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AFTER VISITING WITH Ramsay at the library, Beatrice found a few magazines to read and was happily absorbed for the next forty-five minutes. Afterwards, she swung back by her house, which was mercifully quiet. Wyatt had texted her that Len was tied up that day but would be back the following day to work all day long. Wyatt was visiting church members who were in the hospital, running by the retirement home, and then working in his office at the church after that.
Noo-noo and Beatrice had just settled down in the hammock (Noo-noo, like Miss Sissy, had gotten rather partial to it after a period of being extremely suspicious of the device) when Noo-noo’s ears perked up.
Beatrice groaned. “Did Len have a change of plans?” she muttered under her breath as Noo-noo looked toward the fence leading to the driveway.
But the voice that greeted her was decidedly un-Len-like. “Yoo-hoo! Beatrice? You here?”
It was Meadow. Beatrice groaned again but called back, “In the backyard. Come on back.”
A moment later, Meadow appeared, a perky smile on her face. “Don’t you and Noo-noo look so comfy? And with your book, too.”
Beatrice managed a more gracious smile than she’d thought possible in response. “We thought we’d take a little break. There’s no construction today, so it’s nice and quiet.”
Meadow said, “Well, I hate to disturb your reverie, but I’ve been scheming with Posy. I thought about calling you, but I’m just so restless with the baby that I can’t sit still enough to finish a phone call. I thought I’d run by, instead.”
Beatrice raised her eyebrows. “But you didn’t run, did you? In this heat, I hope you drove.”
“Silly.” But then Meadow looked thoughtful. “Although, if I had run, maybe I would have gotten rid of some of that restlessness.”
“Or you’d have alarmed motorists who aren’t accustomed to seeing you run. They’d have thought you were having some sort of emergency,” said Beatrice dryly. “Especially since you’re not exactly wearing running gear.”
Meadow looked down and chuckled at her flowing red top and black slacks. “I’d have terrorized the countryside.”
Beatrice added, “And Meadow? Don’t be so wound up about the baby. Piper is in the very best of hands. Everything is going to be just fine.”
Meadow blew out at deep breath. “Oh, I know. It’s just hard when something is very, very important to me and I can’t really help. And I don’t really have any control over the situation at all. And then there was that false alarm. I just feel sort of helpless.”
“But you have helped. You’ve helped prepare a lovely space for the baby. You’ve made some beautiful blankets. You’ve been a big help,” said Beatrice.
Meadow looked doubtfully at her.
Beatrice continued, “And I can think of some ways that you could help Piper now, too, if you wanted to.”
“I do want to,” said Meadow with alacrity. “What is it? Every time that I call her, she just says that she’s fine and doesn’t need anything. If you have a tip for something I can do besides climbing the walls, for heaven’s sake give it to me! I’ve already volunteered for the church nursery once this week and am on the schedule for Sunday and it’s still not enough to keep me occupied.”
Beatrice said, “It’s just that when I saw Piper yesterday, she seemed really uncomfortable.”
“Back massages?” asked Meadow immediately.
Beatrice quickly shook her head. She was sure that was the very last thing that Piper wanted right now, was for someone to be fussing over her. “No. I think she could use someone to run errands for her. Ash is doing a lot, of course, but he’s working all the time and it must be tough for him to be working and doing all the errands and things. Maybe trips to the grocery store or the drugstore? I’m sure she’d really appreciate that.” Beatrice hoped she would appreciate it. Maybe it would just put Meadow more in Piper’s proximity and drive her a little crazy in the process. But Piper seemed so uncomfortable that she’d imagine that little things might help out.
Meadow beamed at her. “That’s perfect. I know Bub’s grocery like the back of my hand. I can get her list, grab the stuff at the store, and put it away before she even realizes that I’ve done it.”
“I know she’ll appreciate it,” said Beatrice. She hoped she would, at least. It had to be better, certainly, than a wound-up Meadow with nothing to do but to worry about the upcoming blessed event.
Meadow nodded and plopped down into one of the chairs facing the hammock. She said idly, “Who knew that babies could create so much stress?”
“Without even being born yet,” said Beatrice with a smile.
“Exactly! I’ve been at my wit’s end,” said Meadow. She paused. “So, when you saw her yesterday, how did she seem?”
“A little out of sorts,” said Beatrice, chuckling. “I think the heat and the baby weight were getting to her. She was uncomfortable, but was ready to take a very slow walk. I’m not even sure that our stroll was even fast enough or far enough for Noo-noo to classify it as an actual walk.”
Meadow’s expression was hopeful. “Maybe that means that the baby is coming soon.”
Beatrice said, “Or just that it’s hot and the baby is making her even hotter. She’ll be fine.”
They sat there for a few quiet moments, thinking about babies, being grandmothers, and when the baby might come.
