Slay Bells Ring

by Karen Rose Smith

  “Is there a list of user names anywhere? A list of members?”

  “Nope. Everyone just has usernames until they reveal their real names at private contact. But once you subscribe, once you’re a member, you can go through all the profiles and see the user photos.”

  “Do you mind if I just scroll through these while you finish up whatever you were doing?”

  “I thought you were engaged.”

  “I am. This is research.”

  “For a college course or something?” he asked.

  “Let’s just say it’s for a special class,” Vince interjected. “She’s gathering input for a friend.”

  “Oh, I get it. You want to tell your friend if there’s anybody hot enough on here worth dating. Just remember my profile.”

  Gerald left Vince and Caprice in the storeroom.

  “He’s much too trusting with his laptop,” Vince grumbled.

  “Maybe he doesn’t have anything on here of import,” Caprice suggested as she scrolled through the profiles. There were pages and pages of user photos. The site had been up and running for a few years. Not all the profiles were active. “This is probably what the police are already doing.”

  “I’m going to finish moving the sets around so they fit together well enough. Just yell if you need me.”

  Refocusing on the screen, Caprice noticed most of the faces in the profiles were younger ones. She’d been paging through them for about fifteen minutes when she suddenly saw the icon up in the upper right. It read Over Fifty.

  She didn’t know exactly what that meant, but she thought it could mean age so she clicked on it. She found herself looking for Chris’s face or maybe Sara’s. Could Chris have found out she was stepping out on him?

  She spent at least five minutes on the age group, scrolling faster and faster. She’d scrolled past a photo when she suddenly stopped and returned to that profile. Something there triggered recognition. The photo was of a much younger, or touched-up, Bailey Adler. His user name was Valentino.

  Like in Rudolph Valentino? That made her want to laugh. Rudolph Valentino was a silent-movie sex symbol. Bailey Adler was definitely not a sex symbol. Is this what Chris had been looking at on the site? Could he have found dirt on Bailey Adler? Is that what had gotten him killed?

  “Hey, Vince,” she called, “come here and see what I found.”

  * * *

  Girls night in was something that Nikki, Caprice, Bella, Nana, and her mom did now and then. With everyone so busy with Christmas coming fast, this seemed the perfect time to take a breath, play some Christmas carols, and decorate the tree in her childhood home. Caprice’s dad had a meeting at the Knights of Columbus. He didn’t mind missing out on tree decorating and definitely not on the women’s conversation. Tonight, Caprice sensed something special in the air, and she wasn’t sure what it was. Maybe it was just the coming of Christmas, the thoughts of her wedding, and the warmth she felt when she was with her family.

  As they sat down to a meal of lemon-pepper cod, lemon pasta, steamed broccoli, and a Chinese cabbage salad, Caprice felt Blitz nudge her leg as he settled beside her under the table. Lady had gone over to her mom.

  After they said grace, Caprice aimed a look at Nikki. “I can’t believe you don’t have a catering gig tonight this close to Christmas.” It was less than a week away.

  “I do have one,” Nikki said. “It’s an office Christmas party. But my assistants are handling it. I went over for the setup, and I’ll check in after I leave here. But they know what they’re doing.”

  “It sounds like you’re on a roll,” Bella said.

  “And why aren’t you working at Roz’s tonight?” Nana asked. “I would think she’s busy this time of year too. Holiday dresses and Christmas presents.”

  “My custom orders have picked up for Christmas,” Bella explained. “So, I spend less time working with Roz. She understands. And there are many women in Kismet who would die to have a job in her shop. With the Christmas pageant, I had to cut back on something, and Joe and I are doing okay.”

  “And how about you?” Caprice’s mom asked Caprice. “How was your house staging over the last weekend?”

  “We got a contract. My client was extremely happy. They’re hoping to move to Wyoming soon after Christmas. Now if he could just sell his business, but I think he’s in talks about that too.”

