“Cheesecake.”
“Yum.”
“Don’t forget we’re heading over to Ms. Danford’s tonight. And, Jenny, so you’re not surprised, we found out that she was also married to Mr. Franco. She was wife number five, right before Rob’s mom.”
Her mouth dropped. “How did we not know this before?”
I shrugged.
“Awkward.” She disappeared up the stairs.
It sure will be.
At five, we walked out the back door. Rob carried two bottles of wine, and I toted the cheesecake. Alex met us at her back door, and I handed her the dessert.
She lifted it. “This looks wonderful. I’ll pop it in the fridge.” We followed her into the house.
She pointed toward a makeshift bar she had set up on the counter. “Jenny, soda and ice are over there. And, Rob, you can put the wine down there too. Andy and Ed should be over in a minute—” There was a knock at the door. She opened it. “Speak of the devil.”
Andy kissed her cheek and handed her a bottle of wine. “I hope you were saying good things about us.”
“Only the best, as always.”
Ed squeezed through with what looked like a Caprese salad. My mouth watered.
Alex pointed toward the backyard. “It’s getting a bit crowded for my tiny kitchen, so if everyone could grab a drink, and if a few of you would take those plates, we’ll go outside.”
Andy uncorked the wine, and Rob poured. Jenny took the artfully arrayed cheese and grape plate, I grabbed the carrots and celery sticks, and Ed brought up the rear with the breadsticks. We deposited the goodies on the sheet-draped picnic table. Mason jars bursting with peonies were positioned down the middle, and Alex had strung twinkle lights from the tree limbs above.
I sniffed one of the jars. “I love peonies. These smell like roses.”
“They’re my favorites too. Such an elegant flower.” She sat on one of the folding chairs. “Might be more comfortable to sit in while we enjoy our cocktails. We’ll use the benches for dinner.”
Rob carried out glasses; Ed followed him with two bottles. Rob put the tray on the table. Ed held up the wine. “Who wants what?”
Andy, Rob, and I said, “Red.”
Alex pointed to the white. “I think I’ll have that.”
Ed said, “I’ll join you.”
I chose a carrot stick and sat in one of the chairs. “Everything looks great. You must have been working all day.”
“I enjoyed it. It’s been a while since I’ve entertained.”
I toasted Alex. “To our fabulous hostess.” The others chimed in.
Rob said, “It’s such a lovely evening to be outside.” He put his glass down. “Alex, did anything interesting happen today?”
I turned toward Alex. Jenny stared at her.
Alex started to shake her head. Then she rubbed her face. “I may as well tell you. Detective Ziebold stopped by this afternoon.”
Andy and Ed exchanged a look. Ed put his glass down. “Alex, we’re all friends here. You tell us what you want to tell us.”
Rob frowned.
“It’s been stupid to keep this secret. I didn’t want to get wrapped up in all the drama.”
“What drama?” Andy chewed a celery stick.
Alex shifted in her seat. “I was married to Richard.”
Ed’s mouth dropped. “Richard, as in Richard who was married to his mother?” He pointed at Rob. “And Richard, as in Richard who died?”
“Yes. That one.”
Jenny leaned toward her. “Why didn’t you tell us before?”
Alex’s eyes narrowed. “Because I didn’t think it was any of your business.”
Jenny sat back like she had been slapped.
Alex’s face relaxed, and she touched Jenny’s hand. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be so snippy. I was only married to Richard for a few years. It turned out I wasn’t what he was looking for. I think he was searching for someone like his first wife.” She paused. “Kathy’s mother. The one who disappeared.”
She tilted her head toward Rob. “I was surprised when your mother came to visit. It was such a coincidence. And then I ran into Richard. I was getting a blueberry muffin and coffee at Delightful Bites. I turned around, and there he was.” She sighed. “I know we weren’t married for very long, but I couldn’t believe he didn’t recognize me from the back. I asked him if he wanted to have coffee there and catch up.” Her brow furrowed. “He had the nerve to suggest that I had followed him; that I wouldn’t give him up. He let me know in no uncertain terms that he was through with me and had no regrets divorcing me.”
