Too Late for Angels

by Mignon F. Ballard

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “If you run out of directing jobs, you can always get hired as a cook,” Ellis told Jay as The Thursdays sat around the dining room table at Zee’s. Jay had made a big pot of clam chowder to thank them for their part of clearing his name in the murder of Calpernia Hemphill. Claudia had brought her favorite green salad tossed with walnuts and apple slices, Lucy contributed some of Augusta’s bacon-cheese muffins, and Ellis, her usual funeral cake. “I don’t know how many times I’ve made it, and I never get to eat any,” she told them.

  Nettie provided the wine. Now she refilled Jay’s glass and her own. “What a shock that must’ve been, finding Calpernia like that at the foot of that tower!” she said.

  He helped himself to another muffin and nodded. “Not something I’m likely to forget. Her car was parked at the cottage and I could hear the two dogs yapping inside, but nobody came to the door, so I thought I’d find her strolling about the property. Cal liked to be outdoors, but if you’ll remember, it was cold as a witches’ t——uh, a banker’s heart that week.”

  “Unusual for that early in October,” Jo Nell said. “Went down to freezing that night. And that poor woman was lying out in the cold while Lollie was right there in the cottage making up Florence to look like Calpernia.”

  “I doubt if she noticed it, Jo Nell, since she was dead,” Zee reminded her. “I heard that Lollie Pate told the police Poag brought some of Calpernia’s clothing out earlier for Florence to wear. And then of course he had a fit later when he learned Florence had taken that pin because it connected her to the Folly. What a cold-blooded monster he is!”

  Idonia shuddered. “And to think we invited him to our Christmas drop-in last year! He and Lollie have been planning to do away with Calpernia for some time, I hear.”

  “Since Calpernia started making serious plans for that theater workshop,” Lucy told them. “Lollie says he wanted her to push Calpernia from the tower but she refused. Actually, they didn’t have a definite plan in mind until Lollie met Florence on the bus—”

  Nettie stabbed the air with her salad fork. “I told you she reminded me of somebody!”

  “Poag strung Lollie along by telling her they would go somewhere together and live off the money he’d make on the sale of the land,” Lucy continued. “I understand they had been lovers—if you can call it that—for a year or so, but toward the last, he was just biding his time until the occasion was right. He couldn’t pull this off alone. He had to have Lollie’s help.”

  “And somewhere down the road, he would’ve probably managed to get rid of her as well,” Nettie said, shaking her head. “But why did Lollie take Florence to the cottage? She could’ve dressed her just as well at the motel, couldn’t she?”

  Ellis refilled her bowl from the tureen in the center of the table. “Don’t forget Calpernia’s makeup was there, and the dress she was to wear. Plus, somebody had to feed the dogs. They had to make it look like Calpernia spent the night there, you see, then fell from the tower when she went for a walk the next morning. Lollie even went so far as to make the bed look like it had been slept in and cooked a breakfast meal that afternoon of eggs and toast, then left the dishes in the sink.”

  “And that’s when Florence took the pin,” Nettie said. “Just think, if it hadn’t been for that pin, we probably wouldn’t have realized the link between Florence’s death and what happened to Calpernia.”

  “Except for the shoes,” Lucy said. “When Florence left her shoes in my closet she didn’t realize she would be helping to solve her own murder. And she told me she had eaten two breakfasts! At the time, I just dismissed it as rambling, but now that we know more or less what happened, I see she was telling the truth. She ate the eggs Lollie cooked at the cottage, and had breakfast again the next morning.”

  “What happened to those rings Florence was wearing?” Nettie asked. “Remember, Lucy Nan? That young policeman spent most of a day searching our backyards.”

  “Lollie took them—and her money to make it look like a mugging after Florence fell down the steps,” Ellis told them. “Probably got rid of them somewhere. I hear Calpernia’s sister will be getting the pin.”

  “She could use a little sparkle in her life,” Idonia said. “But who’s taking care of her two little dogs?”

  “One of her students at the college is adopting them, I believe,” Claudia said. “She lives here in town and used to look after them when Calpernia was away—seems to be fond of them.”

  Everyone agreed that was a sensible solution, and silence reigned while they concentrated on their food. Lucy eyed Jo Nell’s attempt at an arrangement (Ellis called them ‘derangements’) in the center of the table. It was her contribution to the meal and since it was the first week in December, consisted of a couple of silk poinsettias pointing cockeyed in different directions and a mound of Styrofoam balls shedding glitter, interspersed with sprigs of pine. Lucy found it beautiful, just as she found beautiful the friends gathered around it. How lucky she was to be among them!

  “What I don’t understand is how Lollie managed to get Florence to the concert that night without anybody suspecting anything,” Jay said, ladling chowder into Zee’s empty bowl.

  “Oh, you know how Calpernia liked to put on the dog,” Ellis told him. “It wasn’t unusual for her to rent a chauffeured limousine if she wanted to make a splash, and don’t forget, Poag had access to the wardrobe room at the college. Lollie simply dressed as a chauffeur and escorted Florence to Calpernia’s usual box. It’s practically inaccessible to the other seats in the balcony, and they got there after the lights went down, then left just before the concert ended. Nobody got close to her except Poag, who made a point to lean in the window and kiss his ‘wife’ good-bye.”

