Nineteen

“Are you suggesting that he and Louisa knew Oriana’s secret?” I asked.

Holmes shrugged. “I’m just saying that there could be a connection.”

“She’s so lovely,” said Rose. “I can’t imagine her doing anything so crass.”

“Was she at your party that night, Grandma?” asked Holmes.

“All of the WAG Ladies were present. But then the fire at Dovie’s place drew us out on the street. I had assumed that he was sickly and had stumbled into my backyard. Are you proposing that someone killed him right then and there?”

“Not necessarily,” I said. “I’m not sure how long it would have taken for the poison to throw his heartbeat off. But if he had encountered someone, surely he would have asked for assistance. ‘I need help. So-and-so just pricked me in the back,’ or something like that.”

“I presume he was not on your guest list?” asked Holmes.

“You don’t have to look so put out. No gentlemen were invited. Just the WAG Ladies, Liesel, and Holly.”

“When the fire broke out, I was focusing on Dovie and looking for Trixie and Twinkletoes. I paid no attention at all to the WAG Ladies. Oma? Rose? Did any of them disappear?” I asked.

“I don’t know about Rose, but I did not take attendance,” said Oma.

“She’s right,” agreed Rose. “It’s not as though the WAG Ladies were lined up like children. Any one of them could have gone for a jacket, or to retrieve a phone, or to use my bathroom for that matter. My eyes were on the fire.”

I munched on a soft chocolate chip cookie. “These are good, Rose. Okay, Oma and Rose, it’s your job to talk with the WAG Ladies and see if you can weasel any information out of them. Do they know Oriana’s secret? We know Brenda went back to the house, but did any others go back to Rose’s house or disappear during the fire? They’re planning to visit Louisa at the hospital. Maybe you can catch them before or after? Thanks for lunch, Rose.”

“And while they’re sleuthing, where might you be off to?” asked Holmes.

“I have an auction win to pick up,” I said with pride. I excused myself and headed for the green.

Trixie ran ahead of me, stopping to sniff now and then. We crossed to the sidewalk and were about to turn left when I heard someone calling my name.

I turned to see Dovie hustling toward me. “Now she’s gone and done it!” Dovie wiggled her finger at me. “I’ve lost my job! After all these years, she waltzes in and changes everything. I’ve a mind to tell everyone and embarrass them both.”

“Dovie, I’m afraid I’m not following you.”

“Rose! Oh, she looks so sweet, doesn’t she? That wicked woman talked the judge into firing me. Where am I going to find a job at my age? She just wants him all to herself.”

That last part might be true. But would Rose really do that? “The judge told you that Rose doesn’t want you working for him?”

“Judge Barlow isn’t delicate. He comes right out and says exactly what he means. But the old coot didn’t have the courage to tell me himself. That’s what I get for dedicating my life to him and his wife. They were my family! I helped raise their children. I took care of Theona when she was ill and during her last days. And this is how he shows his gratitude.”

“If he didn’t tell you that you were fired, then who did? Rose?” Surely not. That would be completely out of character for her.

“He sent me an email. Nice and formal-like.” She looked up at the sky like she was reciting something she had memorized. “‘Dear Ms. Dickerson, you are hereby released from your duties as my cook and housekeeper. Your services will no longer be needed. A final paycheck will be sent to you in the mail. Sincerely, the Honorable Judge Barlow.’ Now I ask you. Was that honorable or sincere? Because I’d like to know which part of that was honorable or sincere!”

A queasy wave washed over me, making me shudder. Aunt Birdie. Of course. She didn’t just have Rose to contend with, she had to get rid of Dovie, too. At least she hadn’t murdered them.

I reached out for Dovie’s gnarled hand and took it into both of mine. I didn’t dare tell her the truth. I tried to smile and choked out the same old tired explanation I had given Rose. “Dovie, last night was very hard on Judge Barlow. Everyone was talking about Theona, and it took the steam out of him. I think he might just want to be alone today. I bet you’re not fired at all. You hang in there. Maybe have a cup of tea and a nice piece of cheesecake. I’ll go see what’s going on.”

