“I will, but in the meantime, Fakir, why don’t you see if you can calm our goddess?”
* * * *
After Zoe spoke with Officer Sutton, she went directly to Phaedra and Ismail’s room where she found a very unhappy woman.
Phaedra unleashed her anxiety on Zoe. “Where the hell have you been?” Not giving her time to answer, “Look, we came here under your protection and we’ve been robbed.”
“Calm down, please. The police are on their way. Your zills aren’t the first items to go missing.”
“What do you mean, not the first.”
Ismail circled an arm around Phaedra. “What’s going on here, Zoe Just tell us.”
“The truth is, someone broke into the house yesterday and took my Doumbek and swords. The police are on it and I didn’t want to alarm anyone unnecessarily.”
Phaedra’s usual velvet smooth voice screeched, “Unnecessarily? You say unnecessarily? Zoe, I wouldn’t have stayed here if I’d known.”
“There wasn’t time to alert anyone and I didn’t think it would happen again anyway.”
“You didn’t think?” Phaedra’s eyes flashed hostility. “You didn’t think? Well, that’s obvious isn’t it?”
As much as Zoe respected Phaedra, she’d had enough “There’s no need to get so upset. I’ll buy you new zills if that’s what this is about.”
Phaedra shook her head motioning Ismail to take over.
“Zoe, we were burglarized not too long ago ourselves; so, maybe we’re overreacting, but those particular zills can’t be replaced. One of Phaedra’s relatives in Greece gave them to us and they have sentimental value. I hope you understand.”
Zoe heard nothing he said except they had been burglarized.
“Do you mind giving me the particulars about your break-in—like did they take items relating to the dance?”
“As a matter of fact, they did. They took costumes from each of us, CD’s, and one of Phaedra’s swords. You don’t think there’s a connection here, do you?”
“I don’t know, but we should tell the police about this when they get here. None of this makes sense and it certainly doesn’t make sense that someone would burglarize you in New York, I assume it was New York, right?”
“Right.”
“It doesn’t jell that someone would follow you to Houston to steal your zills and some of my equipment.”
“I don’t think that’s happened here.”
“Did they catch your thief?
“No, but let’s get serious. The items are valuable to us but not to anybody else unless they’re in this business.”
“Keep that thought—someone in the business—a good place to start.”
“You’re not suggesting our thief is one of this group, are you?”
“No, no, and no. I know every person staying here and you do too. No way.”
Zoe gathered everyone in the front room and explained the situation. They had two hours to get to the convention center and set up. She asked each of them to stay focused and the police would take care of the rest of it.
They followed Merilee to the first van in the driveway while Zoe assured them their equipment would be safely loaded into the second vehicle. After telling Doug and Fakir how to contact them, they were off to forget the intruder for the time being.
As the driver pulled onto the freeway, Zoe motioned Merilee to the back of the van.
“Look, this is how I see it, friend. The cops are doing a great job with what they have, but I think this burglary, burglaries now, is personal. You and I have to don our detective hats and figure this out.”
“And how are we supposed to do that?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“Zoe, do you think this is some guy you’ve given the old heave-ho to?”
“If it is, I don’t have a clue who it could be—not that they’re not lined up like flies.”
“I’m serious, girlfriend. I know you get a lot of nut jobs that come around at the end of the shows. Try to think if there’s been anyone lately.”
“I can’t think right now. The cop asked me the same question—I’ll give it some thought. It’s peculiar that Phaedra and Ismail were robbed so recently, don’t you think?”
“Well, yeah, but I’m sure it’s a coincidence.” Merilee saw Zoe’s eyebrows arch. “You don’t think so?”
“Dunno. Another thing, Officer Sutton asked for a list of everyone who has access to the house.”
“You don’t think any of the staff …”
“No, but he wanted to know anyway. In addition, he wanted a list of my dad’s recent clientele. I’ve been putting off calling dad, but guess it’s time. Maybe some of his guests left with their tails in knots.”
“Wouldn’t hurt, Zoe, but right now you have to focus on now and get everyone jazzed.”
