I did a quick explanation leaving out the embarrassing parts. He nodded as if he understood, circled us up, and led in prayer. Debra and I were still holding hands after the ‘amen.’
When Dr. Eastman came in with his latest report, I whispered to him and asked if he could give Clara something to calm her down. What all of us knew and that we couldn’t admit to ourselves was that Hattie was ninety years old. Everything at that age is serious. Yet with all our hearts we weren’t ready to let go especially in light of what we had just learned today. Please God give us a little more time with Hattie!
14
The hospital administrator came to the waiting room. He was a student of Hattie’s back in the day. As a courtesy, he opened a larger waiting area for us. Cast members, friends, community officials, store owners, and Hattie’s former students crowded into the hospital anxious for news. Hattie’s condition was stable but tests were still ongoing. Dr. Eastman gave us an hourly update.
Pauline arrived with goodies for everyone. She closed up after lunch and placed a sign to Pray for Miss Hattie on her door. Hattie’s nephew, Neal, sent word that he was on his way. It would take a few hours as he was in Washington D.C. no doubt working on some secret mission.
Leona Ledbetter, our resident dragon lady of the First Church’s women’s auxiliary, took charge. She arranged babysitting for young mothers who wanted to visit. Leona and her sister, Blanche, served coffee and kept the waiting room tidy. The entire cast of Arsenic and Old Lace turned out en masse. Everyone it seemed was concerned for Athena’s most beloved citizen. Although I knew they would be cross with me, I decided that Amy and Suzy had enough on their plates for the evening. I would update them in the morning.
News spread that Debra was Hattie’s love child and Cyrus Vanderfield was her father. It was then not much of a deduction to surmise that Debra was my sister via adoption. You don’t need a newspaper in a burg like ours only an active grapevine.
My mind was filled with anxious prayers for Hattie’s recovery, but there was still a murder to consider. Was Debra in danger? Was Hattie’s illness brought on by our snooping? Maybe I was getting paranoid. Hattie seemed fine at Paulines’ earlier. Did someone slip her something before the meeting? One thing was certain. I had to get out of this hospital waiting room before I suffocated.
Tom stayed until he was summoned by the chairman of the church board. I promised to keep him posted. The new administrator of Golden Palms brought a Get Well Card made from poster board that the residents had signed. Some more gifted ones had drawn little cartoons, flowers, or smiley faces for Hattie’s amusement.
After what seemed a decade, Dr. Eastman said that he would allow a few visitors with emphasis on FEW. How were we to decide? Debra as Hattie’s daughter went in first for a few minutes. The doctor cautioned her not to say anything upsetting.
Debra nodded for me to go in next. The doctor’s cautions were humorous considering that Hattie had just recounted the worst time of her life several times. He couldn’t know that Hattie had been reunited with Debra, the child she had given up for adoption. Small talk was hard after what had transpired today. I tiptoed in to see one of my favorite people.
15
“Hey Roxy. Perk up I’m not circling the drain,” came the familiar voice under the sterile white sheets.
“Oh Hattie. I’m so glad you’re feeling better. I have been so worried about you,” I threw myself into her arms and tried my best not to cry.
“You know I’m like the Energizer Bunny. I just keep ticking. . . or is that a watch that keeps on ticking? Anyway I’m still here. Sorry for the scare but I guess I’ve been overdoing it what with Cyrus’ death, breaking the news to Debra, and playing Abby in the production. I’m still acting like I’m eighty and can do it all.”
I laughed. Only Hattie would admit that at eighty she had more stamina. I filled her in on Leona taking over the waiting room, Murray’s arrival with his girlfriend – Felicia, and Debra’s decision to go on with the play.
“Good,” Hattie said. “I will enjoy it much more from the audience. Who’s taking the part of Abby?”
“Not sure. But Debra’s working on getting someone who’s played the part before so we don’t have to start rehearsals from day one. That’s a plus. You just concentrate on getting out of here and back where you belong,” I said.