“Would you, darlin’? You’d do that for me? I don’t know what to say. I’d be ever so grateful.”

I steered her toward the bakery, which had a section in back with tables. “I’ll let you know what I find out.” I waited until she disappeared inside before I said to Trixie, “Aunt Birdie has done it this time.”

I picked up my auction win in a hurry. It turned out to be a small crystal sailboat and a square slip of paper with instructions. Afterward, Trixie and I walked to Birdie’s house. It was a lovely old home with a porch across the front. White wicker chairs with bright blue and white cushions practically asked people to come and sit for spell. A decorative birdcage sat on the table between them along with a bowl of summer peaches. Pink petunias cascaded from hanging baskets. Aunt Birdie might have some issues, but she had an eye for decorating.

I braced myself, marched up the stairs, and knocked on the front door. Aunt Birdie threw it open, crying, “I knew you’d come!”

She stopped abruptly and looked past me. “Oh. It’s you.”

Aha! She was undoubtedly expecting Judge Barlow. She wore a long-sleeve black scoop-neck top with a single strand of pearls and mabe pearl earrings. Her trousers were white. I had to admit that with her dark hair and the silver streak in the middle of her forehead, she looked chic. I suddenly felt frumpy. “You’re lucky it’s not Rose or Dovie standing here.”

Aunt Birdie toyed with her pearls. “I’m sure I can’t imagine what you’re talking about.”

“Maybe we should sit down.”

“Has something happened?”

I gestured toward her chairs. The moment I sat down, Trixie leaped onto my lap.

“Aunt Birdie, what have you done?”

“I suppose you mean my extravagant bid last night for a hot-air balloon ride. My finances are none of your business, young lady.”

“Did you win?” I was actually amused by her revelation. Aunt Birdie had a spark of adventure in her that I never knew about.

“With that bid? I should hope so! I thought Grant Barlow might come with me. We’re at that age, you know.”

“What age is that?” I asked, fearing the answer.

“Bucket list. There isn’t much we haven’t done in our lives. A hot-air balloon seemed so romantic.”

“When I knocked on your door, you thought I was the judge.”

“I do enjoy your exceedingly rare visits. It wouldn’t hurt you to come by more often. But I was expecting Grant.”

She avoided my eyes and studied her hands. I waited quietly with great certainty that she would confess to sending the emails to Rose and Dovie.

When she finally looked up at me, some of the fire had gone out of her. “I hope you marry Holmes and grow old with him.”

I had to hold on to the arms of my chair. In the first place, we were nowhere near marriage. And secondly, it broke my heart to hear the sadness in her voice.

“I have been a very strong woman in my life. I have struggled to maintain respect and be self-supporting. I’m not sure I ever actually wanted to marry. Well, maybe a couple of times. But now I would like to have a companion. A gentleman friend with values and virtue. Someone to have a laugh with or go to dinner with. I guess I wasn’t the only one who thought Grant Barlow might fit the bill. Of course, I planned to wait one year after Theona’s passing. It never occurred to me that anyone would violate that rule of decorum. Dovie had an advantage, being there with him all the time. Small wonder that he developed a fondness for her. She waits on him hand and foot.”

I admit that I felt a teeny bit sorry for her. “Pretending to fire her was hardly a virtuous thing to do.”

“Fire her? Grant fired Dovie? When did this happen?”

“There’s no point playing dumb. It doesn’t become you.”

Aunt Birdie tilted her head. “I know nothing of this.”

I didn’t believe her. “Oh, Birdie! I know what you did. You need to correct it, and I mean now.”

“Grant let her go!” Aunt Birdie stared around, but I didn’t think she was seeing anything. She frowned at me. “Are you sure about this?”

“Quite.”

“Stay here.” She rose and went into her house, returning with a letter, which she held out to me.

Dear Birdie,

I am afraid I must call off our plans. Last night at the gala was hard on me. The tributes to Theona brought back memories and made me realize how very much I miss her. Please do not contact me as I need some time alone.

Sincerely,

The Honorable Grant Barlow

“Isn’t that peculiar?” asked Birdie. “Who calls himself ‘The Honorable?’”