  “Brett and I discussed it,” Nikki said. “Not as future plans. We aren’t anywhere near that. But he likes working for the Kismet PD. He says maybe in the future he’d think about security and a private firm of his own. But not now.”

  “I’m glad he’s open to the idea,” Caprice said. “This fish is great, Mom,” she added.

  “It’s so easy too after a day at work,” her mother admitted. “It’s one of our favorite meals, and your dad likes lemon anything. So lemon pasta goes over well too.”

  “The tree looks beautiful as always. Do you think Dad will like it?”

  “You girls did a fine job. We’ve been saving ornaments as long as we’ve been married. The ones you made us bring back so many memories. You and Grant will have to start ornament traditions of your own.”

  Conversations wound about the table, fast and slow, emotional and businesslike. They were all independent women, even Nana. With each other, they felt completely free to express their opinions, whether it was about politics, religion, or the state of Kismet’s economy.

  Bella said, “I heard the Historic Homes Tour brought in a nice chunk of change for the Chamber of Commerce. They’re taking requests for town improvements. Don’t forget to submit some.”

  “I suggested a few video cams on the streets,” Nikki said.

  “I can see Brett is influencing you,” Caprice joked, yet remembered her conversation with Charles Kopchek.

  “I suppose he is. I mean, after all, look at the murders that have occurred here. Maybe video footage would have helped capture the killers sooner. Not that you aren’t doing a fine job, Caprice,” she said with a wink.

  “I really never intend to get involved,” Caprice said. “But when I know a suspect personally or the murder victim, I just can’t seem to help it. I know Grant would prefer I didn’t.”

  “You not only have a logical mind, honey, but an intuitive one,” Nana said. “Using those gifts is part of your makeup, and maybe a calling too. Did you ever think of that?”

  “A calling to solve murders? That’s never been one of my goals. I’ve never visualized anything like it.”

  “No, but it’s happened,” her mom agreed. “And I know Grant and Dad and I want to keep you safe. But we also love you and understand your need to help, just as Nikki understands Brett’s desire to be a police officer.”

  “What are we going to do after dinner?” Caprice asked. “Watch Christmas movies?”

  “I thought we’d try a new cookie that Nikki’s serving at the office party tonight. It’s called a Chocolate Peppermint Blossom. What do you think? Instead of eating dessert, we can make them and taste test them.”

  “That sounds like a fine idea,” Nana agreed. “We can make a double batch. Bella can take some to Joe, and Nikki and Caprice can take some to their beaus. Chocolate always benefits a relationship.”

  They all laughed.

  Bella pushed her chair back. “Before we start all that, we want to talk about something else.”

  Caprice looked from one of them to the other. They all seemed to be sharing conspiratorial looks. “Why do I feel left out?” she asked.

  “Because we’ve all been discussing this and we want to know what you think. Now just hold that thought until I come back, okay? My messenger bag is in the library.”

  Her messenger bag was in the library? They spent all their time in the living room with the decorations and all, and in the kitchen, but not in the library. What was Bella up to?

  “Nikki?” she asked.

  Nikki just shook her head. “Be patient.”

  “Patience isn’t one of my stronger vir
tues.”

  Nana said, “That’s why God is putting situations in front of you to test it constantly.”

  Her mother chuckled.

  “What’s up, Mom? You’ll tell me the truth.”

  “You’ll know the truth in a few minutes,” her mother responded with an enigmatic smile.

  At first, Bella took a piece of what looked like cardboard and set it in front of Caprice. On that cardboard, she’d pasted photos of Nana and Papa Tony on their wedding day.

  “What’s this?”

  “Let me ask you something, and I want you to be truthful.”

  “I’m always truthful with you.”

  “That’s what I’m counting on. Do you like Nana’s wedding dress? I mean, do you like it enough that you’d want something like it for your own?”

  Caprice looked at Nana. “I’d love to wear that style. It’s beautiful. Did you keep it?”

  “Oh, honey. Back then we didn’t have the means to clean wedding dresses or to preserve them. The satin just fell apart after all these years.”

  “Then I don’t understand.”

