Midnight Snacks are Murder

by Libby Klein

  “I guess I can understand that. Did she ever meet any of them?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “The kids at the Teen Center said the cops found drugs in Brody’s house. Do you think he could have had a drug problem?”

  “I doubt it. Those days were behind him. Brody’s been drug-free for years. But then again, anyone can relapse.”

  I made a mental note that Brody had at one time had a drug problem. The drugs the cops found might just be evidence after all. “Was Brody having any other problems that you knew about? Anything going on at the Teen Center maybe?”

  Liz thought for a minute. “He had a problem with one of the boys a couple weeks back. The boy had started using again. Brody was especially close to him, so he was really broken up about it.”

  “Do you happen to have a name?”

  Liz shook her head. “Uh-uh. Sorry. I just know Brody had to kick him out. Some of those kids are really bad news. The county sends them to Brody to see if he can rehabilitate them before they have to send them to juvie. At least they did. For a lot of those kids the Teen Center was their last chance.” She bit down on her lip to keep it from quivering.

  Aunt Ginny came in with a framed picture of a gnome wearing a bacon tuxedo, riding on the back of an owl. “Will you throw this in for free if I buy the clock?”

  Liz narrowed her eyes at Aunt Ginny. “You sure know how to bargain. I’ll throw it in, but you have to take it today before I change my mind.”

  “Deal!” Aunt Ginny fast-toddled out of the shop clutching her prize to her chest.

  “That was nice of you.”

  Liz chuckled. “I would have been willing to pay her to take that off my hands.”

  “You’ve been so helpful, and I don’t want to take too much of your time. Thank you so much. Please give Christina my number if she wants to talk or can think of anything else that could help.”

  “I will, and I’ll call you if I see anything else that you could use with that dresser.”

  I packed Aunt Ginny and all her ridiculous swag into the car. “What in the world are you going to do with all this junk?”

  “Sell it at our yard sale in the spring.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  Aunt Ginny’s eyes twinkled. “Just wait till Ethel sees that carrot-baby figurine. Heee!”

  Well, it brought her so much happiness, who was I to say she couldn’t have her bizarre trinkets. Judging from the sixteen voice messages I’d racked up from home, I hoped it would make whatever Smitty and Georgina had waiting for us a little more bearable.

  Before I pulled away from the curb, Liz ran after me. “Hey, I did just think of something that could be important. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. I guess it’s because we were talking about the Teen Center.”

  “What is it?”

  “A few months back, Brody had been doing private counseling for a mystery kid outside of the Teen Center. He had to keep his identity secret. I thought it sounded kind of fishy, but we aren’t together anymore so it was really none of my business. Then one day he confided in me that he regretted getting involved in it. He was under a lot of pressure from the boy’s family, and he was really nervous about the whole thing.”

  “Do you know what kind of pressure?”

  “I don’t know anything more than I told you. He wanted to keep me and Christina out of it. He only told me in case something happened to him. And it looks like something did.”

  Chapter 23

  “Hold it to the right!”

  “I am holding it to the right!”

  “It’s not level.”

  “You wouldn’t know level if it spit in your eye!”

  Smitty and Georgina were side by side on a ladder in the front foyer over the landing. Smitty had a drill in his hand, and Georgina towered over him, holding an antique silver chandelier. I could only assume they were trying to install it to replace the modern pendant from the Home Depot.

  “Georgina, you know I’m paying workmen to do that.”

  “Oh, I sent them home.”

  I think my heart just stopped. Is this what it feels like when you’re having a heart attack?

  Aunt Ginny took out a tiny yellow canister and sprayed it into her mouth.

  “So, you do have some Rescue Remedy left.”

  “I said I was low, not out.”

  “Georgina, why would you send the workers home? We are so far behind schedule already.”

  Georgina attached a chain to the light fixture. “If you want something done right …”

  Smitty mouthed, “Help me!”

  “Do you even know what you’re doing?”

  “Of course I do, Poppy.”

