“Now why would she do that?”
She had been hoping to leave Christopher out of it, but the chief didn’t seem inclined to let her. Lilliana sighed. “We have a new resident at Rainbow Ranch—Christopher MacAlistair. Several of the ladies have designs on him, including both Nancy and Rebecca. They seemed to think Fox was also interested in Mr. MacAlistair.”
Chief Cartwright eyed Lilliana. “Seemed to me Mr. MacAlistair ‘had designs’ on you.”
“He offered to walk me back. Mr. MacAlistair is a gentleman and didn’t want a woman walking home alone so late at night.” She hoped the police chief would buy her story and not ask her any more questions on that topic. Hoping to divert him, she asked one of her own. “Have you gotten results from any of the forensic evidence yet?”
He leaned back in his chair. “The autopsy only confirmed what we already knew. Fox Fordyce died from a gunshot wound to the chest. It will be a week or more before we have results on the fingerprints on the gun or the ballistics report that will confirm the gun was the murder weapon.”
“I certainly hope they find some prints that belong to someone other than Nancy,” Lilliana said.
“Believe it or not, so do I. Mrs. Gardner seems like a nice lady, even if she is a little ditzy at times.” Cartwright tapped his pen on his desk, and Lilliana wondered if she should join Nancy in the lobby. Finally he said, “It’s not like the murder is the only problem I have right now.”
“Oh?” She tried to encourage him by looking interested and sympathetic.
“It might not sound like as big a crime, but the parents of Rainbow Ranch are sure up in arms about it. Some of the kids have reported seeing a little man hanging around the school. They say he looks like Robin Hood. Wears some kind of green tunic and has long hair.
“A few of the girls say he plays hide-and-seek with them, ducking behind the playground equipment and disappearing. Sounds like some kind of perverted midget to me.” He looked glum.
Lilliana was alarmed. She thought she knew who the “little man” might be, and she didn’t like it at all. She’d have to see what she could do about that. “I can see why the parents would be upset. That doesn’t sound good to me either.”
Cartwright shook his head. “No, it doesn’t.”
There was a knock on the door. When the chief yelled, “Come in,” Nancy poked her head inside and held out a sheet of paper.
“DeeDee said you needed to see me sign this.”
“I do,” Cartwright said. “Come in.”
LILLIANA sat next to Willie and picked up the menu card from on top of the plate.
“How’d it go with Cartwright?” Willie asked.
Since she’d had chicken at lunch, she decided on the broiled salmon with rice pilaf and put the card down. “Better than expected. He doesn’t think Nancy is the murderer either.”
“That’s good to hear. Does he have any other suspects?”
The server stopped at their table and took their orders. Lilliana also asked for hot water for her tea. “Not as far as I could tell. I think we made the right decision as far as doing our own investigation.”
“Do you have any other suspects?”
The server returned with Willie’s soft drink and her miniature pot of hot water. Lilliana busied herself with taking an individually wrapped teabag of Earl Grey out of its foil covering and steeping it in the pot. “Not so far. But I haven’t actually interrogated anyone yet.” She thought of Rebecca and decided another conversation might be in order.
Sarah and Bob Higgins approached their table, and Willie waved them toward a pair of available chairs. “How have you been, Bob?” he asked in a loud voice.
“Eh?” Bob said.
Willie talked louder, “I said, how have you been?”
“Oh. Fine. Fine.” Bob sat next to Willie, and Sarah took the chair beside that one.
“Isn’t it terrible about that Fordyce woman?” Sarah said. “A body can’t be too careful these days. I’m glad Bob and I stayed home. We watched the fireworks in New York on TV.” Sarah tilted her head upward from across the table and Lilliana wondered what she was looking at. She didn’t have to wait long.
“Is this seat taken?” Christopher’s rich baritone asked from behind her.
Not wanting to cause a scene in front of the others and not sure how to tell him the seat was occupied when it was obviously empty, Lilliana directed a weak smile in his direction. “It doesn’t appear to be.”
