03 Murder by Mishap Read online

  She then phoned Charlie to report on the events and conversation of the previous evening. “At first, I thought Jaycee didn’t like the idea of collaborating with a photographer, but that was probably my imagination. She might just be shy. Mary was the one who convinced her that Starling would be fun to work with.”

  Charlie was enthusiastic over the proposal. “You’re great. That’s exactly what I need, someone on the inside.”

  “You must do your part now,” she reminded him. “I know my daughter well enough to assume she’ll be glad to show Jaycee around and even help with the photography, but Starling’s back in Boston because you said you’d be too busy to see her this week. Now you’ll have to convince her to come back and stay for a while, if this plan is to work. I can’t hang out with Jaycee. First of all, I’m too old, and secondly, I’m too busy.”

  “Leave it to me. I’ll talk her around.”

  “How much will you confide in her?” Edna had to know what Charlie was going to tell Starling in order to keep her own story straight.

  There was a pause on the line before he answered. “I don’t think Starling is as good an actress ... “

  Read “liar,” thought Edna, appreciating Charlie’s diplomacy.

  “ ... as you are. I’ll say the case I’m on has turned out to be less complicated than we thought, and I have evenings free after all.”

  “She might not trust you after you stood her up the other night.”

  “Oh, I think I can persuade her.”

  From his tone, Edna could almost see his mischievous grin. She smiled herself as she replied, “I believe that’s all I need to know for now. See you, Charlie.” She heard his laugh as she hung up the phone.

  She was still sitting at her desk, going over in her mind how she would introduce her daughter to Jaycee, when the phone rang. She saw from the caller id screen that it was Peg.

  “Mornin’,” Edna said with the broadest New England accent she could muster.

  “Mornin’,” came the equally heavy reply.

  “What gets you out of bed so early on this beautiful spring day?”

  “Too much to do to laze around like the rich and pampered. Did I wake you?”

  Edna couldn’t help herself. She laughed. Peg had always been better at making Edna crack a smile than the other way round. Peg knew very well that Edna rose with the sun, if not before, while Peg was the night owl who, because she stayed up until one or two in the morning, generally slept in.

  “Are you even out of bed yet,” Edna asked with a glance at her watch. “It’s barely eight o’clock.”

  “As a matter of fact, I’ve been up since seven this morning,” Peg retorted with a touch of pride in her voice which immediately turned into little-girl excitement as she continued. “The Froissards are coming to lunch today. Oh, Ed, they’ve forgiven me, I’m sure of it. I feel as if a hundred-pound weight has been lifted from my shoulders.”

  “Whoa,” Edna said, confused. “Back up. What’s happened? They were practically spitting fire when we left Cherisse’s room yesterday afternoon. I assume this news also means Cherisse has recovered and is feeling better?”

  “Yes, she is. Virginia told me Cherisse is fine. Well,” Peg hesitated, “as fine as she will ever be these days.”

  “Okay, Peg, start from the beginning.” Edna sat back in her desk chair, figuring the call would be a long one.

  “I know you said something about coming to the house today to speak with Goran, so I thought I’d call and let you know that, according to Virginia, the Froissards want to see me. I’ve invited them to lunch. Do you mind interrogating Goran another time?” She paused briefly, then as if a new thought had occurred to her, said, “Or I could send him to you. Do you have something else I could tell him you’re donating to the garden? I don’t think I could tell him to drive down because you want to grill him, do you?”

  “No. That probably wouldn’t be wise,” Edna replied wryly. She thought for a minute. “I could thin out my irises this morning. If I remember your designs, you could use some bulbs to plant along the fence on the south side of your yard.”

  “Perfect. I’ll send him down this afternoon. Will that give you enough time?”

  “I should be done by noon, so any time after that will be okay. Now, tell me about this lunch you’re having with the Froissards. How did this come about?”

  “After you left yesterday, I had a long talk with Virginia. I told her about showing Cherisse the brooch and how she’d fainted and how upset Guy and Renee had become. Well, you know Virginia. She took off and went to see for herself just how bad Cherisse was.”

