Purring Around the Christmas Tree

by Liz Mugavero

  “I’ll think about it,” Izzy muttered.

  “Good.” Stan rose and went over to give her friend a hug. “I’m happy for you. I want you to be happy,” she said. “You deserve it.”

  Izzy hugged her back. “Thanks. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

  “You don’t owe me an apology. It was your story to tell when you were ready. Call me later.”

  She slipped down the stairs and decided to leave by the back entrance. She didn’t feel like going through a café full of people today. The topics of conversation would surely be Harold, Seamus, and Ray, and she just couldn’t handle it.

  As she rounded the dumpster she almost bumped into Kevin, who stood on the sidewalk. He appeared to be looking up at Izzy’s place, but it was hard to tell with his sunglasses on. He looked as surprised to see her as she was to see him.

  He recovered quickly, though. “Hi, lassie. Fancy meeting you here.”

  “Yeah. The entrance is out front,” Stan said, pointing around the building.

  Kevin laughed. “I know, m’dear. Trying to decide if I need more coffee or if I’m about to get an ulcer, that’s all.”

  “Oh. Well, the dumpster’s not going to help you figure that out, is it?”

  “I suppose not.” He walked with her toward the front of the building.

  “Heading anywhere in particular?” Stan asked casually.

  He shook his head. “No. Just killin’ some time until I pick up the lovely Miss Vivian for a late lunch. I enjoy her company. I’m hoping Seamus’ll show up and try to punch me in the face for stealing his girl while he’s away,” he said with a wink.

  “Have you seen your friends yet?” Stan asked.

  He stilled. “What friends?”

  “The rest of the poker group. They’re staying at Char’s. I guess they got to town yesterday. One of them has red hair.” She stopped, acutely aware and embarrassed that she hadn’t bothered to ask any of their names.

  “Ah, no. I haven’t yet. I’ll have to take a jaunt over and visit them.” The easy smile was back on his face. He tipped his cap at Stan. “See you at the library later. I’ll have your seat waiting.” And he walked away, whistling.

  Chapter Forty

  Kevin had joined the crowded cast of characters in Stan’s mind now, and moved into a lead role. What was his deal? Things had been so crazy in general that she had to admit, she probably hadn’t given enough thought to the crazy story this guy had shown up with out of the blue. She knew Jake wasn’t thrilled about Kevin staying with them. In any other situation, she’d have been more cautious, but since he was a friend of Seamus’s and it felt like, in some way, that meant he was part of Jake’s extended family, she’d been a bit more lackadaisical in her assessment.

  She wondered what he was really doing with his days. Frog Ledge history, while mildly interesting, wouldn’t be enough to keep someone like Kevin so enthralled that he’d choose to stay indefinitely. Also, there wasn’t that much history to read. A few hours and you’d be done. Add in a trip to the museum and the War House, and maybe you could stretch it to a full day of learning.

  No, she couldn’t help thinking he was up to something else. Conducting his own investigation into Seamus’s whereabouts, most likely. But the fact that he wouldn’t discuss it told her there was more to the story. She decided to let him stay on her couch for the time being, but maybe tonight she could find a way to press him on the real story after Cyril’s talk at the library.

  Decision made, she hurried back to the shop, surprised—and happy—to find Jake waiting at one of the tables. “What are you doing here?” she asked, giving him a kiss.

  He rose and wrapped her in a hug. “I missed you. Took a break. Where’ve you been?”

  “I had to go see Izzy. She’s got a meeting with Jessie this afternoon. My mother’s getting her a lawyer.” Stan went behind the counter and began tidying up.

  “A lawyer, huh? That serious?” That troubled Jake; she could tell.

  Stan nodded. “Hey, are you going to be at the pub all night?”

  “Probably. Scott’s off tonight and I didn’t get anyone else to cover. Why, what’s up?”

  “I’m going to go to Cyril’s talk at the library tonight. On the Book of Kells. His dad is speaking too, so it should be interesting. But I’m going to stop by Miss Viv’s first. I want to get her thoughts on Kevin. I think they’ve been spending time together and I’m wondering if he knows more than he’s saying.”

