by Krista Davis
“Florrie!” said Jonquille. “Great timing. Can you tell us if anything is missing?”
“This is the first time I have ever been in this room. But I would hazard a guess that the drawers don’t usually look like they’ve been ransacked.”
Jonquille tilted his head and peered at me. “Really?”
I pointed at the bed. “Clearly Mr. DuBois made the bed. I hardly think he would have left the drawers in such a mess.”
Jonquille suppressed a smile. “I meant that I was surprised you have never been in this room before.”
“This is the first time I have ever been upstairs.”
He raised his eyebrows and shook his head. “Okaaaay. So as far as we can tell then, this was most likely an ordinary burglary. Some enterprising thief probably read about Maxwell’s incarceration and thought it would be a fine time to burglarize the house.”
“But he didn’t expect to encounter Mr. DuBois?” I asked.
“Evidently not.”
I guessed that made sense. Still . . . “How do we know this isn’t related to Delbert’s murder?”
Jonquille nodded. “It could be, but we often see this kind of thing when a house is empty and there’s a lot of publicity. It’s like a written invitation to burglarize the house.”
“So what now?” I asked.
“We’ll take fingerprints, but it’s unlikely we’ll catch the perpetrator.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. “In other words, you have bigger crimes to worry about.” I clapped a hand over my mouth in regret as soon as the words slipped out.
Jonquille didn’t appear to be offended. “More or less.”
It was a long night. While I waited for the fingerprinting to be done, I tried out keys from a key rack until I located one that worked on the back door. I locked up after the police left, and drove to the hospital.
Mr. DuBois was still in the emergency room when I arrived. They were reluctant to let me in until DuBois signed a document authorizing my presence.
He looked fine, but the nurse assured me that they had administered morphine, which was taking the edge off the pain. His fingers had been attached to something that looked like a medieval torture device. His hand hung in the air with a weight attached to his elbow. The nurse explained they were separating the bones so they could be positioned in place.
Unfortunately, he had also broken his tibia, a bone in his lower leg.
“Mr. DuBois?” I leaned over him and smiled.
“Miss Florrie.” He reached for me with his free hand and clutched mine. “Thank heaven you found me. You must phone Strickland, Wheeler, and Erba immediately. The number is in the library desk. Call the private number to reach Ms. Strickland directly. She will make the necessary arrangements.” He closed his eyes briefly as if gathering strength. “You will look after everything, won’t you? Maxwell and I are counting on you . . .” His voice faded and he appeared to have drifted off.
The nurse assured me that was normal under the circumstances.
Dawn was breaking when I left the hospital. I stood at the entrance for a moment, watching Washington come to life. Had I really only moved a few days ago? It was Tuesday morning. I hadn’t slept in twenty-four hours and all the strangest things that had ever happened in my life had occurred within the last three days.
I took a deep breath, found my car, paid for parking, and drove straight to my parents’ house in Vienna, Virginia.
They were surprised to see me. I knew I was slowing Dad down, and he had to get to the office, so I talked fast while Mom cooked eggs sunny-side up. Explaining everything that had happened, I slid bread into the toaster, and concluded with, “So I’d like to take Frodo back with me if that’s okay.”
At the sound of his name, Frodo, a large golden retriever, ambled over to me, wagging his tail.
“Honey, I don’t like the sound of this at all.” Dad poured milk into his coffee. “Frodo is wonderful but he’s not much of a guard dog. He would lick someone to death before he bit anyone.”
“I know that. I just want him to be alert and let me know if he hears or smells anyone.”
Mom sat down at the table. “It’s such a lovely place. I understand why you want to live there. Now that Delbert is dead, I thought things would settle down. Are you sure you want to stay? You could come bunk with your dad and me while you look for a new place.”
I sat back in my chair and considered. “I totally understand what you’re saying. But I feel like I would be deserting the professor and Mr. DuBois in their time of need.”
My parents exchanged a look.
“That’s what we get for raising her right,” said Dad. “This is all your fault. She gets that from you.”
I only half listened to my parents argue about which one had instilled values in Veronica and me. I wasn’t about to let the professor down. “The doctor said Mr. DuBois would probably be released from the hospital today. DuBois told me to call Maxwell’s attorneys. My best guess is that they’ll arrange for a nurse around the clock because he won’t be able to take care of himself.”
Mom reached over and clutched my hand. “They’re lucky to have you looking out for them. And I feel better knowing that a nursing staff will be right next door.”
I finished my eggs, kissed each of them on the cheek, and left with Frodo, his food, his bed, and his favorite toy, a stuffed butterfly.
When I got home, I checked on Peaches first. She and Frodo had met before. I was pleased to see that Peaches showed no fear and even touched noses with him.
I fed her on the counter because Frodo would have finished her food with two quick licks of the tongue. Satisfied that all was well in the carriage house, I latched Frodo’s leash onto his halter, locked my door, and crossed the driveway to the Maxwell mansion.
I was glad I had brought Frodo. The house was silent and a little eerie. I had no reason to think anyone could be hiding in the house, but Frodo would have let me know, which dispelled some of the spookiness. I unlatched his leash inside so he could follow his nose. We went straight to the library. I found the personal number for Ms. Strickland and called her.
