by Laura Childs
“This is awful!” howled Drayton, gazing at Theodosia with an equal degree of unhappiness.
Timothy reached for his handkerchief, blew his nose, cleared his throat. “Claire . . .” he began, “is a very good person. She’s been with the Heritage Society for almost four years. In that time I’ve seen her diligence and kindness shine through.” Timothy’s voice faltered again. “I’ve seen Claire go out of her way to make people feel welcome and appreciated. People who’ve donated things to the Heritage Society, little things like an old letter or a small antique... they receive the same heartfelt thank-you letter from her as a million-dollar donor would. Claire is just that kind of person.”
Theodosia stared at the two men unhappily. She couldn’t help but remember Brooke and Aerin’s conversation about Claire bringing in a citrine and diamond broach for sale. Was it possible Claire Kitridge wasn’t what she appeared to be? That she was, instead, a sly fox in the weeds who took careful advantage of her position at the Heritage Society? Could she have heard about Camille’s wedding ring through the grapevine or via Delaine’s bragging and gone after it? Because Claire had inside access at the Heritage Society, could she also have snatched the Blue Kashmir necklace? Was she responsible for the other art thefts? The Tiffany vases, the half-dozen other thefts Tidwell had mentioned?
The thought of Claire Kitridge as a cat burglar was sickening to contemplate.
On the other hand, someone very wily and clever could have maneuvered to set Claire up. Someone who needed to deflect blame from themselves. Someone who had access to the Lady Goodwood Inn and the Heritage Society. Someone with a working knowledge of the historic district and all its wealthy residents.
Someone like Cooper Hobcaw or Graham Carmody.
The rest of the morning was a whirlwind at the Indigo Tea Shop. Customers had to be served, finishing touches put on the T-Bath display, sweet-grass baskets had to be stuffed to the brim with T-Bath products and stacked on the counter. And all the while, they worried about Timothy and Claire.
Drayton had decided they should close the Indigo Tea Shop at one o’clock in order to prepare for the afternoon’s open house. And just as soon as Haley returned from Gallagher’s Food Service, their favorite restaurant supply house, with ingredients for the California rolls, they’d push three of the tables together to form the head table for the buffet. Then, of course, they’d have to set everything up and decorate the rest of the tables with Drayton’s bonsai.
“Drayton,” said Theodosia, “I know this isn’t a good time to ask, but when is Hattie bringing the centerpiece by?”
“Any minute,” he said. “And you’re right, it isn’t a good time. Why does everything have to happen at once? Good things and bad things all mulled together.”
She sighed. “Life does seem to unfold that way, doesn’t it?”
“We worked so hard on these T-Bath products and looked forward to this day and now it . . .” He searched for the right word. “It feels tainted.”
“I know,” said Theodosia. “The good shoulder to shoulder with the bad. Maybe it’s a test of fortitude.”
“Makes us stronger?” he asked.
“That’s what my mother believed,” said Theodosia. Her mother had passed away when she was eight, but she could always remember her saying something to the effect that problems can’t be solved, but only outgrown.
“Hey, you guys!” The door flew open as Haley rushed in, her long hair streaming behind her, her arms filled with bundles.
“Good heavens, Haley,” said Drayton. “You’re a regular beast of burden with all those bags. Here, let me give you a hand.”
“Thank you, Drayton,” said Haley as she handed over her packages. “Hey, Theo, guess what? When I was on my way back from Gallagher’s, I came back past Heart’s Desire. Guess who I saw in there? Standing at the counter?”
“Claire Kitridge?” said Theodosia. For some reason the name just popped into her head and she blurted it out.
“Nope. Cooper Hobcaw.”
“Really?” said Drayton with a frown.
“Oh, yeah,” said Haley. “He was leaning across the counter, kind of flirting with that woman, Aerin, who works for Brooke. At least I think he was flirting. They had their heads together, talking awfully close.” Haley paused. “I thought Cooper Hobcaw was sweet on Delaine.”
“So did I,” said Theodosia. She turned toward Drayton, raised her eyebrows as if to say what’s up? But he appeared equally surprised.
