The Maestro (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 3) (6 page)

Tom nudged Myrna. “What is he talking about?”

Myrna moaned, “I guess you’ll find out at the disclosure meeting. I just haven’t had the time to explain things to you privately yet.” Tom sat back, satisfied with her answer, as their meals were served. Myrna watched everyone devour their food and comment on the chef’s capabilities. Maurice was beyond impressed and stated if Robert hadn’t already own his own establishment, he would steal him away and have him open one up in Durham. She watched as Maurice slid a small aperitif glass filled with red fluid to Delilah. She was about to ask what it was but opted against it. Delilah’s response to the fluid was odd. Her eyes rolled, her expression brightened, and her cheeks flushed.

As though reading Myrna’s expression, Maurice explained, “My daughter and I suffer from a particular type of anemia. This fluid helps her.”

“Why don’t you drink it too?”

“I’m satiated at the present time, particularly after eating rare prime rib.”

As dessert orders were taken, Myrna watched Sarah Macy enter the establishment. Her eyes were puffy and swollen, and she was distraught. Myrna stood and followed her to the kitchen. She held her in a close embrace as Robert continued cooking other customers’ meals. Sarah sniffled, “I can’t believe Tilly is gone. They say it was an accident. She fell into a deep pit and hurt herself. I don’t know what to do, Myrna.”

Myrna soothed her, “It was no one’s fault, Sarah. It was an accident, and accidents happen every now and then. You can honor her by remembering her smile and attending her funeral service. Have Becky make up a nice bouquet of Tilly’s favorite flowers and send it to her family.” She could feel Sarah’s tears soaking her blouse but let it go. This girl had suffered enough. Her mother had recently been murdered, then Sarah was involved in a shooting at the police station where she had shot the murderer. Sarah was still on parole from that ordeal, and now this happened to her. The girl needed to be held.

Sarah continued weeping and asked, “Will you go the funeral with me?”

Myrna ran her hand down Sarah’s hair and replied, “Of course I will. She was a member of this community and loved by all who happened to make her acquaintance.”

When Robert caught up with his orders, he took Myrna’s place, held Sarah in his arms, and spoke soothingly to her.

Myrna felt her blood pressure soar when she thought of what had happened to Tilly. She was the child of a transplanted family, one who had welcomed life in Cold Hollow with open arms. Myrna refused to think that the child’s death was an accident. She stormed from the kitchen with a look of determination on her face. Her jaw was clenched, and she sat back in her chair with a thump and glanced at her family with wild eyes.

Adam nudged Maurice. “Boss, I don’t think she’s going to postpone a damn thing.”

CHAPTER 7

After she showed the family the banquet hall and listened to some of Delilah’s and Maurice’s ideas, Myrna found her head spinning again. They added exciting suggestions to the decorating aspect but assured her that they would take care of the planning personally, so this left her more at ease. When Maurice had inquired about a bridal shower and bachelor party, Tom explained they’d decided to pass on both. They already had everything they needed for their home and didn’t want to put the added expense of both events on the bridal party’s shoulders.

As they drove back home, with Adam, Maurice, and Delilah following them, Tom asked, “What are you planning?”

“To go into a coma tonight.”

Tom laughed as Liam commented, “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mama.”

Tom assured him, “She’s just joking, Liam. She wouldn’t dare leave us to our own devices. She’d wake up to a messy house, that’s for sure. We men are just no good at cleaning.”

Liam yawned and replied, “That’s cuz it’s boring.”

They pulled into their driveway. Myrna exited their vehicle and went to retrieve Liam from the backseat, and Tom retrieved the enlarged photo Delilah had gotten him. Liam was already rubbing his eyes, and when she mentioned an early bedtime, he didn’t balk.

As they went inside the house, she carried Liam upstairs, got him prepared for bed, refreshed his glass of water on his nightstand, and turned on a night-light for him. After tucking him in and kissing him good night, she whispered, “I love you, and I hope you have nothing but sweet dreams tonight.”

He whispered back, “I love you too, Mama, and please don’t do the coma tonight.”

She giggled and kissed him again. “I won’t.”

She left his door cracked open and slipped down the stairs to the dining room, where she noticed everyone was sitting down. She imagined it was “full-disclosure time.” She took a seat and asked if they wanted any coffee. Everyone passed, so Myrna sat and waited for whatever was supposed to happen.

As usual, Maurice spearheaded the discussion. “As you may be aware, Myrna, we already know of all of your past deeds. Now it is our turn to confess ours to you, so you will be fully informed.” He turned his head to Adam.