  She held her breath, waiting for his reaction. He didn’t say anything for a long moment, then he nodded. “I think that’s a smart idea,” he said. “If I can get away, I’ll join you at the library.”

  He gave her a kiss, then left. She stood behind the counter smiling. Maybe they’d actually turned a corner.

  *

  She used her GPS to get to Miss Viv’s and Victoria’s house, out on the east side of town. She’d never been out to their neighborhood before. When she turned onto their street, the first thing she noticed was all the construction. The condos Emmalee had mentioned were in various stages of being built. Some open space still surrounded them, and Stan imagined that was where Kyle envisioned his restaurant. It was a good location for it, and she imagined other merchants would follow suit.

  Which wouldn’t please the sisters, from the sounds of it.

  Their house stuck out like a sore thumb at the end of the block, and looked to be in dire need of repairs. She parked out front and went to the door. Miss Viv opened it before she rang the bell.

  “Stan! Hello. What a lovely surprise. Daisy, no,” she said, scooping up the little dog as it ran toward Stan’s ankles, barking and growling. “Please, come in.”

  “Thanks.” Stan stepped inside. “I hope this isn’t a bad time.”

  “Not at all. Victoria and I were just about to have some tea. Would you like some?”

  “Sure.” Stan followed her into the kitchen. Victoria turned from the kettle. “How lovely. We never get much company anymore. Is chamomile satisfactory?”

  “It sounds perfect,” Stan said.

  Once they had their mugs of tea, she turned to Miss Viv. “I hope you don’t mind my asking, but I’m curious about Seamus’s friend Kevin. The man who’s staying with me. I know you’ve spent some time with him.”

  Miss Viv beamed. Her long hair was braided today, and she wore what Stan had come to recognize as her signature makeup. Her dress suggested she was ready to leave for a nice evening out—or a trip—at a moment’s notice.

  “He’s so nice,” she confided. “I was so pleased to finally meet a friend of Seamus’s. I’ve only met one or two over the years, you know.”

  “There’s probably a reason for that,” Victoria pointed out.

  Miss Viv ignored her. Stan guessed they had this routine down to a tee after a lifetime of living it. “He took me for a lovely dinner the other night, and we met up for lunch today. He says he’s staying in town until Seamus shows up, safe and sound. It makes me feel much better.”

  “Does he have any thoughts on where he is?” Stan asked. “Is there a reason why he’s here, when Seamus was up in Boston?”

  Miss Viv looked blank. “Why, I don’t know. He didn’t say that. I guess he figures this is the first place he’ll turn up, because of me.” She smiled, the cloud clearing. “Yes, that must be it, don’t you think so?”

  “I’m sure it is,” Stan said. Victoria shook her head in resignation and drank her tea.

  Daisy barked from Miss Viv’s lap. “I think she needs to go outside. Excuse me one moment.” She slipped a rhinestone-studded leash on the dog and led her to the front door.

  Stan looked at Victoria. “Have you met Kevin?”

  Victoria nodded. “He came here to pick her up. I don’t trust him.”

  “You don’t? Why?”

  Victoria thought about her answer before she spoke. “I suppose part of it is that I don’t completely trust Seamus,” she admitted. “So I struggle with trusting his friends. My
sister is so … naïve sometimes. But more than that, it’s just a feeling. I can’t completely explain it. But I do believe he knows more than he’s telling.”

  Chapter Forty-one

  Stan called her mother once she got back to the shop. Since she’d already gone down the road earlier today of doing something she never thought she’d do—confiding in her mother—she figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask her to spend the evening with her.

  “Do you want to go to the library tonight? Cyril and his dad are doing a presentation on the Book of Kells. Not sure if you heard that it was stolen recently. Remember Dad took us to see it?”

  “I do remember,” Patricia said. “That would be lovely, Kristan. Shall I meet you there?”

  “You’re sure?” Stan asked, surprised. “I mean, if you have wedding stuff, I understand.”

  “Kristan. Do you want me to go or not?” Her mother sounded amused.