Then Beatrice said, “Meadow, was there a particular reason that you dropped by?”
“Oh, mercy!” said Meadow, eyes open wide. “See what happens? As soon as I start talking about the baby, my brain simply doesn’t operate any longer. I was coming here because Posy and I are about to go to Salome’s house and see her sister and bring her some food. For heaven’s sake. I can’t seem to remember anything these days!”
Beatrice said, “Do I have time to run and pick something up from a restaurant or something? I’d been thinking that we should probably do something for Carla and Jenna.”
“You definitely have time. Posy was waiting for her employee to get there and cover the shop for her. But we need to go ahead and set out because she’s probably getting ready to leave in a few minutes.”
There was nothing like going from a hammock with a corgi and a book to frantically trying to get ready for something you were already late for. A few minutes later, Beatrice hopped in Meadow’s car and they took off.
“Fried chicken would probably be good for them. Nothing too fancy because of Jenna,” said Meadow. “Besides, we can pick that right up from the drive-through window.”
“No vegetarians there, right?” asked Beatrice.
“Oh, pooh! You’re right. Not the little girl, but Carla, the sister. I remembered for Posy and me, but forgot for you. Sorry,” said Meadow.
“Something smells really good in the backseat,” said Beatrice a little wistfully. She missed having cooked meals. She and Wyatt had been camping out in their house just a bit too long.
“Tomato pie,” said Meadow. She turned to beam at her and turned the steering wheel at the same time, making Beatrice clutch the door. “And the tomatoes are gorgeous! Thick and meaty and juicy.”
It was a good thing that Beatrice wasn’t trying to compete. She ended up picking up a large fruit bowl at Bub’s grocery. But the fruit was fresh and there was a nice variety there of berries and melons.
“That’ll end up making the perfect meal, along with Posy’s big salad. And Posy is also bringing something for Salome’s daughter to eat...homemade chicken nuggets or some such,” said Meadow as they pulled to the curb in front of Salome’s house. “Looks like Posy beat us here.”
“No surprise there,” said Beatrice dryly.
Posy walked up to Meadow’s car with a wave. “Good to see you two,” she said, giving them hugs. “I feel like things have been so crazy lately that I haven’t had time for much of a real talk.”
Meadow said impetuously, “Let’s go to lunch together. Can we?”
Beatrice looked at her watch. “Has no one eaten? It’s pretty late for lunch.”
Posy said, “I haven’t and I’m starving. Meadow, your tomato pie is making my stomach growl.”
“Then it’s a plan,” said Meadow, grinning.
More solemnly, they walked up the front walk and tapped lightly on the door. Carla, Salome’s sister, answered the door and gave them warm smiles. Her dark hair and dimples reminded Beatrice of Salome. “You’re too sweet to come,” she said. There was a tiredness in her eyes but she held the door open wide. “Can you come in for a few minutes?”
Beatrice said, “Just for a few. And we’ll put this food away for you.”
Salome’s daughter looked shyly at them from the living room. Carla said gently, “Can you say thank you, Jenna?”
Jenna said, “Tank you!” making them all smile at her. It made Beatrice mist up a little that this little girl wouldn’t grow up knowing her mother. Then Jenna popped off to play in her room as the women found spots in the fridge for the food in the small kitchen.
They sat down in the living room and Carla said, “You don’t know how much I appreciate this. I feel as if I really don’t know many people in town, since I’ve always spent most of my time working. It means a lot to have you come and bring food like this.”
“It’s our pleasure,” said Posy warmly.
“How are you holding up?” asked Meadow with a furrowed brow.
Carla said with a sad smile, “Pretty well, under the circumstances.” She looked at Beatrice. “Wyatt came by and helped me figure out what to do for a service for Salome. I decided, with everything going on right now, on a memorial service later, after things settle down. Salome’s wishes were for cremation, so that’s already been arranged.” She gestured to a notebook on the coffee table. It was full of scribblings and figures.
Posy said, “You’re so organized, Carla. I just wanted to let you know how very sorry I was about Salome. If there’s anything that I can do to help out, please let me know.”
Carla said, “Thank you. You’ve all done enough already. I think, right now, it’s so busy with me trying to adjust. I’m just worried about after everything dies down. Then I think it’ll be quiet here and that’s when it will all hit me.”
Beatrice said, “You have childcare already for Jenna?”
Carla nodded. “That’s right. It’s actually the same program that she was with when Salome was . . . still with us. I thought that was important—for Jenna to continue with the program and the teachers that she was already used to. She’s really such a great little girl that she’s easy to take care of.”
Meadow glanced toward the back of the house where they could hear Jenna talking quietly to her dolls. “Is Jenna doing all right?”
