A Sneeze to Die For

by Teresa Trent

  “Beatrix Potter.” The other woman, a stout lady with a blue bathrobe on shouted at the tv.

  “Beatrix Potter,” repeated Rosalyn just a split second later.

  Arnette Cooper, Lucy’s mother stood in the background her arms crossed. She wore a bright pink flowered scrub top with black pants. She was laughing at Rosalyn and her Jeopardy buddy. She smiled upon seeing Nora.

  “Every day never fails. They play along. If Alex Trebek had any brains at all, he would tour the nursing homes. It would be quite a showdown.” Arnette chuckled.

  When Alex Trebek confirmed their answer, the bathrobe lady clapped her hands together making a hollow sound.

  Rosalyn beamed with a satisfied smile on her face. “I knew it. I knew it all along.”

  “Knew what?” Nora asked.

  “Beatrix Potter wrote The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher. Used to read it to your mother.” Her features softened. She had once had the vibrant red hair that Nora sported today. Rosalyn’s hair had now turned a beautiful silky white framing her soft face. “And hello to you pretty girl.” Rosalyn reached out her thin arms and Nora came into them for a hug. “What brings you out here today?”

  “Tatty sent me for the place cards.”

  “Oh yes, I have them in my room.” She reached for her walker but then turned back to the bathrobe lady. “You’ll just have to win the rest of the questions without me.”

  “Just like every other day,” she joked.

  As they made their way down the hall, Rosalyn concentrated on the steady motion of each step.

  “I heard about all that hullabaloo you have going on over at the hotel. Did a man really fall down the elevator shaft?”

  “Yes, he did. “

  “And I heard you were stuck in the elevator, too? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in that elevator. I never thought of it as a killer,” Rosalyn said.

  “I know. I should have called to tell you about it. Sorry you had to hear about. Have you spoken with Uncle Wiley lately?” Nora asked still feeling glum over their last meeting. She felt guilty for not being as supportive of she could be of his recovery process, but the idea of working with Corey seemed crazy to her. He had to be the world’s worst possible choice for a sponsor. He didn’t have any self-control over his own actions.

  “Some. He’s been so busy with his work, you know. I’m bursting my buttons that my granddaughter and my son are working together so well. It’s like we have a family business. I tell everyone here who will listen to me. Your mama would have been over the moon about it. Wiley has been living on the fringe of this town for years and people laughed at him. That breaks a mother’s heart. You changed all that. I’m thankful for the day you showed up here all spunk and I immediately recognized that red hair of your mother’s. I took one look at you and knew my daughter was coming back to me.”

  When Nora arrived in Piney Woods she was surrounded by family, yet never knew it. The first time she ran into Rosalyn they passed in the hall and Nora’s striking resemblance to Kay Alexander, Rosalyn’s daughter caused the older woman to have to sit down.

  “Tatty is so busy getting ready for the anniversary party that I offered to come over for the guest cards for the place settings.”

  “You have enough going on right now. You shouldn’t have volunteered.”

  “To tell you the truth, I wanted to step away from the hotel for a bit.” Rosalyn nodded and pulled a white business envelope out of her desk drawer. It was packed with tiny white cards with the names of Tatty’s guests intricately lettered on them in fine black ink.

  “That was quite a list Tatty gave me. Everybody and their plumber is going to be at this shindig. I hope you and Wiley can have the Tunie ready after the cat people.”

  “We’re trying. It’s been wild, but we can still do the anniversary party.”

  “Child, what is the matter with you. Is something going on with Wiley? Has he said something to hurt your feelings?”

  “I’m fine. We had an argument, and I said some things I probably shouldn’t have. He’s trying to stay sober, but in the process, he did something I don’t approve of. I just feel like he’s made a mistake.”

  “You’re talking in riddles, sweetheart. What kind of mistake?”

  “He made Corey Brockwell our food supplier. We were being cheated by the company we were using, and this was his solution. The Brockwell’s have never done anything to help this family.”

