Book Fair and Foul (Ashton Corners Book Club) (21 page)

I stared at him. My mouth was probably open, which I know is not acceptable for a lady.

NAUGHTY IN NICE
—RHYS BOWEN

W
ow. Full class tonight, Lizzie thought as she handed out the new batch of Rapid Reads that had finally arrived. She’d chosen a mystery by Canadian author Gail Bowen,
The Thirteenth Rose
. She’d had a quick read and was certain the plot would appeal to them all. After giving instructions for the short essay she wanted in return, Lizzie spent the remainder of the time going over the previous assignment, encouraging discussion. Although Tyler Edwards remained silent and slumped in his chair most of the class time, he did appear to be listening. She supposed that was the most she could hope for at the moment. But she felt determined to find out what would grab his attention and get him involved.

At the end of two hours, Lizzie watched the last of her class leave and then went to join Molly in the kitchen. Molly handed her a glass of fresh lemonade and pointed to the sunroom where A.J. Pruitt sat nursing his own glass. “He’s been waiting a while for you. Said he needed to talk to you.”

Lizzie joined him and waved him to stay seated when he started to stand. “I’m surprised to see you here, A.J.”

He smiled sheepishly but the tapping of his finger on his glass belied his calm exterior. “I sure hope you don’t mind, Lizzie, but I told Ms. Molly that I needed some private time with you.”

Lizzie settled back into the deep cushion back of the white wicker chair facing A.J. “Not at all. What can I do for you?”

She hoped it was nothing too much or too long as she was dead tired and longing to head home to bed. And most of all, she hoped it was not a murder confession.

A.J. played with his glass, rolling it back and forth in his hands, holding the cold up against the side of his face and then finally setting it on the coffee table between them. “I guess it’s best if I just out and say this.”

He cleared his throat and Lizzie’s curiosity grew, wiping out earlier feelings of impatience. It was obviously something major that he had to share. She sat silently, letting him choose his own way of telling her. He stared out the window into the darkness, fingering the edge of his brown cardigan.

“It’s about the other day when you saw me on the grounds of the museum. I wasn’t quite truthful with you.” He shifted in his seat.

Uh-oh, not a confession
. Surely he didn’t kill Ashley. But they hadn’t talked about Ashley that day. Or had they? Lizzie couldn’t remember.

“I was there trying to get up my courage to go inside and talk to the director of the museum. You see, I once knew him, in college. We were roommates to start with and then we became much more than that.” He told his story staring out at the backyard, which was highlighted by strategically placed lights. He cleared his throat.

“I got spooked at the end of that year and transferred to another college. I didn’t even so much as say good-bye to Quentin. That was probably the biggest mistake of my life. I have never gotten him out of my mind and I’ve tried to keep track of his career over the years. So when I got the opportunity to come here to Ashton Corners, I jumped at it. I’ve been driving around for several days now, almost stalking him, if truth be told, trying to get up the courage to approach him. I have no idea what I’ll say, except that I’m deeply sorry for hurting him. But those are the hardest words to say.”

He stopped talking but continued staring out the window.

“Why are you telling me this?” Lizzie asked gently.

“Because I know you’re asking a lot of questions trying to find out who killed Ashley Dixon and I’m just worried that something might lead to my being exposed to Quentin before I’m ready to approach him.” He looked over at Lizzie. “I didn’t murder Ashley, you know.”

“I know,” Lizzie answered.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Finally, Lizzie said, “I won’t do anything to blow your cover, A.J. I’m sorry if I gave you cause to be even more distressed. But I think you’d be wise to just approach Quentin and get it over with. Putting it off won’t make it any easier. And you have to know how he’ll react before you can move ahead with your life.” She smiled hesitantly. “And that’s my Ann Landers talk for the evening.”

It took so long for him to answer that Lizzie was sure she’d offended him. When he did, he looked at her and his smile seemed more relaxed. “You are so right. I thank you, Lizzie.” He stood and straightened the collar of his mint-colored golf shirt, picked up his glass and walked into the kitchen.

