Chapter Twelve

Jake’s Seafood Bar is rapidly becoming one of the hottest restaurants on the Outer Banks. The down-home North Carolina cooking can’t be beat, and neither can the view. Set far back from the Croatan Highway, the restaurant overlooks the calm waters of Roanoke Sound and the twinkling lights of Roanoke Island beyond.

“Your party’s here, Lucy,” the hostess said to me as I arrived. “Follow me, please.”

We walked through the dining room, past the fishing motif decorations, and kept going. We were heading outside, and I was pleased about that. Not many outdoor evenings remained, and I wanted to take advantage of every one. Jake’s is a casual place, so I hadn’t gone to much trouble to dress up, and wore jeans and a loose, comfortable blouse topped with a colorful scarf. In hopes of sitting outside, I’d pulled on thick socks and sneakers and carried a heavy sweater.

The patio was about half full, as could be expected at this time of year. Candles nestled in hurricane lamps shone on every table, and round white globe lamps hung from posts and the roof of the bar. The sun had set, and the lights from buildings on Roanoke Island and boats in the Sound twinkled in the clear air. The fourth-order lens of the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, a modern reproduction, flashed in the distance.

Julia, Theodore, and Greg were seated at a table for six next to the railing. Five places had been set for dinner.

Julia waved when she saw me crossing the deck. Theodore politely rose to his feet, and after a moment’s hesitation Greg followed. Unexpectedly, Theodore greeted me with a fierce hug. He was not usually the hugging type.

All was explained when he mumbled in my ear. “I’ve learned something extremely important for our investigation. We can’t talk here.”

He released me, and I slipped into the chair next to him. “Isn’t it a gorgeous evening?” I said.

Julia had taken the seat at the head of the table, with Theodore and Greg on either side of her. “Lovely,” she said. “I was telling Greg earlier that I might think about buying a vacation property in the Outer Banks.”

Theodore’s face lit with such a glow, it put the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse to shame. “That would be marvelous!”

“Early days yet,” said Greg, the wet blanket. “Can we first sort out our more immediate problems?”

“I hope I can still plan ahead,” Julia said. Her face was wrapped in shadow, dragging down her cheekbones and adding to the dark circles under her eyes. She wore a pair of brown corduroy slacks with a navy-blue blouse and brown sweater, causing her to disappear further into the shadows.

“Of course you can,” Theodore said. “I’d be delighted to help you tour properties. I know many of the best locations.”

“I’m sure you do,” Greg said.

“Can I get you anything to drink, Lucy?” the waiter asked.

I looked around the table. A martini glass sat in front of Greg: clear liquid, two olives on a cocktail stick. Theodore had a mug of beer; and Julia, wine. “A glass of Sauvignon Blanc, please.”

“We don’t have to talk about it, if you don’t want to,” I said, “but did you hear from the police today?”

Greg grunted, and Julia dipped her head. “Detective Watson came to the hotel around five. All the same questions about all the things I’ve already told him.”

“He’s fishing,” Greg said. “He’s got nothing, and he’s trying to pin the killing on Julia to cover up for his own incompetence.”

“Please don’t say that,” she said. “That can’t be true.”

“It’s routine for them to keep asking the same questions,” I said. And I know of which I speak. I too have been a suspect in a murder inquiry. It isn’t fun.

“He won’t be doing any more random digging,” Greg said. “I told Watson, Julia has nothing more to say to him until her lawyer arrives. And that will be first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Don’t you worry, Julia,” Theodore said. “Lucy’s investigating possible leads. She has recently learned of something that might prove to be highly significant.” He couldn’t help throwing a smirk across the table at Greg.

“What’s that, Lucy?” Julia asked.

“She can’t talk about it yet,” Theodore said. “It’s still too early to go public.”

Greg threw back his martini, and I didn’t bother to say I’d learned nothing of the kind. Julia turned to Theodore with a grateful smile.

I leaned back to allow the waiter to put my drink in front of me. “Are you still wanting to wait for the rest of your party to arrive?” he asked.

Julia sighed. “Yes, please. Promptness is not one of my mother’s virtues, I’m sorry to say…” Her voice trailed off. “That’s what I remember anyway.”

A kitchen helper placed a heaping platter of hush puppies in the center of the table. “I told Jake you were here, Lucy,” the waiter said, “and he sent these out with his compliments.”