  “Of course I do. That’s why I asked.”

  “Then I’ll see you at the library. What time?”

  “Seven.” She paused. “Maybe you can get Char to come?”

  “That’s a wonderful idea. I’ll make sure she does.”

  “And if you want to come over to the house after, maybe we can … have coffee or something.”

  “That sounds lovely. I think Tony might be interested also. Will Jake be there?”

  “He was going to try to get away for the talk, but probably has to go back to the pub after.”

  “Good. So things are better?” Patricia asked.

  “They’re getting there,” Stan said. “I hope.”

  “And have you heard from Izzy since her meeting?”

  “No. Which worries me. I just wish this whole thing was over. I’ll see you later, Mom. Thanks.”

  *

  When Stan arrived at the library a few minutes before seven, her mother and Tony were already there. Stan was relieved to see that Char was with them. Kevin was there also. A few other Frog Ledge residents were also in attendance, as were three other men Stan didn’t recognize. They sat together in the back row. They all looked very serious.

  Kevin saw her and waved, pointing to the chair next to him. She veered over. “Hey. Thanks for saving me a seat. I have to go say hello to my mother.”

  “Of course! Bring her back here to sit with us. If she’s as lovely as you, I’m delighted to meet her.”

  Stan blushed a little and went over to Patricia and Char. Patricia air-kissed her cheek. Char hugged her.

  “So good to see you out,” Stan said to her friend. “Want to come sit over there with me and my houseguest?” She pointed to the seats.

  Tony turned. “Houseguest?”

  “One of Seamus’s friends. He showed up at the pub the other night and wanted to stay in town. We offered him the couch.”

  “That was generous of you,” Tony said. “Especially since you don’t know the man. Sure, let’s go.” He got up and headed for Kevin.

  Stan looked at her mother. “Did you get a chance to ask him about what we talked about?”

  Patricia nodded. “He said he didn’t know anything more than any of us. We better change our seats now then, before it starts.”

  “Where are Seamus’s four friends?” Stan asked Char.

  “They went out for a drink. That’s all they seem to do.”

  Stan smiled. “They are Irish, after all. Which I can say because I’m Irish.”

  Tony had already introduced himself to Kevin and they were talking quietly. Before she could butt in and see what they were talking about, Jake’s parents came in and took seats right in front of them. Nora turned and blew Stan a kiss. Paul reached over and squeezed her hand.

  “How are you doing?” he asked.

  “I’m okay,” Stan said. “I’m glad you’re here.” She’d just remembered she needed to ask him about playing Santa at the new holiday stroll, and Betty would surely ask for a status update tonight. “Can we catch up after this?”

  “Of course.”

  The room was filling up fast. This was a hotter topic than Stan had apparently realized. Even Miss Viv and Victoria were here. They took seats off to the side. Miss Viv saw Stan and Kevin and waved happily.

  Stan faced the front of the room as Betty came out to introduce Cyril and Arthur, who waited off to the side. Stan was sad to see Arthur was in a wheelchair. His health must be worsening.

  “Good evening!” She beamed at the crowd. “Thank you all for coming out tonight. We’ve got a treat in store for you. As most of you know, the Frog Ledge Holler, our local newspaper, has been owned and operated by the Pierce family since, well, forever! And while they’ve kept their focus strongly on our very own little community, there are certain subjects for which they’ll go outside our town boundaries. One of those topics that’s near and dear to their hearts is the crown jewel of their Irish heritage—the famous Book of Kells, which has been in the headlines lately. I won’t spoil it for our speakers, so with that, I’ll turn it over to Cyril and Arthur.”

  Betty led the room in a round of applause, then took a seat in the front row just as Jake slipped into the room. Patricia pushed Tony over a seat so Jake could slide in next to Stan. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she snuggled into him, feeling better for the first time in days. She vowed not to let all this external drama come between them again.

  Cyril pushed his dad over to the front of the room, then surveyed the crowd. He had his serious face on. And why wouldn’t he? It was a serious topic.