  Edna heard relief calming Peg’s voice as she talked and thought how fortunate it was that Virginia had not only stayed in touch with the Froissards, but was friendly enough with them to intercede on Peg’s behalf. Her thoughts drifted back to what Peg was saying.

  “ ... Cherisse had recovered and seemed no worse for what must have been a shock. Virginia must have scolded Renee and Guy. Said it was about time we buried the hatchet, since my parents were long gone and, after all, we once had been so close. She invited them to lunch, telling them it would be a good chance to talk things out.”

  “How do you feel? Are you nervous about seeing them alone? If you want me to lend you courage, I could still drive up with the excuse of talking with your gardener.”

  “Thanks, Ed. You are a brick, but I’m feeling better about visiting with them now that the worst seems to be over. They really were like an older brother and sister when I was growing up. Seeing them yesterday made me realize how much I have missed them. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do. I’m afraid we’d bore you to tears.”

  “Do you think they’ll like Stephen?” Edna hoped her question sounded more diplomatic than she felt. “Would you be more comfortable meeting them in a neutral zone, like a restaurant?”

  “Stephen probably won’t even be home for lunch. Most days, he says he’s too busy to stop for lunch. Besides, Virginia said Renee and Guy would like to see the place again. She told them about my plans to restore the gardens. I remember Renee loved working in the yard with my mother, so maybe she’ll remember things that I’ve forgotten. I’ll definitely show them my drawings.”

  Edna heard the happiness and relief in her friend’s voice and was glad for Peg. “It sounds like you’ll have a good visit. I’ll want a full report,” she said, only half teasing.

  “You got it. Thanks for understanding, Ed. I’ll talk to you soon.” With that, Peg hung up, leaving Edna to hope the day would be as pleasant as Peg was expecting. Remembering the looks on the faces of both brother and sister, Edna wasn’t encouraged. Hanging up her own phone, she shook her head, shrugged and rose to fetch her gardening tools.

  An hour later, she, with Benjamin’s assistance, was digging up iris bulbs in the middle of the circle inside the broken-shell driveway when Starling drove up in her eight-year-old, white Celica. Living in Boston, she knew better than to drive a new, an expensive or a coveted-model car. Chances were better than average in the city that a vehicle would suffer damage or be stolen or both. On the bright side, Bean Town was so compact that most people, Starling included, got around by a combination of foot power and public transportation.

  “Back so soon?” Sitting back on her heels, Edna greeted her daughter with an innocent smile and a wave.

  “Gary kicked me out.” Referring to her business partner in the photography studio, Starling leaned out the car’s window, her lower lip protruding in a mock pout. “He said I’m being totally useless, and he’s tired of listening to me complain about my boyfriend.”

  “Is that what you’ve been doing?” Edna held onto her broad-brimmed straw hat with a gloved hand as she looked up at her daughter.

  “I guess so. Anyway, I decided to return to my original plan of spending a few days here. I want to build up my photo inventory of places around the Rhode Island shores. And guess what?” Her face lit up while she continued chattering, not waiting for
Edna to respond. “Just as I was leaving my condo, Charlie called to tell me he’s not that busy after all.”

  “That is good news, dear. Park your car and come help me up, will you?” After sitting on the ground for longer than she’d intended, Edna felt her legs beginning to cramp.

  When Starling was out of the car and Edna was on her feet, she said, “Come with me. I want you to meet our new neighbor. Her name is Jaycee Watkins.”

  As they walked across the street and up the slope to the front porch, Edna explained further. “If you’re going to be home for a few days and out taking pictures, I think you can help Jaycee with a special project she’s doing--when you’re not with Charlie, of course. You and she are about the same age, and I think you’ll enjoy each other’s company.”

  “Oh?” Starling’s curiosity was up, but not without a hint of hesitancy and some humor. “What are you getting me into now, Mom?”

