CHAPTER ELEVEN
My stomach dropped to my knees. Please, don’t do it. Please don’t call my name.
“I’d like to welcome the founding members of the Greene Street Detective Agency up on stage with us,” the mayor said, “to take a bow for all their hard work in keeping Sequoia safe.”
Don’t do it. Don’t you dare do it.
“Athena Spencer and Case Donnelly, come on up and join us.”
The crowd applauded, but my heart was pounding so hard, the sound was just static in my ears. I tried to move but couldn’t feel my legs. My worst fear was coming true, and my first instinct was to turn and run. I could see the mayor with his hand outstretched toward the stairs, waiting for our arrival. I felt Case’s hand grab mine, but I still couldn’t move.
Something I had never shared with Case was my utter and absolute fear of public speaking. Everyone knew that crowds rattled my nerves, but standing before a massive audience was petrifying. My legs quaked, and my hand was ice cold as Case pulled me forward.
“Come on, Goddess,” he said.
Lila was smiling at us, clapping with the crowd, her expression expectant.
“I can’t do this, Case. I can’t go up there.”
“What’s wrong?”
“The crowd. All those people. I can’t do it.”
“Just take a bow. You’ll be fine.”
I breathed rapidly in and out, feeling faint as I followed Case up the stairs. The applause grew louder, and I found myself smiling instinctively as we approached Lila and the mayor. Case pulled my hand up with his, stretching it overhead, clearly enjoying the moment. I darted a glance at the audience, barely able to make out individual faces, and forced myself to wave.
Okay, I told myself. This isn’t so bad. All you have to do is stand here and smile.
And then the mayor spoke into the microphone, sending chills to my very soul. “Athena, why don’t you say a few words?”
I shook my head at him, forcing myself to smile but feeling faint again.
“What do you say, folks?” the mayor said. “Wouldn’t you like to hear a few words from our very own Goddess of Greene Street?”
The crowd applauded relentlessly, everyone focusing solely on me. And then, as if my legs had a mind of their own, they began to shuttle me forward. Case’s hand fell away from mine, and I suddenly found myself standing behind the podium. The bright stage lights were blinding. The static in my ears was overwhelming. My mouth opened. And that was all I remembered.
* * *
From what Case told me afterward, I’d managed to thank the crowd for their support and then had sputtered to a stop until Case came to my rescue. He had spoken to the crowd about our mission for justice, and they’d loved him, of course. There was only one man I knew more handsome and charismatic than Charles Sloan, and that was my partner, Case Donnelly.
He held my hand in the VIP area and chuckled as I chugged a bottle of water. “I never imagined a person could turn as white as you did,” he said. “You were really petrified up there.”
“I was shaking so hard my teeth were actually clacking together. I’m surprised you didn’t hear it.”
“You were squeezing my hand so hard I’m surprised you didn’t break it.”
“I’m so embarrassed,” I said. “And angry. I can’t believe the mayor would just call us up on stage in front of all those people.”
“You did fine,” Case assured me. “The people got to see their goddess in person.”
I finished the bottle of water, my embarrassment easing. “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”
He raised my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers. “It’s what I do. Now, let’s see if we can catch the mayor and his security guard before they leave.”
As the crowd began to exit the bandstand area, we found Charles Sloan behind the stage being briefed by his crew. We headed toward him, only to see him walk over to a group of supporters and begin to converse.
Case nodded toward the right. “There’s the security guard. Let’s have a word with him first.”
The beefy guard had his arms folded across his massive chest while his eyes scanned the area. He gave us a scrutinizing stare as we walked up to him.
Case introduced himself first, to which he was given no reply. “And this is my partner, Athena Spencer. We’re with the Greene Street Detective Agency.”
The guard finally gave us a short nod and continued to sweep the area with his gaze.
“We’d like to talk to you about last Thursday evening at the fashion show,” Case continued. “We understand you were there that night.”
Without turning to look at us, he answered, “No comment.”
“We just need to know whom you saw backstage,” Case told him.
The guard pinned him with a hostile glare. “I don’t talk to anyone unless Mr. Sloan tells me to.”
“Okay,” Case responded slowly. “We’ll set something up with the mayor.”
The guard glared for another few seconds, then went back to scanning the area.
The mayor walked over to us with a smile. “What did you think of my speech?”