* * * *
LET THE DANCE BEGIN
As the vans maneuvered onto the Center’s Level 3 loading dock, Zoe moved back to the front.
“Ladies and dear Ismail, may I have your attention. As you see, we’re on Level 3 and all our activities, including the final performances, will be on this floor. Merilee will give each of you a diagram of the center. It’s quite large but easy to maneuver in. She color-coded the workshop rooms in accordance with your names, dressing rooms, etc. The first group of dance sessions will start in forty-five minutes, so you all need to locate the dressing rooms and the session rooms as quickly as possible. The equipment will be in place before you’re ready for it. Everything should go smoothly. If you have any trouble, call me on my cell. The number is listed on the diagram sheet. After the last class, we’ll meet in the ballroom area—again, it’s marked on your handout. Phaedra, I’d like you and Ismail to wait for me just inside the doors. I need to discuss something with you. Oh, yes, Leila, I need to see you too about the costume design class, so I’d like you to hold back also. Everyone else, please follow Merilee to the dressing rooms.”
Phaedra’s dark eyes pierced Zoe’s calm exterior.
“Look, Phaedra, I know you’re upset and I’m sorry, but we need to try to get past it and get on with the business at hand. Is there anything I can do to make all this better for you?”
“Not a damn thing, Zoe. You’ve done quite enough already.”
Ismail pulled Phaedra close. “That’s enough. Sorry, Zoe, we’re just uptight about this mess. You don’t have to worry about our classes and performances. You know that, right?”
“Of course I do and I want to get to the bottom of all this as much as you. All right, then, you guys go on down to the dressing rooms—one of the center’s guides will take you there. Try to relax those beautiful eyes of yours, Phaedra.”
Phaedra smiled through her anger. “Of course, my dear Zoe, I will relax if you’ll light a fire under your policeman friend.”
* * * *
By the time the dancers got back on the van at the end of the day, most of the uneasiness was replaced with excitement of work well done. Even Phaedra joined conversations about the students, what they needed to work on the next day, and so on. Zoe only hoped the good spirits would last.
As they pulled in front of the B&B, Zoe saw Fakir and Doug sitting on the front porch. Music floated through the open windows and wine and red roses rested on a nearby table. As soon as Zoe could get to them, she hugged their necks.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you. You knew exactly what we would need, didn’t you?”
She pushed the worry of getting someone to stay at the house tomorrow to the back of her mind. She couldn’t ask Doug to give her another day and Fakir’s classes started tomorrow. For now, it was time to relive the day, drink wine, eat cheese, and relax. She’d worry about tomorrow later.
“Doug, did you hear anything from Officer Sutton?”
“As a matter of fact, we did. He’s on his way over now— seems he has a lead on some guy who’s been burglarizing the area around here.”
“Amazing.”
“Well, what rea
lly is amazing, unless you have a reason for it, is that we found a Tarot card under your borrowed Doumbek.”
“No kidding? Well, I didn’t put it there and Merilee doesn’t believe in them. Please don’t get her started on that subject.”
Doug nodded. He’d seen Merilee go off once or twice. “Then what’s it doing there?”
“I don’t have a clue. I own a set of cards, but they’re in my car. Hey, wait a minute. I have a book upstairs that explains what the cards mean. While everyone’s changing, I’ll go up and get it. By the way, what was the card?”
“King of Hearts, my lovely. Is there someone after you other than me?”
“Only Fake.” Seeing Fakir’s eyes cross, “Sorry. Seriously, there’s no one but you in my life and that’s how I want it.” The words slipped out before she could stop them. “Pour a glass of Merlot for me and I’ll be back quicker than you can say King of Hearts.”
* * * *
When Zoe showed Doug and Fakir a picture of the King of Hearts in The Enchanted Tarot book, they both commented it looked like Ismail.
“Coincidence, guys. Now, loosen up. I want to read what this card means, but remember, the meaning is supposed to be from the standpoint of the person asking a question. Anyway, it says the individual must be ruler of his emotions, understanding them, not repressing them . . .”