She was horrified by the events of the previous night. I took a little satisfaction in the fact that, like me, she thought there must be a connection to Delbert’s murder.
“How’s the professor doing?” I asked.
“As well as can be expected under the circumstances. I think he regards it as one of his adventures. I must tell you that Maxwell holds you in the highest regard, and it has been a big comfort to him that you’re keeping an eye on everything. The news about DuBois will make him flip, though. The old fellow has been with him so long that he’s like a beloved cranky uncle. I’ll arrange for around the clock nursing care for DuBois. And I think we should hire a guard to keep an eye on the property. Is that okay with you?”
It was perfect. “I appreciate that. Have the police given you any indication when we might open Color Me Read again?”
“They’re not being as cooperative as I would have liked.”
“You mean Detective-Sergeant Zielony?”
She groaned a little, which made me much more comfortable with her.
“He’s a gem, isn’t he?” Her voice was ripe with sarcasm. “If he gives you any grief, you just refer him to me, okay?”
I felt much better after speaking with her. Finally, I had an ally. Someone I could go to if necessary. And a guard on the property would go a long way in alleviating any residual fears about living there. I sat back in the desk chair and gazed around the library. Who would have ever thought all these strange things would happen? Had they all been triggered by my moving in? Or by keeping Delbert out? Or had Delbert and his mother wanted him in the carriage house for a reason? But why? Was it part of Liddy’s quest to regain possession of the mansion?
Mom was right. I had probably landed in some kind of bitter family feud. Except for one thing. What was Delbert doing in the bookstore in the middle of the night? And who could
have been there with him?
I checked the time. Jim would be wondering where I was. I locked the back door and left, stopping by a coffee shop takeout window where I bought coffee and four bear claws, two for Jim and two for me.
When I approached the bench near Color Me Read, Jim ignored me entirely. He held out both arms to Frodo, who went straight into them as though Jim were an old friend.
Chapter 14
Jim ruffled Frodo’s fur, petting and hugging him. Frodo’s tail showed his joy.
“Good morning.” I couldn’t help smiling at the two of them. “I guess you’ve had dogs.”
“Lots of ’em. No better creatures on the face of the earth. They always love you. What’s his name?”
“Frodo.”
“Folks that walk by either avert their eyes or stare at me like I’m some kind of oddity. But Frodo here didn’t judge me. He knew right away that I was a good person. Dogs are much smarter than people in that respect. He doesn’t care that I’m not dressed in a suit or wearing a Rolex. That wouldn’t mean a thing to him. Dogs go straight to what’s important—a person’s character.”
Jim was correct, of course. But it made me wonder about him. How had he landed on the street? Had he had a job? He wasn’t young. What had he done in his life? Didn’t he have any family who had a warm bed he could use until he was back on his feet? He seemed like an agreeable guy.
I handed him the coffee and bear claws. He broke off a corner of a bear claw and fed it to Frodo, who appeared to like him more every moment.
There was no place to sit on the bench thanks to his possessions. I stood, holding Frodo’s leash. “Someone broke into Maxwell’s home last night.”
“Word on the street is that the butler had a heart attack.”
“Someone got that wrong. He broke his wrist and a bone in his leg.” That had been incorrect, but maybe one of his street friends had seen something? “Do you know why someone would have entered the mansion?”
Jim looked up at me briefly before focusing on Frodo again. “There are bad people in this world who think they can take what belongs to other people. Even folks like me get robbed. Can you believe it? Rich folks are big targets.”
“Let me know if you hear anything, okay?”
He winked at me. “You bet. I like the professor. Hate to see him in trouble.”
I waved and walked up the stairs to the bookstore entrance. I still hadn’t posted a sign! How could I have forgotten about that? I rapped on the door. No one answered. Cupping my hands around my eyes, I looked inside, but didn’t see anyone.
“Nobody there this morning,” called Jim.
Frodo and I walked back to him. He had finished one bear claw.
“How long have you been out here?”
“I come up this way around six in the morning. I know because I always look at the big clock on the corner of M and Wisconsin. Nobody has gone in or out of the bookstore today. Of course somebody could have entered through the back door, but the cops probably don’t have the key to that door.”
“Thanks for keeping an eye on the store, Jim.” I started to walk away.
“Hey, Florrie!”
I stopped and turned around. “Tell Maxwell that I miss the old coot. I’m keeping an ear to the ground for him.”
I couldn’t help grinning. It spoke to his innate goodness. How many people with Maxwell’s money had bag people on the street looking out for them? Maxwell had friends everywhere. Just maybe not in his own family. My cell phone rang. It was the nursing company, letting me know that Mr. DuBois was on his way home.
Frodo and I hurried back just in time to find two aides helping Mr. DuBois out of a van. The poor guy looked exhausted.
“Are you Florrie?” asked one of the assistants.
After introducing myself, I unlocked the back door for them. I had no idea where Mr. DuBois’s room was, which necessitated a quick search through the mansion. I found it on the main floor on the far east side of the house. Giant windows and French doors looked out over a small private garden.