“That’s a little odd. Not in a business letter, maybe, but it’s absurdly formal in personal correspondence.” What was even more strange was the fact that it sounded very much like what Rose and Dovie had described. “When did you receive this email?”

“This morning. I always check my email when I have my second cup of coffee.” She leaned toward me. “I prefer to sit outside with my first cuppa, assuming the weather is nice. It’s most interesting to see what’s going on in the world. People walk their dogs and cats. Some are on their way to work. A few zoom by on bicycles, going much faster than they should. Mr. Stashhollow wears a backpack when he pedals by on his bike, and the cutest little dog is inside. His face is visible and you can see how much he loves his morning ride.”

“What is this plan to which the judge refers?”

She closed her eyes tightly before opening them and saying, “Clearly I have made an utter fool of myself. During the live auction, I bid on a dinner for two at Chowhound and won. I thought it would be a lovely gesture to invite Grant to accompany me.”

“He accepted?”

“Yes. I thought he was a gentleman. But he’s clearly a coward who had to hide behind his computer to weasel out of it.”

“It can be awkward to turn down a person’s kind invitation,” I said.

“Not for me. I just say no.”

“And that’s why you’re so beloved.”

“Was that sarcasm?”

Naturally, it was. I didn’t respond, allowing her to think what she wanted. It crossed my mind that Birdie could have sent all three emails. She was just sneaky enough to send one to herself to throw off suspicion. But I didn’t think she was acting. “May I keep a copy of this?”

“Yes. Why would you want it?”

I debated the wisdom of letting her know that Rose and Dovie had received similar letters. I didn’t think there was anything to gain by revealing that information. “I’m glad you shared this with me. I find it interesting that you received this on the same day that the judge fired Dovie.”

Aunt Birdie gasped. “Rose!” She uttered Rose’s name in a deep tone, like it meant her doom.

“I’m afraid not. I spoke with her this morning.” I fudged a little to maintain Rose’s privacy. “She brought lunch to Oma and me.”

Aunt Birdie’s perfectly shaped eyebrows arched. “My, my. What can Grant be up to?”

“I’m not sure. That’s what I plan to find out.”

Trixie and I left Aunt Birdie sitting on her porch and hurried toward the green. As we walked, I pulled out my phone and called Dave.

I could hear it ringing on his end, and at the same time, I thought I heard a phone ringing near me. His phone rolled over to voice mail, so I left a message to call me. On a hunch, I dialed again, and just like before, I could hear a phone ringing somewhere nearby.

It was Trixie who led me straight to Dave. I found her sniffing his feet.

He was so absorbed in kissing Addi that he didn’t hear Trixie’s shrill, insistent barks, nor did either of them notice me.

I cleared my throat and mock-coughed. Still nothing. “Excuse me! Hello?”

Dave came out of his romance-induced fugue. “Holly.”

Addi flushed like a schoolgirl caught in the act.

“So sorry to interrupt, but I happened to be passing by.”

Addi held on to Dave’s hand like she didn’t intend to let go. The trouble was, if neither Rose, nor Dovie, nor Birdie had sent those letters, then who did? The judge was most likely. Maybe he really didn’t want them all buzzing around him. But after the judge, Addi had to be my primary suspect. I didn’t know what might have motivated her unless she wanted the judge to think he needed her.

I gazed at Addi. She looked so happy. Of course, one did when one was in the fresh thrill of a new infatuation. I couldn’t hold that against her. But I also couldn’t help wondering if she was the one who had been spying on her grandfather. Could she be jealous and want him all for herself? Had she set him up to be alone so he would beg her to come live with him? Or both!

No, I couldn’t mention a word about the judge’s problems in front of her. As much as I liked her, I now had to be cautious. I smiled brightly, “Have you heard anything about Louisa?”

Dave suddenly appeared uncomfortable. “She’s improving. The doctors expect her to make a full recovery.”

“Great! I am very relieved to hear that.”

He gazed at Addi for a moment before facing me. “I was going to call you, Holly. The fire chief from Snowball has determined that the fire at Dovie’s shed was intentionally set.”