  Rosalyn took in a breath and settled her soft hands in her lap, laying them one atop the other. “Sometimes, to solve a problem, a person has to think outside the realms of what they deem to be acceptable. Being in league with Adam’s son, Corey, is certainly something we would all think of as a poor idea. Still, though, Wiley felt it was the only way out. Give it time, Nora. Maybe he was right. If he’s wrong, then you were right, and you can tell him that over and over. That’s what family is for, after all.”

  “I suppose. We are getting our food shipments and not being messed with by our supplier. There’s more, though, and I’m afraid I didn’t handle this well either. Not only is Corey our new food wholesaler, but he’s Uncle Wiley’s addiction sponsor.”

  “He is? Mr. Brockwell’s boy?”

  “I know. I was shocked when Wiley told me. There is very little about Corey Brockwell that I find redeeming.”

  “I can see that.”

  Nora looked at one of the cards Rosalyn had prepared. Her grandmother’s handiwork was exquisite, but the words began to blur as Nora’s eyes filled with tears. “I just don’t know what I’m going to do,” she whispered.

  Rosalyn reached over and stroked Nora’s hair. “You’ll keep on moving through this. That’s all you can do. When you get a chance, try to find something you like that Wiley is doing. He’s heard plenty of what you don’t like. It will be hard, but after a while, if I know my boy, you two will find a way.”

  As Nora left Shady Sunsets she felt a grayness passing through her soul. This whole week, starting with Alan Shaw’s death and ending with her argument with Wiley, had left her depressed. Her mind drifted to Tuck. Trust issues. Sexy cat ladies. Rick Stephenson’s death. Maybe her grandmother was right, and she needed to take her Uncle’s answer and work in a way that she had formerly deemed unacceptable. They sure didn’t have anybody else lining up to deliver chicken.

  Nora knew now what she needed to do, and it would start with a phone call to Tuck.

  Chapter 34

  W

  When Nora arrived at the final gathering of the Meow Meetup, she had run by the bed and breakfast to change into a deep blue velvet cocktail dress. She pulled her hair up into a French roll, changing her look from efficient to stunningly beautiful.

  “Wow, Nora. You look fabulous.” Max said, as he handed a glass of sparkling wine from the buffet table.

  As much as Nora would have liked to guzzle down a couple of those glasses of wine, she decided she needed a clear head. “I’ll pass. I’m working.”

  “I admire your professionalism. I, too am working. All the more reason.” Max downed the drink he had offered to her.

  “Has it been that bad?”

  “No, not really, if you don’t count the dead guy in the elevator shaft, I would say it was a seamless convention.”

  Wiley and his crew had done a beautiful job setting up a buffet on crisp white table linens with sandwiches along with tiny quiches, cheese and crackers, twice baked potatoes, and stuffed avocados stacked in pyramids on each side of the display. Wiley’s talent had been wasted for, so many years and she was thankful to have him working for her now.

  Izzy entered from the lobby wearing a black evening dress that hung loosely around the neck making it look a size too big for her. Her collar bone protruded slightly as it held up a string of over-sized pearls. She had also pulled her hair up, but instead of a French roll had haphazardly clipped o
n a rhinestone butterfly barrette. She wasn’t officially a member of this convention, but no one seemed to notice. Nora had to assume she wanted to get one last meeting with her mentor, Evangeline. Nora still felt guilty after her conversation with Tuck. Izzy was fiercely protective of Evangeline and she couldn’t be sure if Izzy was crazy enough to kill for her. Even if she was, she couldn’t have known Alan Shaw’s real reason for being at the convention. If she did kill Alan Shaw, it was a crime of passion. Somebody who worked in the library could be very passionate about volumes of the author that they love. Izzy picked up a glass of wine, looked around and poured it down her throat in an awkward gesture.

  No one was talking to the little librarian, so Nora walked over to welcome her. “Izzy! I didn’t know you were coming to the party.”

