell me what you’ve been doing since our dinner,” Nana invited. “You haven’t called.”

Caprice felt a pang of guilt. No, she hadn’t, except to confirm they were having tea today. “Mostly, I’ve been thinking about Mom’s party and turning a loft into a bachelor pad.”

“That will be great if you sell it to a bachelor. Narrow market, isn’t it?”

Caprice had to laugh. “It might be. But I think it will work. There are unmarried men in the area.”

“Then why aren’t you dating them?” Nana asked in a serious tone.

Her grandmother never let her get away with anything. So she revealed, “I am. I had a date last weekend.”

“Tell me about him.”

“He’s a doctor at the urgent care center. So his hours are all over the place. We played miniature golf, but then he got called away.”

“Do you like him?”

“I do, and I think the date went well. He sent me red roses.”

“Flowers! A traditionalist. Maybe men do still know how to court a woman.” After sips of tea, Nana said, “I saw you and Grant discussing your friend.”

So why had Nana brought up Grant?

“Is Roz still staying with you?” her grandmother asked.

“Yes, she is, but she’s looking at apartments and condos.”

Nana studied Caprice thoughtfully. “But you’re still worried about her?”

“I am. The police haven’t found the killer yet. She wants to move into her own place . . . alone.”

“I’ve heard talk that you’re trying to figure out who killed her husband.”

“Talk from whom?”

Before Nana could answer, the door that connected Nana’s suite of rooms with the main house opened and Bella walked in.

Nana responded to Caprice’s question, “Bella told me.”

Caprice glared at her sister. She didn’t want her grandmother to worry. “And just what did Bella say?”

Sweeping into the room like royalty, Bella took a biscotti from the dish. “So you’re probably talking about the murder. Nikki says that’s all you have on your mind. I told Nana you’re asking questions at Curls R Us and PA Pharm. That’s true, isn’t it?”

Crossing to the small table where they sat, Bella dragged one of the chairs with needlepoint seats over next to Caprice.

Caprice automatically warned, “You shouldn’t be moving furniture.” If Bella was pregnant she should be careful.

But Bella gave her a baleful look, and Caprice knew her secret still wasn’t out. Just when was she going to tell Joe? When she started showing?

“So tell me what you found out,” Nana said. “Don’t leave me in the dark.”

“I haven’t found out anything concrete.”

“And who are your suspects?”

Caprice ran through the list from Monty to Chad Thompson, to disgruntled employees at PA Pharm, to Valerie.

“Do you know what your problem is?” Nana asked.

“No. But I’m sure you’re going to tell me, aren’t you?”

Her grandmother shot her a smile. “Always. Your problem is that you need to find the missing link. If you pinpoint the missing link, you’ll find your murderer.”

“Maybe Valerie is the missing link,” Bella offered as she took another bite of biscotti.

“I don’t even know if she’s a viable suspect,” Caprice responded, then sipped her tea.

“Oh, she’s a suspect. I heard there was a ruckus over at Curls R Us. Valerie was back at work on Monday. The police came in, wanting to ask her more questions. Apparently they’d met with her once before. She put up a fuss at first . . . said they shouldn’t be hassling her when the killer was out there somewhere. But Detective Jones told her she could talk to him there or go down to the station with him. I heard she was fit to be tied. Red-faced, blustering, even a few tears. But she might really miss Ted, and all of it is upsetting. Valerie’s a hard one to read.”

Was Valerie hard to read on purpose? Caprice wondered. After all, she’d been having a secret affair with a married man. It wouldn’t be so far-fetched to jump to the conclusion that she could be hiding being a murderess. Maybe she was so upset because her veneer was starting to crack. Had it been a crime of passion? Committed in anger? Was she feeling guilty?

The recognizable ringtone from her phone disrupted Caprice’s train of thought. She slid it out of her pocket to see if Roz needed her. “It’s Seth,” she murmured.

“Your young man?” Nana asked.

“The doctor,” Bella explained. “Go ahead and take it. We can listen in.”

Caprice wrinkled her nose at her sister, stood, and went to the farthest corner of the small kitchen to have a conversation.

Seth asked, “How about tomorrow morning for a latte at the Koffee Klatch? Is six-thirty too early for you?”

An excited feeling tingled up Caprice’s spine. “Six-thirty’s just fine.”

“I have to be at the clinic at eight, so that should give us a little time. Sorry this is on the run.”

“I’m not sorry. I’m just glad you have time at all.” Had she just given away the fact that she was really looking forward to seeing him?

“I’ll say it again, Caprice De Luca, I like you. See you tomorrow morning.”

When she slipped the phone into her pocket, she was smiling.

“Well, I think I see a flush on your cheeks,” Nana said. “A date?”

“Early tomorrow morning for coffee.”

