Home for the Holidays

by Hope Callaghan

  She crossed the mudroom and headed for a set of French doors at the other end.

  Andrea and Gloria followed her lead.

  Mitzi swung the doors open and Gloria and Andrea stepped into the kitchen.

  Gloria sucked in a breath. It looked like it belonged in a French chateau. Large hand-hewn beams crisscrossed the ceiling. Twinkling vintage glass pendant lights hung over the expansive quartz island. Nestled inside the quartz counters was a copper farmhouse sink. The sink overlooked a fenced courtyard.

  Custom antique white cabinets filled an entire wall. Tucked in the corners were small nooks and crannies, perfect for stuffing odds and ends inside.

  “Have a seat,” Mitzi nodded to the wooden barstools tucked under the massive center island. “Would you care for tea or hot cocoa perhaps?”

  Gloria shook her head. “No thanks.”

  “I will take a cup of tea,” Andrea said, figuring that if she drank it slowly, it would buy them more time.

  Gloria changed her mind. “I guess I’ll have a cup, if you don’t mind.”

  Mitzi glanced over her shoulder. “Of course not.”

  She lifted a silver teakettle from the stove, filled it with water, turned the gas burner on high and set the pot on top.

  She reached inside the cupboard and pulled out three fluted bone teacups trimmed in gold. They looked fragile…and very expensive.

  Gloria knew a little about fine bone china. “Those look like Aynsley.” Aynsley was a British manufacturer. The company created delicate works of collectible china.

  Mitzi smiled. “Good eye. Yes. These are Aynsley. I have several collections.” She set the saucer and teacup in front of Gloria. She set another saucer and cup in front of Andrea.

  She placed clear tea bags in each of the cups. “I hope you like vanilla.”

  Gloria loved vanilla. “It sounds perfect.” The tea bags were almost as lavish as the cups.

  The kettle whistled and Mitzi carefully poured piping hot water into each of the cups. The rich aroma of vanilla filled the air.

  She placed the kettle back on the stove and settled into a barstool on the end. Mitzi lifted her cup and sipped her tea. “I am interested in helping the service dogs. Perhaps one day soon, after my party, I can visit this ‘At Your Service’ dog training facility to see what can be done.”

  It was wonderful news…an unexpected bonus.

  “Now let’s discuss the other.” She gazed at them shrewdly. “The real reason you are here.”

  Chapter 12

  Gloria poured out her story of how she believed someone had set Paul up. She explained that she had compiled a list of suspects who had it in for Paul and even told Mitzi how she had noticed a government plate on a car parked behind the police station the previous evening.

  “What were you doing at the police station?” Mitzi asked.

  Gloria dropped her eyes to her cup and fiddled with the handle. “Working undercover.”

  Andrea grinned. “As a cleaning lady.”

  “Sounds intriguing.” Mitzi laughed. “You’re my kinda gal.” She listened intently as Gloria continued her story.

  When Gloria got to the part where Paul was MIA and the wedding tentatively postponed, the woman reached out and touched Gloria’s hand. “My dear. I am so sorry to hear that. Why, my own Percival and I were married forty years before he passed away last year.” Her eyes clouded over.

  “I’m sorry,” Gloria said. At least Paul was still alive…she hoped.

  Mitzi swallowed the last of tea in her cup and lifted it. “More?” She refilled the empty cups and dunked her teabag in her cup. “There is more to the story the public doesn’t know about.”

  Gloria’s heart skipped a beat. This was it…this was what she had been waiting for.

  “Two days ago, I received another demand for money. This time, it was much more than the piddly fifty grand.” Mitzi sucked in a breath. “The note demanded two hundred-fifty thousand dollars.”

  Andrea’s mouth dropped open. “Holy smokes!”

  Mitzi nodded. “Holy smokes is right. I can pay the amount but where will it end?”

  Mitzi had a point. Whoever was extorting her had no intention of stopping. In fact, Gloria had a sneaky suspicion this was just the beginning.

  “What could they possibly have on you?” The online illegal gambling story had made headlines. There was nothing left to reveal.

