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“Well, that’s what we were all guessing. But you usually don’t herd people around and question them over natural deaths. Didn’t Caspian simply die in his sleep?” asked Meadow.
Ramsay said grimly, “I don’t think so. I can’t be sure, but I think his death was made to look that way. I believe he might have been smothered by a pillow.” He paused and then asked them, “Did you notice anything unusual about his eyes?”
Beatrice thought about this. She’d noticed him rolling his eyes at Meadow and noticed the cold looks he gave his children. But she didn’t notice anything specific about them. She shook her head slowly and Meadow and Wyatt did, too.
“They weren’t especially bloodshot?” asked Ramsay.
“No, I’d have noticed that,” said Beatrice.
“The pathologist will need to see if he has high levels of carbon dioxide in his blood,” said Ramsay. Then he sighed. “And I believe he will.”
Meadow said, “This is a first, Ramsay. Usually you’re not on the scene of the crime when it actually happens.”
“It’s pretty brazen to commit murder with the local police chief in the house,” agreed Beatrice.
Ramsay asked, “In case I missed anything, who did you notice leave the rest of the group while we were there?”
Meadow snorted. “Everybody. Nobody stayed in the group the whole time. Della and Malcolm weren’t even part of the group until late.”
Ramsay said thoughtfully, “That’s true. I didn’t think of that. So, technically, one or both of them could have smothered Caspian before joining us.”
Wyatt said, “Unfortunately, I also saw both Hawkins and Sadie leave the group from time to time.” He quickly added, “But I think they were both checking on the kitchen and maybe refilling their drinks.”
Meadow exclaimed, “How could their children do such a thing? He was their father. And at a special occasion for our Wyatt and Beatrice!”
“He also didn’t seem to be on great terms with some of his children,” said Beatrice dryly.
Ramsay looked encouragingly at Beatrice. “What did you notice?”
“Well, Sadie was generally short with him. I think she was exasperated by his taking a nap during the party. And Hawkins seemed very tense around his father. I’m sure that’s why he was refilling his drink so much.”
Ramsay sighed. “So they all left the group and at least two of his children appeared to be at odds with their father in some way.”
Wyatt said, “At least Malcolm seemed to be in a good humor.”
“But he wasn’t around his father at all, so that might have put him in a better mood,” said Beatrice.
Ramsay nodded and snapped shut the small notebook he’d been making notes in. “All right. Thanks, y’all. You’re free to leave now.”
He walked off to speak with the state police.
Meadow said, “Wyatt, could you take me home? I should leave the car for Ramsay or else he’ll be walking back.”
“Of course, I will,” said Wyatt.
He drove out of the large, circular driveway and back out into the street.
Meadow gave a gusty sigh. “Now I’ll have to go home and cook something since we didn’t eat dinner and who knows what time Ramsay will make his way home.”
“Why not just leave sandwich stuff out for him? We all ate a lot of hors d’oeuvres, after all. Don’t worry about a full meal,” said Beatrice.
Wyatt gave Beatrice a sympathetic smile, “It’s not exactly what we expected tonight, was it?”
“No. Although it was just as uncomfortable as I thought it would be,” said Beatrice.
Meadow, leaning forward from the backseat to look at Beatrice said, “Now you’ll have something to keep your mind and your nerves off your upcoming wedding.”
Beatrice blinked at Meadow. “Nerves? I don’t think I had any nerves.”
“Well, if you don’t now, you soon will.”
Beatrice said, “It’s going by too quickly for me to have nerves. All the preparation and the festivities are sort of a blur. I hope I’m going to be able to remember details from the wedding and reception, but I have a feeling that it will be so busy that I’ll just remember bits and pieces.”
Meadow said, “Well, you never know. Nerves can crop up. This is the perfect distraction, although ... poor Caspian, of course,” said Meadow, somewhat unconvincingly.