“Mmm,” I said. “My favorite. Thanks.”

Julia eyed the lumps of fried dough suspiciously. “What are they?”

“Hush puppies,” I said. “If you move to the Outer Banks, even as a summer resident, you’ll be eating them all the time. I can’t get enough of them. And Jake’s are just about the best around.” I picked up one of the hot, delicious balls of crispy batter with my fingers and dunked it into the small bowl of spicy dipping sauce provided. I bit half of it off and chewed. Pure Southern bliss.

Julia took one and nibbled tentatively. “They are good.”

“Definitely not recommended for anyone on a diet.” I popped the second half into my mouth.

Greg tasted one. He tried not to look as though he was enjoying it too much.

Theodore dug in with enthusiasm and was soon licking dipping sauce off his fingers.

“When do you start your new job, Greg?” I asked, simply trying to make polite conversation.

“New job? Oh, my new job. That’s on hold for the time being. I have to see Julia through this. It wouldn’t be fair for me to leave her in the lurch.”

“That’s thoughtful of your new employer,” Theodore said. “They’re not usually so accommodating.” He turned to me and his right eyelid twitched. Was that supposed to be a wink? His voice had taken on a strange tone.

“I don’t think my employment situation is any of your concern, buddy,” Greg said.

“I’m only expressing polite interest. You must be lucky with this new employer.”

Another attempt at a wink.

“Are you implying something?” Greg asked.

Julia looked from one man to the other as though they were playing tennis.

“Not at all,” Theodore said. “If it’s inconvenient for you to delay the start of your new job, I’m more than happy to step in. I’m self-employed; my time is my own. You wouldn’t want to lose this opportunity, would you? If you gave up the position of Mr. Ruddle’s curator, this new job must be an excellent one.”

“I can decide for myself, thanks anyway, buddy. Right now, Julia’s welfare has to be my primary concern.”

“That’s so nice of you.” The fair Julia turned her smile on Greg and placed her hand on his. Teddy stared at their joined hands as though trying to summon a death ray.

“Detective Watson told Julia not to leave Dare County,” Theodore said. “Did he tell you the same, Greg?”

Greg opened his mouth to reply, and judging by the look on his face, it wouldn’t have been polite, but he was interrupted by the waiter asking if we wanted more drinks. Because I was driving, I asked for an iced tea, but the others ordered another round.

“Perhaps we shouldn’t wait much longer. It’s not good to drink on an empty stomach,” said Theodore, who’d finished off the hush puppies single-handedly.

Julia glanced at her watch. “I told Anna dinner was at six thirty, assuming she’d be half an hour late. It’s almost seven thirty.”

“Is Anna your mother?” I asked. “You call her by her first name?”

“We’re not close. To put it mildly. I hope she’ll recognize me.”

“Recognize you? When was the last time you were together?” That was absolutely none of my business, but how could I not ask?

Julia shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure. I remember that she missed my college graduation. She was touring in Europe, I think. Or that might have been the time she was in rehab.”

Theodore and I exchanged a look.

I wouldn’t say my mom and I were close, but I’d last seen her over the summer when she hurried down to the Outer Banks with the intention of dragging me back to Boston to marry the man the family expected me to.

Obviously, her plan had not worked (as I was still here), but we kept in touch via email and a weekly phone call. I’d last heard from her the day before yesterday, when she’d told me she was excited about Josie’s announcement and was hoping she and I could go shopping together for suitable winter wedding wear.

Shopping, for my mother, if not for me, was a bonding experience.

“That might be her now,” Julia said, and we all turned.

The hostess was coming onto the deck, carrying menus. A man and a woman walked behind her. Or rather, the man walked. The woman swept.

She wore a black wool cape fastened with fire-engine-red frogs. As she moved, the cape swirled around her long legs, and the scarlet satin lining flashed. Curly black hair tumbled around her shoulders. Long silver earrings hung from her ears, and a necklace of beaten silver rings flashed at her throat. Her dress was pure white and very tight, the décolletage deep and the hemline short. Four-inch high heels tapped across the deck, and I feared for the old wooden planks.

“My mother,” Julia mumbled. She stood up.