She seemed to have shrunk in her chair. I moved forward in mine. “That must have been hard to hear.”
“It was. But he was wrong. I was over him. I have my art, my place here, and I have new friends.” She extended her arm to encompass us. “He threatened me. He didn’t like the fact that I had moved in next to Merry. He told me that if I didn’t leave here, I’d be sorry. I was shaking when he walked away.” She took a long drink of wine.
Everyone seemed frozen to their chairs. I stood, walked to Alex, and squatted next to her. “He’s gone now, so he can’t threaten you any longer.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine.” She stood and squared her shoulders. “And now, if someone could help me bring out the food?”
Jenny and Andy jumped from their seats and went with Alex into the kitchen. I turned to Rob. “I’m sorry that happened to her. She seems like such a nice person.”
Ed said, “There’s something strange about that story.”
My head snapped toward him. “Other than the fact that Richard was not a nice guy?”
“That. And, more importantly, if all that happened in line at Delightful Bites, how come this is the first any of us has heard about it?”
Chapter 16
I strolled to work the next morning. Alex seemed like such a kind, sweet person. Why would she have lied about running into Richard at Delightful Bites? Maybe it was a slow day when they had their confrontation. I stopped. Who was I kidding? Even on the slowest day, someone would have noticed. This town’s gossip mill was more efficient than a Six Sigma assembly line. I pulled out my phone and texted Patty: “Lunch today?”
“Meet you at noon: Delightful Bites.”
I tucked the phone back in my purse and opened the door to the office. My day began with a regularly scheduled staff meeting. Everyone gave an update on the progress of our customers’ storm claims. I made a note to follow up on the outstanding ones. Next, the party planners told us their ideas for our Customer Appreciation day. They suggested renting a shelter at a local state park and cooking an assortment of hot dogs and hamburgers. “I love it. Full disclosure, I play a mean game of corn hole.”
They laughed.
I continued. “Sign-up sheets will be placed on the bulletin board. Please use it so we can get an idea of how many games to bring. Also, I’ll be cooking my divine chocolate cupcakes, so don’t forget to get back to Cheryl on how many of your family members can make it.”
There were a few more reminders on my list. After the meeting was over, there were bookkeeping tasks to accomplish, and then finally, it was time for lunch with Patty. I sauntered down the street; she had already claimed one of the tables outside. I waved as I went in to order lunch. The special was a broccoli and cheddar quiche. I chose that and iced tea. I retrieved the drink and joined Patty. “I’m glad you were able to snag an outside table. It’s so nice out.”
“It is. I haven’t seen you in a while. What’s new?”
“Richard wasn’t poisoned—”
“With the champagne. Yeah, I know.” She sniffed. “Old news.”
“Scarface and Big Ears were killed yesterday.”
“Heard that.”
“You’re tough. How about this? Alex, my next-door neighbor, was marriage number five for Richard Franco.”
Patty’s mouth gaped.
“Not a good look for you.” I chuckled.
“How
did we not know that?”
“Jenny’s exact question. We’re usually better than this, which leads me to what I wanted to ask you about.”
Patty leaned closer to me. “What?”
“Did you hear anything about an argument between Alex and Richard here at Delightful Bites?”
Patty shook her head. “Nope. And I’m pretty tied in. If a newcomer and a stranger fought here, I would have heard about it. Even you would have heard about it.”
“You make it sound like I’m out of the loop.”
“If the Cheerio fits…”
Gary Johnson, the owner of Delightful Bites, pushed the door open with his hip. He made his way toward us. “Merry, you had the quiche, and Patty the tuna salad plate?”
“Right,” I said.
He put the plates down.
“Do you have a minute?”
“What’s up?”
“Do you remember Alex Danford and Richard Franco having words here a few weeks ago?”