Beatrice said, “I did have one question. For some reason, I thought that Caspian lived alone in the house. But then, with all the family there, I wondered if they lived locally, or if they lived on the estate.”
“Oh, goodness, they all live with their daddy. It’s just like the old soap opera, Dallas. And probably as much drama as Dallas, too,” said Meadow, rolling her eyes.
“And Della lives there, too?”
“For the time being, at least. But then, the place does have a ton of bedrooms, doesn’t it? Della might even have her own room there, since she and Malcolm aren’t married yet,” said Meadow.
Beatrice wasn’t at all sure that was the case, but allowed Meadow to assume the proprieties were being observed. “There must have been eight or nine bedrooms that I saw,” she agreed.
Meadow said, “And since you didn’t know anyone very well, I’d like to hear your first impressions of them.”
Beatrice said ruefully, “I’m afraid I didn’t exactly get a sterling impression of any of them. Although I’m willing to chalk that up to a somewhat stressful evening for the family.”
“What was stressful about it?” demanded Meadow. “They were hosting a party with delicious foods they didn’t even prepare. They had beverages at hand. They reside in a marvelous mansion with amazing artwork. I’d like that kind of stress, myself.”
Wyatt said, “Sometimes parties themselves are stressful for some people. I think that’s what Beatrice means.”
“Pooh,” said Meadow. “They shouldn’t be so delicate. But go on, Beatrice. What were your impressions of them?”
Beatrice thought for a minute. “Caspian seemed to actively dislike his children.”
Wyatt said sadly, “He’s never seemed very happy. I was hoping that he could find some peace in his later years.”
Meadow snorted. “Caspian brought a lot of that misery on himself. He should have tried building better relationships with his family.”
“Caspian especially seemed at odds with Hawkins. And all Hawkins seemed to want to do was to escape his father and refresh his drink,” said Beatrice.
Meadow nodded. “I think you’re right. Of course, from what I’ve heard, there’s definitely some back-story there. Something to do with Caspian being very stingy about his money and Hawkins wanting more of it. There has been gossip through the years.” Then she snapped her fingers, as if remembering something.
“And something else?” asked Beatrice.
“A woman,” said Meadow. “And not just any woman. Someone you know and have been working with very closely recently.”
Beatrice, who was ready to get back home by now, sighed. “Meadow, I don’t want to play guessing games now.”
“Wynona Thigpen! Your florist for the wedding,” said Meadow triumphantly.
Wyatt looked thoughtful. “I believe I did hear something about Wynona and the family.”
“Yes! Because Wynona has been so mad that she’s told everyone about it! That’s why it’s not even gossip,” said Meadow.
Beatrice said, “What about Wynona?”
“Well, she was dating Hawkins. For quite a long time. And Hawkins wasn’t at all like he was tonight. He was actually happy. He’d smile and laugh with her and just acted like a totally different person,” said Meadow.
“I’m sensing a big ‘but’ here,” said Beatrice.
“But Caspian didn’t approve of the relationship,” said Meadow. “And that was the end of that.”
Beatrice frowned. “Didn’t approve of it? But this isn’t Romeo and Juliet. So what if he didn’t approve? Hawkins is old enough to decide to date whomever he pleases. Way past that point, as a matter of fact.”
“But there’s money involved. And rumors that Hawkins was in debt. Hawkins sure wouldn’t want to be cut out of Caspian’s will. I’d heard that maybe he had all these gambling debts. I suppose he broke his gambling addiction—poor people can’t gamble! Anyway, he broke things off with Wynona and she was furious. She’ll talk about it at the drop of a hat, so be sure to mention it to her next time. Now what did you think of the others?” asked Meadow.
Wyatt said, “Aside from the others, I thought Malcolm and Della seemed very happy tonight.”
“I did have a better impression of them,” admitted Beatrice, “Although that’s not really fair, since they weren’t even with us the entire time. I should have had a bad impression because they were being bad hosts and letting Sadie and Hawkins take up the slack. And mostly Sadie.”