  Smitty shook his head no behind her.

  Figaro watched from the steps, his whiskers twitching.

  Aunt Ginny clucked her tongue. “Do you want to come to my room with me?”

  Figaro jumped off the steps and started prancing down the hall in front of Aunt Ginny in the direction of her bedroom. I suspected he thought she was offering treats of some kind.

  “Wait till you see the stuffed bobcat I bought.”

  Figaro paused with one foot in the air, looked back at Aunt Ginny, waited for her to catch up, then trotted forward until they both disappeared into the kitchen.

  Georgina lost her balance on the ladder and Smitty dropped the drill to catch her. It clanged against the chandelier and one of the candlestick wells bent to the side.

  Smitty grunted. “I can fix that.”

  I brought the rest of Aunt Ginny’s items inside and put them in the mudroom until I knew where she wanted them. Georgina came in and took off her goggles.

  “Where have you been all morning?”

  “Aunt Ginny and I went to see someone who might have information about the deceased.”

  “Really, Poppy, don’t you think you should let the police do their jobs? It’s not like you have any training in detective work.”

  “The police officer in charge of this case has a grudge against me, so no, I don’t trust her to be objective.”

  Georgina hassled me down the hall and up the stairs to my room. “Well, I think you’re being ridiculous. And while we’re on the subject—”

  “The subject of me being ridiculous?”

  “I was talking to the handyman.”

  “Harassing the handyman.”

  “Listen, he says the house has good teeth.”

  “I think you mean good bones.”

  “Oh, that makes more sense. Anyway, with the unsavory element in the neighborhood, I think it would be in your best interest to finish the house and sell it. We could invest your money in some long-term annuities. I could have Paul draw up the papers for you.”

  “I don’t need your broker drawing up anything and I’m not selling the house, Georgina. Besides, the only unsavory element to this neighborhood is the seagull mafia that ambush Curly’s Fries. Why are you so intent on having me move back to Virginia?”

  “You have a life in Virginia. We have all those committees that are depending on you to stuff their envelopes and organize their table settings. Maybe we can get you on the menu committee for the Waterford Historical Society, since you like to bake. What do you have here? You don’t know these people. From what I’ve seen, there is a group of men who’ve been coming on to you. You know that can’t be good, Poppy. A young widow, such as yourself. With your … attributes.”

  I stopped reading the email I had been skimming. Did she just say what I think she said? “Are you serious?”

  “Well, you aren’t exactly a supermodel, Poppy. I mean, be sensible. What else could these men want from you?”

  “So, because I’m not thin, there is no way men could be interested in me?”

  “I just think you need to be realistic. If you have men chasing you, in your condition, maybe they’re after something else.”

  I couldn’t believe my ears. Where was a bucket of water when you needed to melt a witch?
>
  “Like John’s money.” She went on, “Have you been telling these men about how much of your husband’s money you’ve sunk into this long shot? Being an innkeeper? Maybe they want a piece of that.”

  I had to unclench my jaw and take some deep breaths before I could speak. “First of all, no one is after my money. Why is it so hard for you to believe someone could like me for me? For my personality, or my sense of humor. Maybe these men don’t mind my size. Not all men are shallow and holding out for models.”

  Even as I was saying the words, I could feel the doubt bubbling to the surface. Why did Gia like me? He was so sexy. I’d seen the women flirting with him in his shop. Tim and I had a history, so maybe that wasn’t as far-fetched. Still, how could I compete with pretty and perky Gigi? Maybe I was being a fool after all.

  Georgina could smell my fear. She gave me a patronizing smile like she knew she had me right where she wanted me. “That’s ridiculous. Men are only after one thing, and a grieving widow has no business giving it to them. You need to honor John’s memory and protect his assets. I didn’t go out of the house wearing anything other than black for a whole year after my Phillip died. It’s your duty to mourn John for the appropriate time and stay faithful to him.”