  “And the college newspaper even got a photo,” Lucy said.

  Nettie lifted her wineglass. “To Florence Calhoun, my old playmate. If she hadn’t been who she was, he might have gotten away with it.”

  “Do you think it was Poag who called pretending to be Estelle?” Ellis asked Lucy as the two drove home together.

  “Lollie denies it, and I believe her. She claims she was catering some kind of function at the college that afternoon, and Poag can sound just like a woman. Remember how funny he was in that womanless wedding?” Lucy made a face. “He should have been in the drama department!”

  “He could’ve fooled me,” Ellis said. “I thought he and Calpernia were as close as Siamese twins.”

  “You know, in a weird way, I think he really did care for her. Calpernia was a good bit older than Poag, but they always seemed to get on well together. I ran into him out walking the dogs not long after she died, and I could swear he was heartbroken—it’s just that he loved her money more.”

  “How was your visit with Julie and her boyfriend at Thanksgiving?” Ellis asked as she turned into Heritage Avenue. “I haven’t had a chance to talk with you since she left.”

  Lucy smiled. “Actually, it went very well. You won’t believe how tactful I was—although I’ll admit I had to bite my tongue a couple of times. I heard Julie remind him more than once to take off his hat in the house and keep his feet off the furniture, so maybe the relationship’s wearing thin. And remember, she was here for the weekend back in October—because she was worried about me, she said, but I think she needed a break from Buddy, too.”

  Ellis laughed. “Sounds like progress to me. Do you think she’ll be home for Christmas?”

  “I’m hoping. Ben and his son are joining us for Christmas dinner.”

  “The one who’s a doctor?” Ellis asked.

  “And good-looking, too,” Lucy said, as Ellis pulled to a stop behind her house.

  “You are wicked, Lucy Nan Pilgrim!” Ellis laughed as she drove away.

  Lucy laughed, too, but she hesitated before going inside. Something was on her mind—something she needed to ask Augusta, and she wasn’t sure she was going to like the answer.

  “Who’s wicked?” Augusta stood i
n the kitchen doorway with a quizzical smile on her face. Her long necklace sparkled amber and green against a soft sweater that might have been knitted from the twilight sky. From behind her came the piquant aroma of her savory vegetable casserole and…Lucy sniffed…yes…buttery garlic twists.

  “Somebody phoned from Bellawood today,” Augusta said. “They want to know if you plan to stay on after the holidays.”

  Lucy paused at the top of the steps. “Do you think I should?”

  Augusta shook her head. “I’m not here to make decisions for you, Lucy Nan. As you know, life is made of choices, and this choice has to be yours.” She followed her inside and took bread from the oven. “It might be a pleasant experience, however, with that nice man working nearby,” she added in a soft voice.

  Lucy turned from hanging her wrap on a hook by the door. “And what about your choice?” she asked, almost dreading the answer. Augusta had been unusually busy about the house lately: cleaning, baking, straightening things here and there. Was the angel putting things in order before moving on?

  Setting the bread aside, Augusta tossed her apron over a chair. “My choice?”

  “Your choice to stay here in Stone’s Throw. Now that we know what happened to Florence and Calpernia, and Ellis isn’t a suspect anymore, I thought you might be assigned elsewhere.” Lucy swallowed, keeping her eyes on the purple-flowered apron. Its colors swam in a mist of tears. “And what’s with all the constant cleaning and cooking? There’s not an inch of room left in the freezer.”

  Augusta spoke softly. “My dear child, Christmas is less than three weeks away. I want us to be prepared.” Gossamer skirt swirling, she whirled to the window and drew aside the curtain. “And haven’t you noticed the weather lately?”

  “The weather?” Lucy frowned. “What about it?”

  “Why, everything is as it should be. I hear we might even have snow for Christmas—which means Sharon must be doing her job right.” Augusta laughed at Lucy’s puzzled expression. “Sharon, your former guardian angel. I hear she’s been permanently assigned to the Heavenly Weather Department, so it seems you’re stuck with me.”

  For a moment her smile faded. “And I have a feeling there are other secrets here in Stone’s Throw that could use my attention as well.”

  “What secrets? Now you have me worried!” Lucy was torn between relief and apprehension.

  “A wise man once said there are two days in the week about which one should never worry. One is yesterday and the other, tomorrow.” Clapping her hands for Clementine, Augusta tossed her cape about her and took the puppy’s leash from its hook. “Now, how about a quick stroll before supper? Race you around the block!”

  Since readers have been asking for recipes for some of Augusta’s specialties, here are a few….

  Stone’s Throw Delicacies

  Augusta’s Heavenly Strawberry Muffins

  1 (10 oz) package frozen strawberries, thawed and put through food processor (or ½ pint of fresh berries, chopped and sweetened with about 2 tablespoons of sugar)

  ¾ cup sugar

  cup cooking oil

  2 eggs

  1½ cup all purpose flour

  1 teaspoon soda

  ½ teaspoon salt

  ½ teaspoon cinnamon

  Glaze:

  ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar

  1 tablespoon or more of strawberry juice or milk

  Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour muffin tins. (Augusta likes the baking spray.) Combine berries, sugar, oil, and eggs. Beat 2 minutes and add flour, soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add nuts if desired. Bake about 18 minutes. Cool and glaze. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator. Makes about 12 or 14.

