Chapter 37
Most of the craft retreaters went out for the evening. Ruby went off to Cashel’s office, with strict instructions from Cora to let her know if there was any news. Jane and Cora sat at the kitchen table eating leftovers.
“Have you talked to London today?” Cora asked.
“Yes,” Jane said. “She’s having a blast.”
“How are you doing with her gone this weekend?”
“I miss her even though I know she’s having fun and being well taken care of,” Jane said.
“Do you believe our guests were making bets on who the killer was?” Cora said, and drank from her wine.
“I think it was just a way for them to deal with the stress,” Jane said.
“That’s a good way of looking at it. It’s probably true,” Cora said.
“It’s hard to imagine that Roni killed him,” Jane said.
“It is, but remember she said it was an accident. Still, I can’t figure out how she got Stan from the alley to the theater.”
“And she didn’t say anything about a knife,” Jane said. “It’s all so confusing.”
“I’m sure there was a lot more to it than what we know,” Cora said. “She had passed out and wasn’t making much sense at first. Once they get her calmed down, everything will be revealed.”
They sat and ate quietly.
“Other than all of this, how do you think the retreat is going?” Cora asked after a few minutes.
“It’s been interesting,” Jane said. “I think friendships are forming. I think they are missing their kids, but enjoying themselves.” She paused. “You know, once you’re a mother, you’re just never the same. No matter what, your kid is always on your mind. You’re sort of always pulled between yourself and them.”
“I’ve noticed that a lot of our guests are making a lot of phone calls home. But Jo? She has me worried. I mean, I get that you miss your kids, but to leave a retreat that you paid for?”
“Yes, I’ve seen this kind of mom a lot,” Jane said. “She probably doesn’t have any interests of her own. Maybe she has her self-worth wrapped up in her children.”
“Don’t you? I mean, don’t all mothers?”
A thoughtful expression came over Jane’s face. “No. I love my kid, but I have parts of myself that are just mine. I want to be a good mom, and there’s a certain amount of satisfaction to that. I don’t think my self-worth is tied into mothering at all.”
“Which brings me back to Jo. She probably needed this retreat more than any of you,” Cora said. She slid her plate aside and poured more wine.
“I hope they’ve let Jo go by now,” Jane said. “She was the sweetest person. She was probably frightened when they pulled her over.”
“Oh, I can imagine,” Cora said. “More wine?”
Jane nodded. “How’s it going with Adrian?”
“Good,” Cora said. “He’ll be around during the closing party.”
“You know, I’ve been thinking about that. In my opinion, it’d be all right for him to be around during the retreats.”
“I don’t know,” Cora said. “He’s a guy, and guys can change the energy when there’s a group of women.”
“Yes, but he’s your devoted boyfriend. So maybe it wouldn’t be as bad,” Jane said. “Just think about it.”
“I’ll give it some consideration,” Cora said. Sometimes she felt like pinching herself. It had been such a long time since she’d had a boyfriend. And she’d never had one who was as crazy about her as Adrian. It was certainly a boost to her ego.
Jane stood and stretched. “I think I’m going to call it a night. I’m exhausted. Pretty sad, isn’t it? My kid is gone, and I’ve plenty of space and time to myself, and all I want to do is sleep.”
“We’ve had quite a day,” Cora said, standing and gathering plates.
“I think it’s going well, other than ... you know. Stan,” Jane said, and yawned.
“Good night, Jane,” Cora said. “I’ll take care of the dishes.”
“Okay,” Jane said. “Good night.” She walked out of the room. The back door opened and closed.
She rinsed off the dishes and placed them in the dishwasher, mulling over the day. She didn’t know who concerned her the most—Jo, Zee, or Roni. It was apparent that Roni didn’t mean to kill Stan.
Something Roni had said about Stan caught in her mind and irritated her like a popcorn skin caught between her teeth. She’d said Stan had hurt her daughter and that she was only twelve when it had happened. If Stan was a pedophile, he was in a perfect position to prey on young people. Just like a priest or a Boy Scout leader.
He’d been involved in the theater for years.
This couldn’t be the first time he’d hurt a child, could it?
He was unpleasant, self-important, and liked to wield his small-town theater power, but that didn’t make him a person who would hurt a child.
Cora’s cell phone buzzed. The IndigoArts Theater was calling her. She considered not picking it up. But she couldn’t do it.
“Hello,” she said.
“Cora, it’s me, Lucy, at the theater. Stan’s assistant?”
“Yes, of course,” Cora said, impatient. She was exhausted and wanted to get to bed.
“We need you and Jane to help us out tonight. Is that possible?”
Cora yawned. “What exactly do you mean?”
“We’ve got a packed house and are pulled thin because some of our volunteers have come down with the flu. So if you and Jane could help usher or work refreshments. Anything would help.” Desperation poured from her voice.
Cora glanced at the clock. It was eight P.M. As long as she was in bed by ten or eleven, she’d be fine. The poor woman was almost begging.
“I’ll be over. I’ll call Jane and see if she wants to help as well. We’re both tired because it’s been a long day and we have a retreat going on.”
“Oh, thank you. We won’t keep you long. You can leave after intermission. I promise.”
Cora pressed her key for Jane’s number, hating to disturb her. But it was Jane who got her into this mess of a theater production.
“What?” Jane said, answering the phone.
Cora explained what Lucy was asking of them.
“Are you serious?” Jane said.
“As serious as a heart attack,” Cora said.
Jane paused. “Okay. I’ll meet you at the front gate in five.”
“Sounds good.”
“And Cora?”
“Yes?”
“Remind me of this night if I ever suggest we do anything like this again.”
“No worries.” Cora would be more than happy to remind her.