“I don’t think we’ve met,” Willie said. “Willie O’Mara.” He started to push his hand in Christopher’s direction then, as if realizing his arm would wind up under Lilliana’s nose, pulled it back.
“Christopher MacAlistair. Glad to meet you. And who is this handsome couple?” he asked, turning his gaze on the Higginses.
“I’m Sarah, and this is Bob.” Sarah gestured toward her husband. “You’re new here, aren’t you?”
“That I am,” Christopher said.
“How do you like it?” Sarah said.
“I think it’s a verra pleasant place to live.” Lilliana could feel his eyes on her as he said, “I’m especially enjoying the company of the pretty women.”
Sarah tittered, while Lilliana merely felt awkward. Her hunger vanished at the thought of Christopher sitting next to her throughout the meal.
The server returned with Willie and Lilliana’s food and took the orders of the others.
“You go ahead and eat,” Sarah said. “Otherwise your food will get cold.”
She picked up her fork and broke off a piece of the salmon. Her mouth was dry, but the fish tasted very good.
Sarah kept up the conversation. “You’re not from around here, are you, Christopher?”
“No, I’m not. I was born in Scotland.”
“I’ve always wanted to visit Scotland,” Sarah said wistfully. She glanced at her husband. “I suppose I’ll never go there now.”
“I went to the U.K. about twenty years ago,” Willie said. “It was part of an exchange training program. Spent a week with the Metropolitan Police in London. We even got a visit to New Scotland Yard. It’s an impressive facility.”
“I’ve never been there myself,” Christopher said, then paused before adding, “Fortunately.”
Sarah tittered again, and even Willie smiled. Lilliana wasn’t quite sure what Christopher meant. Which was silly, she told herself. She was attributing all kinds of evil motives and characteristics to Christopher when she had no idea what his situation with Fox Fordyce had been.
There was a pause in the conversation as the server arrived with the other meals. Christopher had ordered the salmon as well. Sarah and Bob had chosen the roast turkey with dressing.
“Are you going to the movie tonight?” Sarah asked Christopher.
“Movie?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Yes.” Sarah nodded her head. “Every Wednesday, they show a film in the television room on the big screen and serve popcorn. Tonight they’re showing Brigadoon.”
Lilliana’s heart jumped. Apparently her subconscious had remembered that when she was wishing for a musical earlier in the day.
“Humph.” Bob broke his silence. “Another silly musical. Why can’t they show more war pictures? Or John Wayne movies? Better yet, why don’t they show a war picture starring John Wayne?”
Sarah patted his hand. “They do sometimes, dear.”
“Will you be going?” Sarah repeated, looking at Christopher.
“That depends.”
Lilliana felt his eyes boring into her head. She ducked down, hoping to avoid the laser beam of his stare.
“I don’t like going to events alone,” Christopher said. “Especially for the first time.”
“Oh, I’m sure Lilliana would be happy to go with you,” Sarah said. “Wouldn’t you, Lilliana?”
There appeared to be no way to avoid it now. Not without raising a bunch of eyebrows. At least there would be lots of people there. It wouldn’t be like last night sitting in the gaz
ebo alone with him. She faced him, trying not to be distracted by those deep blue eyes. “Yes, of course. I was just thinking this morning that I was in the mood for a musical.”
“Good. It’s settled then. What time shall I pick you up?” Christopher asked.
“I believe the movie starts at seven-thirty,” Lilliana said.
“That’s right,” Sarah chimed in.
“Shall we say seven-fifteen?” Christopher asked.
“That should be plenty of time,” she answered. She picked at her rice pilaf, then pushed the plate away.
Willie, whose eyes had been following the conversation avidly, asked, “Mind if I eat that?”
“No. Go right ahead,” she said.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
FOR the first time in weeks Lilliana poked around in her jewelry box, trying to decide which earrings to wear, whether to add a necklace or a bracelet, and wishing she had time to do her nails. In the end, she put on a pair of pearl earrings and closed the lid on the jewelry box. She’d already changed into a pair of dress slacks and a frilly blouse. No sense overdoing it. Or maybe she had overdone it already. Just as she was going to change into a more casual top, there was a knock at her door. Too late. That must be Christopher.