  Mitzi lowered her head, her lips drawn in a thin line. She was about to drop a bombshell. Gloria could feel it. Something so big, Mitzi was willing to pay a whole lot of money for someone to keep quiet.

  She looked up, her blue eyes staring straight into Gloria’s. “I. My.” She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes. “I gave my firstborn, my oldest son, up for adoption.”

  She went on. “Whoever sent me the note knows all about my son. He was born before I met Percival. My parents, we didn’t have much money. In fact, we had no money. The baby needed so much I couldn’t give but someone else…a loving family…could.”

  Mitzi spun the delicate cup in a circle on the saucer. “I…Percival knew about my son, but our other children, they don’t…and I need to keep it that way.”

  “Does your son, the one you gave up…does he know who you are?” Andrea asked.

  Mitzi shook her head. “No. Back then, they didn’t have open adoptions like they do now. His adoptive parents were so concerned I would try to take him back, they moved. I had no idea where he was or if he was even still alive.”

  Mitzi’s hand shook as she lifted the teacup to her lips. “Whoever is behind this extortion tracked my son down.”

  Gloria tapped her index finger on the counter. “Why not tell your children about their stepbrother?”

  Mitzi’s eyes widened. “They must never know. It would be as if they never knew their mother at all, like my whole life had been one big lie.”

  Gloria wasn’t convinced. Maybe Mitzi had it all wrong and her grown children would welcome him with open arms. It was apparent Mitzi did not see it that way.

  Mitzi stepped over to the antique wooden bench seat near the door, lifted a gray designer handbag from the bench seat and carried it back to the bar. She opened the handbag, reached inside and pulled out a manila envelope.

  She slid the envelope across the counter. “This is what was sent to me.”

  Gloria picked the envelope up and flipped it over. She unfolded the flap, reached inside and pulled out the contents. Inside the envelope was a picture of a man, his features chiseled, his dark hair slicked back. A smile lifted the corner of his mouth, as if he were highly amused by something.

  Gloria reached into her purse and slipped her reading glasses on. The man’s eyes were his most striking feature. They were identical to Mitzi Verona’s own eyes. Gloria peered at Mitzi over the rim of her glasses. “This is your son?”

  Mitzi nodded. “Kenneth Templeton. He lives in Indianapolis.” She pointed to the folded sheet of paper Gloria held in her hand. “Read the note.”

  Gloria unfolded the note. Andrea leaned over her shoulder:

  Kenneth C. Templeton, 1512 Bellweather Drive, Indianapolis, IN. Born July 26th, 1962.

  Below that was one sentence.

  “Leave $255k in unmarked bills in your mailbox at Sunshine Estates on Friday, December 22nd before ten o’clock p.m.”

  That was the end of the note. There was no “PK” signature at the bottom.

  Gloria folded the note, looked at the photo one more time and slid both back inside the envelope. “This should be easy. Stakeout the end of your drive and see who shows up.”

  Mitzi shook her head. “December 22nd is the night of my ‘Black Tie & Tails’ gala party. It’s my biggest fundraiser event of the year. The event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for a local animal shelter and I am the host.”

  Whoever had written the note knew Mitzi would have her hands full, people would be passing by the mailbox all evening long and it would be easy for someone to stop by the mailbox,
reach inside and take an envelope full of money…

  Andrea lifted the envelope and tapped the tip on the quartz counter. “Do you think whoever it is will attend the party?”

  Mitzi frowned. “It’s possible. The thought had crossed my mind. There will be many people here. The guest list includes local mayors, government officials and other philanthropists.”

  “What about security?” Gloria asked.

  Mitzi nodded. “Yes, of course. I always hire off-duty police to work. I have oodles of irreplaceable artwork and other valuables.”

  That meant more than likely Montbay Sheriff’s finest would be on hand! This was like the perfect scheme. The culprit planned to steal from the poor woman right from under her nose.

  Mitzi stared thoughtfully out the window. “You think either someone attending the gala or working the gala is the blackmailer?”

  Gloria followed Mitzi’s gaze. “That’s exactly what I think!”

