The interior of Waffles and Eggs was cheery and bright. Sunshine poured into the restaurant through large windows set in oak-paneled walls adorned with colorful posters. I’d no sooner stepped inside when Al called out to me.
“Carrie, over here!”
I walked past occupied tables and booths and headed to the round table for six in the rear of the room.
Al was beaming as he approached to escort me the last ten feet—as if I were his special project, which I supposed I was.
He bussed my cheek and led me to the table. “Carrie, you already know Jeannette Rivers. And this is Sean Powell and Reggie Williams.”
“Hi, Jeannette. Nice to meet you, Sean and Reggie.”
Jeannette often came to the library to attend art and history programs. I’d googled Sean and Reggie as well as Babette Fisher, who had yet to make an appearance. The two men and I shook hands, then I sat down between Al and Jeannette. I couldn’t help but notice I was by far the youngest person at the table, one of the reasons Al wanted me on the council.
“It’s so nice to see you, Carrie,” Jeannette said. “I hope you’re enjoying the good weather.”
She was an attractive, no-nonsense, petite blonde with bright blue eyes that missed nothing. She and her husband owned a successful real estate company specializing in upscale homes. Sean Powell owned the construction company that had won the bid to convert the building next to the library into our new addition. An excellent tennis player, he appeared to be in excellent shape for a man in his early seventies. Reggie, a handsome black man some fifteen years younger than Sean, was an executive in a PR company that had branches in Greenwich and Manhattan.
“We’re delighted you were able to join us on such short notice.” Reggie shot me a grin that gave me the feeling he was the designated “get Carrie” hook. Well, sure, since he dealt in PR.
“My pleasure,” I returned, hoping my smile was half as dazzling as his.
Our waitress arrived with a full carafe of coffee. After she filled our mugs, she took our orders. I decided to go all out and have waffles with strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream.
Knowing Jeannette and her husband loved to travel, I asked if they were going on any trips later this summer.
“We’re taking our kids and their families on a river cruise next month.”
As she began mentioning the towns on the Rhine they’d be visiting, the three men engaged in an animated conversation. I couldn’t make out what the subject was, but two things were clear: one, they were resuming a previous conversation, and two, they were at odds regarding the matter. When their voices grew louder, Jeannette and I turned to look at them, as did a few people at nearby tables.
“I thought we’d agreed no business today,” she said.
“We did,” Al said.
He, Sean, and Reggie nodded like three little boys being reprimanded.
“You can discuss the Seabrook property at the next meeting,” Jeannette said.
Just then a woman rushed up to our table. Her straggly fair hair formed an unkempt halo about her face, and she wore a shapeless, wrinkled linen dress that almost reached her ankles. She was out of breath from hurrying.
“Sorry, everyone. I had to make a few stops, then my car refused to start. I ended up having to call the service station.”
Al leaped to his feet. “No worries, Babette. Sit down and meet Carrie Singleton. We sincerely hope Carrie will agree to be Jeannette’s replacement.”
“Hello, Carrie Singleton. I’m honored to finally meet you—our own Nancy Drew!”
My face grew warm with embarrassment.
Al shook his finger at Babette. “You’ve made your grand entrance. Now please sit down and catch your breath. The waitress will be over in minute to take your order.”
Babette smiled like a little girl caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “Of course. I do apologize.” She turned to me. “And I really am glad to meet you, Carrie. I’ve heard you’re doing wonderful things at the library.”
“Thank you,” I said, reaching across the table to shake her outstretched hand. “I’m glad to meet you, too.”
Googling Babette, I’d discovered she was divorced and in her late forties like Al. She taught art at the local high school and had had several art shows in galleries around the country.
Our waitress came to take Babette’s order, which was very similar to mine. She returned minutes later with our food. As I ate, I chatted with the council members. I learned that Sean’s college-aged grandson was spending the summer in Spain—taking courses in Valencia—and that Sean and his wife would be visiting him there next week. Babette was flying to Mexico to spend two weeks in San Miguel de Allende to paint, and Reggie would be driving his youngest daughter to college in late August.
Eventually, the table grew silent. Al nodded to me. “Carrie, we’re so glad you could join us today. I thought it would be nice if everyone shared a little bit about him or herself.
“As you know, I’m a lawyer. I’m married and have two daughters, and I’ve been mayor of Clover Ridge almost four years now.”
The others spoke briefly about their professions and families. When they’d finished, Al turned to me. “Your turn, Carrie.”
I looked at the waiting faces, suddenly tongue-tied. “I didn’t realize I’d be making a speech today.”
Al waved his hand. “Not a speech, Carrie. Just a few words, if you will.”