Carla sighed. “So far. At first, I wasn’t really sure that she understood what was even going on. But at night, she’s called out for Salome in her sleep a couple of times. That’s been the hardest part.”
Posy’s eyes filled with tears. “The sweet little thing.”
Carla said, “It’s just all such a total shock. I don’t understand how Salome could be gone. I mean, the whole year has just been so crazy. Ever since she lost her job, it’s been one thing after another. But this is worse than I ever expected it could be.” She smiled at Posy sadly. “We both really appreciated you giving her that job.”
“I was delighted to try to help out, in a small way,” said Posy.
Carla continued, almost to herself. “I mean, Salome was a pretty diplomatic person. When she spoke to Gerald, she told me what she said afterward. It was completely reasonable.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. Salome told you about Gerald, didn’t she?”
The women nodded and Carla said, “Salome wasn’t even being all that pushy about it. She just asked politely. And Gerald wouldn’t listen to her. He wouldn’t even keep her on at the company that she’d loyally served for so many years! I mean, it’s one thing to deny child support. It’s another to fire someone who’s just asking you to be fair.”
Beatrice asked slowly, “Did Salome try to ask him again? I mean, I know she was there the morning that Gerald was murdered, but I wondered if she was there another time to ask him again. After all, Gerald had a legal responsibility to provide support for Jenna.”
Carla said wryly, “He might have had a legal responsibility, but Salome would have had to go through the courts to get him to comply and she didn’t exactly have the money to do that.”
“What a mess,” said Posy sympathetically.
Meadow waved her hands around in agitation. “That’s completely ridiculous. Gerald should have just felt bad enough about the whole business that he contributed support to Jenna. Or he should have simply looked at that adorable little girl of his and wanted to help out. How unfeeling of him! Couldn’t Salome have done something to pressure him to contribute, even if it wasn’t through the courts?”
Carla was quiet for a minute and then she said quietly, “I think Salome did. And I wonder if that’s what got her killed.”
The other women were quiet and Carla continued, “I didn’t want to say anything because I would hate for anyone to think badly of Salome.”
“Impossible!” said Meadow and Posy and Beatrice murmured their agreement.
“You see, the police took away some papers when they were here searching the house. And then they asked me about them and whether I’d known about them. I had, but I hadn’t totally understood what Salome’s plans for them were or I’d have tried to dissuade her. When she was still working at Dappled Hills Pimento Cheese, she’d collected some papers to show that Gerald’s business wasn’t in as good financial shape as he’d always let on. I didn’t listen to her very carefully, and I wish I had. She told me about it, but I was in the middle of something else and I didn’t give Salome all of my attention.” Carla flushed.
“It happens,” said Beatrice wryly. “I know Wyatt frequently tells me things that I can’t really remember later.”
Carla nodded. “I can only guess why she had those papers—to hold them over Gerald’s head and threaten to expose the business’s weaknesses if he didn’t help support Jenna.”
Beatrice asked, “Do you think that’s why Salome was at the company the morning Gerald was found dead?”
Carla said, “Yes. Oh, I’d originally thought that maybe she’d gone back over there to try to reason with Gerald, but that didn’t really make sense. After all, she’d already asked Gerald for help and he’d already turned her down. Why else would she go over there and risk further humiliation unless she had something new to discuss with him? Of course, I knew she had nothing to do with Gerald’s murder. Why would she? That wouldn’t have been a smart way to get money out of Gerald and it wasn’t as if he provided for Jenna in his will.”
Meadow said darkly, “I still can’t believe he wouldn’t give her something. How completely twisted that is.”
Carla said, “As far as I’m aware, he didn’t give her anything.” She paused and then shook her head. “Posy, I suspect that maybe you were slipping Salome a little extra right before the end. You’re such a kind and caring person that it sounded like something you might do.”
Posy colored a little and said, “That’s really sweet of you to think so and I wish that I could claim to have been that generous, but I’m afraid I didn’t provide Salome with anything other than her salary.”
Carla looked thoughtful. “That’s interesting. I know that Salome came into some money before she died. She wouldn’t tell me about it, except to acknowledge that she was about to have a bit of cash to handle some of the expenses. Maybe I’m wrong and Gerald did give her a little something.”
“Well, whatever he gave her, it wasn’t enough,” said Meadow with a scowl.
Posy’s brow was crinkled with concern. “You were saying before that you thought that someone at the business knew that she might still talk about the company’s financial problems and they wanted to get Salome out of the way?”
Carla sighed. “I hate thinking this way, but the only thing that really makes sense is that someone in the family wanted the business to appear solid, financially. If the family wanted to sell the company, which is what I understood from Salome that they wanted to do, it’s only natural that they wouldn’t want word to get out that it wasn’t as viable as it appeared.” She shook her head. “Like I said, I hate thinking that way, but it certainly sounds like a motive for murder.”