  “I, uh, wasn’t really invited. I hope that’s alright.” There was something different about Izzy and it took Nora a moment to realize she wasn’t wearing her glasses. Izzy was squinting, her gaze just slightly off center.

  “That’s fine.” Max said as he joined them. “You can come as my guest.”

  Izzy looked at Max’s giant frame and stated flatly. “I’m not your date.”

  Max took her insult in stride. “I never said you were a date. I called you my guest. I was just being hospitable. That’s kind of what we do here if you hadn’t noticed.”

  Izzy thought for a moment and then said, “Thanks.”

  “I was wondering if you still had that little item?” Nora asked.

  Izzy nodded. “Locked up tight.”

  “Good. I told Tuck about it, but for now, I need for it to stay where it is.”

  Izzy didn’t look happy with that news but nodded again in agreement. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but as long as I can keep it for now, that’s all that matters.”

  Max looked totally confused by this line of conversation and took another sip of wine.

  “Where did you get that dress?” Nora hoped her question didn’t sound impolite.

  She put her hands to the neckline of the dress and yanked it up. “Goodwill. Not much call for the party circuit in the reference section of the library. Paid six dollars for it. I hope I can return it after this.”

  “They will gladly take it back, but they aren’t going to refund your money. Who knows? You might need it for when you receive a major award for your breakout novel,” Max told her.

  Marty came in from the kitchen. “Thank God we are only providing appetizers and sandwiches for this thing. After all of this, I’m glad we’re keeping it simple.”

  A hush came over the gathering as Evangeline entered in a red off the shoulder evening dress along with a ruby necklace that Nora was sure hadn’t come from the second-hand store. She looked beautiful and Doug who held her hand gently on his arm, was dressed in a dark navy suit and a grey silk tie. For it to be a night in Piney Woods, Texas, this little function felt like an after-party at the Oscars.

  Nora picked up two of the wine glasses and handed them to Evangeline and Doug. “So glad you stayed for the party.” They had expected Evangeline to check out and return to her home in New York, but Tuck’s interview must have gone long.

  Evangeline eyed Doug for a moment. “Doug convinced me to stay. I packed the dress just in case.” She took a quick glance around the room and waved at the group of ladies gathered in the corner. “Glad I did now. My book sales are jumping. I think these ladies are going back to their rooms and ordering every book they can off the Internet.” Evangeline whispered behind her hand.

  “Besides the book sales, I’m glad she stayed a little longer, too. Very glad.” Doug added with an admiring glance. Once again, Nora was touched by his devotion to Evangeline. That was something a lot of people seemed to have in buckets around her. “And where is your young man tonight?”

  “He’s still working. They are having a meeting tonight to discuss the two cases. Hopefully he’ll come by later. I can’t believe we’ve had two murders in Piney Woods.”

  “Don’t forget the catnapping,” Doug smiled.

  “That, too.”

  Izzy made her way into the informal grouping. “Good evening.” She said proffering a hand to Doug who took it from her and instead of kissing it, gave it a little shake.

  Evangeline smiled, crinkling her nose slightly. “Izzy, how nice to see you again, and how lovely you look this evening. I thought you would be pounding away on that next draft.”

  “I am, but I just couldn’t resist talking with you one more time. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Mind? I’m flattered. You are a very talented writer and someday you’ll realize you have the potential to go way beyond what I’ve done. I’ll be getting writing advice from you.”

  Izzy glowed with pride. Evangeline had a way of saying just the right thing, and it showed on Izzy’s face. Thanks to the mystery writer, she had enough go-juice to write ten novels now.

  Nora continued, “I never really realized this before but being around you and Izzy, I can see writing is really a passion for you. It’s much more than a job.”

  “Most days I would agree, but when I’m editing a manuscript for the umpteenth time, on that day it’s definitely a job.” There was laughter around Evangeline. She was the queen holding court. She was not only the best dressed attendee, but she was a bit taller than most of the women assembled. Nora knew this was her moment.