Meadow said, “Della quilts!” in the tone of someone who has stated all that could possibly be said on a subject.
“That hardly absolves her of murder,” noted Beatrice dryly. “However much you might want to believe the contrary.”
“Oh, I know. But I think it does speak to her character a little. She’s really just taken it up. She’s spending tons of time in Posy’s shop, getting fabric and notions and figuring it all out. Della asked me for tips! And even asked Miss Sissy,” said Meadow. “I’m hoping to convince her to join the Village Quilters guild.”
Beatrice had the feeling that this proved Della might be something of a flatterer. She moved on, “What about the long-suffering Sadie?” asked Beatrice. “She didn’t seem to be enjoying herself tonight, but considering how busy she was, it’s hardly any wonder.”
Wyatt said, “I’ve been happy to see Sadie reconnect with her family. Especially her father.”
“Reconnect?” asked Beatrice.
Meadow said, “They’ve been estranged. For years!”
“Over what?” asked Beatrice.
“I have no idea. But isn’t it good that Sadie reached out to her father recently? Especially considering the tragic event tonight,” said Meadow, clicking her tongue.
Beatrice said, “I’m glad she had the chance to make up with him before he died. Family is so important. Which reminds me—I needed to tell you about June Bug.”
“What about June Bug?” asked Meadow.
“Her sister died in a car crash and June Bug’s niece is now living with her. Katy, I think her name is. She’s only eight years old,” said Beatrice.
Meadow gasped and Wyatt said, “I hadn’t heard about this—maybe the church can help her.”
Beatrice said, “She hasn’t told anyone about it, but she seemed sad and I pressed her on it. She has a sitter who’s helping her out, but maybe there’s a better way.”
Wyatt said, “Once school starts, the church has an afterschool program that’s been really popular. That might be a good solution for June Bug.”
“But there’s always the expense,” said Meadow in a worried voice. “June Bug doesn’t have a lot of extra money, even though the bakery is doing really well.”
“The church has funds to offer scholarships to parents or guardians who might be in need,” said Wyatt.
“I’ll tell her about it,” said Meadow. “And I want to meet Katy, too.”
Beatrice said, “She’s apparently planning on bringing her to the bakery some, so I’m sure you will.”
Meadow’s eyes lit up. “Maybe she can come to the next guild meeting! It’s on a Saturday.”
Beatrice said dryly, “Why do I have the feeling that Katy is going to end up as a quilter?”
Wyatt pulled up into Beatrice’s driveway, which was on the way to Meadow’s house. “See you soon, Beatrice. I expect I’ll find out a lot more from Ramsay tonight, although it might be very late,” said Meadow.
Beatrice said quickly, “Just catch me up on it tomorrow. I’m turning in as soon as possible.”
Wyatt said with a smile, “We’ve had lots of celebrating lately. I think it might have worn Beatrice out.”
Meadow said, “Oh, I bet. And just imagine how crazy it will be when our darlings Ash and Piper are married!”
After such a long day, Beatrice decidedly did not want to think about that. She was thrilled about her daughter marrying Meadow’s son, but right now she’d rather not consider the events surrounding the wedding.
“Sleep well,” said Wyatt with a small smile. Beatrice thought that sometimes he could read her mind.
“That’s right. Sweet dreams!” said Meadow.
Beatrice had turned in concerned that she had too much on her mind to be able to sleep well. Plus, there was the barking dog to consider, and, right on cue, it was persistently barking. She made a mental note to try to connect with the owner again soon and turned on a fan to help combat the noise. To her surprise, she woke up with daylight streaming through her window after a full night’s sleep.
As she lay in bed, though, she frowned. She felt as though something had awakened her, and she didn’t think it was the sunshine. Beatrice lay still to listen for it again. Then she heard it: not only the persistently barking dog (which was fast becoming background noise), but a low growl from the other room.