Scarlet Oaks and the Serial Caller

by Michaela James

  Shaking her head, Scarlet replied, “He believes Stewart’s bluffing, maybe trying to unnerve me.”

  Joe interjected, “Like you’re not sufficiently unnerved already.”

  Scarlet fell silent, prompting Rose to change the subject. “So, young lady, what are your plans for seeing in the New Year?”

  The thought of James instantly brightened Scarlet’s mood. “A very nice guy will be picking me up and taking me to Niles and Tom’s masquerade party.”

  “But you’ll come back to us straight after?” Joe asked with a hint of panic.

  “Providing I don’t have a curfew,” Scarlet joked.

  Joe chuckled. “I only ask, because I know Niles lives just up the road from you.”

  “True, and many a year I stumbled home on New Year’s, but not this year. Tomorrow I plan on making a couple of drinks last and getting to know this new guy better.”

  “You mentioned he works with Niles,” Rose said as Joe pulled the car into her steep driveway.

  Sighing, Scarlet said, “I know; you’d think it was the only place of employment in San Francisco. But, Max left before James started there, so that saves some awkwardness.”

  “The simple fact you seem happy to see the New Year in with this young man, tells me he must be alright,” Rose said as they entered her Victorian home.

  Scarlet scooped an excited Prudence into her arms. “I know so little about him, Gran. I hope getting better acquainted won’t leave us disappointed.”

  Scoffing as he stole Scarlet’s pig from her arms, Joe volunteered, “He won’t be disappointed.” Kissing Prudence on the nose, he added, “Prudence and I have a late-night ritual of strolling the yard together before bed.”

  Rose put an arm around her granddaughter. “We need to find someone for your father before he and Prudence start wearing matching outfits.”

  Seven hours later and, untypically, the first up, Scarlet started breakfast.

  “Happy New Year’s Eve!” Scarlet said in greeting when Rose and Joe entered the kitchen.

  “Do I smell cinnamon rolls?” Joe asked with a grin.

  “You do,” Scarlet replied, checking the oven timer. “And there’s O.J. and fresh coffee for you in the sunroom.”

  Scarlet, accompanied by a doughy, sweet cinnamon aroma, walked in on her father and gran discussing how relieved they were at her apparent happiness.

  “Dad!” Scarlet scolded as Joe gave Prudence a piece of cinnamon roll. “My landlord will throw us out if that pig gets any larger.”

  Smiling at Prudence, who sat contently next to Joe on the padded wicker sofa, Rose said, “I think we may have to embrace the reality of Prudence not being a micro pig.”

  Joe playfully covered Prudence’s ears, and Scarlet asked, “How big do you think she’s going to get?”

  Joe removed his hands from the pig’s ears. “I’ve researched it a little. She’s not even a year old yet, and they don’t reach their full size until they’re three. If she is indeed a micro pig, I think the only way we’d know her potential for growth would be to see the size of her parents.”

  “And if she’s a regular farm girl?” Scarlet asked hesitantly.

  Smiling, Joe responded, “Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.”

  Having brought only a couple of evening dresses to her current digs, the decision of what to wear was not a hard one. Gathering in Rose’s bedroom, Scarlet asked,

  “Suitable for a New Year’s Eve bash?”

  Taking in the strapless satin cocktail dress, with taffeta underlay, Joe said, “You get my vote.”

  “Stunning,” Rose agreed, patting the padded stool in front of her French style vanity.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed getting ready for a party more,” Scarlet said as Rose coerced her granddaughter’s thick dark hair into an elegant updo.

  Carefully listening to his mother’s instructions, Joe opened the third drawer down in a cherry wood jewelry armoire. “This one?”

  Rose looked in the mirror at Joe’s reflection from across the room. “That’s it.”

  Prudence at his heels, Joe cautiously placed a diamond necklace around his daughter’s neck.

  Eyes wide, Scarlet said, “Gran, I couldn’t possibly.”

  “Nonsense,” Rose replied, retrieving a bobby pin from the vanity and securing one more curl in place.

  Standing back to admire her work, she added, “Your Grandpa Herb is smiling down from heaven, to see this necklace being worn again.”