  Andrea could see the wheels spinning in Gloria’s mind. “You’re up to something, aren’t you?”

  December 22nd. It was only a couple days before Gloria’s children were scheduled to arrive. Gloria would have her house full…and her hands full then. Still, she could probably squeeze in a little hands-on sting now.

  She turned to Mitzi. “How much do you want to catch the person who is blackmailing you?”

  Mitzi clenched her fists. “Why I’d give anything to wring their sorry neck!”

  “I think I can help you get to the bottom of this,” Gloria said. “You’ll need to invite me and a few of my friends to your party.”

  Mitzi marched over to a desk in the corner, reached inside one of the drawers and pulled out a manila folder. She flipped the folder open and several invitations fell out and onto the desk. “How many do you need?”

  Gloria silently counted: Andrea, Dot, Ruth, Lucy, Margaret and Gloria. “Six.”

  Mitzi counted out six invitations and carried those and the envelopes to the bar area. She quickly addressed the invitations, popped each into an individual envelope and sealed them shut.

  Mitzi slid the small stack of invitations across the counter. “The party starts at five on the dot,” she said.

  Gloria reached for the invitations. “We’ll be here by 4:30. What should we wear?”

  “The theme is black and white. Cocktail dress or long formal for the ladies,” Mitzi said.

  Mitzi extended her hand. “If you can find out who is doing this, I will forever be in your debt.”

  Gloria took Mitzi’s hand. “I’m doing this for both of us, Mitzi,” she reminded her.

  “True,” Mitzi replied. “We should exchange cell phone numbers.”

  Gloria reached for her purse and pulled out her cell phone. She entered Mitzi’s number in her phone and gave Mitzi hers to do the same.

  Gloria and Andrea slid off the barstools and headed for the back door. They passed the small desk and Andrea had a sudden thought. “Do you have a copy of the guest list?”

  Gloria frowned. Why hadn’t she thought of that?

  “Yes, of course. Good idea.” Mitzi held up a finger and darted out of the room. She returned a few minutes later, list in hand. She handed it to Gloria. “My son, Kenneth, you won’t…”

  Gloria made a zipping motion across her lips. “Our lips are sealed. We won’t breathe a word.”

  Andrea nodded. “Mums the word.”

  Mitzi walked them out to the truck and waited until they were safely inside.

  Andrea rolled down the driver’s side window. “I’ll bet your son turned out to be a great guy.”

  Mitzi stared thoughtfully at Andrea and glanced over at Gloria. “I loved Kenneth with all my heart.” Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. “I didn’t want to give him up. I was young…”

  Andrea reached out and touched her arm. “I’m sure he understands, Mitzi.”

  Mitzi nodded but Gloria wasn’t sure the woman was convinced. She had no idea what she would have done if she had been in the same situation. Back in those days, it was rare for children to be born out of wedlock. They married, married young or gave the babies up.

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Mitzi,” Gloria said. “You made a wise decision and the right one for Kenneth and you.”

  Mitzi nodded. “I know.” Her shoulders slumped as she walked away. It was obvious the woman was burdened with decades of guilt over her decision. Gloria prayed someday Mitzi would find it somewhere inside to forgive herself. Sometimes that was the hardest thing to do. Forgive yourself.

  ***

  On the drive back to Belhaven, Andrea and Gloria chatted about the party. Gloria had never been to a gala event. Andrea vaguely remembered going to one as a child when she lived in New York City with her parents. The things she remembered the most were the beautiful gowns and sparkling lights…it almost seemed like a magical world and she felt like Cinderella.

  As she got older, Andrea avoided parties and social events like the plague. She felt they were pretentious and the people who threw the parties just wanted to show off.

  Now that she was older, she realized some of the events could be useful and actually help a cause…a good cause, like ‘At Your Service.’

  Andrea approached the stop sign and glanced in both directions. “Maybe I should hold a fundraiser at my place for ‘At Your Service.’ I could invite the whole town, serve scrumptious little finger foods and champagne. Charge like $50 a pop.” She was throwing numbers out there, not certain what it would take to pull off a profitable event.