  Briefly and with growing enthusiasm over the idea of the two young women collaborating, Edna told Starling about Jaycee and her idea for an illustrated cookbook. As they reached the porch and she knocked on the door, Edna ended by saying, “I thought you could start by taking her over to Carpenter’s Mill in Perryville. She mentioned her grandmother’s johnnycake recipe last night, so I thought, since it isn’t far from here, she might like to see where the authentic Rhode Island flint corn meal comes from.”

  At Edna’s knock, Jaycee opened the door almost immediately. She must have seen them crossing the narrow, country lane.

  “This is my daughter, Starling, the photographer extraordinaire we told you about last night. My youngest and only unmarried child,” Edna added.

  “Don’t mind my mother,” Starling said, extending her hand. “She’s still living in the dark ages where all women should be married and raising babies.”

  Taking Starling’s hand, Jaycee said, “Gran feels the same way. I know the cross you bear.”

  The two laughed and Edna smiled, not at all bothered by her daughter’s comeback and pleased that the young women seemed to like each other immediately. She wasn’t easy about spying on Jaycee, but if the two hit it off, Starling would have someone nearby to pal around with when her latest love interest had to work. Since she’d begun to date a local police officer, Starling visited more often than she had since moving to Boston fifteen years ago, but it still wasn’t often enough to suit either Edna or Albert. If Starling and Jaycee became friends and they learned more about each other in the process, it really wouldn’t be like spying. Would it?

  “Isn’t that right, Mom?”

  Edna was startled from her guilty thoughts by Starling’s question. “I’m sorry, dear. What did you say?”

  “I was telling Jaycee about your idea to go over to Perryville this afternoon.” Starling frowned as if wondering where her mother’s mind had strayed. “I said Carpenter’s has been a working mill since the early seventeen hundreds.”

  “Yes, that’s right. It’s also the only water powered mill currently operating in Rhode Island.”

  “That sounds like the perfect place to begin collecting pictures and learning some history of the area. It’s so nice of you to invite me.” Jaycee’s brown eyes shone with eagerness.

  “My pleasure. I’ve come down from Boston to do some shooting anyway, so it’ll be fun to have company.”

  After Starling and Jaycee agreed on a time to meet, the two Davies women headed back to the house. Once they were out of earshot, Starling said, “Didn’t you say her name was Jaycee Watkins?”

  “That’s right,” Edna smiled. “Why?”

  “Oh, nothing. It’s just that she looks familiar, but I don’t recognize the name.”

  “I don’t know how you could have met if she’s just moved here from Florida. She probably reminds you of someone else you know.” Edna dismissed the idea and said, “Why don’t you take your suitcase upstairs and unpack. I have a call I need to make and then you can help me decide what to have for lunch.”

  As soon as Starling disappeared up the stairs with her suitcase and camera equipment, Edna ducked into the small office, shut the door quietly and punched in Charlie’s cell phone number.

  “I think our plan is going to work,” she said in a near whisper. “The two hit it off and are spending the afternoon at Carpenter’s Mill.”

  “That’s good.” Charlie sounded pleased and added before he hung up, “I’m taking Starling to dinner tonight. I’ll look forward to hearing all about her new friend.”

  When Edna opened the office door, she was startled to see Starling standing on the other side. “You’re being awfully secretive. What’s going on? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  Edna could feel guilt heat her cheeks, but said as innocently as she could manage, “I don’t know what you mean?”

  Starling put an arm through Edna’s as they turned toward the front door. “Just that I’ve rarely known you to close the door to your office. Makes me wonder if you’ve got a secret pal.”

  Edna said in a conspiratorial whisper, “Don’t tell your father.”

  Laughing--one with relief and the other over what she took as a joke--they walked out into the mid-morning sunshine to where Edna had left her gardening gloves. As she picked them up and put them on, another idea occurred to her. “Why don’t you go ask Jaycee to join us for lunch? Tell her we’re having my mother’s fish chowder with corn bread. I’ll even donate the recipe, if she will give Mother credit in her book.”

  “Yum. I love Gramma’s chowda,” Starling said with the typical New England pronunciation. She set off on her errand while Edna resumed thinning out the iris bed. With everything else going on, she had completely forgotten Goran Pittlani would also be arriving that afternoon.