Frodo and I returned to Mr. DuBois, whom the assistants brought inside in a wheelchair.
They settled him in his bed. He grasped my hand. “Tell Maxwell I’ll be fine.”
“I will. You just rest. They’re sending a guard to watch over the property.”
He closed his eyes. “Thank . . .”
One of the assistants smiled at me. “It’s the morphine. He’ll sleep most of the day.” She crooked a finger at me.
I followed her into the kitchen.
“I’m Doris. I’ll be doing twelve-hour shifts, and Fred will be taking the other twelve. Is there anything I should know?”
“I suppose you’re aware of the general situation with Mr. Maxwell?”
“I read about it in the paper.”
I wasn’t sure how much to tell her. Maybe the newspaper coverage was all she needed to know? “I live in the carriage house out back. Please call me if you need anything. I’m told a guard will be coming to keep an eye on the property.”
Doris grew pale.
Uh-oh. More information was necessary after all. I explained what had happened the night before. She deserved to know that much if she was going to be staying here.
“Well!” She braced her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Nothing of that sort will happen on my watch!”
Glad about her presence, I headed home.
I was eager to shower and change into fresh clothes but thought I’d better put a sign up on the bookstore pronto. It was easy enough to make on my computer.
Temporarily closed.
Please call regarding books on order as we are receiving deliveries.
Watch for our reopening very soon.
As it printed, it dawned on me that we should probably have some kind of reopening party or festivity, maybe a book signing. My next thought shocked me to the core. Apparently, I was more devious than I had realized. I could invite Jacquie Liebhaber to sign books. What better opportunity to ask her questions about Delbert stealing her books!
Now if I only knew when the store would reopen. I couldn’t exactly invite her if I didn’t have a date.
I rushed to the copy shop to have the sign laminated to protect it against the weather. I bought a couple of hooks to hang it with and asked them to punch holes.
Frodo and I returned to the bookstore and hung the sign. Jim had left his position on the bench. I guessed he had moved on someplace else for lunch.
I knocked on the door again and looked inside the store. I couldn’t see a soul. Hmmpf. If they were through, they should give us access again.
There was one more errand before I could go home. Possibly the most important of all. Frodo and I walked to the chic shop that masqueraded as a home and hardware store. I found what I wanted in a matter of minutes—door bolts. I hated to deface the professor’s property without asking him first, but under the circumstances, I thought my personal safety and sanity were far more important. Happily, the store offered trendy hardware, albeit at astronomical prices. I wasn’t paying rent, so the least I could do was buy stylish bolts. I purchased two, along with a screwdriver, and we finally headed home.
The sofa beckoned after my night without sleep. But first, those bolts had to be installed. I wasn’t particularly adept at home maintenance, but this didn’t seem too difficult.
I worked on the gate first. The wood was harder than I had expected. I used a rock to hammer a starter hole, which worked fairly well. Installing the screws by hand was exhausting but I was determined to do it. In the end, I slid the bolt into place and decided I was entitled to an entire pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream as a reward.
The interior bolt was easier to install. I slid it in place, pleased by my independence. At least no one would be getting inside while I was home. I relaxed just knowing that.
Next I placed a call to Sergeant Jonquille. I got his answering machine and left a message asking when we might be able to reopen the store since no one ap
peared to be collecting evidence anymore.
As much as I needed to shower, I collapsed on the sofa, closed my eyes for a few minutes, and drifted off.
At one o’clock I woke with a jerk and remembered that I was supposed to meet Sonja. I hurried through a shower, and dressed in a pale lime sheath and white sandals. “Sorry, Frodo, but you’ll have to stay home with Peaches.”
He opened his eyes but didn’t bother to lift his head. I took that as an indication that he was pleased to stay and nap.
Peaches slept a foot away from him. They would be fine.
I walked up Wisconsin Avenue fast, the sun beating down on me mercilessly. A full five minutes early, I walked into the cool bakery, grateful for air-conditioning. It was a modern place, with a minimalist decor. The focus was on the huge cases of baked goods. My eyes went straight to the chocolate eclairs, cupcakes, and beautiful tortes.
Sonja wore a traditional soft pink waitress uniform. She wasn’t wearing a stitch of makeup but still looked gorgeous.
“You came! I wasn’t sure you would.” She gestured toward a simple round table with two metal folding chairs. “It’s always slow this time of day. After lunch but too early to pick up something to take home for dessert. I hope you won’t mind if a customer comes in, and I have to serve him.”
“Of course not.”
We sat down, and she wasted no time. “Delbert had a little crush on me.”
I smiled. I was fairly certain he was in good company. Sonja must be used to men chasing her.
“He told me that he is very wealthy and will inherit a mansion from his uncle. Many men say things like that, so I didn’t pay much attention.” She kneaded her fingers and shot me a weak smile. “When men are drunk, most of them say they are wealthy, successful, and incredible athletes. I was surprised to learn that in the case of Delbert, he actually did come from a wealthy family.”