  Joe sat on the edge of his mother’s ornate four-poster bed. “I remember the day Dad gave it to you.”

  “Do you really?” Rose asked with a smile. “You were very young.”

  “I was six,” Joe confirmed. “He’d been overseas for weeks; we were all missing him horribly.”

  Looking at, but never focusing on, the mirror, Rose said, “That’s right. Your sister, Elsa, was ten and going through a stage. I remember she was on me relentlessly about getting her ears pierced. Herb had been in Brazil, helping a new company with sand mining. They paid him a ridiculous amount of money for his mining know-how and the fact he spoke Portuguese.”

  Placing her hand over the exquisite necklace, Scarlet volunteered, “Grandpa’s mom was from Lisbon.”

  Rose gave Scarlet’s curls a quick burst of hairspray. “Benedita was quite a woman. Her father was killed in the First World War, making her childhood tough even by early nineteen hundred standards. Benedita learned to hold on to what was hers, very tightly.” Momentarily closing her eyes and nodding her head, Rose continued, “It took your great grandmother a good few years before she fully welcomed me into the family. I believe she softened a little once I started making Queijadas though.”

  “Queja what?” Scarlet asked with a laugh.

  Scowling, Rose replied, “Don’t tell me I’ve never made you Queijadas!”

  From his place on the bed, where Prudence had now joined him, Joe interjected, “I’m sure you did when the kids were little, but it’s been a while.”

  “It’s a basic batter,” Rose said. “I’ll remedy that tomorrow.”

  Admiring three rows of flower shaped diamonds, Scarlet enquired, “So Grandpa bought this for you in Brazil?”

  “Yes. The company he was helping had been mining diamonds for some time. It was a family affair. A cousin made the jewelry and sold the pieces from a market stall if you can believe it. Herb picked the most expensive piece and insisted on paying full price for it. I can’t remember the jewelry maker’s name, but he told your Grandpa a lovely story about this necklace. He said, the strand nearest the throat would give the wearer ability to only speak kind words. The middle strand would make the soul as pure as a newborn child’s. And the third strand, her heart capable of intimate love, for only the giver of the necklace, until the end of time.”

  Scarlet and her Gran simultaneously got misty eyed, but Joe was unmoved. “I’m sure he said that to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who bought his jewelry.”

  Rose, still marveling at the beauty of her late husband’s gift, found Joe in the mirror. “You are a cynical boy, and Prudence is the only girl who’ll have you if you can’t buy into a little romance.”

  Dramatically placing a hand on his heart, Joe retorted, “I can be as romantic as the next guy, but you know what these market stall traders are like. They’ll say anything to get the sale.”

  Placing a decorative diamond pin in Scarlet’s hair, Rose said, “Your father had already agreed to the piece and the price before he heard the story.”

  Pulling a face, Joe conceded, “Prudence and I will dress alike, starting tomorrow.” Over Rose and Scarlet’s laughter, he added, “I remember how happy you were to see Dad after that trip and I remember how excited he was to give you the necklace.”

  Smiling softly at her son, Rose reached into one of the vanity drawers and retrieved a salon-style hand mirror. Holding it up behind Scarlet’s head, she asked, “What do you think?”

  Taking in the tousled cu
rls perfectly held in place, with just the right amount left loose to frame her face, Scarlet said, “It’s perfect, thank you, I love it.” Scarlet gently touched the shimmering diamonds adorning her throat. “And thank you for loaning me this incredible necklace.”

  Before Rose had the opportunity to respond, the doorbell rang, setting Prudence off into a series of squeals and snorts.

  Immediately flooded with nervous excitement, Scarlet asked, “Will you two entertain James, while I finish my makeup?”

  Ten minutes later, Scarlet found James being entertained in the library.

  Confessing to Rose he only knew of the televised Elizabeth Gaskell novels, James, his back to the door, was unaware of Scarlet’s entrance.

  Rose, pausing to answer a question about North and South, smiled when she caught sight of her granddaughter. James turned slowly, his lips parting slightly as he gazed at Scarlet.

  Blushing, Scarlet said, “A man who knows his Victorian literature.”

  James shrugged modestly, “I have two sisters, who’ve taught me well.”