  “You know,” Nora said, “Alan Shaw certainly had that kind of passion for his writing. Did you know that he left a thumb drive in our business center computer with his writing on it? I guess writers today use things like this to store their work instead of all those stacks of paper. We don’t really have a safe here, so I locked it in a drawer behind the front desk. I’m going to give it to his mother when she arrives tomorrow.” Nora had no idea if Alan Shaw’s mother was anywhere near the state of Texas, but judging from the interest of the group, her little story was ringing true.

  Izzy glanced at Nora and then added, “Virginia Woolf wrote in a pigsty. There is a lot of paperwork to be a writer. Keeping it on a thumb drive is a wonderful way to move your messy office from place to place.”

  “So right.” Evangeline agreed. “Such a pity about what happened to him. Tell me Nora, did you look at what he was writing on the thumb drive? I’ve worked with many journalists, but I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone one so … so …”

  “Rude?” Izzy asked.

  “I heard Camille say she was sorry that man ever set foot in our little convention. It certainly set a tone she didn’t expect. Of course, now we know she wasn’t always telling the truth. It makes me itch to write a catnapping in my next book,” Evangeline added. With Martin-Ortega out of the picture, the convention goers would be paying their bills fair and square and that was the end of it. Nora felt good about that.

  “Quite scandalous about what she did to Catpurnicus,” Doug said. “It is unbelievable what some people will do for the evils of money.”

  “Well, at least we got to meet all of you. We are all so pleased to have the Meow Meetup as guests, and we hope you enjoyed your stay here,” Marty said.

  “The Tunie is quite in demand,” Nora said. “As soon as you check out, we are getting ready for a big party here tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll be working late tonight after everyone else leaves.”

  “Oh, Nora, you don’t have to do that …” Marty said.

  “I want to. I’ve been missing in action a lot lately and it would be my pleasure to handle the clean up here. I just hope I don’t fall asleep, like I’ve seen Max do a few times.”

  Max gave a wink. “What can I say, that couch in the office can get pretty comfortable sometimes.”

  Nora had caught him asleep more than a few times. Luckily, the Tunie wouldn’t have the kind of traffic they had right now with the Meow Meetup. She smiled at the assembled group. “I’ll probably be home by midnight.”
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  “You just be sure that you are. Your grandmother wouldn’t want you out at all hours of the night. Why don’t you let me stay with you? “ Wiley said as he efficiently cleared a table.

  “Honestly, everybody. I’ll be fine. Uncle Wiley, I won’t hear of you staying late. You’ve worked your tail off for this convention. I want you to go home and rest up.”

  Wiley shook his head. “If you say so.”

  Marty gave Nora a quizzical glance but then relented. “If you want to, the last thing I want to do is turn away a volunteer. I’m beat.”

  Max squeezed her shoulder. “We couldn’t do this without you, Marty. Get your rest.” Marty’s eyes narrowed, suspicious of Nora’s willingness to stay late.

  “That’s right,” Nora broke in. “We need you well. I’ll take care of getting ready for Tatty and Ed’s party tomorrow. Don’t you worry about a thing.”

  “Such devotion,” Evangeline said as Doug nodded.

  Chapter 35

  W

  As the party broke up and the members of the convention were exchanging addresses with promises to write, Doug strolled over to Nora who was stacking chairs on tables for the vacuuming that was to follow.

  “Uh, Nora? I’d be careful tonight. You know, staying late and all. Will you be the only one here?”

  “Yes. I told Dominic he didn’t have to come in until midnight. He promised his ghost hunting group he would help set up some equipment at a potentially haunted site, so that worked well for him.”

  “Yes, well, as you know, with Evangeline’s visit to Piney Woods, I’ve really come to know her. I had no idea she had such a clamor of adoring fans. Some of these people are a little scary, case in point, Izzy. She is so determined about this book thing, and her temper frightens me a little. In this instance, she was there to protect her, which could be seen as noble, but you could also view her actions as a form of fanaticism.”