When Lizzie finally did the same, Molly was sitting at the banquette with a glass of wine in hand.

“I won’t ask what that was all about but he sure looked mighty happier than when he came here.”

Lizzie gave a tired smile. The exhaustion had returned. “Good. Now, I’m heading home and to bed or I’ll never make it to school tomorrow.” She leaned over and kissed Molly on the cheek. “Have a good sleep.”

“You too, honey. And think happy thoughts. This will soon be over.”

Yeah, I’m the fly in the soup. I don’t like it any better than you do. Flies don’t like being swamped in soup, especially when it’s hot.

CHAMPAGNE FOR ONE
—REX STOUT

L
izzie escaped the school just after the lunch bell rang. She had no appointments nor any classroom visits booked and had meant to spend the time at her desk in the library, working on that teachers’ workshop.

She tried calling Lavenia Ellis to fill her in on what she’d learned at the library. She wondered if Lavenia actually wanted Lizzie to talk with Ursula or if she would be the one to confront her. She let the phone ring until it went to message and then hung up after saying she’d call again.

Lizzie decided the afternoon could be better put to use visiting the Huxton Hotel and talking to Richard Parson, if he were there working today. She shoved aside any unease she felt at the thought of his mama and her threats. Lizzie felt determined to either confirm or dismiss the Huxton family connection to Ashley’s death today.

Fortunately, Richard Parson was at the hotel and had a spare half hour before a scheduled meeting. He welcomed her into his office, leaving Lizzie wondering if his mama had not gotten around to warning him off talking to her. His first words gave flight to that notion.

“I want you to know that Mama has already ordered that no one in the family talk to you, Ms. Turner.” He leaned back in his chocolate brown leather swivel chair, an amused look on his face.

“She did say that’s what she’d do,” Lizzie admitted. “So may I ask why you agreed to see me?”

Parson snapped forward and sat upright. “Because I do not always see eye to eye with my mama. This being one of those times. I believe you have questions about Ashley Dixon and her possible connection to the Huxton family.”

It was a statement. He already knew but would he cooperate, Lizzie wondered. She waited for him to continue.

“I spoke to Ashley Dixon the week before last, on Friday afternoon.”

Lizzie was surprised. She hadn’t realized Ashley had been so busy the day she arrived. “What did she want?”

“Apparently I’d been out of town when she’d come last month but she had made up for that by talking to the staff and to my mama. She went back to New York, did some more research and then demanded to see me. You see, Mama had given her the brush-off, same instructions as you, not to bother the family or there’d be charges.” He settled back again.

“I don’t know how much of the story you know, but you see, she was convinced that her mama had an affair with my uncle Ross the summer she’d worked here and that Ashley was the result. Since Ross died last month, she felt she was entitled to part of the estate.”

“No wonder your mama was upset.”

“I’m not sure what bothered her more, the scandal or the money. Ross was married at the time, although his wife died about ten years ago. They didn’t have any children so his estate reverted to my mama. And she wasn’t about to share any of it with Ashley Dixon.”

Lizzie wondered how to phrase her next question or if she should even ask it. But he had been forthcoming. “Do you think it’s possible your mama might be responsible for what happened to her? I know there’s no way she could physically pull it off but could she have hired someone?”

His eyes turned shrewd. “I really don’t know. It’s a terrible thing for a child to say, but Mama is an anomaly to all who know her.” He glanced at his watch and pushed away from his desk. “I’m sorry but I have to be going. It’s a very important business lunch. I’ve told you everything I know. What are you planning to do with it?”

Good question. “I’ll have to tell the police, unless you have already.”

“Part of it. I hadn’t decided on total candor when the chief paid me a visit yesterday.”

“And why did you today?”

He stood a little straighter. “I’m tired of the subterfuge. I have a hotel to run and all this going on in the background is interfering. It’s time to air our scandals and get on with life.” He walked to the door and held it open for Lizzie.

She thanked him again as she left, deciding her next move would be finding Mark and sharing what she’d learned.