  When his staring resumed, Rose said, “You young things should probably be on your way.”

  Taking in a short deep breath, Scarlet replied, “Yes, I just need my mask.”

  James walked towards her. “Mine’s in the car.”

  Joking that it sounded as if the pair were about to rob a bank, Joe added in undertones, “You will be very careful while having a great time?”

  Helping Scarlet into her coat, James assured Joe he would not let her out of his sight.

  Twenty minutes later, James pulled his Lexus into a, hidden from view, garage at the rear of Niles and Tom’s home.

  Niles, looking handsome in a navy-blue suit and lilac shirt, helped Scarlet from the car. “Tom’s grilling the door monitors for I think the third time in fifteen minutes.” At Scarlet’s quizzical expression, Niles explained, “We had a visit from Detective Smyth earlier today. He asked us to be diligent about assuring we have no gate crashers.”

  Scarlet sighed, “Oh Niles, I’m so sorry.”

  Shaking James’ hand, Niles replied, “Nonsense, we’d do it whether the detective asked or not. With the mask theme, it’s very necessary. Once the bulk of our guests arrive, we’ll have someone posted at every entrance to check for stragglers.”

  Scarlet bit her lower lip and Niles elaborated, “Tom went overboard this year with the number of catering staff he hired, we can easily spare a few of them to man the doors.”

  James and Scarlet slowly made their way through crowded reception rooms, James proudly introducing his date to work colleagues along the way. Tom, dashing in a silver colored slim fit suit and purple paisley vest, found them in the billiards room. With a flushed face and wide grin, he exclaimed, “I can’t believe how many people showed up. Are there no other parties in this city?” he added with a laugh.

  Scarlet began to thank him for his diligence with security, but Tom waved her off. “Before I forget, I have a favor to ask you.”

  “Anything,” Scarlet said.

  “Did Niles tell you, I’ve received my next assignment?”

  Scarlet shook her head.

  “January fifth, I’m off to Haiti. Cholera has been out of control since the earthquake in two thousand ten, so we’re going to see what we can do.”

  Pausing briefly to greet an attractive blond haired woman in a long velvet gown, Tom continued, “So, I’m on the phone with my boss, Larry. He’d filled me in on the shots I’ll need, the expected length of our assignment and so forth. Then on the off chance, I asked him if he’d like to come to our New Year’s Eve party. I don’t know what possessed me to ask when he’s never socialized with coworkers before. But, lo and behold he says, yes.”

  In an exaggerated whisper, Tom divulged, “Poor guy would have been all alone for New Years. His daughter is moving to the east coast, I guess her husband’s military and overseas. Larry’s wife is helping their daughter move, then spending a month there to get her settled. Larry couldn’t go because he’s getting me and twenty-five other guys organized for Haiti.”

  Scarlet and James’ heads nodded in sync and Tom went on, “He’s pretty upset about his daughter moving to the east coast. She’s their only child. I can’t remember her name; it’s something like Serena or Sienna. Larry has a good size wedding photo of her on his desk.” Tom looked over his shoulder conspiratorially. “She’s not as beautiful as you, Scarlet, but there is a definite resemblance. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I thought it might be nice if you spent a little time chatting to Larry this evening. Maybe make him miss his daughter a little less.”

  Scarlet, while inwardly doubting her likeness to his daughter would be a comfort, said, “I’d be happy to.”

  Clasping his hands together, Tom exclaimed, “Thank you so much. I’m lending him my gold jester mask.”

  Scarlet raised dark eyebrows. “He’s honored, that’s your favorite from New Orleans.”

  Smiling mischievously, Tom replied, “What can I say? The man signs my checks.”

  Sipping her champagne, Scarlet admitted, “I’m glad you told me about the mask, that thing covers your entire face.”

  Tom accepted a spring roll from a passing waiter. “I doubt he’ll wear it for long, it’s pretty heavy. Besides, I’ll personally introduce you to him, so you don’t need to worry about spotting him in this crowd. Although,” he added pushing his lips together, “no one else has a mask like my golden jester.”

  As if, just now, seeing them for the first time, Tom gushed about how incredible Scarlet and James looked. “You’re like a Hollywood couple,” he concluded, before leaving to play host.