  “Okay, Queen Victoria, back off. I’m not giving anything to anyone. I honor John’s memory every day. He’s been gone for almost nine months, and I will always love him. I was the one who took care of him when he was sick and stayed by his side right up to the end, so my mourning process started the day he was diagnosed. You have no right to question my faithfulness or my integrity. And my relationships are none of your business.”

  Georgina bristled. “Fine. Whatever you have to tell yourself. But you’ll see. People will talk.”

  I looked around the room. “What people? Where are these people? No one is talking but you.”

  Georgina blew out another puff of annoyance, turned and stomped out of my room.

  I sat on the edge of the bed, still shaking. How dare she. In a few short minutes she managed to call me fat, stupid, gullible, unfaithful, and a tramp. I had to send her home. Even when John and I were married I’d never had to endure this kind of psychological warfare day after day.

  A heavy tear rolled down my cheek. Georgina had really picked at a scab on my heart. Maybe I was all of those things. Did I really deserve another chance at happiness? Was I just a fat fool?

  I had to get away from this house. I grabbed my purse and ran down the stairs. Before I knew what I was doing, my subconscious sent me to my safe haven, baking.

  Chapter 24

  It was a lot later in the day than I normally worked in Momma’s kitchen, and she let me know she didn’t approve, waggling her angry attack eyebrows in my direction. Her kitchen staff were in full swing prepping for dinner. Pots of water were boiling, mountains of vegetables were being chopped, sauces were simmering, and casseroles were baking. Thank God the desserts were already finished and waiting on racks to be plated, so I wasn’t going to be in anyone’s way.

  “Is it okay if I make a batch of cookies for the Teen Center? If it’s not, I can come back in the morning.”

  Momma’s mouth was set in a grim line. “Bah!” She waved me toward the pastry station, and resumed barking orders at the rest of her staff. “Marco, mi portano gli gnocchi.”

  “Sì, Momma.”

  “Mettere le lasagne al forno.”

  “E fatto, Momma.”

  “Mescolare il minestrone.”

  I took out my storage box of ingredients and began to cream butter and sugar in the Hobart mixer. My hands were still shaking from the encounter with my devil-in-law. I focused on measuring out my dry ingredients and scraping vanilla beans until I could feel myself calming down. Baking was my therapy. Baking and eating. By the time I was ready to toss in the chocolate chips, I had to open another bag because someone had snuck in and eaten most of the first bag. Vandals! Okay, fine. It was me.

  Gia appeared in the kitchen, calm and serene, like the eye of a hurricane. He was greeted to Momma’s coos and the kitchen staff’s calls of “hey-o!” I was immediately off-kilter, as the doubt monster Georgina had fed growled loudly in my ears. Gia came over to the pastry station and nuzzled my neck.

  “Mia bella, mmm, you smell like chocolate.”

  “That’s because I just ate a pound of it.” Oh my God, why did I say that?

  Gia chuckled and kissed my neck. “I like it. I was about to call you when I saw your car in the lot. Can you come over when you’re finished? We have a surprise for you.”

  “A surprise? What is it?” I could hear my voice shaking from nerves. Thanks a lot, Georgina.

  “You will see when you come over.” Gia smiled in that mysterious way I hadn’t yet figured out, and gave me a wink.

  I finished my baking and cleaned up my station. Then I packed up two bags of chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for the Teen Center and waved goodbye to Momma and her line of cooks. Momma gave me her usual indecent response, but the line waved back and made “Ooooo” and kissy sounds. Momma glared at me and snapped at the line, who straightened up immediately and went back to prepping and sautéing.

  What the heck was that about?

  I walked in the front door of La Dolce Vita to find Gia’s five-year-old son, Henry, bouncing from side to side, giggling. “We has a present for you.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. He took my hand and led me to the back, where Gia was waiting. He was leaning against the counter with his arms folded. On the counter next to him stood a large wrapped box.

  “It’s a peacock!” Henry squealed.

  Gia cocked his head toward Henry and put a finger to his lips.

  “What is this?” I asked.