Lilliana’s breath caught when she opened the door and saw him. He, too, had changed. Instead of the golf shirt he’d worn at dinner, he now wore a dress shirt and tie. He’d at least made a concession to the casual style of dress Arizona preferred by not wearing a jacket. But he still looked wonderful. He really was a handsome man.
“Are you going to ask me in?” he asked with a wink. “Or are you going to continue to stand there with your mouth open?”
“I’m ready to go,” she said. She wasn’t sure she wanted him inside. Just the two of them alone in her apartment. She felt a shiver run up her spine and stepped into the hall, closing the door firmly behind her.
They were quite early, as the retirement home started the film ten minutes after the announced show time to allow for late arrivals before lowering the lights. Lilliana had forgotten that or she would have told Christopher to pick her up later. At Christopher’s suggestion, they sat in the last row after filling a bag with popcorn. Everyone who came to the movie saw she and Christopher were together. She could just imagine the way tongues would be wagging over breakfast tomorrow.
Rebecca came in with Pieter Joncker. That was certainly an odd couple. Although roughly the same age, Rebecca was frail and looked like an old woman, while Pieter had the sturdy body of a Wisconsin farmer, which is what he had been before moving to Arizona. While Pieter’s remaining hair was white, including that of his mustache, his eyes were bright and, from what Lilliana had seen of him, he was also energetic.
It also relieved her mind somewhat. If Rebecca and Pieter had started dating, perhaps Rebecca wouldn’t be jealous of her sitting with Christopher. And there’d be another couple to occupy those with the wagging tongues.
Nancy came in next, sans Lenny. She and Mary Boyle had probably been held up by Mary’s slow progress with her walker. Mary, who led the way, gave Lilliana a big smile. Nancy’s face couldn’t decide whether to sag or snarl. When her eyes met Lilliana’s, she turned away and held her chin high.
Lilliana flinched as her fingers brushed Christopher’s while pulling a kernel of popcorn from their shared bag. It wasn’t the first time. Each time it happened a spark of electricity jumped between them, stirring feelings she thought she’d left behind in her younger years. He’d asked if she wanted her own bag, but she’d declined, knowing she wouldn’t eat all of it herself. Now she wondered if she’d made the wrong decision.
At last the lights dimmed, and she hoped the other women would stop looking at her and Christopher and focus on the film.
Sarah had been mistaken about the movie. It wasn’t Brigadoon. It was Finian’s Rainbow. The songs were magical, and Lilliana found herself humming along. Until Christopher caught her at it and smiled at her. She’d flushed and cleared her throat, acting as if that was what she’d meant to do all along.
She wondered if his singing voice was as expert as his piano playing. She’d always considered her own voice rather weak, especially since she’d gotten older. Too often it cracked or faltered. But she did enjoy singing.
The only part of the movie which wasn’t wonderful was when Og, the leprechaun, sang “When I’m Not Near the Girl I Love,” because it made her think of Sam’s story of how Christopher came to town with Fox Fordyce. Had he only stayed in Rainbow Ranch because he hoped to get back together with Fox? And was she herself only the girl that was near, a fill-in while he waited? What would have happened if Fox hadn’t been murdered?
Fortunately, the film moved on and so did Lilliana.
A smattering of applause broke out at the end of the movie, when as in all good fantasies, all problems are solved, and the romantic couple gets their happily-ever-after. If only life were as simple.
Christopher seemed in no hurry to go, letting most of the others pass them by before rising from his seat. He extended his hand to her and she took it, not because she needed the assistance, but because she wanted to touch him again.
“Would you like a nightcap?” he asked as they walked toward the exit.