Doug smiled. “So, we’re supposed to encourage this guy to let out his emotions and rob us blind?”
“Come on, Doug, be serious. I’m just reading what it says here.”
“Sorry.”
“Okay. It goes on to say the person shouldn’t bury strong feelings under what they call a false surface of calm. Maybe the guy we’re looking for is someone with strong feelings that are crying out for release. What do you think?”
“You’re the expert here, Zoe. We don’t know anything about this kind of stuff.”
“The more important questions are—who put the card under the drum in the first place, when, and why?”
“Right on. We only went into the front room when Fakir wanted to brush up on his technique. Can you be sure no one in the group went down last night after you went to bed?”
“No, of course I can’t be certain, but I doubt it. Everyone was tired and wanted to get some rest before the lessons started.”
“Did anyone play the drum the night before?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Zoe heard the others coming through the hallway. “Look, I don’t want to mention this to anyone but Merilee and Sutton. Everyone’s jumpy enough—let’s not stir the pot.”
Doug knit his brows together. “Hold on a minute. It looks like everyone is coming on the porch. Let’s take a walk—you too, Fakir.” Doug put his arm around Zoe going down the steps making her feel secure for the first time that day.
“Baby, I hate to sound like a dumb ass, but I know nothing about these cards. I’ve heard of them, of course, but that’s as far as it goes. Give me some background.”
Zoe laughed, “The better to study us with, Doctor?”
“I’m serious. There might be something here to help us figure out this damn mess.”
“Okay, my dear, here’s some history. Gypsies are usually associated with the cards, but the fact is, they didn’t start using them until sometime around the turn of the century—twentieth, that is. Anyway, people in all walks of life use them now looking for something great in their futures. According to research I’ve done in the past, the modern decks can actually be traced back to the fifteenth century. I’m not sure, but I think they were first used in Italy. Hold on, I’ve got a clipping here I photographed. Apparently, the oldest cards date back to tenth century China— can you believe? Anyway, that’s not important.”
Doug interrupted. “Everything is important at this point, Zoe.”
“Well then, here we go. The deck is divided into two sections: the Major and Minor Arcanas.”
“What the hell?”
“Calm down. You asked for this, remember.”
“Sorry. Go on.”
“All right. The Major Arcana consists of twenty-two characters, numbered 0 to 21.”
“Why did they start numbering with zero?”
“I don’t have a clue. Shut up, my darling, and just listen. The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits: Wands, Swords, Hearts, and Pentacles.”
“Suits? You mean like playing cards?”
“No. Please Doug, be serious. If you want, call them sets, I don’t care. Each set is associated with fire, air, water and earth. Now, we’ll get to the card at hand. Each suit, or set, consists of four royalty figures: King, Queen, Prince, and Princess. The idea is that if the person being read for draws any of these cards, a person with his or her particular qualities will soon be entering his life.”
“Gotcha. The only problem is, we haven’t been reading the cards.”
Zoe frowned. “Don’t you think I know that?”
“Don’t get testy.” Doug winked at Fakir. It wasn’t lost on Zoe.
“If you guys think this is so funny, why don’t you go do you know what to yourselves.”
“Easy, baby, we can’t let this get to us. Chill.”
“Sorry. It seems to me, Psych 101, this person wants to assume the identity of the card he left and he wants us to know it. I’m sure he’ll be dropping other cards along the way.” Zoe stopped as the strains of “Dark Passage” floated from the front room.
“Fakir, maybe you should go check on our friends in the house.”
As Zoe watched Fakir move inside, she turned to Doug. “Look, I know you don’t believe in this, but there are a lot of people who do and that card makes me more uneasy than the actual stealing.” “Really?”
“Yeah, I can’t explain it, but let’s go on. Since our villain left the King of Hearts, let’s talk about the Heart suit. They say Hearts are related to water and that means, something like horoscopes you’ve probably read, it’s associated with emotions, dreams, romance, and anything else related to emotions.” She stopped looking at a section in her book. “This is curious too. I had forgotten that Hearts are associated with summer, God knows it’s summertime, and the direction is West. I don’t know what the direction would have to do with anything, but we may just find out.”