Anna gathered Julia into her arms. “My darling. Moya dorogaya. My baby. Don’t worry about a thing. Mama is here.” Her accent was deep. Eastern European, I guessed. Maybe Russian. Theodore, Greg, and I had also risen to our feet. We stared. Theodore and Greg’s mouths hung open, and I’m pretty sure mine did also.

“Hi,” the man said. “I’m Dave. Dave White. Anna’s husband.” Dave had a Midwestern accent, short gray hair, and a goatee streaked black and sliver. He was in his mid to late fifties, about the same as Anna. Whereas she looked like she was on her way to opening night at the Met, he was casually dressed in jeans and a checked shirt.

Theodore, Greg, and I closed our mouths.

“Sorry we’re late,” Dave said, “but Anna couldn’t find the necklace she wanted to wear. You’d think she’d be used to living out of a suitcase, wouldn’t you.” He turned to the hovering waiter. “Thanks, pal. I’ll have a bottle of Bud. An old-fashioned for the lady.”

Anna and Julia broke apart, Julia looking somewhat stunned.

“You brought friends. How charming.” Anna beamed at Theodore and Greg. She extended her hand, first to Greg and then to Theodore. Her fingernails were cut short, but freshly manicured and painted the same color as the lining of her cape.

Her smile faded as she turned to me. “Hello.” Her eyes were the same shade of light blue as Julia’s.

“Hi,” I said. “I’m Lucy. Pleased to meet you.”

“I’m sure you are.” She looked at the table. “Only five places set? Tell the waiter to bring another setting, Lucy.”

That puts me in my place.

Anna fluffed her cape and took the chair at the foot of the table, opposite Julia. Dave sat next to Greg, across from me, and we all resumed our seats. Greg took a long glug of his martini.

“So,” Anna said, “Jay Ruddle kicked the bucket at last.”

Greg spat out a mouthful of martini.

“Isn’t that a bit harsh?” Julia said.

“Is that not a saying you Americans use?”

“Yes, but…”

Anna turned to me. “I believe in speaking my mind at all times, Lucy. I hope you’ll agree that honestly is always the best way, particularly among friends.”

“Uh…,” I said.

“I see I am among friends. Jay Ruddle might have told lies about me to my beloved late husband, forced us apart, stolen the affection of my only daughter, ruthlessly driven me from her life, and spread hurtful rumors about me to those who laughingly call me their peers, but we will talk about all that no longer.” The waiter placed her drink in front of her. “Excellent. Thank you so much, young man.”

“Are you ready to order?” he asked.

“Certainly not,” Anna said. “I have only just arrived. I will inform you when I am ready to order.” She took a long sip of her drink. “Jay Ruddle has gone to what my grandmother would have called…” She finished the sentence in a language I didn’t understand.

“What does that mean?” Theodore asked Dave.

“Haven’t a clue. The only Russian I speak is what’s called pillow talk.” He laughed and lifted his beer bottle in a salute. “Cheers!”

“You and Grandfather had your differences,” Julia said. “He would have interpreted his actions a different way. I hope you’re not here to gloat.”

“Gloat! Certainly not. I am here to provide you with comfort and to help you through the grieving process.” Anna almost gritted her teeth. “I know you and Jay were … uh … fond of each other.”

“I loved my grandfather a great deal.”

“And so you should. Regardless of all his faults—”

“Anna,” Julia warned.

“—he loved you.”

“Thank you.” Julia relaxed fractionally.

“Although he loved no one else, and few loved him. It would appear that at the end of his days, there was someone who didn’t love him at all.”

“What do you mean by that?” Julia asked, her voice rising.

“Someone killed him, didn’t they? Those were not the actions of a friend.” Anna sipped her drink. “Although sometimes they can be that of a lover.”

“Do you know something about Jay’s death?” Greg said.

“Me? I know nothing that is not common knowledge. We were stuck at the airport in Atlanta for a ridiculous amount of time. Something about a storm in the Midwest. Aren’t they always having storms in the Midwest? Why the airlines haven’t allowed for that by now, I do not understand. The news was playing on the TV in the bar in which we took shelter. Tell these nice people what we saw, David. I am far too upset to repeat it.”

He put down his beer. “The news report said your grandfather had been murdered, Julia. And it also reported that, I’m sorry to say, you’re a person of interest in the police investigation.”

“Gross exaggeration,” Theodore said.

“If they don’t withdraw that insinuation, we’ll sue them for all they’re worth,” Greg said.