She tried to think of where one would get a drink in Rainbow Ranch. The only possibility was the hotel, but she didn’t think it had a bar or a restaurant. Cathy’s Café didn’t serve alcohol and closed after dinner. “I don’t think there’s anywhere to get one.”
“Of course there is. I have several selections in my townhouse. If you don’t like any of them, I suppose I could make you a cup of that Earl Grey tea you like so much.”
She was surprised he’d noticed what kind of tea she drank. The surprise was probably causing that little squeezing feeling in her chest. Certainly it couldn’t mean anything else. “Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose on you.”
“It would hardly be an imposition.” His voice was soft and deep, almost purring, as he looked down on her.
By now they were standing in the lobby, with the remainder of the movie attendees dribbling by on their way to their apartments. The receptionist had gone home for the day. In a few moments, they were the only two remaining. Alone.
They’d be more alone is his casita. The idea both excited and frightened her. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” he asked, and the look on his face said it was his turn to be surprised. When she didn’t answer right away, he added, “Have I done something wrong, Lilliana?”
She wasn’t sure she knew how to respond to that question. The answer depended on what his relationship to Fox Fordyce had been. But that wasn’t something she wanted to discuss in the lobby of the Rainbow Ranch Retirement Community, where anyone might walk through at any moment. She wished she could let it go, but she knew she wouldn’t rest until she knew the answer. “Maybe we should have that nightcap.”
They walked in silence through the warm night, dark skies sprinkled with stars overhead, tiny electric lights along the path below to show the way. The slight breeze carried a hint of monsoon moisture, and Lilliana wondered if they’d have a storm tonight.
The trip between the main building and the row of casitas was all too short. Before she knew it, they were standing on the tiny porch, and Christopher was unlocking his door and holding it open for her.
She stepped inside and took a look around, getting her bearings. Christopher turned left into the tiny kitchen. At the end of a short hall, the casita opened up into a dining and living room area, where the piano was. Where she’d been a few days ago. She followed Christopher.
He opened a cabinet next to the refrigerator, displaying an assortment of bottles. A shelf above held glasses of various types. “Scotch, brandy, bourbon, or sherry?” he asked. “I might also have a bottle of wine or two in the wine rack in the dining room.”
Lilliana shrank from the idea of the two of them sharing a whole bottle of wine. It sounded too romantic. And
held too many possibilities. “A glass of sherry would be fine. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to use your powder room.”
“I wouldn’t mind at all,” he said as he reached up and pulled two glasses off the shelf.
Lilliana flushed the toilet, washed her hands, then stood for a moment staring at herself in the mirror. When had she turned into an old woman? Where had those wrinkles come from? She didn’t mind the white hair. Not too much, anyway. She did mind the tense look around her eyes. She knew she was stalling, avoiding what had to happen tonight. She sighed, then straightened her shoulders and opened the door.
“Everything all right?” Christopher was pouring scotch over the ice cubes that filled an old-fashioned tumbler. A delicate glass of sherry already sat on the counter.
“Fine.” She picked up the sherry, fighting to control the trembling in her hand.
Screwing the top back on the bottle of scotch, Christopher picked up his glass. “Shall we sit on the patio? It’s such a lovely evening, and I prefer air to air conditioning.”
She nodded her assent and led the way to the patio door, which Christopher opened for her. It was nice to meet a man who acted like a gentleman. So many men didn’t, leaving you to open your own door and pull out your own chair, with the excuse of being modern. Lilliana tended to think of it as rude and lazy.
She sat in one chair, Christopher in the other, with a small table between them. She was glad for the distance. She took a sip of her sherry and put the glass on the table. Neither of them spoke as lightning danced over the Little Dragoon Mountains.
The ice in Christopher’s glass rattled as he took another drink, then put his glass down. The scotch was almost precisely half gone, as if he’d used it to measure how long he should wait before questioning her again.
“You’ve seemed a little distant today,” he began. “If I’ve done something wrong, I’d like to know. Women seem to think men can read their minds, but I for one am very bad at that.”
African Violet Club Mystery Collection Page 44