“Honestly?” I blurted. I balled my fists at my sides, wishing I could muster the courage of Abby Knight and tell the man before me that his speech was pompous, his smile was plastic, and his impetuous invitation for us to come up to the stage was presumptuous at best. But instead, I smiled gracefully and said, “The crowd seemed to enjoy it.”
The mayor flashed his toothy grin. “They did, didn’t they?”
“If you don’t mind,” Case said, “we’d like a few minutes of your time. We’re working on the Carly Blackburn case and would like your insights on the night of the murder.”
Charles Sloan glanced at his security guard, then quickly looked down at his watch. “I would absolutely love to help you right now, but you’ll have to make it quick. I have hands to shake and friends to make.”
Case wasted no time. He laid it all out quickly. “We’ve been informed that you were at the fashion show Thursday evening, and we understand that Carly was your campaign manager. Would you be able to offer your thoughts about what happened to her?”
The mayor rubbed his hand over his mouth, staring at the ground for a moment before looking straight at us. “Carly was a brilliant woman with a clear vision. Our team is scrambling without her. She will be sincerely missed.”
I waited for more, but he was done. He looked at us with a seemingly well-rehearsed world-weary expression that I wasn’t buying for a second.
“Is that all you have to say?” I asked.
The mayor pulled a business card from inside his jacket pocket. “Why don’t you set up a time with my secretary to meet me at my headquarters? If you need anything else, you can contact my new campaign manager. And let me say that I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for this town. I’m serious. Anything you need, you let Lila know.”
“Lila?” I said in surprise.
“Did I just hear my name?”
I spun to find her walking toward us. “You’re the new campaign manager?”
“In person.”
“I have to dash,” the mayor said, “so I’ll leave you in Lila’s capable hands.”
“Before you go,” Case said, “we’d also like to speak with your security guard.”
“That’s not a problem.” He checked his watch again. “But I’m afraid we have to leave now. First thing in the morning, I’ll give Ben and my entire staff permission to speak with you about anything you need. Lila, you see to it that they’re well taken care of.” He gave her shoulder a familiar squeeze and left.
“And there you have it,” Lila said with a grin. “I told you I could get close.”
“Maybe a little too close,” I said. “What if Charles had something to do with Carly’s death?”
Lila rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic, Athena. Why don’t you stop by campaign headquarters tomorrow afternoon? I’ll meet you there.”
Before I could say more, Case put his arm around my shoulders. “Sounds like a plan.”
As we walked away from the grandstand, Case asked how I was feeling.
“Tense,” I told him. “And a little suspicious of Lila’s new title.”
“You’re right. It does seem odd, but it could work in our favor to have an inside source.”
“I can’t even think about that right now,” I said. “I just want to get out of here.”
“I understand.” He took my hand in his as we continued toward the midway. “Let’s go find Niko and your sister, get some cotton candy, and call it a night.”
I was definitely up for that.
* * *
Late that evening, I sat at my desk and opened my laptop to write my blog. It had been a long day, and I was still recovering from my onstage fright. Sitting still and silent in my peaceful bedroom, I thought back to my frantic state of mind and had to laugh at myself. After that, I felt better. And that gave me an idea for a topic.
IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME
Blog by Goddess Anon
Blog by Goddess Anon
Take Two Laughs and Call Me in the Morning
Is there anything better than a good belly laugh? The kind where you hold your sides, wipe your eyes, and rub the muscles in your face because they hurt? Seriously, when was the last time you did that? Did you know that doing so can help calm anxiety, boost your immune system, and reduce your risk of serious illness?
Boy, could I have used a good belly laugh this evening. My anxiety level was through the roof! And it all started when . . .
Thursday
“I believe in the power of laughter,” my sister Maia was saying as Nicholas and I walked up to the booth at the diner the next morning. Yiayiá came out of the kitchen with a large glass of chocolate milk and a plate full of cheese-smothered omelétta.
“Niko,” she called, “I have your favorite breakfast for you.”
My son immediately did an about-face, scurried to the counter, and hopped onto a stool, leaving me alone in the booth across from Maia and my older sister, Selene. Delphi was nowhere to be seen.
Selene picked up a piece of crunchy bacon and continued the conversation. “Laughter is the best medicine.” She rolled her eyes and took a bite. “Or so they say.”
Obviously, they had read my blog.
“Anyway,” Maia persisted, “I was at a yoga convention one time speaking in front of a crowd about Adho Mukha Svanasana when someone—”
Selene stopped chewing. “What is Addo Mucka Susanna?”
