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The young delivery man entered carrying large insulated bags inscribed with KIFUNE on the top flap. Judging by the size of the bags, it looked like Matt had ordered enough for an army. A mixture of savory and spicy aromas filled the room as the flaps were opened.
Matt said, “We’ve had Chinese and pizza, so I figured I’d order some Treasure Ship dinners from that great Japanese restaurant on Washington. I told them to deliver the food in the wooden craft boats they use in the restaurant to keep it authentic. I’ll bring them back to the restaurant later. Hope this is okay.”
While Cameron placed plates at each place with Kate’s help, Margaret watched the young man remove three large wooden craft boats attractively filled with beef teriyaki, chicken teriyaki, sesame chicken, shrimp and vegetable tempura, salmon teriyaki, snow crab, seafood kushiyaki. He positioned the boats along Cameron’s large dining room table, adding little containers of sauces and packets of condiments at each place. There were also containers of rice. Then he went over to Matt and gave him his receipt. After Matt palmed a nice tip to him and thanked him, he walked the young man to the door, then came back to the table and sat down.
The energy in the room telegraphed everyone’s curiosity about what the information that had delayed Margaret could be, but they all tried to concentrate on devouring the mouthwatering feast.
Margaret was the first to say anything. “This is incredible. I’ve passed that restaurant so many times when I’ve come here to meet with Danny, but I never tried it. You know how it goes. You see something that you file for future reference, and for some reason or other never do anything about it. Thank you, Matt. This is delicious.”
The Colonel agreed, adding, “Even when I was in Tokyo years ago, I never tasted anything this good. I wonder if this is an American version of Japanese food. If not, I guess I just didn’t find the right restaurants when I was in Japan, but then we had more than food on our minds back then.”
Clarence positioned himself right next to the Colonel’s chair and seemed to be patiently hoping for a shrimp or piece of salmon. Finally, patient no more, he began to paw his master as if to say, “Hey, me, too. Where’s mine?” The Colonel broke off a few pieces of salmon and fed them to his dog. Satisfied, Clarence went under the table and moments later his snores signaled that he had settled down for a snooze.
Margaret savored a few more mouthfuls of the salmon. Then it appeared she was ready to fill in some of the pieces of the puzzle surrounding Al Shady’s murder and Barbara’s disappearance.
She cleared her throat, placed a set of chopsticks on the rim of the plate, and said, “I’ve kept you in suspense long enough. I think you will really like this.” She fingered the gold necklace at her throat in a bit of a nervous gesture.
They all eyed her with anticipation.
“I know Danny told you I had the ability to find out things about the Shadys, and that’s why I’m here. When he told me what was going on, I couldn’t resist. Although I didn’t know them personally, they didn’t live that far from me. In fact, another realtor beat me to the listing when they put their house on the market. Anyway, I remembered that some of my friends also knew Barbara. One of them was friends with Al’s first wife and was pretty surprised a few years back when he married someone who appeared young enough to be his daughter. Of course, whispers of gold digger floated through our little community, and like the telephone game, eventually did reach me. I saw her with him at some events, but really didn’t have any desire to get to know her. Probably why I missed out on their listing.”
Margaret concluded by saying, “After reading the accounts in the newspaper and putting everything together with what I’d heard from friends, when Danny called I couldn’t wait to be part of this. Maybe I should have been a sleuth in a different life. Anyway, I think down the road there could be a best seller in this whole scenario, and as you well know, Danny and I have written some blockbuster true crime books. Now, I suppose you want to know what I can contribute.”
Just then Clarence ventured out from under the table and stared up at the Colonel, getting his attention by pawing his leg. He let out a plaintiff whine.
The Colonel folded his napkin on the table, slid his chair back and said, “Sorry folks. Maggie, can you hold the information for a moment or two. Clarence is trying to tell me nature calls. Now that he’s an oldster like me, he can’t hold it like he used to. We’ll be right back.” By now the dog was hopping around like a frog on fire. The old man didn’t even bother putting on his leash, sensing that his dog’s need was urgent. “Come on, Buddy. You’re a good boy for letting me know.”
They headed for the door and left it slightly ajar.
Loud quacks came from the courtyard. Margaret said, “For goodness sakes, what’s that racket? It sounds like you have ducks in your—”
She didn’t get to finish her sentence, because Maxie and Mini strode into the house through the open door like they owned it, quacking all the way. Cameron collapsed in laughter. “Oh my goodness. That pair gets bolder and bolder every day. I suspect they came out of the canal when they saw Clarence and the Colonel go out and tried to beg some treats but didn’t get any. It’s unusual for them to march into the house to demand food, but here they are.”
Mini went over to Kate and rubbed against her leg. Kate said, “Yeah, and this little girl thinks I’m a big duck. Stay put. I’ll go out and get some bread bits from the container on the patio.” She got up and the two ducks followed her like she was a duck master. Mini wiggled her tail feathers just before they went out into the courtyard.
Kate and the Colonel came back a few minutes later with Clarence following. They settled into their chairs while the big dog returned to his lair under the table.
Everyone looked at Margaret waiting for her to begin.