“As far as I know, Cooper Hobcaw has been squiring Delaine around to various social functions,” said Drayton. “They were at an art opening last week for that new painter who’s showing at the Wren Gallery. And of course, Coop was her guest at the engagement party and the ill-fated Heritage Society members’ party.”
“So you don’t think he’d two-time her?” said Haley.
“Honestly, Haley,” said Drayton, “I don’t know what to think anymore.”
It wasn’t until Theodosia was in her office later, unpacking the last of the T-Bath products, that she realized how heartsick she suddenly felt for Delaine. If her hunch or odd feeling or whatever it was about Cooper Hobcaw proved true and he did turn out to be a thief, it would be a devastating blow to Delaine. And if Cooper Hobcaw was merely getting cozy with Aerin Linley in anticipation of possibly dumping Delaine, she’d be equally traumatized.
Theodosia propped her elbows on her desk and rested her head in her hands, thinking. Cooper Hobcaw, the lanky, soft-spoken fellow who jogged through the historic district late at night, was a strange duck. Had he charmed Delaine in order to get closer to people and places of wealth in the historic district?
Was he flirting with Aerin at Heart’s Desire because she might be a way to unload expensive merchandise? As one of Charleston’s top attorneys, he wouldn’t be viewed with suspicion if he waltzed into Heart’s desire with expensive jewelry. It would just be assumed they were old family pieces.
Theodosia rubbed her eyes tiredly. Okay, what about all those printouts she’d grabbed from Graham Carmody’s back alley last night? She hadn’t even mentioned them to Drayton and Haley yet. But she’d have to. In fact, she wanted to. She’d lay out what she knew, what she suspected, what appeared to be evidence, and get their opinions. After all, three heads were better than one!
Chapter 17
“Don’t get the seaweed wet!” warned Drayton. “If you do, the entire California roll will be soggy and completely inedible. And be sure to wrap cellophane around them so you can roll them snugly. Otherwise the darn things just crumble apart on you.”
“I’m not going to blow the California rolls,” scoffed Haley. “And stop being so futsy.” She slapped the back of Drayton’s hand as he reached over to poke an avocado and check its ripeness. “The rice has been cooked perfectly, the crab is delightfully pink and fresh, and the avocados are ripe. And by the way, Mr. Conneley, who appointed you chief cook and bottle washer in my kitchen? Theodosia!” Haley called at the top of her lungs. “Will you pleeease put Drayton to work somewhere else? He’s making me crazy!”
“Drayton,” said Theodosia, “I really could use your help out here.” She scanned the room, noting the positions of the tables.
“What?” he said grumpily, emerging from between the green velvet curtains.
“What with all the moving about of tables, the proportions seem a little out of whack,” she said. “Can you work some of your magic?”
Somewhat mollified by her request, Drayton scanned the room with an appraising eye. “Well, there’s your problem right there,” he told her. “You’ve got two tables absolutely jammed against the fireplace.” He threaded his way through the mazes of tables, pulled two of them away from the fireplace. Then he looked about the room and made a few more adjustments. Tables were angled, chairs pushed in, the head table also angled slightly.
“Now for the bonsai,” he said as he bent down and pulled bonsai trees from the two large black plastic trays he’d used to transport them. “Let�
��s place the small Japanese junipers and dwarf birches on the smaller tables.” He quickly began arranging pots of bonsai. “And the larger bonsai, like this elm forest and this taller tamarack, on the larger tables.”
“It looks wonderful,” said Theodosia once he’d finished his arrangement.
“What time do the guests arrive?” Drayton asked for about the fiftieth time.
“The invitations specified three. Of course, some folks always arrive a little earlier; a few will dash in late as usual. If we plan on serving our Japanese tea and goodies from about two-thirty to four, we should be right on.”
“Maybe I should check on Haley again,” said Drayton.
“Oh look,” said Theodosia as the door to the shop swung open, “here’s Hattie with your ikebana centerpiece.”
And as Drayton rushed to greet her, Theodosia breathed a sigh of relief and thought to herself, Saved by the bell.