She was still puzzling over the information, questioning why Richard Parson would share it with her, when she noticed a yellow Ford Focus approaching her and then making a left turn into the Dewdrop Motel. She knew that car. She slowed and passed by just as Carter Farrow held the passenger door open for Lorelie. Lizzie realized she was driving with her mouth hanging open.

*   *   *

M
ark closed the door behind Lizzie after she’d entered his office. He smiled but then looked at her speculatively when he noticed her face. “This is not a social call.”

She shook her head. “Sorry, I just saw something that threw me for a loop but that’s not the reason I’m here. I want to tell you what Richard Parson and I just chatted about.”

She noted the tug of disapproval at the corner of his mouth but he remained silent, opening his notebook and picking up a pen from his desktop.

She filled him in on her visit and what had been said. When she finished, he made a few more notes, then closed the notebook with a thud.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay away from the Huxton family?”

“But if I had, you wouldn’t know all this, would you? Richard admitted he hadn’t told you everything.”

“What if you’re being set up?”

“How?”

“Parson tells his mama you were by and she calls her lawyer. Simple as that.”

“But I only asked questions. I didn’t imply anything.” She thought a moment. “Much.”

“What did you say?”

“I asked if he thought his mama might be responsible for Ashley’s death. But only after he told me all the other stuff.”

Mark sighed.

“You don’t really believe what you said, do you?” Lizzie asked. “You were just saying that to warn me off, right?”

“I already tried warning you off and look how far that got me. Now, is there anything else I should know?”

Lizzie shook her head.

“Good. Now please go home and stay out of trouble.”

As she reached out for the door, Mark asked, “Maybe we can have a late supper?”

“That would be nice.”

“I’ll call.”

Lizzie stopped in at A Novel Plot, hoping to find Molly there. Stephanie was her first point of contact, at the main desk.

“Hi, Stephanie. Busy day here?”

“It’s been fairly busy. In fact, I haven’t had time to open the deliveries that already came in, so Molly’s in the back doing so. I don’t know, I seem to be not too organized these days. I come in with good intentions and then all it takes is a customer, and even after she’s gone, I stand around here daydreaming. Do you think I’m starting to show signs of aging?”

Lizzie laughed. “Not quite yet, Stephanie. At least I hope not. I’m well over the hill if that’s the case. I’ll bet you’re just tired out. It must be hard to work here during the day and then go home to the baby, even if she is a sweetie pie like Wendy.”

Stephanie nodded. “You’ve got that right. She’s an angel but there’s a bit of the devil in her, too. She seems to know when I’ve just sat down and am relaxing. That’s when she wants my attention the most. Mrs. Sanchez is so good with her, but I’m wondering if my little girl wants her mama at home with her. But even though I feel badly, Lizzie, I just can’t do it. I have to be out working to support us both.” She sighed. “And that’s not going to change anytime soon. I’m sure lucky Molly’s such an understanding boss and doesn’t mind if I don’t always do a full shift.”

“Molly totally understands and she’s delighted that you’re working here.”

“Well, I am, too, and you know, she’s an awfully generous employer. And I do so like being around the books. I owe that to you, you know.”

Lizzie was puzzled. “Why do you say that?”

“Because you helped me get my GED and at the same time, got me interested in reading, and then had me join the book club. Why, if none of that had happened, I can’t bear to think where I’d be now.” She looked and sounded like she was near tears. Now Lizzie really knew she was one exhausted mama.

“Look, why don’t you take a break for a few hours. Go home and have a nap and keep Mrs. Sanchez there to watch Wendy? I’ll stay here and work.”

“Oh, I couldn’t do that, but I do thank you, Lizzie. Besides, if I went home and Wendy saw me, she’d surely want to be playing with me. Believe me, there’d be no resting.” She paused in thought. “I would appreciate it if you’d take my place selling books tonight, though. A quiet evening might just do me some good.”

“Done.”

“Lizzie. Come on back here and have a look,” Molly called from the back room.

“Enjoy your evening,” Lizzie said to Stephanie and gave her a warm smile. She walked to the back of the store and found Molly with a stack of hardcover books on the table and three empty boxes on the floor.