“Did you see the giant card from the inmates at GP? Looks like it came from the psych ward, but it’s the thought that counts,” Hattie chuckled. “Doc says I’m out of here tomorrow.”
Her laugh was the most wonderful sound I could hear. My head ached from all the crying we’d done today – enough to last a lifetime.
“Since you’ve been taking it easy in this hospital bed, I’ve been concentrating on who did Cyrus in and I’ve a few ideas. When you’ve sufficiently recovered, we can go over them together. I want to get your thoughts,” I whispered but Hattie had already drifted off to dreamland with a smile on her lips.
“Thank you, God,” I said as I left Hattie’s room. “We owe you big time.”
16
Rehearsals resumed with Hattie’s understudy temporarily playing the invincible Abby in Arsenic and Old Lace. She was spunky enough for the part but a bit low on the energy. We used an extra for some of the scenes and prompters were always nearby. With opening night encroaching, Debra was anxious to get on with the production. And in truth, so was I. Tom and I were rapidly putting on the pounds with Debra doing the lion’s share of the cooking.
Murray made his appearance the day Hattie came home from the hospital. In his typical laid-back way, he accepted all of the new information on his pedigree as ‘no big deal.’ He also brought along Felicia, his British live-in girlfriend.
“Aunt Roxy,” Murray called as he entered the rehearsal hall. He gave me a large bear hug and introduced Felicia. She put out a demure hand.
“Great to see you, Murray and to meet you Felicia,” I said and turned back to Murray. “Your mom is doing a fantastic job with our production. She has been a god-send.”
“When we met for breakfast this morning, the production was all she could talk about. That and finding out that Miss Hattie Sewell was her long lost biological mother. Oh and of course, she did mention the murder.”
“I have acting experience too, you know,” Felicia interrupted.
“Really, that’s interesting,” I said with a smile that was plastered on. Two seconds and this girl was on my last nerve.
“I can’t wait to sit down and get your ideas about everything. Have you ever met Hattie? I am excited about getting all of us together,” I said trying to sound upbeat.
“Yeah. We’d love that wouldn’t we love?” Murray said and squeezed Felicia’s hand.
“Of course. I arrived in Athena before Murray so I’ve been watching rehearsals from behind the scenes. I have tons of ideas,” Felicia cooed.
“I’ll just best you do,” I said.
Felicia ignored my snarky remark and continued, “Yes I’ve been helping Miss Merle. I know a lot about costumes, make up, props, and other stuff,” Felicia informed me. “I even played the part of Abby once in a summer stock production.”
“Did you now?” I said trying to sound sincere.
How did the conversation between the two of us become three? What hold does this tart have over my nephew? I was just about to suggest lunch when my cell phone vibrated. It was Miss Hattie summoning me to Golden Palms ALONE. OMG. Was she okay? Why did she want me to come alone? What did she have to say to me that she couldn’t share with Debra? My hackles were raised at Felicia’s insertion of herself into the family so perhaps this was a timely break from rehearsal and from her. As I exited, Felicia was explaining to Debra how she played the part of Abby Brewster with a slightly different interpretation. I knew it was only a matter of time that she’d be ‘in like Flynn.’
I excused myself and directed my ever faithful PT Cruiser in the direction of Golden Palms. On the drive I recalled the first time I ever visi
ted the retirement center. If I had known what adventures awaited, I probably would have headed straight for the Georgia hills. As it was, Clara, Amy, Suzy, and Hattie were the most significant friendships of my life. To find out that Hattie and I had a connection through Debra was icing on the proverbial cake. But it still bugged me that Murray was so taken with Felicia, who seemed to me like a British version of a gold digger.
Hattie greeted me in the solarium. She was using an electric wheelchair instead of her scooter. Her shoulders were stooped. Her hair was tousled and apparently no one had helped her dress. She looked all of her ninety years. I took a deep breath and sauntered in like I hadn’t a care in the world.
“Hey! What’s up Buttercup?” I said in my most cheerful tone.
“Hey yourself. I’m up and that’s about all I can say. I’ve been sitting here sorting through my life and that takes guts. Did you come alone?”
