Claire was quaking she was so angry.
“I always follow through on my commitments,” Claire said. “I’ll make sure everything goes well for your weekend, but beyond that, I’m no longer interested in working for you.”
“It’s just as well,” Anne Marie said. “Even though Sloan’s not likely to let your boyfriend go, you’ll run off after him anyway.”
“How do you know about that?”
“I’m psychic, darling,” Anne Marie snarled. “Haven’t you heard?”
“Sloan’s also a client of yours,” Claire said. “I’m sure she told you all about it.”
“Client confidentiality,” Anne Marie said. “I can’t tell you a thing.”
“You don’t need to,” Claire said.
“Ladies,” Jeremy said. “Let’s not have words we’ll regret.”
“I’m going up to take a nap,” Anne Marie said, and flounced out of the room. “Jeremy? Are you coming?”
After Anne Marie disappeared up the stairs, Jeremy turned to Claire.
“It’s fine,” he said. “She gets like this before a seminar; nervous, high strung, and nothing pleases her. But it’s really all fine. Everyone will rave about it and then you’ll be teacher’s pet again. Don’t worry about it. Please.”
“Jeremy!” Anne Marie called. “I’m waiting.”
Jeremy left. Claire felt deflated and hurt. She looked around at her soft white gypsy encampment and it suddenly looked tacky to her eyes. Sloan’s constant derision had always had the same effect on her.
Determined to see the project through, Claire took her anger out on the boxes she still had to deconstruct. It was amazing what a box cutter on cardboard could do for one’s disposition. She dragged the cardboard out in multiple trips, and stowed it in the recycling dumpster.
On her last trip she saw Anne Marie walking down Morning Glory Avenue toward Knox’s house. Claire ducked down, ran through the park, and then crossed Pine Mountain Road, keeping back far enough she hoped Anne Marie wouldn’t notice her.
Anne Marie paused to let a Machalvie’s Funeral Home limo go ahead of her up Knox’s steep driveway, and then she followed it. Claire was standing behind a tree, across the street from the house, trying to decide what to do, when Scott drove the police cruiser up the street and stopped in front of her. As Claire approached the car, the passenger side window went down.
“Are you doing surveillance?” he asked with a grin.
“Kind of,” Claire said. “Are you going up?”
“I’ve got no reason to be up there,” he said. “It’s private family business and so far I don’t have any warrants.”
“I was trying to think of a plausible reason to go up there,” Claire said.
“Get in,” Scott said. “We can cruise around town until they’re done and then follow somebody, make ‘em nervous.”
Claire got in the police cruiser and fastened her seatbelt. It was then she remembered the dresses.
“Hey,” she said. “You wanna help me do something?”
“Sure,” he said.
“I need to pick up the dresses in Pendleton and the place closes in twenty minutes.”
“No problem,” Scott said, and turned on the cruiser’s flashing lights.
After they picked up the dresses, Scott stopped at Claire’s parents’ house, where she stowed everything in her bedroom. Scott drove her back up to Morning Glory Avenue. Cars were leaving Knox’s house, and Claire was surprised to see Hannah walking down Knox’s steep driveway. She was dressed in the black pants and white shirt of a cater waiter.
“What has she been up to?” Scott said.
“Spying,” Claire said. “Awesome, wonderful spying.”
When Hannah spotted them, she waved and ran over to the car. Scott unlocked the back door and she climbed in. Scott drove down to Morning Glory Circle, pulled in Mamie’s driveway, parked, and turned around in his seat.
“Well?” he asked.
“The shrimp puffs were really good,” Hannah said. “But nobody liked the Brie boats. I can’t understand it. I ate about a dozen of those.”
“Hannah,” Claire said. “What happened?”
“Okay, brace yourselves, ‘cause here’s the shocker: the house and everything she owned has to be sold, and after her debts are paid off, what’s left goes to Phyllis Davis,” Hannah said. “Why in the world she would leave anything to that crazy hooker, I don’t know. Knox was fit to be tied; he’s gonna contest it.”
Claire and Scott exchanged a look but they didn’t tell Hannah what they knew.
Hannah continued, “Everyone thought Mamie was broke but she wasn’t. Her trust fund has over ten million in it; that gets split up among the heirs. If she wasn’t broke, then why did she quit paying her bills?”
“And why was she so behind on her mortgage payments?” Scott asked.
“You know,” Claire said. “Doc told me one of the signs of dementia is paranoia over money. Maybe all that hoarding of her money and not paying her bills was part of a mental problem she had.”
“She was mental, all right,” Hannah said. “Why else would she leave all her dough to Phyllis Davis?”
“What else?” Scott asked.
“Let’s see,” Hannah said. “Oh yeah, evidently, there were some life insurance policies that left some money to Knox and both his wives.”
“Anne Marie and Meredith?” Claire said.
Claire looked at Scott but he didn’t look surprised.
“You knew about this,” she said.
He nodded.
“There’s your motive,” Claire said.
“But where’s my proof?” he said. “I don’t even know what killed Mamie. She was in her nineties, Claire. She probably had a heart attack or a stroke.”