  Henry giggled.

  Karla came in and groaned.

  “You’ll have to open it to see.” Gia arched an eyebrow.

  I lifted the box, and beneath it was a brand-new KitchenAid professional-series mixer that had been custom painted to look like a beautiful peacock. It was gorgeous. I didn’t know what to say.

  “See! See!” Henry squealed again.

  “I see it.” I giggled. “This is for me?”

  Gia’s chest puffed. “For you. Do you approve? If you don’t like the peacock I could get it painted to look like a chicken instead.”

  “No. It’s perfect. I love it!”

  Gia grinned. “Bene.”

  “Daddy says you get a peacock because you’re special.”

  Gia’s neck flushed. “Okay, that’s enough out of you. Time to go to home. Karla.”

  Henry’s shoulders drooped. “But I want to stay with Poppy.”

  Karla laughed. “I don’t know. I think Henry has a lot more to tell Poppy.”

  Gia turned Henry around to face Karla and gave her a look I couldn’t see. “Vai a casa.”

  Karla laughed.

  “Bye, Henry.”

  Henry half turned and waved over his shoulder. “Bye, Poppy.”

  “Bye, Karla.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Gia shushed them out the back door. When he came back he was rubbing the back of his neck and looked a little sheepish.

  “So,” I teased, “what was that about?”

  “Kids. They say too much.”

  “Mm-hmm. Gia, this is so kind of you. I mean, it’s just beautiful, but I couldn’t possibly …”

  I couldn’t say any more because Gia’s lips were on mine and he pulled me close against him. His kiss deepened and every single thought dropped out of my head and rolled out the door. I put my arms around his neck and gave in to him.

  “Excuuuse me. Is anyone here?”

  Gia moaned softly and pulled himself away. “I sent Karla home, now I have to cover the shop.”

  He looked into my eyes and the intensity of his gaze made my heart speed up. I leaned toward him again. If he only wanted one thing from me, like Georgina said, I might just be willing to give it to him.

  He yelled over his shoulder, “I’ll b
e right there.” Then he turned to me and spoke softly. “I have to take care of this. Can you stay for a while? I miss you.”

  “I can stay for the rest of my life.” Okay, maybe I didn’t say that, but I would have agreed to anything right then. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  He led me out to the front, where he waited on a middle-aged lady with painted-on eyebrows, who looked like she’d been baptized in lemon juice. She held her lips in a tight circle so her nose stayed in a crinkle even when she spoke.

  “I don’t like coffee; do you have anything else?”

  Then why are you here?

  Gia was more courteous. “I can make you a hot chocolate or some tea?”

  She pressed her lips tighter, as if deciding between a snake on a stick or a sack of spiders. “Well, I guess the hot tea will have to do.”

  “Certainly, ma’am.”

  Gia glanced my way and gave me a wink. He made the woman her tea, which she sniffed at, then returned her mouth to its unhappy pucker.

  I couldn’t wait for her to leave so we could maybe go back to where we were before she barged in with her sourpuss, but nope.

  She paid her two dollars and nested at the nearest table to disapprovingly blow on her hot tea.

  I sat on one of the bar stools and Gia made us iced Americanos.

  “Are you sure you want me here so often while you’re working?”

  He leaned down closer to me. “I can’t think of anything I want more.”

  Prunella cleared her throat loudly just in case we’d forgotten she was judging us from her perch.

  After being hitched to Georgina’s life for so long, I was practiced at ignoring pests. “I don’t think your mother likes me.”

  Gia shrugged. “Momma doesn’t like anyone.”

  “Did I do something to get on her bad side?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  Gia took out a clean rag and began to wipe down the counter. “How is Aunt Ginny doing?”

  Okay, subject changed. I lowered my voice to keep some semblance of privacy. “Poor Aunt Ginny. I know she’s innocent, but I can’t tell if she’s being set up or if this is just police department incompetence. After my visit to the victim’s house, it’s obvious that this wasn’t a robbery interrupted.”