  Now Bella presented Caprice with another piece of cardboard. On it was taped a sketch. “What do you think of this? It’s a take on Nana’s gown with satin, lace insets, ruching, and a flowing train.”

  The design had a late-forties vintage vibe, and Caprice absolutely loved it. “Any woman would be beautiful in this, and it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. Where did you find it?”

  “I didn’t find it,” Bella said. “I designed it. And, if you’d like, I can make it for you. This would be my wedding present to you. What do you think?”

  Caprice was overwhelmed by the idea and so touched. She knew the work Bella did and how fine it was. She couldn’t help the tears that flowed from her eyes as she hugged Bella. “I love it and I love you. Are you sure you have time?”

  “I have a few months, and I’ll be concentrating on this one dress.”

  “You deserve it, tesorina mia,” Nana said. “And your mom and Nikki and I will find you the perfect veil and accessories to go with it. They will be our Christmas present to you.”

  In turn, Caprice hugged each one of them. Even the dogs got into the act, nosing in between them all. “I can’t believe you’re doing this for me,” she said. “I didn’t know exactly what I was going to end up with, but never anything as beautiful as this. I can’t wait to tell Grant.”

  “But you can’t show him,” Bella warned.

  “No, I won’t show him. I want him to be surprised when I walk down the aisle in a few months. This is really going to happen, isn’t it?”

  “As soon as you receive news his marriage is annulled, you can plan the wedding. You’ll have your dress, and I’m sure we can find bridesmaid dresses and mother- and grandmother-of-the-bride dresses till then. You can’t pick your venue until you have the date, but if necessary, you and Grant can find some place unusual for the reception. I’m sure Father Gregory can always fit in a ceremony.”

  “We’re going to do the workshop for marriage preparation after Christmas. Then we’ll be all set.” Caprice felt as giddy as a little girl, as special as Cinderella, and loved by family, friends, and Grant as any woman could be. Before she started blubbering all over the sketches again, she said, “Let’s make those chocolate cookies.”

  Chocolate, peppermint, and coffee by the lights of the Christmas tree seemed the perfect way to end the evening. And she wasn’t going to think about murder, not for another second tonight.

  * * *

  The following day, Caprice arrived home near lunch time. She pulled into her driveway eager to pick up Lady at Dulcina’s and greet her felines inside. She had an afternoon of work on the computer, and she was determined to accomplish it all before the Christmas pageant tonight. She’d had an appointment in Baltimore, where she’d won a contract to stage three model homes. Roland Vaughn had shown her the plans and the lots, and told her the homes should be finished by April, depending on the winter weather.

  When she swung her legs out of the car, the kick pleat on her slacks hit the running board. Her fitted royal blue coat matched the color of the slacks, and her kitten heels had been perfect for the tour of the model homes. But the suit coat wasn’t as warm as her other winter coats. She hurried across the street eager to pick up Lady and go inside her own home to warm up and feed her felines treats simply because she’d missed them. She’d exercise them later with the laser light. They didn’t see it as exercise because they loved chasing the little red dot. It was something she could give Dulcina’s two felines for Christmas.

  After Dulcina opened her door and waved Caprice inside, Miss Paddington, the four-month-old tortoiseshell kitten, along with Lady, came running to greet her. Paddy’s mom, Halo, ambled in slowly at a more dignified pace.

  Dulcina laughed. “That’s your welcoming committee.”

  Caprice crouched down to give Lady an ear rub, Halo a stroke along her back, and Paddy a tummy tickle.

  As she stood again, Dulcina said, “I just walked Lady about fifteen minutes ago so you don’t need to do it again right now.”

  “Thank you so much. I’m sure she enjoyed her morning with you. Maybe you can come over for lunch tomorrow as repayment.”

  “No repayment’s necessary, you know that.”

  “Then just come for a gab session. You can tell me about your date with Uncle Dom.”

  Dulcina blushed a little. “The Nutcracker at the Hershey Theater was wonderful, and your uncle . . .” She blushed even deeper. “We had a nice time.”