He frowned. “A few weeks ago? Alex was in the other day—” He looked up at the sky for a moment and then shook his head. “Nope. Don’t recall. We’ve been pretty busy though, so as long as they weren’t swinging at one another, I might not have noticed.” He glanced through the window. “Line’s starting up again. Got to go.”
I cut into the quiche. “It’s weird. Alex told a very detailed story. I can’t believe she made it up.”
Patty put dressing on her salad and mixed it. “People make up stories all the time. You should know that.”
“I do. I’m not Pollyanna.”
“I didn’t say you were. Want to hear the latest on Patrick’s saga?”
I put my fork down. “Of course.”
“He went to see his adoptive mother this past weekend.”
“And? What did the letter say?”
“Patrick didn’t want to open it there. He wanted to have all of us around him. So he drove back, and we opened the letter on Sunday afternoon. It was a lovely letter. His mother talked about how difficult the decision was to put him up for adoption. She also said that if he ever wanted to find her, seeing him again would be the greatest joy.” Patty dug into her salad.
I sat back in my chair. “All these years. His mother will be so happy when she finds out how successful his life has been. What’s the plan?”
She sipped her tea. “Patrick’s going to fly to Phoenix next month. I told him that I’d be happy to go, but he wants the first visit to be solo. He figures it will be enough of a shock to see him, let alone me and the rest of the brood.”
“Will his brother be there?”
“No. Even though it might be simpler to have him do the introductions, Patrick says he’s been giving strange vibes.” She gripped her fork. “I’m praying that his mother doesn’t die before he gets there. He’s so close to seeing her again. It would be such a letdown if it didn’t happen.”
I ripped open a sweetener packet and stirred it into the tea. “If you want to go, I’d be happy to stay with the kids.”
She sighed. “I want to go. What if it doesn’t work out? Then he’s there with no one.”
I touched her arm. “It will be fine. She’ll hold on until he gets there, and they’ll hit it off.”
“I hope that’s true.”
✽ ✽ ✽
When I walked down my driveway that evening, Alex was in her backyard, pulling weeds. With a groan, she got to her feet and then waved. “Good day at work?”
“Busy. Your yard looks so much better. When my ex and his girlfriend rented here, they weren’t focused on outdoor activities.” I climbed the three steps to her backyard.
“They sound like interesting people. But I’m glad they left so I could buy this house.”
“Do you have time for a break? How about a glass of wine?”
She took her garden gloves off. “You talked me into it. I have brie I bought today.”
“Love brie. Let me drop my things inside and grab the wine. I’ll meet you by the chairs.” I hurried up the steps and put my purse and briefcase on the chair. I retrieved a bottle of white and two glasses.
I was almost out the door when Jenny walked into the kitchen. “Where are you going? Is Mr. Jenson here?”
“No. I invited Alex over for a glass of wine. She’s bringing cheese. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like.”
“What are we having for dinner?”
“I’ll call for a pizza in about a half-hour.”
“Sounds good.” She bounded back upstairs.
Alex was already seated in one of the chairs when I navigated my way through the door. She made as if to stand, and I said. “I’ve got it. Don’t worry.”
She settled back in the chair. “Another lovely night.”
I uncorked the wine. “It is. Warm enough to be able to sit outside in comfort, but not too hot so that we’re surrounded by bugs.” I placed Alex’s wine on the table, set mine down, and sat. “This cheese looks scrumptious.” I cut a piece, put it on a cracker, and ate it. “Mm. So buttery.”
Alex helped herself. “You’re right. I’ll need to get more.”
Loud, continuous beeping ripped through the air. A FedEx truck backed down my driveway. The driver hopped out and knocked at the gate. I said, “Come in,” and walked over to greet him.
Jenny ran out the back door and almost collided with me by the gate. The driver flinched. He held an envelope up as if it were a jump ball. “Jennifer March?”
“That’s me,” Jenny said.