“I suppose that’s safer than late-night drinks at his condo,” Bella concluded.

“Bella!” Caprice cast a glance at her grandmother.

But her grandmother was already brushing the remark away. “I’m not too old that I don’t remember what goes on. When your grandfather and I met—” She gave an exaggerated sigh.

To deflect further attention away from herself, Caprice checked the teapot on the tray. “I’ll heat up more water. We really have to discuss shopping for Mom’s party. Maybe you and Nikki and I can go for supplies tomorrow afternoon.”

“Remember, your mom’s favorite color is pink,” Nana reminded them. “And speaking of her birthday celebration, why don’t you invite your doctor to come?”

Caprice hadn’t even considered that. “He probably has to work.”

“But if he doesn’t . . .” Nana gave her a conspiratorial wink.

Bella said slyly, “Grant’s coming. I got his RSVP.”

Yes, Grant was coming. But what did that matter? Why would he even care if Seth was there too?

Later that evening while Roz watched TV, Caprice worked in her office. Her paperwork had mounted up over the past week, and she had follow-up visits to schedule. Sophia was sprawled across her lap as she worked, tired of kitten play. Caprice was ready to pick up her office phone to schedule a consultation when it rang. To her surprise, it was Grant.

“I found a home for your kittens.”

There was a note of achievement in his voice, and Caprice realized, for the millionth time, that most men just wanted to accomplish a goal.

“Will I approve of this home?” She wouldn’t let Creamsicle and Stripes go just anywhere.

“I think so. My neighbor in the town house next door is looking for a pet for her little girl who’s ten. I convinced her that two kittens are better than one because they can keep each other company. If you’re going to be home, we can be over there in fifteen minutes.”

“That soon?” She suddenly realized she loved Stripes and Creamsicle. It would be hard to let them go. But that’s how she felt about any stray she brought in and found a home for.

“I’ll be here,” she said. “But if I don’t like them, the kittens don’t go.”

Grant’s voice was filled with wry amusement when he said, “I’ll tell everyone to be on their best behavior.”

“I’d rather see what they’re really like.”

With an exhausted sigh, he suggested, “Then bring out that biscotti you and Nana make and something to drink. Tanya can play with the kittens for a bit so you can see how they interact. I’m sure her mother will be open to that. Donna’s pretty understanding.”

Caprice suddenly wondered what Donna looked like . . . if she was single or married . . . if she and Grant were friends. But she didn’t ask. She’d simply wait until they arrived.

It was more like half an hour later when Grant’s SUV pulled up outside.

Roz peered out the bay window. “She’s pretty. I’d say a few years older than you.” She gave Caprice a wink, and Caprice didn’t know exactly what that meant.

After introductions all around, Tanya, who had beautiful red-blond hair like her mom, gravitated toward the cat condo, where the kittens were curled together asleep.

“Can I touch them?” she asked in a lowered voice.

Caprice thought it was a good sign that she seemed respectful of Stripes and Creamsicle.

Caprice walked over to the cat condo with her. “You can even pick one up if you’re careful. They get squirmy and wiggly if they don’t want to stay in your arms. Probably the best thing to do is to scoop one up with both hands and then sit on the floor with her.”

Caprice showed Tanya how to do that and they both sat on the floor right there.

Both kittens awakened, and Stripes yawned.

Tanya laughed and gently petted her on the head.

“Sorry we’re a little late,” Grant said. “We stopped to buy a cat carrier.”

“I’ll get us some snacks,” Roz said, “while Tanya and the kittens get to know each other. Come on, Dylan, you come with me.”

The dog scampered after her, always eager for her approval.

Sophia now stretched out on the top shelf of the condo, her white paws crossed, and just stared down at all of them, disdainfully wondering what all the fuss was about. But Caprice knew she’d miss her two companions.

As the kittens fully awakened, Caprice showed Tanya how to play with them with a shoestring, wiggling it on the floor and then higher. They were laughing at the kittens’ swivels in midair as Roz served iced tea and biscotti that Nana had sent home with Caprice.

“These are great,” Donna said. “Grant told me you cook.”

“I do. But my grandmother made these.”

“I don’t do enough cooking and baking. We eat too much processed food. But it’s fast. At least we do sit down for supper every night when I get home from work. That’s more than I can say for our neighbor.”

Grant didn’t look the least bit uncomfortable. “I often grab something on the way home.”

“Yeah, at nine o’clock,” Donna chided. “At least my job’s eight to four. You go in early and come home late.”

Through body language and conversation Caprice still couldn’t get a handle on just how friendly Donna and Grant were. “Where do you work?” she asked.

“I’m a secretary at Tanya’s school. After my divorce, we sold our house and I needed to find a job. I’ve been there two years now, and it’s a nice fit.”

