by Jane Tesh
“The safest thing is not to marry her.”
“Now you’re just being stupid. You’ll still be levitatin’ things whether you’re married or not.”
“But I’m worried about our kids.”
“You can have kids whether you’re married or not, too, have you thought of that? If you ain’t careful, it could happen any time.”
I put my sandwich down. “Rufus has the perfect saying for this occasion. How does that go again? Something about the wind and turkeys?”
“Naw, I got a better one, ’cause Cam ain’t been thinkin’ this through.”
Camden sighed. “Lay it on me.”
“You’re worryin’ ‘bout things that may never happen.” Rufus pointed a large finger at him. “That’s all foam and no beer.”
***
Rufus went off to meet Angie at another house. Camden had housekeeping chores to do. I worked in my office until I heard a car drive up. I thought it might be Ellin, but it was her mother. No need to guess why she was here.
Camden met her at the door. “Good afternoon, Jean.”
“Cam, dear, I hope you’re not busy. I need to speak to you.”
“No, please come in. I was just washing the dishes. Come have a seat.”
I got up and peered around the corner. Jean didn’t look or sound very bloodthirsty. They went into the island where she spoke in an earnest tone.
“Now, dear, I’ve heard all this nonsense about you wanting to call off the wedding, and I want you to reconsider. Besides all the trouble and expense, it would be vastly unfair to Ellin to back out now and so embarrassing to the family.”
I couldn’t believe it. Was she trying to talk him into going through with the wedding? I thought she’d be thrilled to have him out of the picture.
This obviously threw Camden for a loop. He took a long moment to reply. “I’m sorry. I don’t have any control over this situation.”
“What situation? If there’s another woman—”
“Oh, no. No. Ellie is the only one for me. She always has been.”
“Then for heaven’s sake, what is the problem?”
He sounded understandably puzzled. “I thought you’d be happy. I know you don’t really approve of me. I’ve had to make my own family. I have no formal education, no steady job. I see things no one else can see. Ellie deserves better.”
“Maybe she does, but she’s in love with you. You can’t help the fact your mother gave you up. You can take classes if you want more education, and you can certainly find a decent job if you try. But you’d damn well better get yourself to Parkland Memorial Methodist on the 31st, or tell me why.”
You see where Ellin gets all her charm? I angled myself for a better view of the island and caught a glimpse of Camden’s face. He looked disconcerted, as if Jean Belton had leveled a killer gaze of her own into his brain. This is your future mother-in-law, I wanted to say. Do you know what you’re doing?
She put her hand on his shoulder. “Cam, you may not be what I had in mind for Ellin, but you’re a decent young man with a good reputation. I think you’ll make a fine husband for my daughter. And now I want you to tell me what’s bothering you.”
For a moment, I thought he would refuse, but he’d said he was going to tell Ellin everything. Might as well share the news with Mom. Besides, she was being frighteningly understanding. He might not ever have another chance like this.
“Jean, how do you feel about grandchildren?”
“I’d love to have grandchildren.”
“What if they were like me? Clairvoyant.”
“Seems to me that’s a bit far-fetched, isn’t it?”
“What if they could do other things?” he said. “Things that aren’t considered normal?”
“Dear, if you’re worried about children having problems, let me assure you, not a one of mine is normal. It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.”
“But it would bother Ellie.”
Mrs. Belton considered this for a moment. “Oh, well, she’ll just have to deal with it, won’t she? And really, Cam, this clairvoyance you say you have—don’t you think it’s about time you grew out of it? Even if you have it, and I’m not sure you do, the children could be like Ellin.”
“They’re not going to be.”
“You can’t know that.”
“I’m afraid I can,” he said. “I’ve been getting stronger and clearer visions for days. You’re going to have three grandchildren, two girls and a boy. All clairvoyant.”
“I can’t believe that.” Another pat on his shoulder. “Dear, I really think all of this is just in your mind.”
“That’s exactly where it is,” Camden said.
Her exasperated sigh was exactly like Ellin’s. “And this is the reason you want to call off the wedding? That’s nonsense. No one can predict how many children they’re going to have and what they’re going to be or how they’re going to be. You and Ellin will have your hands full dealing with each other the first few years, believe me.” She started for the door, stopped and leveled another stare. “I’ll tell her you want to talk to her. You do want to talk to her, don’t you?”
Camden wasn’t crazy. “Yes, I do.”
“Those are the very words I’d better hear on May 31st.”
Jean left. Camden stood for a while and then turned his head. “I know you heard that, Randall.”
“Yup,” I said. “Decide right now these Belton women are going to drive you insane.”
***
As an antidote to all the wedding drama, Camden decided he needed to watch some mindless TV. I was trying to convince him that Plan 9 From Outer Space would be an ideal choice when Kary came home.
“I took the rest of Fred’s things to the church, Cam. Someone will be able to use them.”
He reached for the remote and muted the sound. “Thanks, Kary.”