“Of course. I’m Carrie Singleton and I’m the head of programs and events at the Clover Ridge Library. I used to visit Clover Ridge when I was little and stay at the Singleton Farm, which my family owned for generations.” I looked at Al. “I’m not sure what else to say.”
“How about the part you played in helping to establish Haven House for the homeless?” Al said.
I returned my attention to the others. “I was on the committee that helped make Haven House a reality. Now I see to it that the library sends them books, movies, and magazines that we’ve culled from our collections.”
Al chuckled. “As well as playing a big role in removing the criminal element that set up Haven House.”
“I suppose.” I didn’t like talking about the criminal cases I’d helped solve with people I hardly knew. It might not be rational or even fair, but whenever strangers raised the subject, I felt like I was being asked to provide a cheap, vicarious thrill.
“And you did help bring a few murderers to justice,” Babette said.
“I did,” I said firmly, hoping that was the end of it.
Thank goodness Al sensed that I had no intention of going into details. “Carrie is a wonderful addition to our community, which is why I thought she would be the perfect replacement for Jeannette.”
“And she’s young,” Babette quipped. “I hope she comes on board so I’ll no longer be viewed as the baby of the group.”
They all laughed, a sign of the good camaraderie they all shared. A plus if I were seriously considering joining them.
Reggie smiled. “Perhaps Carrie has some questions she’d like to ask us.”
“Thanks, Reggie. I do have questions, and the most pressing one is: you have to vote and make policy decisions on so many different issues affecting the entire town. How can you make these decisions when you don’t have the technical background—let’s say regarding construction, financial matters, education? I’m sure you read reports, but often the real information or problems are hidden between the lines.”
A silence fell. Have I hit a nerve? I wondered.
Sean nodded. “An excellent point. One thing we do is we turn to the expert in our group in that particular field. The five of us here—six, if we include you—have been trained in different areas of expertise. And we reach out to get the opinions of others in the field.”
“I’d like to add that we make a point of really listening to each other when we don’t have the same take regarding a particular project,” Jeannette said.
“Do things ever get contentious?” I asked.
That brought chuckles and smiles and a few eye rolls. I already knew they didn’t always agree. What group of people did?
I asked a few more questions and received the responses I more or less expected. Finally, Al said, “I think that’s enough Q and A for now. We don’t want Carrie to feel she’s being interviewed for a job.”
Which was exactly what I’d just been through. I shrugged. No matter. I wasn’t after the job, anyway.
“I, for one, think Carrie is one smart cookie and I’d love to have her join us on the council,” Reggie said.
The others nodded and murmured their agreement.
Sean glanced at his watch. “How time flies. It’s a quarter to one. Gotta go. I told Pat I’d be home by one.”
He picked up the bill on the table, glanced at it, then reached for his wallet and handed Al a few bills. “This should cover it.”
“And then some,” Al said.
“Nice to meet you, Carrie,” Sean said. “Talk to you all later,” he said to the others and left.
Minutes later, we were all getting ready to leave. I was meeting Angela outside the department store in the mall at one, and had just enough time to stop at the ladies’ room to make it on time. I thanked everyone for inviting me to their brunch. Before I could move, Al put a hand on my shoulder.
“Do you have a minute?”
“Just one. I’m meeting a friend.” I looked at the receding backs of the others making their way to the exit. I knew what was coming.
Al grinned, looking very pleased with himself. “They loved you, Carrie. Every one of them.”
“That’s very nice, Al, but—”
“All I’m saying is, please consider it seriously and get back to me ASAP.”
“So, did you tell Al you’re willing to become one of our Town Dignitaries?” Angela asked with mock enthusiasm. We were riding up the department store’s escalator on our way to the furniture section.
“No, and I can’t decide what to do. The council members were all there. They seem nice enough, though of course they were on their best behavior. Who knows how badly they carry on when they don’t agree.”
“The question is, do you want to be on the council?” Angela asked as we stepped onto firm ground and walked past a dining room display. “It’s a whole new experience with lots of responsibility. You’d be helping to make some important town decisions.”
I bit my lip. “The thought of that intimidates me. Who am I to weigh in on town decisions in areas I know nothing about? It’s not something I ever considered doing.”
“Which doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. Al thinks you’d be a good addition to the council. And frankly, so do I.”
I stared at Angela. “You do? Why?”
“For one thing, it would be good for the library. And the council needs young blood. Sean Powell doesn’t look it, but he’s close to seventy-five.”
I laughed. “Babette Fisher said she’s tired of being considered the baby of the group.”
“And she’s no baby,” Angela quipped.
