Murder the Tey Way: A Golden Age of Mystery Book Club Mystery (The Golden Age of Mystery Book Club Mysteries 2) (25 page)

Gayle and Cici cut up lettuce, tomatoes and other veggies for the salad while I got busy on my butternut soup. Then I made cranberry sauce, adding walnut pieces and sections of mandarin orange while it was still hot. We worked in companionable tandem, chatting and laughing as though we’d done this several times before.

Brian arrived and, after kissing me and hugging Gayle, gave Jesse and Cici each a hearty handshake. He must have bought the wine yesterday, because it was chilled. Jesse was quick to open a bottle and pour out three glasses for Gayle, Cici and me.

“Like a beer?” he asked Brian.

“Sure,” Brian said.

Jesse opened their beers, then led the way to the den to watch the football game, as if this were something the two of them had done several times before.

“He’s cute,” Cici whispered.

“Brian’s a godsend,” Gayle said.

My heart was beating with pride, but I merely shrugged. “He’s all right.”

The three of us cracked up laughing. When we’d calmed down, I said, “Al’s flying home from England tomorrow.”

“Really?” Gayle stuck out her chin in the direction of the den. “Does he know about Brian?”

“No, but I think he suspects. We’re getting together on Monday. I dread it.”

“Former boyfriend?” Cici asked.

I nodded. “This is his house I’m renting.”

“Oh. Sticky.”

I raised my hands. “No more talk about Al. Today we feast and have fun.”

“And celebrate being together,” Gayle said.

I put an arm around my sister and pulled her close. “And give thanks for having each other,” I added.

Gayle and Cici helped bring the many dishes I’d prepared to the table. Cici asked to say grace, so we bowed our heads as she expressed how grateful she was to be sharing this meal with Jesse’s family. We passed the dishes around, scooping out much larger portions of food than what we normally ate.

The compliments rained down on me. It was embarrassing how many times I had to say “thank you.” But for someone who rarely cooked, I was astonished at how well everything turned out. The turkey was well-roasted yet succulent, the side dishes were perfectly done. We chatted as we ate, took seconds, and then the meal was over. I wanted to reach out and grab hold of something to slow down time, but there was nothing to catch hold of. When would the five of us be together again? Would we ever be together again?

“Take some photos,” Gayle suggested.

I retrieved my camera from my bedroom, telling myself not to be maudlin. We took turns snapping one shot after another. Then our meal was officially over.
Life moves on,
I reminded myself as Gayle, Cici, and I cleared the table.
Cherish it in motion.

They spooned the leftovers into containers while I stacked the dishwasher. Then we joined Jesse and Brian in the den. Why did we bother? I’d no sooner opened my mouth to say something when Jesse shushed me. He jumped to his feet as a great roar emanated from the TV crowd.

I glared at the two males, then turned to my sister and Cici. “I see we’re not wanted. Let’s sit in the living room.”

Brian stretched out his arm. “Stay here, Lexie,” he said, his eyes glued to the TV.

“See you later.”

The three of us chatted until I realized it was a quarter to five. I put up decaf coffee in my largest coffee maker, and boiled water for tea. Then we arranged slices of cake and cookies on platters and set them on the dining room table.

Half an hour later Ruthie, Zack, and Eloisa were munching on cookies in the den, as a Disney movie was about to begin. The rest of us sat at the dining table, drinking coffee and eyeing the many cakes and pies spread out on the table. Baby Brandon slept in his Pack n Play at his mother’s feet.

“Yum. My favorite—chocolate cheesecake,” Mike said, his fingers inching toward one of the delicious cakes Corinne had made and brought to share with us.

Joy slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch!”

Mike opened his eyes wide, into a reproachful, wounded expression. “I was only admiring.”

“You don’t know how to admire without touching,” Joy said.

We all burst out laughing.

Gayle and I doled out the desserts while Marge and Cici saw to coffee and tea refills. Everyone was in a festive mood, chatting and laughing around the table. Evan beamed as he told us how well Eloisa seemed to be settling in.

“She’s picking up English, and her
abuelas
are learning some Spanish.”

“Once Eloisa’s settled, you should consider sending her to nursery school,” Joy said. “I was very happy with the school Zack and Ruthie attended. I’ll email you their number.”

Marge looked doubtful. “I don’t think we should be sending her off to school so soon. Poor Eloisa has been through so much. She’s first getting used to us.”

“Believe me, the sooner the better,” Joy insisted. “Children are resilient. Eloisa will love Teeny Tots.”

For a while, we talked about the benefits of nursery school. I caught sight of Sadie, hunched over in her chair.

“Are you all right?”

She gave me a wan smile. “My head hurts, but I’m happy to be with everyone.”

Brian looked at her. “You’re sure you want to stay? I’ll drive you home if you’re not feeling well.”

Sadie gave a little laugh. “I shouldn’t have stuffed myself. The doctor warned me overeating could make the bouts of nausea return.”

“Nausea?” I echoed.

A broad grin spread across Joy’s face. “Sadie Lu, you’re pregnant!”

“I am.” Sadie positively glowed as she gazed down at her empty dessert dish. “How did you guess?”

“You gave it away just now,” Joy answered. “But having been there recently, I had my suspicions the minute you walked through the door.”

I glared at Brian. “You knew Sadie was pregnant!”
And didn’t tell me!
hung in the air.