  Gently touching Scarlet’s arm, James asked, “Before you meet Tom’s boss, would you mind if we attempted to find somewhere quiet to chat?”

  “I’d love that,” Scarlet replied, “and I know just the place. But, there’s a condition. First, we acquire a nice little selection from these wonderful men and women with trays in their hands.”

  James chuckled and professed his agreement.

  Looking around, eagerly, Scarlet instructed, “How about you take the front reception rooms and I’ll take the rear. Meet back here in five.”

  Raising her eyebrows as James shook his head, Scarlet asked, “You don’t think we’ll manage it that quickly?”

  “I told your father, I wouldn’t take my eyes off you,” James responded. “Could we tray shop together?”

  Looking into his thick-lashed, almond-shaped eyes, Scarlet replied, “Deal!”

  Masks secured and focused on the prize, Scarlet and James had full plates in no time.

  “This way,” Scarlet whispered.

  James, equipped with an appreciative smile, followed her up a narrow staircase.

  At the top of the steep, blue-carpeted stairs, they were confronted by a small, wooden, arched door.

  Taking in James’ look of amazement, Scarlet explained, “This house was built in the nineteen-fifties. It stayed in the family for three generations, before it was placed on the market and Niles bought it. The Polish lady who had it built was quite famous. Niles could tell you more about her, but I believe she saved over a hundred Jews during the Second World War.”

  Turning the heavy iron door handle, Scarlet led James into a small, windowless room with rose-patterned wallpaper. Silver gray carpet lay thick beneath their feet. Scarlet kicked her shoes off before turning on three antique floor lamps. Setting champagne glasses and plates on the round mosaic tiled table, James suggested Scarlet sit on the small couch, and he take the floor cushions.

  Positioned to face his date, James said, “This is fascinating. Tell me more.”

  Scarlet happily obliged. “The base of the stairs was originally concealed with wooden paneling. The door, apparently so well crafted, was impossible to see.”

  Reluctant to interrupt, but having a pressing question, James asked, “Was it just for sentiment, being that it was the fifties and America?”

  Scarlet scrunch
ed up her pretty features. “Sentiment, habit … a basic need perhaps?”

  Shaking his head, James mused, “Over a hundred people, what an incredible woman.”

  Nodding and leaning in towards James, Scarlet elaborated, “Apparently, she became fixated with priest holes. When her granddaughter sold this place to Niles, she told him she believed there were, at least, three in this house.”

  “Priest holes in this house!” James repeated, eyes wide.

  Scarlet placed her palms outward. “They’ve never been found.”

  Standing to hand Scarlet her champagne and retrieving his own glass, James volunteered, “Weren’t they an English thing; way back?”

  Scarlet crinkled her brow in concentration. “I think sixteenth century.”

  James leaned back into oversized cushions. “That would be right. The persecution of Catholics during Queen Elizabeth’s reign.”

  Enjoying their historical discussion, Scarlet said, “Catholics had to have Mass said in secret. I read priest hunters would take a full week searching a house and usually never found them.”

  Looking around the room, James enquired, “Do you think the granddaughter was correct? Undiscovered Priest holes are in fact hidden in the walls of this great home.”

  Scarlet bit her lip. “Exciting, isn’t it? The story was, this brave woman carried an overwhelming sadness and regret. She believed she could have saved many more innocent people if her Polish home had been equipped with priest holes.”

  James, seemingly speechless, gazed at Scarlet intently. With enough time spent on this exercise to make Scarlet blush, she said, “I still know so little about you.”

  Returning his glass to the small table, James clasped his hands together. “Where would you like me to start?”

  “Your earliest memory,” Scarlet said, relaxing into the gold and bronze striped couch.

  James frowned. “Gosh. Let me think.”

  Scarlet contentedly reached for her plate of appetizers. “Take all the time you need.”

  Halfway through her crab salad canapé, James began, “My father getting a tattoo.”

  Scarlet nodded with encouragement, and James continued. “It was my mom’s name on his right forearm. ‘Isabella’ tattooed in large italics went from wrist to elbow. My sisters and I thought it was the coolest thing.”