“Do you know her?”
“She was my art teacher in high school.” Angela grinned. “At the time, she’d just gotten divorced and there were rumors that she and one of the social studies teachers were dating.”
“So?”
“So nothing. It’s the kind of thing high school kids notice and like to gossip about. Good, we’re in living rooms. Just what I want.”
We wandered through living room setups. Occasionally, Angela picked up a vase or a small statue, studied it at arm’s length, then set it down again.
“Guess who I ran into this morning while shopping at Trends?” I said.
“Who?”
“Vera Ghent, Aiden’s office manager.”
“Oh?” Angela frowned as she eyed a large modern glass platter. “What did she have to say?”
“They fired Nurse Gwen. Vera caught her helping herself to petty cash.”
“Really?” Angela gave me her full attention. “I hope they reported it to the police.”
“Vera said they did. Not that that means Gwen killed Aiden and Roxy.”
Angela released a deep sigh. “I wonder if we’ll ever find out who killed them. The police don’t seem to have any leads. No fingerprints. No DNA. No eye witnesses. No signs of anyone buying thallium. It leaves me wondering if one of my relatives is the killer—and that includes my brother. Not my favorite person, but it would destroy my parents if it turned out he killed Aiden for not investing in his movie of all things. And who knows why he would murder Roxy.”
I put my arm around her. “I’m sorry, Ange. Maybe some piece of evidence will turn up when we least expect it.”
“You’re right.” Angela thrust back her shoulders. “Anyway, I don’t plan to spend the afternoon moping. Look, there’s a display of crystal pieces and another of ceramics. I’m sure to find something.”
But nothing in either section pleased her.
“What exactly are you looking for?” I asked.
“A few decorative objects to add to our place that will give it some pizzazz.” She made a face. “These are all so ordinary.”
“Sally mentioned a store that sells mostly imports. I’m pretty sure it’s in the strip of shops just past the other end of the mall. She bought a beautiful Chinese fish bowl there that was very reasonable.”
“Mmm, that sounds more like it.” Angela glanced at her wristwatch. “Shall we walk over?”
“Tell you what—I’ll get my car and meet you there. I have a few errands to run on the way home and this will save me time.”
“Sure. See you in a few.”
I exited the mall and crossed to the parking lot, which was filled with many more vehicles than had been there an hour ago. I opened my car door and was about to step inside when the sound of laughter caught my attention. Two lanes over, a man and a woman were walking away from the stores. They both looked familiar.
Of course they did! I recognized Vera Ghent and Dr. Nick Gannon. They worked together, but what were they doing at the mall on their day off? Laughing together and—did he just put his arm around her shoulders and kiss her cheek?
They stopped in front of a black Lexus for an animated discussion. Again Nick kissed Vera’s cheek. She slid into the driver’s seat. Nick walked around the car, put the shopping bag he’d been carrying into the back seat, then got into the seat beside her.
Vera and Nick! They struck me as two little kids up to some mischief. I pushed the button of my ignition and decided to investigate. Probably a waste of time, but I was intrigued. I’d had little opportunity to learn much about either of them since I wasn’t planning on having surgery any time soon, and a visit to their office would only have exposed me as a snoop. I certainly wasn’t planning to do anything—simply follow them a while to see where that led me. Could be Vera was just going to drop Nick off at home. Whatever, it was my only chance to find out more about them.
I watched Vera back out of her parking spot and I did the same. She didn’t seem to be in a big hurry, so I waited for her to turn into the lane that exited the mall and fell into line a few cars behind. Two lights later she turned right and I did, too. My brain buzzed with questions. Why were they together? What were they doing at the mall? Shopping, perhaps, but I sensed they hadn’t been on a simple shopping expedition.
I texted Angela that something had come up and I wouldn’t be meeting her. I paused, then quickly added, “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything stupid.”
Now why did I add that? I asked myself. By trying to reassure Angela, I had probably only succeeded in making her wonder what I was up to. I was so lost in my thoughts, I almost missed seeing the Lexus make a left turn.
The narrow two-lane road was bordered by trees and bushes growing wild, with an occasional house in view. Soon the terrain turned hilly. Now that there were no cars between us, I fell back so Vera wouldn’t realize I was following them.
Did Nick or Vera live along this road? I caught glimpses of water and realized I was driving by a small lake where Dylan had gone swimming and boating when he was young. The houses I passed were bungalows and summer cabins. Cabins!
Gwen had said the cabin Aiden had taken her to was near a lake right outside of town. Maybe that’s where they were heading. I grinned. Maybe I was about to get some answers to the mysteries surrounding the two murders.