The Diva Goes Overboard

I have been shopping for an antique chandelier. The prices vary enormously. How can I tell if it’s really an antique?

I am not an expert on this, but I understand one should look for a maker’s mark. Crystal daisy buttons were popular in the eighteenth century, so you might look for those as well. Beware of crystals that are not cut on both sides. Modern ones are sometimes cut on only one side to save money.

Sophie

I gasped and I wasn’t the only one! Everyone in the room turned to look at me. It was the last thing in the world that I ever expected.

Orson continued, “The store, the inventory, everything on the premises, the bank account, the whole kit and kaboodle. You’ll know what to do.”

I was painfully aware of the glares coming my way. I had no idea what to do. I snapped my mouth shut. Ronin handed me a key ring full of keys.

“And finally, but most important of all, Rosebud.”

A door opened and a white bulldog on a leash waddled into the room. Ronin picked up the leash.

“Rosebud will have enough money to live her life in luxury. She can even pay the person who cares for her. Nina Reid Norwood, you will be Rosebud’s fairy dog-mother and make sure she gets the best home possible. And there’s a little thank-you for your efforts in that regard.

“Well, folks, that pretty much wraps it up. There are a few charities who will benefit from my demise. Ronin will go over all the legal parts with you and take care of the details. Y’all be good because I’ll be watching.” He pointed a finger. “Especially you, Jordan. See you on the other side, everyone.” Orson smiled and winked again, and then he was gone.

For a long moment, we sat in silence, and then it seemed like everyone except Rosebud started talking.

Jordan stared at me, the flush in his face deepening. “Did you have an affair with Orson? That store belongs to Stella.” He stretched out his palm. “Give me those keys.”

I would have gladly done that except for one thing. This wasn’t an accident. Orson wanted me to have his store for some reason, and I intended to find out what that reason was before I turned the store over to anyone. Maybe Ronin would know. With Jordan watching me, I opened my little clutch and slid the keys inside.

Wanda was weeping.

Myra flung the little bag of pennies across the table, and shouted, “If that old coot weren’t dead, I’d do him in myself.”

Across the table, Jordan badgered me about the keys to the store in a voice that was way too loud and aggressive.

Ronin’s receptionist walked around the room, handing out paperwork.

Ronin held up his palm. “May I have your attention, please?”

The voices died down.

“I’m certain some of you are unhappy with Orson’s bequests. I would be glad to explain the details at no cost to you. However, you are free to consult with other attorneys. If you would like to meet with me, please make an appointment with my receptionist before you leave. Wanda and Stella, you, in particular, might want me to go over the trusts with you.” He stood up. “Thank you all for coming.”

We had been dismissed.

Jordan and Myra descended upon Ronin.

I whispered to Nina, “Let’s go.” I was eager to get out of there and away from Jordan. I didn’t need him shouting at me in the street. It was certainly true that I had no business inheriting the store, but he had left Stella and had no claim to it, either.

We walked out with Rosebud, who took her time. The receptionist scratched behind her ears and said good-bye to her before we left the building.

“Do you have any idea who would offer Rosebud a good home?” I asked.

Nina took a deep breath as we walked along the street. “Not off the top of my head. But there’s no rush. She can stay with me, provided she gets along with my little Muppet, which I expect she will. Muppet likes other dogs in general. She can be a little yappy, but I think they’ll be fine, and that will give me time to find her a good home. What about you? You were just handed a very successful business! Did you know Orson better than I thought?”

“No! There’s something very odd about it. I liked Orson, but I can’t imagine why he did this.”

“Maybe he wished he had a daughter like you.”

I laughed aloud. “He does! Stella. I’m heading over to the store now. Want to come?”

“I’ll pass. Rosebud has had a busy day and it’s hot outside. I think I’d better get her settled in.”

Nina turned toward home, and I walked on to Chatsworth Antiques.