By three-fifteen, the reception was in full swing. Delaine had been the first to arrive, bringing with her Cordette Jordan, the woman who owned Griffon Antiques over on King Street.
Brooke Carter Crockett and Aerin Linley followed on their heels, and shortly thereafter, Miss Dimple and Jessica Sheldon from Pinckney’s Gift Shop came rushing in.
There was about a five-minute lull and then a second influx of guests poured in. Angie Congdon from the Featherbed House, Lillith Gardner, one of the partners at Antiquarian Booksellers, Nell Chappel from the Chowder Hound Restaurant, and at least two dozen more friends from in and around the historic district.
Drayton was in his element, alternately pouring tea, answering questions about bonsai, and doing a major amount of schmoozing.
Theodosia stayed near the front door, where she could serve as official greeter, and Haley was kept busy restocking tidbits of sushi and kushiyaki on the main buffet table, in between dashing to the cash register to ring up sales on their new T-Bath products.
The din of conversation rose, as did the clink of cups and the squeal of voices.
“Did you really design this cunning packaging?” asked Nell Chappel. She held up a package of T-Bath Green Tea Soak with its elegant celadon green wrapper and typography done in a Japanese dry-brush style. “It’s so elegant and Zen-like,” she exclaimed.
Then, just when it looked as though they couldn’t squeeze one more person into the Indigo tea Shop, an entire jitney packed full of tourists stopped in front of the shop and a dozen women came tumbling in for tea.
Theodosia met them at the door. “I’m sorry, but we’re having a reception here today.”
They crowded around her, peering curiously over her shoulder.
“We were looking forward to a spot of tea,” said one lady with a pouf of blue hair.
“Of course you’re welcome to come in and help yourself to tea,” Theodosia said, “but I’m not sure I can offer you a table and a quiet respite today.”
“What’s your reception for?” asked another lady and Theodosia quickly explained the concept of the T-Bath products.
There were cries of How wonderful! and Can we buy, too? and the ladies came pouring in to join the ranks of the already jostling throng.
“Theo!” cried Delaine. She waved frantically from across the room as she clutched a sweetgrass basket filled with T-Bath products. “I simply adore your new products,” she said, making extravagant mouth gestures as she pushed her way through the crowd.
“Thanks, Delaine,” said Theodosia. “Your praise is much appreciated.” She hadn’t been able to speak privately with Delaine earlier and decided to take the opportunity now. It was funny, she thought, sometimes conversations could be the most private when you were surrounded by a crowd of people who were busy paying attention to something else.
“Lavender Luxury Lotion,” exclaimed Delaine, digging into her basket of products. “And Green Tea Feet Treat. Marvelous! You know, I wouldn’t be averse to stocking a few of your T-Bath items in my shop.”
“I appreciate the offer,” said Theodosia, “but let’s talk about it later, shall we?”
“Of course, Theo,” said Delaine. “If you’re too busy to discuss it now.”
“Delaine,” began Theodosia, “Timothy Neville tells me that your diamond watch was found in Claire Kitridge’s desk at the Heritage Society.”
Delaine knit her perfectly plucked brows together. “Yes,” she said, “the police called me earlier about that. I meant to tell you. Isn’t it strange? And all the time I’ve been volunteering there, I considered Claire to be an extremely honest and trustworthy person. Salt of the earth, really. It’s funny how people can fool you. And disappoint you, too,” she added.
“Do you really believe Claire stole your watch?” asked Theodosia.
Delaine was suddenly reluctant to meet Theodosia’s gaze. “Well, someone did,” she said vaguely. “Along with everything else.”
By everything else, Theodosia knew Delaine was still stewing mightily about the missing wedding ring.
“When did you first decide your watch was missing?” asked Theodosia.
Delaine shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe before I went to Savannah for the funeral. Maybe the day I got back. I’m not exactly sure. It’s all a little fuzzy. I certainly had other things on my mind.”
“Is it possible you took your watch off while you were at the Heritage Society?” Theodosia knew that, as a volunteer for the Heritage Society, Delaine spent countless hours there. “Could you simply have misplaced it? If you did, someone might have found your watch and put it in Claire’s desk for safekeeping.”