  Chapter Eleven

  Edna was finishing her morning’s chore, having filled a large paper grocery bag with iris bulbs, when Hank came bounding up, wagging his tail and panting as if he’d been running hard. As usual, Mary wasn’t far behind. Starling, who had returned with Jaycee’s enthusiastic acceptance of the invitation to lunch, was sitting on Edna’s low garden stool, watching her mother work.

  “Hi. Whatcha doin’?” Mary’s typical greeting to Edna was followed by “Hi, Starling.”

  “Hi, Mary.”

  Edna mentally calculated that she’d have enough chowder to feed everyone if she took two containers out of the freezer. She knew by now that it would be easier to invite Mary to stay for lunch than to get her to go home, and then realized it would be wise to include her, making lunch a cozy, female foursome. The curious redhead would be less dangerous if she weren’t left to use her imagination when telling other townsfolk about the new arrival to their community. Edna thought with both fondness and amusement how important it was to Mary for her to know the latest news.

  “Have you seen a little black cat around?” As she spoke, Mary scanned the yard, obviously on the lookout for the feline.

  “No,” Edna said, unable to keep from glancing around herself. “Why? Is it yours?”

  Mary’s parents had never allowed her to have a pet, complaining she’d lose interest and they’d be left to care for the dog or cat or fish or whatever other oddity Mary would bring home. Now, in her mid fifties, after adopting Hank from his deceased owner’s family, Mary had become so enamored of dogs and cats that she was visiting as many local animal rescue groups as she could find.

  “Not mine. I’ve seen it a couple of times in the past week. She looks like she’s only half-grown. Course, I’m not sure it’s a ‘she.’ I think someone dropped it off at the side of the road to let it either fend for itself or get run over.” She made a face to show how disgusted she was over such behavior. “I’ve been putting food out on the back porch for her for the last couple of days. It’s always gone the next morning, so I think she’s beginning to hang around and trust me.”

  “How do you know something else isn’t eating the food,” Starling asked, “like a raccoon or a fox or something?”

 
“I don’t. But the kitten is still around. Saw her from my window this morning. She ran this way and disappeared behind your side of the stone wall.”

  “We’ll keep an eye out for her,” Edna promised. “Maybe Benjamin will make friends with her.”

  “That’d be nice,” Mary’s face brightened with the prospect before she frowned with curiosity at the bag Edna had just handed to Starling. “Whatcha goin’ to do with all the bulbs?”

  “They’re for a friend.” The question brought Goran to Edna’s mind, and she wondered with a sinking feeling if he would show up while they were having lunch. She’d told Peg that he could come by after noon, but they hadn’t agreed on a definite time. She wouldn’t be able to question him thoroughly with others around. Mentally, she shrugged, deciding she couldn’t worry about it.

  In the kitchen, she heated the fish chowder, adding milk during the last few minutes. Starling mixed up yellow meal and baked cornbread in her great grandmother’s cast iron pan with cups shaped like tiny corn cobs. Edna briefly thought of making bread pudding, another old New England recipe, but decided it would be too heavy a dessert and ended up washing a bunch of seedless grapes to serve with homemade sugar cookies.

  After Jaycee arrived and the women were seated around the kitchen table, talk revolved around recipes and ideas for the illustrated cookbook.

  “What about a cranberry bog,” Jaycee asked. “A picture of cranberries would be a ‘must’ for this sort of book, wouldn’t it?”

  “Definitely,” Starling said, buttering a piece of corn bread, “but that’d be better done in the fall. Foliage in the swamps and bogs are the first to change color. I have some shots back at the studio you can look at sometime.”

  “If you’re travelin’ up the coast,” Mary said after swallowing a spoonful of chowder, “you should go to Deer Isle, Maine. It’s a bit far north, but if you’re including a finnan haddie recipe, you should see the smoker Stonington Seafood has for the haddock. It’s a kiln the company shipped from Scotland a few years ago, and they say it’s an exact replica of the first mechanized kiln.”