The key ring Ronin had given me was packed with keys. I tried three before I was able to unlock the bolt on the front door of the store. A bell chimed when I swung the door open. I closed it behind me and locked it in case Jordan planned to visit the store when he left Ronin’s office.

After the lock clanked into place, the silence was positively spooky.

Someone banged on the glass door behind me, and I shrieked.

A woman cupped her hands against the glass to peer inside.

I unlocked the bolt again.

Before I could say anything, she babbled, “I’ve been all over town looking for the right chandelier. Do you have any?”

Probably, but I didn’t know. “I’m sorry. We’re not open today.”

“Well, do you have any chandeliers? I’m looking for one that’s large but not too fussy. It doesn’t have to be an antique. I’m okay with new or vintage, though I haven’t liked a single new one that I’ve seen.”

I capitulated. “Come in and look around.”

She bustled inside and I turned the bolt behind her.

She turned around at the sound of the clank. “Are you locking me in?”

“We’re not open. I’m afraid Mr. Chatsworth died yesterday.”

“Oh! I’m sorry to hear that. I won’t be long.”

I nodded and wondered where the light switches were. I found two near the front door. When I flicked them on, it was as if the store came to life. Crystal, porcelain, and silver gleamed. Paintings covered the walls and fancy chandeliers hung from the high ceiling. Beautiful displays filled the show windows on each side of the glass door. A staircase led upward. An ornate jewelry display case with a white base and glass top was nearly empty. Only a few beaded necklaces lay inside.

I headed toward a two-level checkout counter in the back and found more light switches on the wall. I turned them on.

“I see it!” the woman cried. She pointed upward at a crystal chandelier. “It has the daisy buttons I’ve been looking for.”

I gazed up at the light fixtures. The chandelier was connected to power. How on earth was I supposed to get it down?

“Can you tell me the dimensions?” she asked.

I had assumed that she wouldn’t find what she wanted. Now what? I didn’t even know where I might find a ladder. Unfortunately, I spotted one behind the checkout counter. I toted it over to the light and climbed up the ladder to read the tag on it.

Luckily, it had the dimensions. I rattled them off to her. I turned the tag over. “It says 1886 on it.” And then I read the price tag and nearly fell off the ladder.

“Steady,” she said ever so helpfully from below.

Telling her the price would probably bring this entire negotiation to an end. “It’s eighteen thousand dollars.”

As I descended the ladder, the woman said cheerily, “It’s like you’ve never done this before.”

“I haven’t.”

“I’m sure you’ll be adept at it soon. I’ll tell my husband about it and let you know.”

I followed her to the door. She turned back to admire the chandelier. “It really is stunning.”

“Just a minute, please.” I hurried back to the checkout counter and searched for a business card. They were black, with a gold script that matched the sign in front. Swell. I’d thought I would be able to write on it. I opened a drawer and discovered a gold pen. Hoping it would write in gold or white, I wrote my cell number on it. Thank heaven it worked.

I strode to the front of the store and handed it to her. “We’re going to be closed for at least a week. Probably longer. But I’ll open the store for you so your husband can see it. Just give me a call.”

“Wow. That’s great service!” She waved at me and left.

Great service? I might not know why Orson had left the store to me, but I wasn’t stupid enough to pass up an eighteen-thousand-dollar sale.

I returned to the counter and looked around for a computer and printer. I discovered a series of doors in the back. The first led to a huge storeroom. It was packed with more furniture and decorative items. The second led to a powder room. The third was an office. I had figured there had to be one somewhere.

I turned on the computer and printer and quickly designed a simple sign for the door.

WITH DEEPEST SORROW, WE ANNOUNCE THE DEATH OF OWNER ORSON CHATSWORTH.

THE STORE WILL BE CLOSED TO HONOR HIM AS WE PAY OUR RESPECTS.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 703-555-1212.

I printed it out and taped it to the inside of the glass front door.

When I returned to the office, I looked around for something, anything that Orson might have left for me. Some clue as to why I was there.

I was under the Louis XV rococo desk when I heard someone banging on the door and shouting.