Chapter 14

Jim ruffled Frodo’s fur, petting and hugging him. Frodo’s tail showed his joy.

“Good morning.” I couldn’t help smiling at the two of them. “I guess you’ve had dogs.”

“Lots of ’em. No better creatures on the face of the earth. They always love you. What’s his name?”

“Frodo.”

“Folks that walk by either avert their eyes or stare at me like I’m some kind of oddity. But Frodo here didn’t judge me. He knew right away that I was a good person. Dogs are much smarter than people in that respect. He doesn’t care that I’m not dressed in a suit or wearing a Rolex. That wouldn’t mean a thing to him. Dogs go straight to what’s important—a person’s character.”

Jim was correct, of course. But it made me wonder about him. How had he landed on the street? Had he had a job? He wasn’t young. What had he done in his life? Didn’t he have any family who had a warm bed he could use until he was back on his feet? He seemed like an agreeable guy.

I handed him the coffee and bear claws. He broke off a corner of a bear claw and fed it to Frodo, who appeared to like him more every moment.

There was no place to sit on the bench thanks to his possessions. I stood, holding Frodo’s leash. “Someone broke into Maxwell’s home last night.”

“Word on the street is that the butler had a heart attack.”

“Someone got that wrong. He broke his wrist and a bone in his leg.” That had been incorrect, but maybe one of his street friends had seen something? “Do you know why someone would have entered the mansion?”

Jim looked up at me briefly before focusing on Frodo again. “There are bad people in this world who think they can take what belongs to other people. Even folks like me get robbed. Can you believe it? Rich folks are big targets.”

“Let me know if you hear anything, okay?”

He winked at me. “You bet. I like the professor. Hate to see him in trouble.”

I waved and walked up the stairs to the bookstore entrance. I still hadn’t posted a sign! How could I have forgotten about that? I rapped on the door. No one answered. Cupping my hands around my eyes, I looked inside, but didn’t see anyone.

“Nobody there this morning,” called Jim.

Frodo and I walked back to him. He had finished one bear claw.

“How long have you been out here?”

“I come up this way around six in the morning. I know because I always look at the big clock on the corner of M and Wisconsin. Nobody has gone in or out of the bookstore today. Of course somebody could have entered through the back door, but the cops probably don’t have the key to that door.”

“Thanks for keeping an eye on the store, Jim.” I started to walk away.

“Hey, Florrie!”

I stopped and turned around. “Tell Maxwell that I miss the old coot. I’m keeping an ear to the ground for him.”

I couldn’t help grinning. It spoke to his innate goodness. How many people with Maxwell’s money had bag people on the street looking out for them? Maxwell had friends everywhere. Just maybe not in his own family. My cell phone rang. It was the nursing company, letting me know that Mr. DuBois was on his way home.

Frodo and I hurried back just in time to find two aides helping Mr. DuBois out of a van. The poor guy looked exhausted.

“Are you Florrie?” asked one of the assistants.

After introducing myself, I unlocked the back door for them. I had no idea where Mr. DuBois’s room was, which necessitated a quick search through the mansion. I found it on the main floor on the far east side of the house. Giant windows and French doors looked out over a small private garden.

Frodo and I returned to Mr. DuBois, whom the assistants brought inside in a wheelchair.

They settled him in his bed. He grasped my hand. “Tell Maxwell I’ll be fine.”

“I will. You just rest. They’re sending a guard to watch over the property.”

He closed his eyes. “Thank . . .”

One of the assistants smiled at me. “It’s the morphine. He’ll sleep most of the day.” She crooked a finger at me.

I followed her into the kitchen.

“I’m Doris. I’ll be doing twelve-hour shifts, and Fred will be taking the other twelve. Is there anything I should know?”

“I suppose you’re aware of the general situation with Mr. Maxwell?”

“I read about it in the paper.”

I wasn’t sure how much to tell her. Maybe the newspaper coverage was all she needed to know? “I live in the carriage house out back. Please call me if you need anything. I’m told a guard will be coming to keep an eye on the property.”

Doris grew pale.

Uh-oh. More information was necessary after all. I explained what had happened the night before. She deserved to know that much if she was going to be staying here.

“Well!” She braced her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Nothing of that sort will happen on my watch!”

Glad about her presence, I headed home.