  “I’m glad. You deserve to have lots of nice times.”

  “I’m looking forward to coming with him to your family’s house for Christmas dinner.”

  Caprice gave Dulcina a hug, hoping her friend’s friendship with her uncle evolved into more.

  Five minutes later, Caprice was on her way back home, with Dulcina promising to come for lunch the next day. Lady trotted by her side as they hurried up the walk, the wind becoming stiffer.

  “It’s supposed to snow later tonight,” she told Lady. “I hope that doesn’t happen until after the pageant.”

  Lady’s ears flopped as she cocked her head, first one way then the other, as if she agreed with Caprice. Then she waited at the door for Caprice to unlock it.

  However, Caprice froze when she studied her door. The leather strip of sleigh bells that had been attached to the cute cat and dog wreath was missing!

  She looked all around the small porch and over the side rail into the gardens. But she knew it couldn’t have blown away. The leather strip was attached to a brass ring and she’d securely tied that ring to the bottom of the Christmas decoration.

  A little sign in the side garden proclaimed the house was under an alarm system. That in itself should help ward off intruders. She studied the doorknob and the lock. No scratches. It didn’t look as if it had been tampered with. Did their neighborhood suddenly have a Scrooge vandal tampering with Christmas decorations? Maybe stealing the strings of lights?

  She’d have to check with her neighbors and find out if they had anything missing.

  With a little trepidation—because Caprice always expected the unexpected these days—she unlocked the door. Then she tapped in the code to turn off the security system. In the foyer she said to Lady, “Stay,” and the dog did. She knew her commands.

  Caprice listened. She didn’t hear a sound except the furnace going on and warming her house. Then she heard another sound.

  Sophia’s meow.

  As she stepped into the living room, she saw Sophia on her perch on the top shelf of the cat tree, back arched and stretching. Mirabelle lay upside down on the sofa as if she were a person, two paws swinging in the air.

  Caprice smiled, knowing all was right with her world. The felines would never be so relaxed if an intruder had been inside.

  She patted her hip and said to Lady, “Come.” Lady did, putting her paws on the sofa to annoy Mirabelle.

  Capri
ce’s gaze swung back to her closed door and she wondered again what had happened to her sleigh bells. Just what she needed . . . another mystery to solve.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Oh, no, my wings are falling off,” Megan cried as her wings did exactly that. It was a moment when, as lead angel, she was supposed to be announcing something very important.

  Beside her mom in the audience, Grant on her other side, Caprice was close enough to the stage to see tears well up in her niece’s eyes. “What’s she going to do?” Caprice asked.

  Grant murmured against her ear. “You can’t run up there and embarrass her.”

  “But she’s going to be embarrassed—”

  However, as Caprice spotted Bella on the sidelines of the stage starting toward her daughter, Megan must have seen her too because she shook her head, swooped down with her arm, grabbed her wings, and nudged the shepherd in front of her. She whispered something to him, and he moved behind her holding up the wings.

  Megan went on with the announcement she was supposed to make as chief angel.

  Her arm against Grant’s, Caprice felt his chuckle. “She’s definitely her mother’s daughter,” he said.

  Caprice had to laugh too. Megan was going to find her place in the world just fine as she grew up.

  The pageant, all in all, went off without too many more hitches. Some of the children fumbled their lines, and a few missed their cues. Nevertheless, because of Bella’s attitude and the upbeat temperament of the other volunteers, everyone had fun and put their hearts into what they were doing.

  At the curtain call, the children and Bella received a standing ovation. Bella blushed and bowed, and Caprice could see she was in her element. She loved being with kids, and she was masterful at using her creative skills.

  After punch and cookies in the lobby of the theater—the kids’ moms had baked and donated several varieties of cookies—Caprice had a chance to catch up with her parents as well as her sisters and brother. Uncle Dom was there too. They’d all been enthusiastic about supporting the children in this event. Caprice ran into many people she knew, from clients to high school classmates to her neighbors.