“David, it took some doing, but I found out why there’s nothing about Arsenic and Old Lace on the website. I made a bunch of phone calls and finally got a hold of the woman who takes care of the site. She said someone hacked into it and deleted all references to the show. She figures it was one of the teenagers who helped run lights trying to impress a girlfriend. She’d heard them bragging about their computer skills.”
“Or it was someone who doesn’t want a connection known.”
“Yes. Could be our murderer.” She looked at Camden. “Are you okay? You look a little frazzled.”
“Jean stopped by. Against all possible reason, she’s decided I’m the right man for her daughter.”
“Well, that’s very good news, isn’t it?”
He turned off the TV and set the remote on the coffee table. “Ellie’s hired Randall to find out what’s wrong with me.”
Kary couldn’t help but chuckle. “She hired you, David? She must be desperate.”
“It’s more of an angry desperation.”
Kary turned back to Camden. “You have to tell her. Sooner or later she’ll find out, and the longer you keep it from her the angrier she’ll be. You can’t start off your married life keeping this huge secret.”
“I know. I hope and pray there’ll be the right time.”
“If this new talent suddenly appeared, maybe it’ll suddenly go away.”
“I hope and pray that happens, too.”
“I still say it came on because you’re nervous and excited about the wedding.”
“Let’s call it that.”
I filled Kary in on my morning activities and what I’d learned from Wesley Lennox and Millicent Crotty. “I talked with cast members of the play, but I haven’t come up with any real suspects. And I’ve just thought of something. Did Jordan and his team ever find the wine bottle? Camden, you said you saw a bottle of wine with a note, right? But where’s the bottle?”
I wasn’t sure Jo
rdan would tell me, but when I called to ask, he must have been in a good mood.
“No wine bottle, but it would’ve been very easy for the murderer to smash it up and throw it away. Do you have any leads?”
He was playing nice, so I did, too. “I have a list of cast members who were in Arsenic and Old Lace with Viola.”
“Thanks, but we’ve checked them out. Anything else?”
“Her best friend Millicent Crotty was the last one to see her alive. She gave Viola a ride home Wednesday after rehearsal.”
“Checked that, too.”
“Was she poisoned?”
“Yes, with arsenic. The coroner estimates she’d been dead approximately forty-eight hours when Camden discovered her. How’s he doing, by the way?”
Oh, he’s got bigger problems than a little flashback or two to the murder. “Nervous about the wedding.”
Jordan gave a short bark of laughter. “I would be, too, if I was marrying Ellin Belton. Keep in touch.”
He hung up. I closed my phone. “Jordan has everything except the George McMillan connection, which is something we’re still trying to figure out.”
“Maybe we’re looking in the wrong place,” Kary said. “What about Millicent? You said she hated George.”
“But would she go all the way to Florida and shoot him?”
“She could’ve hired someone. I’m just trying out ideas here.”
“And I appreciate your ideas, but I think the killer is someone who hated George and Viola.”
“Still, I’ll keep on Millicent. She may know something yet.”
“If she remembers.”
Chapter Eighteen
“She completely done me in.”
That night, Kary and Camden went to their performance, and I dragged Charlie with me to the Spider’s Web for Taffy’s opening night. He argued all the way.
“I can’t stand this music.”
“Put your brain in neutral, smile, and look interested. It won’t cost you a thing.”
“Just my sanity.”
“You’ve already lost that.”
The Spider’s Web was a dark little club like the Tempo, but much fancier with black silk draperies and small round glass-topped tables surrounded by slick chrome chairs. The bar was a long piece of chrome decorated with twinkly silver lights. The stage featured black silk curtains with a lacy overlay depicting spider webs. On stage, a single spotlight shone on a chrome stool and matching microphone. Once inside, I could tell Charlie was waiting for the opportunity to bolt. I steered him to a table right up front.
“Sit.”
It was worth all the aggravation to see the look on Taffy’s face. She beamed at Charlie in a way that had to calm any fears he had about their relationship. She took her place on the stool and adjusted the microphone. She wore a short black dress, silver high heels, and a silver jacket. Charlie waved at her and smiled. His smile soon faded as she began her set.
“‘The dejection of my heart sends waves of fragrant longing.
I call to you, but there’s no answer, no answer.
How can the emergence of effusion pass the borders of expression?
Is there a remedy for such perfidy that ransacks my soul?’”
I saw Charlie’s fist tighten on the table. I hoped he wasn’t planning to leap up and run out.
“‘I find myself in a perplexing ditch with no sides.
I long for the hyperphysical heart that can pull me, a restless cipher, from the winding stream.’”
“Randall.”
“Concentrate on her legs. That’s what I’m doing.”
Taffy did look stunning in her black and silver outfit. Charlie took a deep breath and shifted his gaze. At the same time, Taffy flung her arms wide. Her voice went up three octaves. Everyone in the place jumped.
“‘Woe! My life is saturated at last! Leave me! I am fulfilled!’”
She stopped, lowered her arms, and bowed her head. The crowd applauded. Charlie managed to unclench his fists to join in.
“This is worse than I thought.”
“But the crowd loves her. Be happy for her success. Otherwise, you’re going to drive her away.”