I was eager to shower and change into fresh clothes but thought I’d better put a sign up on the bookstore pronto. It was easy enough to make on my computer.

Temporarily closed.

Please call regarding books on order as we are receiving deliveries.

Watch for our reopening very soon.

As it printed, it dawned on me that we should probably have some kind of reopening party or festivity, maybe a book signing. My next thought shocked me to the core. Apparently, I was more devious than I had realized. I could invite Jacquie Liebhaber to sign books. What better opportunity to ask her questions about Delbert stealing her books!

Now if I only knew when the store would reopen. I couldn’t exactly invite her if I didn’t have a date.

I rushed to the copy shop to have the sign laminated to protect it against the weather. I bought a couple of hooks to hang it with and asked them to punch holes.

Frodo and I returned to the bookstore and hung the sign. Jim had left his position on the bench. I guessed he had moved on someplace else for lunch.

I knocked on the door again and looked inside the store. I couldn’t see a soul. Hmmpf. If they were through, they should give us access again.

There was one more errand before I could go home. Possibly the most important of all. Frodo and I walked to the chic shop that masqueraded as a home and hardware store. I found what I wanted in a matter of minutes—door bolts. I hated to deface the professor’s property without asking him first, but under the circumstances, I thought my personal safety and sanity were far more important. Happily, the store offered trendy hardware, albeit at astronomical prices. I wasn’t paying rent, so the least I could do was buy stylish bolts. I purchased two, along with a screwdriver, and we finally headed home.

The sofa beckoned after my night without sleep. But first, those bolts had to be installed. I wasn’t particularly adept at home maintenance, but this didn’t seem too difficult.

I worked on the gate first. The wood was harder than I had expected. I used a rock to hammer a starter hole, which worked fairly well. Installing the screws by hand was exhausting but I was determined to do it. In the end, I slid the bolt into place and decided I was entitled to an entire pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream as a reward.

The interior bolt was easier to install. I slid it in place, pleased by my independence. At least no one would be getting inside while I was home. I relaxed just knowing that.

Next I placed a call to Sergeant Jonquille. I got his answering machine and left a message asking when we might be able to reopen the store since no one appeared to be collecting evidence anymore.

As much as I needed to shower, I collapsed on the sofa, closed my eyes for a few minutes, and drifted off.

At one o’clock I woke with a jerk and remembered that I was supposed to meet Sonja. I hurried through a shower, and dressed in a pale lime sheath and white sandals. “Sorry, Frodo, but you’ll have to stay home with Peaches.”

He opened his eyes but didn’t bother to lift his head. I took that as an indication that he was pleased to stay and nap.

Peaches slept a foot away from him. They would be fine.

I walked up Wisconsin Avenue fast, the sun beating down on me mercilessly. A full five minutes early, I walked into the cool bakery, grateful for air-conditioning. It was a modern place, with a minimalist decor. The focus was on the huge cases of baked goods. My eyes went straight to the chocolate eclairs, cupcakes, and beautiful tortes.

Sonja wore a traditional soft pink waitress uniform. She wasn’t wearing a stitch of makeup but still looked gorgeous.

“You came! I wasn’t sure you would.” She gestured toward a simple round table with two metal folding chairs. “It’s always slow this time of day. After lunch but too early to pick up something to take home for dessert. I hope you won’t mind if a customer comes in, and I have to serve him.”

“Of course not.”

We sat down, and she wasted no time. “Delbert had a little crush on me.”

I smiled. I was fairly certain he was in good company. Sonja must be used to men chasing her.

“He told me that he is very wealthy and will inherit a mansion from his uncle. Many men say things like that, so I didn’t pay much attention.” She kneaded her fingers and shot me a weak smile. “When men are drunk, most of them say they are wealthy, successful, and incredible athletes. I was surprised to learn that in the case of Delbert, he actually did come from a wealthy family.”

She paused and stared out the plate glass window, but I didn’t think she was seeing anything. She could have told us that last night. It was hardly worth a special meeting. She had to know something more.

Sonja swallowed hard. “It was strange because from what I could see, Delbert did not have a pleasing personality, yet he was always the center of attention. Women flirted with him and men wanted to be his friend, even buying him drinks.”

“I guess money attracts some people.”

“Exactly. But there was one woman who watched him with anger in her eyes.”