“Imagine, my own daughter on the TV,” Anna said. “Like a common criminal. Next time, Julia, try to fix your hair before the cameras arrive.”

“I’ll remember that,” Julia said.

“Do you have a lawyer?” Dave asked.

“The firm arranged one,” Greg answered. “He’s arriving tomorrow.”

“I hope he is the best,” Anna said. “Never mind the expense.”

“Easy to say when you’re not paying his fee.” Julia opened her menu. “I’m starving. You might have arrived late, Anna, but we’ve been here for ages, and I’m going to order.”

*   *   *

Dinner passed without further incident. Anna did most of the talking. And she talked mostly about Anna. She had been in Europe, I understood, touring. I attempted to ask what she was touring as (it had to do with something musical I guessed), but I soon came to realize that I was expected to know that.

Dave and Greg talked to each other about sports. They both seemed to be fans of the New York Islanders and were looking forward to the upcoming hockey season. Theodore, who was no sports fan, attempted to participate in the men’s conversation but was soon left far behind.

Julia stirred her food around on her plate and said little.

At last the waiter brought the bill. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of whom to give it to. Dave jerked his head in Julia’s direction.

“Where are you staying, my darling?” Anna asked.

“The Ocean Side Hotel.” Julia picked up the bill. Theodore reached for his wallet, but she said, “Dinner’s my treat. You’ve all been so kind, it’s the least I can do to say thank you.”

“Such a lovely establishment,” Anna said. “Much nicer than the unpleasant place David found for us.” She named a run-down hotel that wasn’t much above the level of a motel on the interstate. Anna turned to her husband. “It is too late tonight, but we will move there tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to,” Julia said.

Anna waved a hand. “I only wish to be close to you, moya dorogaya, should you need anything. Paying hotels is so tedious. David, be sure they put our charges on Jay’s bill.” She pushed her chair back and rose to her feet in a sleek red, white, and black wave. “This has been such a pleasure. We will meet tomorrow for breakfast at the Ocean Side at 9:30. David, be sure and set the alarm.”

“Will do.”

“It is so tedious trying to adapt to time changes.” She rounded the table and enveloped Julia in a hug. When they broke away, she smiled at Greg. “You needn’t change your room arrangements to accommodate Julia’s mother.”

He looked baffled. “Why would I do that?”

Anna laughed lightly. “Modern times, my dear.”

“Huh?”

Julia blushed to the roots of her hair. “My sleeping arrangements are none of your business. But if you must know, and in order to avoid further misunderstanding, we’re here on business. Greg is … was … Grandfather’s assistant.”

“I hope I’m more than that to you, Julia,” Greg said.

Anna turned to Theodore. “Surely not you?”

“I’m Julia’s friend. Although, I must say, in the short time I’ve come to know her, I’ve—”

“Theodore and I are locals,” I interrupted. “We live here. Nice meeting you.”

Anna pecked Julia on the cheek. She gave Greg a long hug, ignored Theodore, mumbled good night at me, and swept away. Dave followed in her wake like a dinghy attached to the stern of an ocean liner.

Julia let out a long puff of air. “Now you’ve all met my mother. And I have to have breakfast at ten thirty.”

“She said nine thirty,” Theodore said.

“Which, if I’m lucky, will be ten thirty,” Julia said. “Practically lunch time for me. My grandfather was an early riser, and that’s a habit he instilled in me from a young age.”

“What does she do?” I asked. “I didn’t quite catch it. Something about touring in Europe?”

Julia picked up her bag. “Anna Makarova is a classical violinist.”

“Impressive,” I said.

“It might have been, once. She’s been fired from more orchestras than I can name. Even as classical violinists go, she’s too temperamental and unreliable to hold down a job. By touring, I assume she was playing with a third- or fourth-rate orchestra in some former Soviet backwater.”

“How long have she and Dave been married?” Greg asked.

“I have absolutely no idea. Never heard of him before. Her last husband’s name was Edward. I think it was Edward. Maybe Edgar.”

We collected our things and began walking toward the door.

“Still,” I said, “Even though you two are not close”—to put it mildly—“it was nice of her to drop whatever she was doing and come here to offer you her support.”

“Her support?” Julia said. “As if. She’s here because she’s hoping for a share of my expected inheritance.”