“Looks tempting, Molly, but I’m hoping you might be able to get away for now. I’m heading over to the Quilt Patch and I think I need some support.”

“Why, whatever is up?”

“I’ll explain in the car.”

Molly went into the back room and grabbed her handbag. “Stephanie, dear . . . I’ve got to go on an errand with Lizzie. If I’m not back in time, you’ll just close won’t you?”

Stephanie was about to answer when the front door swung open and Teensy charged in.

“I was pretty certain I’d find you here, Mopsy, since you weren’t answering your phone.”

Stephanie burst out laughing. They all looked at her.

“I’m sorry but I just can’t get used to your calling her Mopsy all the time. I know that was her nickname when you were kids but she’s just not a Mopsy to me.” Stephanie covered her mouth with her hands and tried to compose herself.

Teensy tried to look stern but her face broke into a smile. “So happy to provide the help with some mirth. Now, what’s going on here? Are you two going somewhere?” She looked from Molly to Lizzie.

“We were just heading over to the Quilt Patch,” Lizzie said.

“You’re welcome to join us,” added Molly, with a glance at Lizzie, who nodded.

Teensy turned back to the door and pulled it open. “I’d love to, ladies, especially if we’re on some kind of mission. Now lead the way.”

Lizzie drove to the bed and breakfast and on the way over filled Molly and Teensy in on her afternoon, ending with her spotting Carter and Lorelie at the motel. “I want to talk to Caroline before they get back and try to figure out if she knows anything about this.”

Teensy gasped and then chuckled. “Why, the old dog. I’m not at all surprised. Well, I am about Carter Farrow. He seems like such a lifeless bump on a log, but that Lorelie, she’s got her eyes open for a man, all right. I can tell just by looking at her.”

“I never noticed anything like that,” Molly said.

“You wouldn’t, sugar.”

Lizzie turned onto Tay Street and pulled up in front of the house. “I think I saw them together the other afternoon, too. The day we’d come over to talk to them, Molly. Remember, Carter went for a walk and Lorelie went to the pharmacy?”

“Oh my, I do remember. I wonder how long this has been going on? Maybe it’s just started.”

“Or maybe not.”

“But what does it have to do with the murder?”

“I’m just thinking back to what Gigi said about Ashley’s comment that someone’s secret was another’s pot of gold. Doesn’t that sound suspiciously like blackmail? What if Ashley had tried her hand at blackmail and that someone happened to be an author?”

“You mean, Lorelie?”

“Could be.” Of course, Lizzie thought, it could also have referred to the Huxton family, but why would Ashley mention that to Gigi?

“Oh my. A motive.”

They found Caroline out on the patio, a sherry in her hand. “Ladies,” she said. “Care to join me for a drink? It’s well past noon, you know.”

“Nice to see you, Caroline, but I’m wondering if Carter happens to be in.” Molly asked in her friendliest Southern voice. “I hear he’s a whiz at accounting and I do need some advice.”

Lizzie glanced at Molly. Where had she heard that? Molly was certainly the last person to need that kind of help.

“Oh Carter, Carter, Carter,” Caroline exploded. “I’m not his keeper.”

Patsy had come out the door as this was being said and stopped abruptly in her tracks. None of the other women dared to say a thing.

Finally, Caroline said in a small voice, “Oh, that’s bad Caroline speaking out of turn. I do so apologize.” She sat up straighter and looked at each of them. “If you’ll just excuse me, I think I’ll just go lie down for a short while. I seem to have a splitting headache.”

She stood with a bit of a sway and left before anyone could come up with an answer.

“Oh my,” said Molly as they heard Caroline’s heavy footsteps up the stairs.

Patsy sat down and fanned herself with a serviette. “I do declare, that just came right out of the blue. I wonder how much she’s had to drink.” She picked up the sherry bottle and held it up to the window. “Well, that does explain it.”

Lizzie grimaced. “I sure hope she recovers before the talent show tonight.”

Molly gasped. “That went right out of my mind. Let’s just hope her husband can get her there in good shape.”