“This is where Knox is getting the money to pay off Courtenay for notarizing the signatures on the policies,” Claire said. “I bet you anything if you could get a look at that policy it will be Courtenay’s notary seal and signature on them.”
“If Mamie died of natural causes, there will be no reason to subpoena the insurance policies,” Scott said. “If she was poisoned, no money will be paid out.”
“They’re not giving them the checks until the coroner’s report comes back,” Hannah said. “I heard Anne Marie bitching at the insurance agent about it.”
“Is the agent anyone we know?” Claire asked her.
“I didn’t recognize him,” Hannah said. “He’s not from around here.”
“Dammit,” Claire said.
“Welcome to my world,” Scott said. “Unless I can prove somebody committed a crime, I can’t do anything.”
“And unless Constable Kibble says you can,” Hannah said.
“Thanks for reminding me,” Scott said. “You girls mind if I go back to work now?”
“Thanks for the lift,” Claire said as she got out.
Hannah tried but couldn’t get the back door open.
“Very funny,” she said. “No kidding, let me out. I’m starting to feel short of breath.”
Scott unlocked the doors and Hannah joined Claire on the sidewalk. He slid down his window and said, “You two keep out of trouble, you hear?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Hannah said. “Where would you be without my investigative skills?”
Scott drove off, shaking his head.
“Let’s go have a meeting in the Inn,” Hannah said. “I need some coffee.”
“It’s full of people right now,” Claire said. “Get what you need in the kitchen and meet me in the basement.”
Claire went around the back side of the Inn and down through the hatch door into the basement. She was just in time to catch Jeremy and Courtenay getting their clothes back on.
“Nice,” Claire said. “Hello, Courtenay. Remember me?”
“I sure do,” Courtenay said with a grin. “You socked Knox in the jaw the day he locked Meredith in the office safe.”
“Excuse me ladies,” Jeremy said, and took the rest of his
clothes with him through the door to the stairs that led to the upper level.
“How was he?” Claire asked Courtenay, who was wriggling back into her tight skirt.
“Meh,” Courtenay said. “About what you’d expect.”
“I know they’re paying you off,” Claire said. “As soon as the toxicology report comes back, if it says Mamie died of natural causes, then the insurance agents will deliver a check. If it says she was poisoned, there will be no check and no pay off.”
Courtenay shrugged.
“Knox owes me money,” she said. “I don’t care how he gets it.”
“Did one of them kill Mamie?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care,” Courtenay said. “I just want what’s owed me.”
“When was the last time you saw Mamie?” Claire asked her.
“I’m not telling you anything,” Courtenay said. “You must think I’m really dumb.”
“These aren’t clueless, kind people you’re dealing with,” Claire said. “Aren’t you worried about what they might do to you?”
“Not really,” Courtenay said.
“Are you still seeing my ex-husband?”
“Maybe,” she said. “I don’t see how that’s any business of yours.”
“Does he know you told the feds where to find him when he went to Mexico?”
“I don’t know who told you that, but it’s a lie,” Courtenay said. “You’re just jealous.”
“Oh, Courtenay, I’m really not,” Claire said. “And if you really love the guy, then good luck to you. You’ll need it.”
“Unlike you, I understand Pip,” Courtenay said. “He’s had a hard life; everyone he’s ever loved has let him down. Nobody believes in him like I do. I’m going to help him start his own business. He’s renovating Sloan’s house up in Glencora. You know which one it is, don’t you?”
“No,” said Claire. “But I’ll just look for the cloud of pot smoke and the line of teenage girls waiting to get in the bedroom.”
“You can’t blame a man for his nature,” Courtenay said. “Plus, he’s great in bed.”
“Meh,” Claire said. “I’ve had better.”
“Lucky you,” Courtenay said. “Well, see you round.”
Hannah came down the steps as Courtenay was leaving.
“Hey,” Hannah said. “I know you.”
“You sat on me once,” Courtenay said. “The day Knox locked Meredith up in his safe.”
“You bit me,” Hannah said. “I still have the scar.”
“See ya,” Courtenay said, and went on past Hannah.
“What was she doing down here?” Hannah asked.
“The usual,” Claire said. “That child had better watch her back.”
“Ceilings,” Hannah said. “She’s too busy looking at ceilings from on her back.”
“True,” Claire said. “What do you think of my salon?”
“Groovy,” Hannah said. “It looks like angel camp.”
“Good,” Claire said. “That’s what I was going for.”
The door to the basement opened and eight women with luggage entered the space.
“There’s my staff arriving,” Claire said. “We’ll have to meet later.”
The massage therapists and Reiki Master were very helpful in better arranging the spa treatment tents. Each one claimed a tent and set up the gear they brought with them. Claire left them to it, and went out the back way to her car. She had multiple errands to run for the wedding, and wanted to find Scott so she could tell him what Courtenay had told her.
It took her half an hour to get to the nearest shopping mall, where she might have a shot at getting decent black suits and ties for the wedding party. She drove around the mall to the “Men’s Barn,” and parked. Much to her surprise, as soon as she got inside she discovered Patrick, Sam, and Ed inside, trying on suits.
“You guys!” she said. “What are you doing here?”