“I need a cigarette.”
Taffy started her second song. Charlie sighed and sat back, his expression resigned. She sang seven songs, each one hideous. When she’d finished and taken her bows, she came straight for Charlie.
He gulped and spoke under his breath, “My God, that was awful, Randall. What am I going to say?”
“Say you’re glad to see her. Say she looks great and you’re happy for her.”
Taffy hugged him and gave him a big kiss. “I saw you out here and I couldn’t believe it!”
“You look great, Taffy. I’m so happy for you.”
She beamed and gave him another kiss. “Oh, that means so much to me. What did you think of ‘Evening Star’? I’ve been working on that song forever.”
Charlie glanced at me for help. Fortunately, a long thin man squeezed through the tables to pat Taffy’s arm and give his opinion.
“Lovely songs, dear. I’m such a fan. ‘Evening Star’ was immensely satisfying, a true aperitif for the soul.”
As he drifted off, Taffy chuckled. Charlie said, “I couldn’t agree more.”
“Was it your favorite? Or did you like ‘Candy Floss’ better?”
“I think I liked the last one the best.”
“Really? I love that one, too. I’m so glad you came! And you, too, David. I’ve got to get a drink before the next set. You’re staying, aren’t you?”
“Yes, of course,” Charlie said.
She kissed him for the third time and hurried off. He turned to me with a rueful smile. “I’m going to get a drink, too.”
He had two drinks and made a great pretense of listening to the rest of Taffy’s program, which was slightly less painful than the first part. When she finished, we applauded with the crowd. I turned to Charlie. “Now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“It was the worst thing I ever sat through,” he said, “but I’m glad I came. I concentrated on how beautiful she looked up there in the spotlight. I really never get to see her sing when I play for her. I’m always over to one side or behind her.” He sighed. “The things we do for love.”
I thought the evening had gone well. That was before I saw Manuel Estaban. As Taffy stepped off the stage, Estaban came to her, arms outstretched.
“Taffinia! You were magnificent!” He kissed her on both cheeks. “Fantastico! I wish the whole class could have been here. Your use of the plural negative was inspired.”
Charlie stared at him. “Is that the teacher?”
“’Fraid so.”
He didn’t say anything else, but as Estaban continued his praises, I could see the steam building behind Charlie’s eyes.
Taffy took Estaban by the arm and pulled him over to our table. “Manny, this is Charlie Valentine and David Randall.”
Estaban shook my hand. “Ah, yes. Mr. Randall came by the school the other day. He is also interested in songwriting, are you not, Mr. Randall?”
Taffy frowned. “Are you? I didn’t know that.”
Estaban then shook Charlie’s hand. If Charlie’s grip was a little intense, the teacher didn’t seem to notice. “And you, Mr. Valentine, are you also a songwriter?”
“I play piano with J.J.’s Hot Six at the Tempo. Taffy sings with us.”
“I shall have to come hear you there, as well, Taffinia.”
Unfortunately, by this time, she’d worked things out. “Randall, did you come by the school to check up on me?”
“Why would I do that?”
“Did Charlie send you? You told him, didn’t you?”
I tried to avoid an explosion. “Your songwriting wasn’t a secret, really, was it? Otherwise,
he might not have known about your concert tonight.”
Things might have been okay if Charlie hadn’t decided to join in. “Otherwise, I might not have known about Senior Slick here, either.”
Taffy’s eyes flamed almost as hot as Ellin’s. “I knew you’d try to make something of this! Manny is a very good friend and an excellent teacher. You have no right to insinuate anything else.”
Estaban, to his credit, took the high road. “It is quite all right. I understand completely why Mr. Valentine would feel jealous. You are a beautiful young woman. If you will excuse me.” He gave a little bow and walked away.
I caught Charlie’s sleeve as he started to follow. “Calm down.”
Taffy gave Charlie a slap on the shoulder. “How dare you insult Manny! How dare you try to make a scene on my big night?
“I’m here, aren’t I? That ought to count for something.”
“No one’s keeping score here, Charlie! You either came because you wanted to, or Randall made you come.”
“Thank God I did. I see what’s going on now.”
“Nothing’s going on!”
Their quarrel was attracting attention. “Look,” I said. “You two sit down, have a drink, and talk this out.”
But Taffy had had enough. “No. I’m going to apologize to Manny, and then I’m going home.”
She made her way out through the crowd, pausing to accept congratulations. Charlie watched her go. Then he slumped into his chair.
“You’re an idiot,” I said.
“I know, I know.” He put his head down in his hands and clutched his hair. “She drives me crazy.”
“All you had to do was smile and say you liked her program.”
“I didn’t like it. It was shit.”
“I’m trying to help you here.” I didn’t add that I was trying to help myself, too. If things continued to deteriorate between Charlie and Taffy, Charlie would head back to Kary. “Call her tonight and say you’re sorry.”
“No.”
“Okay, I give up. Be miserable.” I put my money on the table and prepared to leave.
Charlie raised his head. “Wait. Will you do one more thing? Will you see how serious she is about Estaban?”