Adam just looked at Myrna and began, “Look at me, Myrna. What do you think I am?”

She spoke in an even tone. “A hit man.”

He smiled. “You’re right, but mainly I’m Maurice’s personal chauffeur and bodyguard.” He chuckled. “Not like the boss needs one. He handles himself just fine. In the past, I broke kneecaps and dislocated or cut off fingers, and occasionally I had to resort to this.” He pulled something out of his suit pocket and pulled on two silver rings to reveal a garrote. “Cleanup is key to a successful hit, and I excel at that craft.” He turned to Maurice.

Maurice grinned. “He is the best.”

Delilah confessed next. “I hurt myself a lot, and Father says I take enjoyment in the sensation of pain and the taste of blood. I also enjoy inflicting pain on others. I killed my last caretaker because she kept trying to make me do things I didn’t want to do. I let my dark side rule, and Father is helping me keep it under control and teaching me when it’s appropriate to use it. I have to take medication.”

Tom asked, “What medication are you on?”

“I take a vitamin in the morning after breakfast for my anemia. After lunch, I take an antidepressant. At bedtime, I take a mild sedative. Father makes sure I take them, and he gives me a special little drink after each meal to help with my anemia too.”

Tom smiled. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. Is this treatment working?”

“Yes, but if I feel a dark urge creeping up on me, I have to squeeze Father’s hand, and he usually talks me down from it and diverts me to more constructive thoughts.”

Tom reached in deeper and asked, “What were you feeling when you harmed yourself or others?”

Her eyes grew wide as she reminisced. “It was the oddest sensation, like I was shot full of drugs. It was addictive and hypnotic.”

“And now?”

Her lower lip curled. “I don’t want to do it anymore unless someone tries to hurt me physically.”

“Has anyone tried to harm you recently?”

She giggled. “Not with Adam and Father around. They’d be nuts to try anything with me.”

Tom relaxed back in his chair as Myrna sat in shock. She glanced at Maurice because she assumed it was his turn, and she was correct.

He cleared his throat and stated matter-of-factly, “I eliminate any and all competitors in my path who try to deny me what is rightfully mine by law.”

Adam chuckled and hooked his thumb at Maurice as he stared at Myrna. “He’s the maestro. I swear, I’ve never seen cleaner decapitations than the ones he’s performed.”

Tom noticed Myrna was trembling slightly and asked, “Would you like your Sleepy time tea tonight?”

She shouted, “Yes!” She then put her head down. She didn’t intend to shout as abruptly as she had, but she was shaken to the core by this group of individuals who were soon to be her new family.

Maurice glanced at Adam. “I think we’ve stirred the pot a bit too much today, Adam. I think it best if we take our leave and go check in to the Bed and Breakfast. However, before we do, Myrna has something to tell us all tonight when Tom returns with her special tea. Don’t you, dear?”

Myrna nodded and waited for her tea before answering. She didn’t want to explain herself twice, so she waited for Tom to return.

She heard the whistle of the teakettle and knew it wouldn’t be long. When he returned, she didn’t hesitate. She sipped her tea and blurted out. “I want to flatten the tires of Reginald Denning’s car. Then I want him to cut himself on a water glass at my restaurant so I can grab his fingerprints and get a blood sample.”

Maurice’s hands were laced before him atop the table. “And what would you do with said blood sample and fingerprints?”

She shrugged. “I didn’t think that far ahead, but I know the FBI has a database with DNA and prints in it. I assumed they’d help.”

Maurice chuckled and elbowed Adam. “Isn’t she adorable?”

Adam wore a million-dollar smile. “She sure is, boss.”

Maurice held the amused expression on his face and asked, “Why is this poor Reginald fellow so important to you?”

“One of our town residents, Tilly Hughes, was found dead along the hiking trails when you arrived. She was only a young girl, perhaps sixteen. Reginald is the only new arrival in town, and although the chief did a preliminary background check, I believe he’s guilty and hiding a great deal from us.”

Tom grabbed her arm and squeezed it in surprise. He hadn’t heard the news about Tilly yet.

Maurice readjusted himself in his seat. “Why do you believe he’s guilty?”

“I don’t like his charming smile.”

Maurice sat back, snickering, and Adam hadn’t stopped chuckling. Adam choked out, “I told ya, boss, there’s something about redheads.”