“Just following Hannah’s orders,” Sam said.
“It’s not every day your little sis gets married,” Patrick said.
“So you know,” Claire said.
“I’m big and handsome,” Patrick said. “But I’m not dumb.”
“This is great,” Claire said. “Let me help you.”
The staff at the Men’s Barn was glad to let Claire take over. Within the hour she had all three men in black suits, white shirts, and gray ties, and had talked Patrick and Ed into buying new shoes as well.
Scott arrived as they were paying, and Claire almost followed him into the dressing room before he turned and said, “I think I can do this myself.”
Patrick and Sam took off, but Ed stayed behind.
“How’d you talk Maggie into going through with the wedding?” he asked.
“Easy,” Claire said. “I found a way where nothing could be her fault.”
“Very smart,” Ed said. “I heard you lost your job.”
“What?” Claire said. “Oh, yeah, that. To tell you the truth I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to think about it.”
She told Ed about working for Anne Marie.
“I’d like to sit in on one of those seminars,” Ed said, “just to see what it’s like.”
“If you were willing to sign a confidentiality form, she’d let you,” Claire said. “Of course, then you couldn’t report on what happened.”
“Do some spying for me,” he said.
“If I get the chance I will.”
“I may have found you a new job, by the way,” he said, “if you’re interested.”
“Yeah, absolutely,” Claire said. “What is it?”
“They need someone to teach makeup application in the theater department at Eldridge,” he said. “I was pretty sure you took classes in that.”
“I’ll have you know I earned a certificate from a professional cinema and theater arts hair and make-up school in Californ-i-ay,” Claire said. “I can make you look like a zombie in just under four hours.”
“Great,” Ed said. “Stop by the department next week and the dean will talk to you about it. He was really excited about maybe getting you.”
“Everybody loves a movie star,” Claire said. “It’s just the leftover stardust on my sleeve from Sloan that attracts them.”
“Or something,” Ed said, and smiled at Claire.
Claire felt a little shiver go up her spine.
“How’s this?” Scott said, and they both turned to look.
“No, no, no, no,” Claire said. “That’s navy blue, for one thing. Just wait here and I’ll find you something decent.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Scott said. “Whatever you say.”
“That’s good practice for marriage,” Ed said. “Just obey and be polite.”
“Maybe if your wife came around more often I’d be more willing to take your marriage advice,” Scott said.
“What wife?” Claire said, returning with a black suit in Scott’s size.
“Never mind,” Scott said
He quickly took the suit from Claire’s hand and raced back into the dressing room.
“What did he mean?” Claire asked Ed, who was turning pink in the face.
“You remember Eve?”
“Sure I do,” Claire said. “She called me a bubble-headed nincompoop at a New Year’s Eve party. Pip made a pass at her and she kicked him in the groin.”
“Sounds like Eve,” Ed said. “We haven’t lived together in a long time, but we also never got around to getting divorced.”
“Why?”
“Well, at first, it was because I didn’t want the divorce and I hoped we’d work it out, but eventually it was just lack of money. I certainly could never afford to hire a lawyer and she just didn’t care. It’s certainly never stopped her from shacking up with whomever she fancies. Plus she always puts me on her health insurance plan. That’s worth a lot to me.”
“I see,” Claire said.
“Sorry,” Ed said. “I know that all sounds really flimsy, but honestly, I just nev
er had a reason to do anything about it.”
“That must have made Melissa feel really good about your relationship.”
“It was a factor in our breakup,” he said. “I won’t deny it.”
“Well, thanks for telling me about it,” Claire said. “It’s none of my business, of course.”
“I wouldn’t say that, Claire,” Ed said.
“Well, I would never date a married man,” Claire said. “Just so we’re clear on that.”
“Is it okay to come out?” Scott called from the dressing room.
“Perfectly fine,” Claire said.
“Claire,” Ed said. “I’m sorry. I thought everyone knew about it.”
“The jacket fits fine,” Claire said to Scott. “But I’d like to see you in a pair of pants one size smaller.”
“But my boys need to breathe,” Scott said.
“One size smaller,” Claire said. “Your boys will be fine.”
“Yes ma’am,” Scott said.
Ed sighed and sat down on a nearby chair.
“Health plan, huh?” Claire said.
“Yep,” Ed said. “They’re expensive.”
“And they don’t offer a health plan to their professors at Eldridge?”
“They probably do,” he said. “I hadn’t thought to ask and I haven’t signed my contract yet.”
“I think you should look into it,” Claire said.
“I will, Claire,” Ed said, with a smile. “I certainly will.”
Claire met Hannah at Maggie’s apartment at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening for her bachelorette party. Hannah brought all the junk food they used to love as kids, and Claire brought a VHS copy of The Princess Bride along with her parents’ old VCR.
“I hope this machine still works,” Claire said. “I still need to get their electronics upgraded into this century.”
“We’re old school here,” Maggie said. “I still think of DVDs as the new technology, and there Hannah is, living up the holler, getting all her movies through the Internet.”
“Only ‘cause I’m married to the Appalachian Iron Man,” Hannah said. “We’ll all be watching holograms pretty soon.”
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