  “Anyone of Irish descent has likely been following the tragic story of the recent theft of the Book of Kells from the Trinity College Library in Dublin,” he began. “About two weeks ago, maybe a bit less, one of the greatest robberies in our history occurred. The two books on display were stolen without a trace. The last time a theft of these national treasures was even attempted was back in the late sixties, and it was unsuccessful.” He paused for dramatic effect. “My father, Arthur Pierce, was a scholar of the Book of Kells, as you’ve seen from the pieces we’ve run in the paper this past week.”

  Cyril went on to give his dad a long-winded introduction about his studies on Irish artifacts, his research on the Book of Kells, and his various expeditions to see and study the book. “But I think what you most want to hear about is the last time a theft was attempted,” he finished. “And then we can talk about why this time it may have been successful.”

  He turned the floor over to his dad. Kevin leaned forward, intent on whatever Arthur was going to say. It took Arthur a bit to get warmed up—illness and isolation had taken their toll. But within a few minutes, he was talking animatedly about his interview with the last known thief who’d tried to steal the book—a “maverick” member of the Irish Republican Army who had found support, interestingly enough, from some Boston members.

  “The whole thing ended up being anticlimactic,” he said. “When he realized he couldn’t get to the book, he turned his attention to a different artifact, the Brian Boru Harp, which he did steal and held for ransom.”

  “He just gave up that easily?” Kevin called out. “Not a lot of imagination, yeah?”

  A ripple of laughter went through the crowd.

  One of the serious men Stan didn’t recognize from the back row stood. “So what’s different today? How’d this supposed mastermind pull it off? And do you think they’ll ever find it?”

  Arthur nodded confidently. “A lot’s different today. We’re fifty years smarter, better technology, better surveillance, better ways of getting intel, if you’re smart enough. Problem with this other guy—and don’t tell him I said so—is he wasn’t smart enough. As for finding it, well, I don’t see how it wouldn’t turn up. You try to sell it, everyone will be all over that. So I’m not sure what’s to gain from stealing it, other than you might go down in history as one of the greatest thieves of all time. But you’d better have a good hiding place for it. These things aren’t pocket-sized.” He rolled his wheelchair forward to make his next point. “
The bottom line is, you get away with stealing these things, you better be ready for a life on the run.”

  Stan froze in her seat, feeling her heart start to pound. She glanced at Jake to see if he’d had the same thought as her, but he appeared to simply be listening to the conversation. No one else looked like they’d had an epiphany. But for some reason, her gut was screaming at her.

  Was it possible Seamus had been involved in this heist?

  Chapter Forty-two

  “You coming?”

  Stan realized Jake had stood to go and was waiting for her to get up. “Yeah. Sorry. Are you going back to the pub?”

  “I am.” He looked more closely at her. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I just … nothing. I have to talk to your dad for a minute. About the stroll this weekend. I’ll see you at home later?” She squeezed his hand and smiled to reassure him. But her mind raced with the possibilities. She needed to talk to Cyril.

  Jake didn’t look like he believed her, but he nodded. “Okay.” He kissed her and walked out.

  Stan turned to where Paul waited. “Good talk, eh?” he said. “That Arthur always was such an interesting guy. What a career he had. People think you work on a tiny newspaper and you don’t get to do anything exciting. Boy, are they wrong. So what did you want to talk about?”

  Stan focused on the task at hand. “The stroll we’re doing this weekend. Can you be Santa? Which would also mean being Santa at my shop for pet photos?”

  Paul’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “Santa? Me? I’m flattered.”

  “So you’ll do it?” Stan itched to get to Cyril, who was talking to Kevin off to the side of the room.

  “Of course. I’d be honored.”

  “You’re wonderful.” Stan kissed his cheek. “I’ll be in touch with the details.”

  She made a beeline for Cyril, who was still speaking with Kevin. “Sorry to interrupt. But actually, I want both of you.”

  Kevin beamed. “Well, that’s the best news I’ve heard all week.”

  “Will this take long? I have to bring my dad back to his place.” He adjusted his glasses and took a closer look at Stan. “What’s up?”