“Of course. I always mind you Miss Hattie. By the way, where’s your chapeau of the day?”
“It’s here in my lap. I just didn’t feel like putting it on. The wind is out of my sails if you know what I mean,” she replied.
“Pish Posh.” I was not about to let my favorite person in the world drown in self-pity so I snatched the lilac beret out of her lap and adjusted it to that beautiful head.
“There. Now you look like yourself,” I said and patted her hand. I took a seat across from her and said, “Spill. Why am I here? And why aren’t you resting like the doctor ordered?”
And there it was. The spark. The glint in the eyes. The crinkled smile.
“I’ve been talking to my nephew, Neal. He has my power of attorney, although perhaps I should change it to Debra. Anyway, Neal has been checking on Murray’s globetrotting adventures. I found out that he picked up Felicia on his last visit to England. She studied herbology at the University of Westminster outside of London. While in school, Felicia got involved with some radical groups urging the population to return to Victorian cures. Many of these included elderberries as well as arsenic.”
“Who. Is this heading where I think it is? Do you think Felicia could have poisoned Cyrus?”
Hattie looked into my eyes and nodded.
“But why? What’s the motive?”
Hattie searched my face. “Money. What else? But the kicker is there is no money,” Hattie said. “Cyrus dissolved all of his families’ holdings and put them in trust for Debra years ago. When Cyrus and I met the day before he died, we discussed how to handle telling Debra the truth about her birth. He came to Athena specifically for that purpose. He had no way of knowing that Debra would be here in person. Cyrus knew Debra needed money and he wanted to have Neal handle the details anonymously. He was trying to be considerate of her pride.”
“What do we know about Felicia’s financial affairs? Could she have found out that Murray stood to inherit when Cyrus died?” I asked.
“I don’t see how. Debra’s birth certificate was officially changed when your parents adopted her. The Vanderfield name was nowhere on the documentation. I have copies of everything in the safe deposit box. The only way Felicia could know is if she overheard a conversation that was supposed to be private,” Hattie was visibly upset now and I didn’t think it safe to push it much further.
Could someone have ‘bugged’ my house? Or listened in on a telephone conversation? I considered all of this and tried to quiet Hattie’s fears for Debra. When I settled her back in her room, I telephoned Kenny and made sure he was vigilant about Hattie’s safety. If Felicia was the desperate party, how far would she go. First Cyrus and then perhaps Hattie.
Then I telephoned my friend at Ruby’s B& B. I wanted to know just when did this Felicia Barnsley person come to Georgia. How long had she been at the inn? And, most importantly did anyone see her and Cyrus Vanderfield together?
17
“Miss Felicia Barnsley was an outspoken advocate of Victorian cures. She had to leave England when a family accused her of poisoning a loved one using some of her unorthodox methods. When she met Murray in a tavern outside Westminster, it was her ticket to escape prosecution. Evidently he came under her spell and invited her to America. When Murray learned that Cyrus Vanderfield was his biological grandfather, Felicia overheard the conversation and got busy on the internet,” Neal stated.
He took a breath and continued, “With DNA retrieved from Murray’s toothbrush, Felicia verified the information and asked Murray to marry her. She insisted that he declare his claim to the Vanderfields and provide them with a much needed heir to the family business. Felicia arrived prior to Murray, made it a point to meet Cyrus, and offer a tour of the local winery. The security camera caught them having a bottle of Elderberry wine at Scheibley & Sons Winery.”
Neal cleared his throat and patted Hattie’s hand. “I’m sorry Aunt Hattie but there’s more. My team is working on locating a witness, but no one has come forward yet. My theory is that Felicia put just enough arsenic in the wine to make Cyrus ill. Then I believe she planned to come forward, offer a cure, and win his allegiance. However, when she left the table for the ladies’ he finished the bottle and collapsed. She somehow managed to get him out of the tasting room and into her car. You know the rest.”
“Thank you, Neal. I knew that I could count on you. Tell me do you think Cyrus suffered?”