“You’re beginning to sound spooky, love, like Wooohooo!”
“Don’t make fun. Listen, Doug, I want to talk to you about something while Fakir is gone. He can’t be here tomorrow because of his classes and I can’t ask you to take time from you office for another day. . .”
Doug put his fingers across her lips. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else and don’t try to talk me out of it. The fact is, I can do design work here, you know that. I’ve got my laptop and Rachel is going to bring some papers over tomorrow that need my signature. I can hook into the office computer if I need to. Long story short, I won’t be needed in the field for the next few days so you’re stuck with me.”
Zoe smiled and snuggled under his shoulder. “You have it all planned, don’t you?”
“Right, end of discussion. I plan to capture this so-called King of Hearts and be your Hero of Hearts. Got it?”
Zoe turned her face toward him. “Doug, you’re a good man, you know?”
“I’ve been told that a couple of times—mostly by my mother.”
“I’m serious. I know how busy you are and to take time out…”
“Just say thank you and give me a sweet kiss, or maybe not so sweet.”
After a kiss that was anything but sweet, Zoe pulled Doug close. “Hold on a minute—one more thing.”
“Just one?”
“This is kind of weird, Doug, but it’s significant to me. There are a lot of different types of Tarot decks, but this dirt bag chose the same one I use.”
“That’s significant, why?”
“Dunno, it’s weird, that’s all. The deck most people use is the Rider Waites. Oh, forget I said anything.”
“That’s enough for now, beauty.”
“Doug
, another thing …”
“I knew you weren’t through.”
“If you need to go out, give Rachel a key.”
“She already has a key. Remember your dad gave us a couple when we were working on the house and after we finished, he told us to keep them in case of an emergency.”
“That’s good. Hold on, I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t you invite Rachel to stay in the extra room while all this is going on? It would be simpler for both of you.”
Doug turned toward the front room and listened for a few minutes to Fakir’s drumming.
“Not a good idea.”
“I don’t know why not. You’ll have to tell Rachel about the break-ins anyway.”
“There is just no need for her to stay here, Zoe. That’s it—period.”
“Why so defensive? I’m just trying to make life easier for you. You’ve helped me so much. Let me help you a little.”
Doug pulled her close. “Here’s how you can help me.”
About that time Officer Sutton arrived. After bringing him up-to-date, they called it a night.
* * * *
Morning light engulfed the dancers in the usual flurry of excitement propelling them out the door earlier than usual. Since Leila and Salome weren’t scheduled for classes until the afternoon, they stayed behind armed with instructions to let Doug know if they needed anything.
Rachel arrived with her laptop ready for work as the vans pulled out. She had been Doug’s assistant for five years and definitely wanted more from their relationship, but it hadn’t happened. She didn’t like his infatuation with Zoe Macmillan, but she knew it wouldn’t last. Doug’s track record with women was three months max. So, working at Zoe’s bed and breakfast might just be the break she was looking for. She’d have to be careful though—she didn’t want to lose her job while trying to get the boss. She could be a big asset to him if he’d let her. All she had to do was make him forget this Macmillan woman.
As soon as Rachel arrived, she was ushered into the kitchen where two cooks promptly put a Danish and coffee in her hands and told her to make herself at home. She hadn’t been in the house since Doug finished the job and wanted time to look around. She had to admit Zoe and her dad had done a magnificent job with the place. The front room welcomed visitors with an exquisite Queen Anne clock that complimented a rose colored settee, chairs of the period, and a small antique desk. As lovely as this was, however, Rachel’s taste ran to modern and that was the kitchen. She fell in love with that part of the house from the start. It was the only room that showed off modern day conveniences exquisitely accented by black granite counters, white cupboards with glass fronts—a few with stained glass Zoe had created some years before, and black marble floors. A temperature controlled wine room was strategically placed between the kitchen and the dining room.
Dead and Breakfast Page 20