So Grant’s neighbor was divorced. That would give them a lot to talk about. That is, if Grant talked to anyone about what had happened to him. But there was no point going down that road. Whatever Grant did was his own business.

As Stripes scampered over to the sofa, Donna scooped her up and cradled her in her arms. “You are a cutie, and so is your sister. Grant tells me they’re both girls, right?”

Caprice nodded, but then asked the next question on her list. “Will you be keeping them inside?”

“I think that would be best. We have a nice big yard, but I think we want them to be mostly indoor cats. I like your cat tree. I saw smaller versions at Perky Paws. It might be nice to put one under a window.”

“They’d like that,” Caprice agreed, feeling the loss of the kittens already. This little girl and her mom seemed loving and capable. Just the type of home stray animals should have.

After another fifteen minutes of conversation and finished glasses of iced tea, Caprice gave Grant a look that said the exchange was going to be made.

He said, “I’ll get the cat carrier.”

Over the next few minutes, Caprice said good-bye to Stripes and Creamsicle as she rubbed heads with them, then placed two toy mice as well as a towel into the carrier for them.

After she zipped it up, she swallowed hard. “They’re ready to go.” She’d given Tanya two of the shoestrings from the pack she’d bought.

Caprice lifted the carrier and followed Grant, Donna, and her little girl out to Grant’s SUV, where he strapped the carrier into one half of the backseat. Tanya fastened her seat belt after she settled in next to the carrier.

After Donna thanked Caprice, she climbed in too.

Grant, however, stood on the walk with her, eyeing her with a bit of concern. “This is hard for you, isn’t it?”

“Yep. I’ve been taking care of them like a mom for the past week.”

“But you do this a lot, don’t you?” His steady gaze was curious, and she felt he couldn’t quite understand why she did it.

“It’s never easy to let go of an animal I become fond of.” She felt her eyes welling up a little and suspected it wasn’t just letting go of the kittens that caused it. It was everything that had happened in the past few weeks.

She blinked fast and cleared her throat. “Thanks for helping me find them a home.”

He squeezed her elbow and held on a few beats longer than she would expect. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you at your mom’s birthday party. Unless another crisis pops up before then.”

As he climbed into his SUV, Caprice went back inside.

Roz took one look at her face. “Why don’t we make a pot of that flavored decaf you bought and talk about the tension between you and Grant?”

“What tension?”

“Man–woman tension. You light up like a Christmas tree when you talk about Seth. But whenever Grant’s around—” She shrugged. “There are thumping vibrations there too.”

“Thumping vibrations? I don’t think so. We just clash more often than we agree.”

“Thumping vibrations,” Roz insisted again, moving through the dining room into the kitchen. There she opened a cupboard. “Mocha Cinnamon or Chocolate Candy Bar?”

After a brief inner debate, Caprice released a breath. “Chocolate Candy Bar. But instead of talking, you can help me make the list for supplies for Mom’s party.”

Roz took the bag of coffee from the cupboard. “You’re in denial.”

Maybe she was. But that’s exactly where she was going to stay. Grant Weatherford was out of bounds for a multitude of reasons.

 

 

Late that night Caprice was almost ready to slip under the covers when “She Loves You” played from her cell phone on her nightstand. Sophia, already napping on the pillow beside Caprice’s, opened one eye.

“Go back to sleep,” Caprice told her. “It’s not for you.” Picking up the phone, she checked the ID and saw Isaac’s name and number. She didn’t hesitate to say, “Hi, Isaac, how are you?”

“Did you think that I’d fallen off the face of the earth?”

“I wasn’t sure.”

He chuckled. “You try so hard to be diplomatic. I’ve been on a buying trip for a couple of days in the wilds of Maine and just called in for my messages and got yours. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“I’m glad you’re safe and sound. Find anything interesting?”

“A fifties cupboard you might like.”

“Did you have time to look for the provenance on the dagger before you left?”

He laughed. “Like I said, always diplomatic. Before I left, I narrowed it down to four boxes in the attic, thinking I’d go through them when I got back. But I just found out about an estate sale tomorrow night and I won’t have time.”

Caprice felt her hopes and clues fading away. “I see,” she said, not knowing where to go to next.

“No, you don’t. I pulled the boxes down from the attic because anyone looking through them would suffocate up there. You can have a go at them.”

“You don’t mind?”

“They’re just filled with old receipts, old paperwork, stuff I keep in case I ever have an audit.”

“I’ll be shopping with my sisters tomorrow for supplies for my mom’s birthday party. Maybe I can rope one of them into going to the shop afterward.”

She had her date with Seth in the morning, then two appointments and a trip to the lighting specialist. She was meeting Bella and Nikki around two at the party-planning store.