“Well . . .” said Delaine, “I was there Sunday morning for a while going over the numbers on ticket sales. And things were still in an uproar from the night before.” She shrugged again. “I don’t know, Theodosia. Don’t let’s get into it right now, there’s so much that’s still very painful for me.”
“Please realize,” said Theodosia, “that the Heritage Society’s executive advisory committee wants to fire Claire.”
Delaine looked surprised. “I thought she was just suspended.”
“Delaine, think, please,” urged Theodosia. “This is important.”
Delaine suddenly turned flashing eyes on Theodosia. “My niece Camille was important, too. And her poor dead fiancé. And their wedding ring. What if Claire Kitridge was somehow involved in that tragedy?”
“You don’t really believe Claire is a cat burglar, do you?” Theodosia asked gently.
Delaine pulled a hanky from her small baguette bag and daubed at her perfectly made-up eyes. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”
“Could someone have come into your house while you were in Savannah for the funeral?” asked Theodosia.
“Just Coop.”
“What, Delaine?” said Theodosia loudly.
“I gave Cooper Hobcaw the keys to my house.”
“Why?”
“Someone had to feed Sasha. I couldn’t let my little darling go hungry now, could I?”
Sasha was Delaine’s cat, a seal point Siamese that she absolutely adored.
“No, of course not,” agreed Theodosia.
“Well then,” argued Delaine, “don’t you think Coop would have known if someone broke in or not? He’s a lawyer.” Delaine hesitated, rethinking what she’d just said. “Well... what I meant to say was that Cooper Hobcaw is extremely observant. He would certainly have noticed if a window was ajar or a door unlocked.”
“You’re right,” said Theodosia. At this point she knew it was easier to agree with Delaine than argue with her. But she was mulling over the possibility that Cooper Hobcaw could have lifted Delaine’s Chopard watch and somehow planted it at the Heritage Society.
“Theodosia, this is all so splendid,” exclaimed Brooke Carter Crockett. Theodosia turned to find that Brooke and Aerin Linley were also loaded down with an assortment of T-Bath products.
“Isn’t it just?” agreed Delaine, glad for the diversion. “And do you know, I’m actually considering carrying some of these marvel
ous products in my store?”
“Is she really?” asked Brooke as Delaine scurried off.
“I think we’ll probably end up retailing everything here and on our web site,” said Theodosia.
“Delaine is a bit of a dragon lady, isn’t she?” said Aerin Linley with a wry smile.
“But a good customer of ours, too,” said Brooke, in a tone that indicated enough had been said about Delaine Dish. “Oh, I almost forgot . . .” Brooke dug in her purse, pulled out a tiny gold box, and handed it to Theodosia. “For you.”
“Brooke! What’s this?” exclaimed Theodosia as she tentatively accepted the little box.
“Not much, really. Just a fun thing I put together.”
“Go ahead, open it,” urged Aerin.
Theodosia carefully lifted the lid on the box, then let out a squeak of surprise. “Is it my teacup?”
Brooke nodded. She had taken the colorful shards of Theodosia’s shattered teacup of the other day, rimmed them with sterling silver and tiny bits of gold, and hung them on a charm bracelet.
Entranced, Theodosia lifted the bracelet from the box. The results of Brooke’s efforts were spectacular. The broken pieces that had looked so sad when they were lying on the floor now gleamed and danced with a whole new life.
“It’s spectacular,” said Theodosia. She clutched Brooke’s hand. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything. Just wear it in good health,” said Brooke. “As we shall continue to drink your tea in good health.”
“But it must have taken so much time to create,” Theodosia protested.
Brooke waved a hand dismissively. “Really, it’s not that big a deal. I buy the silver in small, thin strips anyway and it’s extremely malleable. It only takes a few minutes to outline each piece, then pinch everything into place. From there on it was just straight ahead soldering and jump rings. Jewelry Making 101.”
“Well, it looks like a million bucks,” said Theodosia as she watched the colorful teacup pieces dance and jingle in their reincarnation as charms.