  A favorite with children. To make a loaf, bake in loaf pan at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes.

  Lucy Nan’s Cheese Straws

  1 pound sharp Cheddar, grated

  2 cups all purpose flour

  1 stick butter, softened

  1 teaspoon baking powder

  salt to taste

  ½ teaspoon red pepper

  teaspoon paprika

  Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grate cheese; add other ingredients and mix well. Run through cookie press in “straw” shapes about 2 or 3 inches long. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet until light brown or about 10 minutes. If you like them richer, add another ¼ cup butter. For those who don’t have a cookie press, the dough can be refrigerated in a long roll until firm, then sliced and baked cookie style. Chopped pecans can also be added if you’re making them this way.

  (Served at most Stone’s Throw social functions)

  Ellis Saxon’s “Funeral” Cake

  (A cake to die for!)

  2 cups all purpose flour

  2 cups sugar

  2 sticks butter or margarine

  1 cup water or cold coffee

  3 or 4 tablespoons cocoa

  ½ cup buttermilk

  2 eggs

  ½ teaspoon cinnamon

  pinch of salt

  1 teaspoon soda

  1 teaspoon vanilla

  Mix flour and sugar in bowl. In saucepan, bring butter, water (or coffee), and cocoa to a boil. Pour over sugar and flour and blend. Add rest of ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour into greased 9 × 13 inch pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes at 400 degrees or until done.

  Frosting:

  1 stick butter or margarine

  3 tablespoons cocoa

  6 tablespoons milk or coffee

  1 teaspoon vanilla

  ½ teaspoon almond extract

  1 cup chopped pecans

  ½ cup grated coconut (optional—the frozen kind is fine)

  Mix icing while cake is baking. Heat butter or margarine, cocoa, and milk until it boils. Add all other ingredients and stir until well mixed. Pour over hot cake when it is taken from the oven. Serve from pan.

  Augusta’s Raisin Nut Sandwich Filling

  Cook in double boiler until thick:

  1 cup sugar

  1 beaten egg

  grated rind of two lemons

  1 tablespoon butter

  juice of 2 lemons

  Add while hot:

  Enough mayonnaise or salad dressing to spread (about ½ cup or less)

  1 cup pecans, chopped or ground

  1 cup raisins, chopped or ground

  Remove crusts from bread and cut into shapes. Spread filling on bread for sandwiches, or refrigerate until ready for use.

  (The Thursdays LOVE this!)

  Frogmore Stew

  Crab boil mix (comes in a small bag)

  1 (12 oz) beer (optional)

  juice of 1 lemon

  1 large onion, quartered

  Worchestershire sauce to taste

  A couple of dashes of hot sauce

  3 or 4 small red potatoes per person

  1 ear of corn per person

  to ¼ pound of kielbasa sausage per person

  to ½ pound of shrimp per person

  Fill large pot about ¾ full of water. Add first six ingredients and bring to a rolling boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender. Remove potatoes, reserving boiling liquid. Put the potatoes in a large pot with a lid to retain heat. Add the corn to the boiling mixture and cook for about 5 to 10 minutes or until done. Remove corn and place in pot with potatoes. Add sausage to boiling mixture and cook about 5 minutes; remove and add to corn and potatoes. Lastly, add shrimp to the boiling mixture. As soon as they are pink, remove from water. (Overcooking makes them tough.) Add to pot with other ingredients and serve with cocktail sauce.

  (This is a recipe from Frogmore, South Carolina. Some recipes include crab and others omit the potatoes.)

  Also By Mignon F. Ballard

  Augusta Goodnight Mysteries

  The Angel Whispered Danger

  Shadow of an Angel

  An Angel to Die For

  Angel at Troublesome Creek

  The War in Sallie’s Station

  Minerva Cries Murder

  Final Curtain

  The Wid
ow’s Woods

  Deadly Promise

  Cry at Dusk

  Raven Rock

  Aunt Matilda’s Ghost

  Acknowledgments

  With thanks as usual to Laura Langlie for her patience and assistance; to my editor, Hope Dellon, for her keen editorial guidance; and to friends and attorneys, Bob Sullivan and David White, for sharing their valuable time and knowledge. Augusta says, “Bless you!”

  TOO LATE FOR ANGELS. Copyright © 2005 by Mignon F. Ballard. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

  www.minotaurbooks.com

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Ballard, Mignon Franklin.

  Too late for angels / Mignon F. Ballard—1st St. Martin’s Minotaur ed.

  p. cm.

  ISBN: 978-1-4668-0210-0

  1. Goodnight, Augusta (Fictitious character)—Fiction. 2. Women detectives—South Carolina—Fiction. 3. Guardian angels—Fiction. 4. South Carolina—Fiction. 5. Widows—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3552.A466T66 2005

  813′.54—dc22

  2004057823