“Sign here.” He handed her the envelope and pointed to a place on the tablet. She signed, and he left.
Jenny turned to go back into the house. I put my hand on her arm. “Who’s sending you something by FedEx?”
“It’s nothing, Mom. Just college-related stuff.” She waved to Alex and dashed into the house.
I frowned and sat. “Surely colleges do everything electronically now?”
“One would think.” Alex put her wine down. “Do you want to go talk to her? We could do this another evening.”
“No. I’m sure everything is fine.” I sipped my wine.
“I had to go down to the police station again today.”
“Oh?”
“Detective Ziebold wanted to ask me about Richard’s employees, the ones who were staying at that motel in town. The Shady Inn?” She spread the brie on a cracker.
“That’s right.”
“I assured the detective that I didn’t even know the gentlemen. Other than that time they bothered you.”
“I’m sure they’re questioning quite a few people.”
“Now it seems like this might have been something related to Richard’s business. I always had the feeling it wasn’t on the up and up.”
“It was such a surprise yesterday when you told us you’d been married to Richard. Was he the husband you told me about? The one who was looking to trade up?”
“Wanda was the new and improved version.” She took a sip of her wine. “At least she and I are the same age. I guess it would have been worse if he had thrown me over for a thirty-year-old. It does stick in my craw that she gets everything. My standard of living definitely changed for the worse when he divorced me.”
I put more brie on a cracker. “How long were you separated before he married Wanda?”
She gave me a lopsided grin. “I think the door had just hit my butt when she waltzed in. I’d be surprised if Richard’s staff even had a chance to change the sheets.”
“He seemed to attract high-quality women. What was his secret?”
She stared at the sky, and her voice grew soft. “When times were good, he could make you feel like you were the only person on earth. He showered me with gifts. And you know how you can tell when someone really listens to you?”
I nodded.
“He focused on me. He asked great questions about whatever story I told. I felt cherished.”
“That must have been nice.”
“It was. But then I experienced
his other side. People warned me—past associates and girlfriends of his—but I didn’t listen. And then boom. No more sweet Richard. Pain in the neck Richard, take everything from you Richard.” She stood. “I’m sorry, all this talk of Richard has put me in a lousy mood. I’ll see you again soon.” She turned and walked through the gate.
I sipped my wine. Rob strolled into the backyard. “Oh, good. You’ve already uncorked a bottle.”
I pointed toward the kitchen. “You’ll have to get yourself a glass. And while you’re at it, you may as well bring Alex’s in.”
“Alex was here?”
“Yes. She told me all about the two sides of Richard.”
“Did you ask her why she lied about running into him at Delightful Bites?”
I shook my head. “Didn’t get a chance.”
He retrieved a glass and poured the wine. I held up mine, and he topped it off. He sat.
Jenny opened the bathroom window. “I’m hungry. Do you mind if I call for the pizza?”
“Go ahead.” I turned toward Rob. “Jenny got a FedEx package this afternoon. Who would be sending her something overnight? She had to sign for it too.”
“Who sent it?”
“She said it was from a college, but almost everything she’s done so far with them has been electronic.”
“Sounds like a conversation for dinner.”
The pizza arrived about twenty minutes later; Rob paid and brought it into the kitchen. Jenny had already set the table, so I retrieved the salad bowl, and we all sat.
Jenny opened the box. “I’m so hungry. I hope no one minds, but I ordered pepperoni and sausage.” She lifted out a hefty slice and deposited it onto her plate. I handed her the salad bowl, and she added that to the side.
Rob took a slice and bit into it. “This hits the spot.” He turned to Jenny. “Thanks for putting in the order.”
She gave him a thumbs-up, still chewing.
I took a few of the abundant pepperoni pieces off my slice and placed them on Rob’s.
His left eyebrow rose.
“Are you objecting to me giving you my excess?”
“No. Not at all. I was surprised you weren’t going to eat it.”
“It’s heavy with all that meat.”
Murder So Deadly Page 15