  Gloria nodded. “Great idea. We can get some ideas from Mitzi’s party. We could hold a raffle and have people donate services or gift cards.”

  Andrea turned the corner and pulled onto the main road. “Dot could give away a dinner for two, Lucy could throw in some shooting lessons.”

  “Ruth could offer 24-hour surveillance,” Gloria kidded.

  All joking aside, it was a brilliant idea. “Let’s get through Paul’s crisis, the wedding, my kids’ upcoming visit and the holidays and then we’ll talk about it.”

  “Sounds good.” Andrea slowed the truck as they passed the city limit sign. “We should call a meeting with the girls so we can give them their party invitations and go over a plan.”

  Gloria reached for her cell phone and sent text messages to each one to set up a meeting at Dot’s at five o’clock, right after Ruth closed up shop at the post office.

  Each of the girls texted back, asking how the meeting with Mitzi Verona had gone. Gloria told them she would give them the details when they met.

  Gloria slipped the phone inside her purse and set her purse on the floor of the truck. “I don’t have a thing to wear to this party,” she said.

  “Neither do I,” Andrea replied. “I have an idea! Why don’t we head over to the antique store, Trinkets and Treasures in Green Springs? They have some cool vintage clothes!”

  Gloria was game. She had no other plans, except to ramble around the farm and feel sorry for herself. She thought about Paul and wondered if he was still in Lansing.

  Later, when she was alone, she would go over the guest list Mitzi had given her. When her mind had cleared and there were no distractions.

  Andrea drove straight through Belhaven and headed toward Green Springs.

  Chapter 13

  Downtown Green Springs was busy. Gloria correctly guessed it was bustling with holiday shoppers.

  Andrea turned the truck on a side street and parked in the alley behind the Main Street shops. There were two vintage, antique shops on the main thoroughfare.

  The girls made a beeline for the closest one, A Moment in Time.

  Gloria hadn’t been in the store in a long time. In fact, the last time she had been in the shop was when she had been investigating Daniel Malone’s murder, Andrea’s husband. She didn’t mention it to Andrea as they made their way to the entrance. There was no reason to bring up painful memories, especially around the holidays.

  Gloria glanced down at Andrea’s
ring finger and made a mental note to ask Brian when he planned to ask Andrea to marry him. The last time Gloria and Brian had chatted, he’d shown her the engagement ring he had purchased for Andrea.

  Gloria frowned. She hoped he wasn’t getting cold feet, like someone else she knew.

  The bell above the door chimed as they stepped inside. The interior of the quaint store was crammed floor-to-ceiling with oddities and antiquities.

  Andrea knew where she was going and headed for the back of the store. Gloria followed behind.

  In the rear of the shop were racks of clothes. Hanging against the far wall were dresses and long gowns. The girls sifted through the racks and studied each of the outfits. The theme was black and white. Gloria thought she remembered the invitation ‘suggested’ black and white attire but she didn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb.

  She opened her purse and pulled out her invitation. On the front was the silhouette of a man in a black and white tuxedo.

  “Black Tie and Tails

  Gala Event.”

  Gloria flipped the card open:

  “When: Tuesday, December 22nd at 5:00 p.m.

  Where: Sunshine Stables & Estate, Rapid Creek, Michigan

  At the very bottom, in very small print: Black and white attire suggested.

  There was also an email address to RSVP but Mitzi already knew Gloria and her friends would be there.

  She placed the invitation inside the envelope and shoved the envelope back inside her bag.

  Andrea pulled a shimmering cocktail dress from the fray. The top half of the dress was white and the bottom half a solid black. Sewn into the neckline and around the hem of the dress were sparkly glass beads.

  She darted into the one and only fitting room and popped out a short time later. She twirled around in a circle while Gloria studied the dress. It fit her perfectly and the price was right…only twenty-five bucks.

  Gloria, on the other hand, had no such luck. “Maybe I should buy a black jacket and wear my wedding dress since it doesn’t look like I’m getting married now,” she grumbled.