Maurice patted Adam’s hand and leaned forward, serious again. “We do not involve the FBI in anything, darling. You don’t want the attention, trust me. As far as the tires and blood sample, leave that to us. I will leave you to handle a method to get his fingerprints.”

“How are you going to get a blood sample?”

“Does Reginald eat breakfast at the bakery each morning?”

“Yes, he has since he arrived in town.”

Maurice sighed, as though he was tiring of explaining himself. “While at the farm today, I noticed the bees are still buzzing about. Now, when dear unfortunate Reginald shows up at the bakery in the morning, he will receive a nasty bee sting. We will be there to take care of it. Delilah will be there as a distraction. You obtain his fingerprints, and we will take care of the rest. I have associates who will run the blood sample and prints. I simply need to notify them and have them fax us the information we require. Do you have a fax machine?”

Myrna nodded and reached for her pocketbook. She found a small pad and pen and scratched out the number for him. As she was about to slide it to him, she asked, “How will we get the prints and blood sample to your connections? What about flattening his tires? I don’t want him leaving town.”

Maurice smiled. “I will have the samples delivered overnight express. Adam will see to the tires before dawn. What is his address?” Myrna wrote down the address and slid the paper to him.

As Maurice examined the paper, he asked, “One more thing, Myrna. I realize you are aware of my son’s dark side. I also realize he recently killed two women who lived in this town. I’d like to know how you feel about that.”

Myrna swallowed hard and said, “We all have a dark side. Tom was able to keep his at bay for over ten years. Who was I to judge him? I am not leaving his side. Tom and I have made an agreement and we’re sticking with it.”

“And this agreement is?”

Myrna smiled at Tom as she answered, “He promised to inform me immediately if and when he feels his dark side rising again. If it ever does, we will handle it together as a team.”

Tom smiled back at Myrna and added, “I don’t think it will rise again, Father. I never thought myself capable of love, but I’ve learned differently.”

Maurice stood and declared, “Well, today has been quite productive, and I’m happy to have met my extended family. It is my understanding we are going to be busy right up until the wedding.” He rubbed his hands together, and his eyes lit up as he wiggled his eyebrows. “I think this vacation is shaping up to be more intriguing than I had expected.” He shook their hands good night, and a sleepy Delilah stood, hugged them good-bye, and reminded them about going to the nursery the following afternoon. They agreed, and when Tom locked the door to their home, Myrna collapsed onto the living room sofa in a daze.

Tom stood in the room with his hands on his hips, grinning. “And you thought you were the sly one in the family? You just met the king.”

Myrna laughed and ran her hands over her face. “It seems I’ve officially been schooled.”

He sat beside her and put his arm around her shoulder. “Do you like my sister, despite her being a little odd?”

Myrna curled into his side and answered, “Yes, but now that I know why she’s odd and that she’s trying to rehabilitate, I admire her.”

Tom nodded. “Yes it’s not an easy thing to fight. Perhaps someday she will meet her kindred soul like I have, and she will be able to squelch her dark side permanently.”

Myrna smiled. “That’s my hope for her. What photo did she have enlarged for you today?”

Tom reached for the coffee table and pulled the large envelope toward them. He slid out a photo of Adam and Maurice at the farm, trying to jump the fence while two horses raced toward them. Their panicked expressions were priceless, and Myrna burst out in hearty laughter alongside Tom.

***

Outside the home, Maurice reached his arms to the nighttime sky and stretched as he inhaled the various scents of the surrounding forest. The aroma of mingled oak leaves and heavy pine and balsam scents were intoxicating, and he drank it in deep. There was nothing like fresh night air for a good night’s sleep. He watched Adam standing with his hands on his hips, doing the same thing. Delilah was just smirking at them both. “You two are quite a pair,” she said. “What on earth are you doing?”

Maurice extended his right arm out, indicating the property. “We are drinking in the scents of the mountainside. We don’t have this fresh night air at home, and I quite enjoy it. Go ahead, breathe it in!” She tried it, breathed in twice and exhaled, and sneezed. The two men laughed, and Maurice tsk’d her. “I fear you have acquired allergies, Daughter. Let’s go to our temporary home and settle in for what seems to be ramping up into a rather exciting two weeks.” He turned to Adam. “Am I correct in assuming that our little kit is well stocked and in the vehicle?”

Adam knew he was referring to the leather satchel, similar to a doctor’s bag, that they kept stocked with items needed for various dirty deeds. Adam nodded as they got in and replied, “Well stocked and ready for use, boss.”