“It’s hard to say. With that much arsenic in your system, he probably went to sleep. Elderberry wine is pretty high in alcohol content – more than I would have guessed.”
“Poor Cyrus. I always knew that his drinking would kill him. I just didn’t figure on it happening like this,” Hattie said.
Howard had been sitting with Hattie when Neal gave his report. He put his arm around her and said, “Hattie, I’m here for you. And I always will be my darling.”
Neal continued, “I have to report all of this to the authorities. The family lawyer will be in touch. I must notify the police and Felicia will be brought in for questioning. Roxy, will you see that none of the ‘girls’ interfere? Please let the proper officials take care of this.”
I must have looked shocked because he repeated, “No interference from you or from the others in the Thursday Club. Understand?”
“Of course,” I said as the representative for the group. My mind had momentarily turned to earlier in the day when I returned Scarlett to Amy’s house. Suzy met me at the door wearing a blouse smeared with what appeared to be banana.
“Come in, Roxy,” Amy yelled from the dining room where she was seated with an animal in her lap.
“Is this . . . George?” I stammered.
“None other,” Amy laughed as the monkey snatched a roll from the basket on the table.
“But he’s a monkey,” I said.
“Actually George is a chimpanzee,” Suzy added, “with a penchant for my perfume it seems. As if a hangover isn’t enough, George insisted on sleeping with me last night. I am covered in monkey hair and smell like Chiquitaville.”
“I’ve got to hear this,” I said as I wiped the tears away from laughing so hard.
“When I went to the animal shelter, they said George needed a temporary home. His keeper was having surgery and couldn’t care for him so in a moment of weakness, I said I would take him for a couple of days. But the keeper had a relapse, so it has turned into a couple of weeks. George is actually good company but he loves to hide things. He fell in love with Suzy and hid her teeth this morning, so we are having to bribe him with something else in exchange for her dentures.”
“This is too good. I am tempted to send the newspaper reporter over for a story about Curious George and the Missing Dentures,” I said and helped myself to a sweet roll.
“How am I ever going to explain this to Tony?” Suzy said. “The wine tasting fiasco is one thing but a chimpanzee boyfriend is another.”
I laughed so hard I worried I would tinkle in my Hanes briefs.
“You’ll think of something,” I said. “Tom is waiting in the car. I can’t wait to tell him
about this.”
“What’s so funny?” Neal said and I was jarred back into the present.
“I was just remembering something that happened this morning. I dropped by to tell Amy and Suzy that Hattie was okay and home from the hospital but I got distracted.”
“Are there any questions from any of you before I notify Captain Baker?” Neal asked.
“Do we have any solid evidence that might convict Felicia – fingerprints on a wine bottle, a statement from a witness, or a confession of sorts?” I asked.
“No but any of those would be enough to book her on suspicion of murder or maybe a lesser charge of manslaughter,” Neal advised. He looked at me and Howard, “Please take care of Aunt Hattie. She’s all that Nelle and I have left of family.”
18
“Places everyone. Scene 3. Derek, I mean Mortimer, you are speaking to your Aunt Abby about Mr. Hoskins and the other gentlemen buried in the basement. Felicia, would you like to stand in for Abby today? It would be such a help,” Debra said in her directorial voice.
“Me? That would be lovely,” Felicia purred. She put down the costume she was hemming and took her place beside Blanche’s understudy, Rosemary. Felicia seemed a little nervous.
“Look what I just found,” Miss Merle blurted out. She charged downstage brandishing a wine bottle that Howard had previously planted. Felicia’s face drained of any color.
“Wherever did you get that?” Felicia asked trying to sound casual.
“It was in the bottom of the costume trunk,” Miss Merle volunteered. “It’s supposed to be on the shelf as a prop. Remember the Brewster sisters kept the special bottle on the shelf.”
“But we already have a bottle on the shelf, Miss Merle,” Debra gentle reminded her.
“Oh I see. Then I wonder where this one came from,” she mumbled. For a retired octogenarian she was sharper than a tack. Miss Merle was playing her part well.
Thursday Club Mysteries: All 7 stories Page 26