“Adho Mukha Svanasana,” Maia corrected and sipped her coffee. “It’s Downward Dog.”
“Then why didn’t you just say Downward Dog?” Selene snapped crossly.
Maia sat back with a scowl. “What’s up with you today?”
Before Selene could fire back, I tried to redirect the conversation. “Maia, what happened at the speech?”
She leaned in. “I was really nervous. The speech wasn’t going well. My throat was dry, and I was messing up my words, and then someone passed gas. Loudly. I was literally shaking with laughter.”
“You don’t need to say ‘literally,’ ” Selene said.
“And why do you care?” Maia retorted.
“Girls,” Mama said quietly, leaning over to refill their cups, “everyone can hear you.”
I glanced around and spotted Mrs. Stella Galopodis sitting at the table across from us with her group of Red Hat ladies, unabashedly eavesdropping on our conversation.
The Red Hat Society was famous around town for their stylish dress and their old-fashioned manners. They were also well-known at the diner for feuding among themselves, an activity they actually seemed to enjoy.
Mama bumped me playfully with her hip. “Athena? Oatmeal again?”
“Yes, please,” I said.
Maia leaned in closer and directed her attention toward me and Mama. “To finish my story, after the laughter calmed down, I ended my speech perfectly. And everyone seemed to enjoy it. So, I truly believe in the power of laughter.” Looking at me, she said, “Did you read the blog this morning?”
“Not today,” I told her. “But I get the point.”
“I’ve never laughed at anyone at the hair salon,” Selene said.
“I don’t believe that for a second,” Maia said. “Maybe if you’d take the stick out of your—”
Selene gave her a jab in the shoulder.
“I put your order in,” Mama said, scooting Maia over so she could sit down. “Athena, what did you find out about Delphi and her dance lessons?”
“They’re having fun,” I said. “That’s all.”
Mama gave me a scrutinizing stare. “Are you sure? Are you sure there’s not something more going on between Delphi and Bob?”
“If you don’t believe me, ask her yourself,” I said.
“I don’t want to pry,” she replied. “Now, Selene, why are you so crabby? Is it because you don’t have a man in your life?”
“Mama!” Selene protested. “I just got up on the wrong side of the bed, that’s all.”
My mother did not look convinced. She rose with a sigh. “Okay. Fine. But there are all sorts of eligible Greek bachelors at the fair. Why don’t you come down with me one evening, and I’ll prove it to you?”
Selene gave her a scowl. “Can we change the subject, please?”
“What’s wrong with the subject?” Mama asked.
“I don’t need you to set me up,” Selene insisted. “Please stop asking me about it.”
I understood immediately why Selene was upset. When Mama decided it was time for one of her daughters to find a “good Greek man,” she was relentless in completing her task, even when asked nicely (and sometimes not-so-nicely) to stop. Mama had done the same thing to me when I’d returned home from Chicago sans husband.
In order to help calm the situation, I decided to jump in. “Mama, how well do you know Eleni Sloan?”
“Eleni and I go way back,” she answered, “before she was the mayor’s wife, before she was a Sloan, even. She’s a smart businesswoman with a sharp wit and a Greek temper.”
“How bad of a temper?” I asked.
Mama paused. Even though I had tried to act nonchalant, my mother knew too well when I was trying to get information out of her. Usually, it was the other way around.
“Why do you want to know?” she asked.
“Just curious,” I said. “What about Eleni and her husband? Do they seem to get along?”
Mama studied me for a second. “What is this about, Athena?”
“I’ve heard some things about Mayor Sloan,” I said. “A rumor of an affair that may have happened before I moved back to town. Do you know anything about that?”
“I’ve never heard any such rumor!” Mama said. “Where did you hear such a horrible thing?”
“From one of the models who was at the fashion show. I just wondered if you’d heard it, too.”
“Charles Sloan is a good man and an upstanding citizen,” Mama said indignantly. “I would question anyone’s intentions in spreading such a lie.” She huffed. “Enough of that talk. You girls eat your food, and I’ll go see about your breakfast, Thenie.”
As my mother walked away, Mrs. Galopodis cleared her throat. I glanced over at her, and she tilted her head toward me, then put a finger to her lips. I got up and stepped across the aisle, where she began to whisper, while the other ladies leaned in to hear, the feathers on their red hats meeting in the middle of the table.