He took it as the accusation it was meant to be, and managed to look both defiant and contrite. “The doctor told me when I went to see Sadie in the hospital. Sorry I couldn’t tell you, babe.”

“Why not?” A rage built up inside me until I felt like a volcano about to explode. I ignored Joy’s warning headshake. “I give you information you’d never learn on your own! The least you could have done was tell me Sadie’s news.”

“It could have turned out to be part of the investigation.”

“Her pregnancy? Give me a break.”

We stared at one another until Brian stalked off to the den. I heard the muted sound of the TV.

Felicity crouched down beside Sadie’s chair. “Are you happy about the baby, Sadie?”

Sadie looked tearful when she said, “More than anything in the world. Now I have a part of Tim forever.” She sniffed. “If only he were here to help me raise the child.”

Felicity reached over to stroke Sadie’s long, black hair. “Don’t worry, Sadie. We’ll all help out. I’ll babysit for you as often as you like.”

Corinne’s head shot up. “What are you talking about, Felicity? You’ll be long gone from Ryesdale before Sadie gives birth.”

Felicity met her sister’s gaze across the table, but when she spoke, her voice was barely audible. “I’ll still be here, Cathy. I want to stay in Ryesdale.”

Cathy? Of course! Catherine is Corinne’s real name.
Joy and I exchanged glances while the others watched Felicity, puzzled expressions on their faces.

Corinne sent her sister a bemused smile. “But you can’t stay in Ryesdale, Felicity. Not after we sell the house.”

“Yes, I can. I have friends here, and a place to live.”

“Really?” Corinne laughed. “A place to live?” And where’s that? You don’t have enough money to live in a hotel.”

Felicity stared down at the carpet. “Carol said I could stay in her small apartment over the garage.”

“And who will take care of you when the black times come? Who will stay up with you all night? Hold you until you stop shaking?”

Felicity trembled. “I’ll take medicine.”

“How many meds did you try? Ten? Twenty?”

“There are new meds on the market. Maybe one will work. Don’t you think?”

Poor Felicity looked like she wanted to sink through the floor. She was about to buckle under and give in to her sister.

“I’ll help you, Felicity, in any way I can,” I said.

“You can count on me,” Joy chimed in.

Evan patted her back. “You’re always welcome at our house.”

Corinne stared at her sister from across the table. Instead of the fury I expected, her face wore an expression of total devastation. “But you have to come with me. We made a promise to always stay together.”

“I’m sorry, Cathy,” Felicity said softly. “I don’t want to live with you anymore. I have to lead my own life.”

Corinne walked around the table. Felicity flinched as she approached.

“You’re right,” Corinne said. “I haven’t been treating you like the grown up woman you’ve become. You can do anything you like. Go anywhere you want.”

Felicity seemed to waver. I sensed she was about to take the path of least resistance. Then she thrust back her shoulders. “It’s time I lived by myself. I can’t think when I’m living with you.”

Corinne gave a false laugh. “What’s there to think about?” She put her hand on Felicity’s shoulder. Felicity shrugged it off. “Don’t, Cathy.”

“All right. I’m going home now. Do you want to come with me?”

Felicity shook her head.

“We’ll talk when you come home, all right?”

“Yes.”

Corinne left and, to my surprise, Felicity perked up. The men joined Brian in the den to watch the end of the football game, and the women helped me clear the table. Then we moved into the living room where we sat around, chatting about everything except my outburst and Corinne’s departure.

Too soon, my guests went home. Felicity was the last to go. I hugged her good-bye, then handed her what remained of the cakes she and Corinne had brought over.

“Let me know if you need me,” I told her.

“I’ll be fine,” Felicity said, sounding anxious. “Corinne just needs time to adjust to my news.”

“You really mean to stay in Ryesdale? Will you be able to manage?”

“I’ll get help as I need it,” she said simply.

“That’s the right answer,” I said, hugging her again.

Brian walked past me and opened the hall closet.

“Hey,” I said. “Are you leaving?”

“Looks that way.” He slipped on his jacket without turning to me.

I swallowed, feeling ill. He was pissed at me, and now that I’d calmed down, I couldn’t blame him.

“Are you coming with us tomorrow to Rosie and Hal’s? You’re invited, you know.”

He turned to me and put his hands on my shoulders. He let loose a deep sigh. “Tell them I appreciate their kind offer, but I can’t make it.”

I pursed my lips. “You’re not coming because I got angry before. I’m sorry. It just slipped out.”

He gave a humorless smile. “You can say what you like to me, but never in front of a group of suspects.”

“Suspects?”

His grip grew tighter. “All right. Persons of interest in two homicides. Why on earth did you invite them over when I was here?”

I opened my mouth to explain it just happened, then closed it again. Brian was right. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”

“Lexie, until this case is settled, I think it’s best we cool our relationship.”

Tears stung behind my eyes. “You’re breaking up with me.”

“No, I’m pulling back for now. You have your family here. Concentrate on them.”

He kissed my cheek and was gone before I could figure out what to say next.

Jesse and Cici said good-night and disappeared inside their room. Gayle filled two sifters with brandy and led me into the den. I drank deeply, then sank against the soft back of the sofa.

“He’ll get over it,” Gayle said from her end of the sofa.

I frowned. “I don’t know.”

“Sure he will. Brian’s crazy about you.” She scooted closer to me. “The question is, will you?”

Surprised, I stared at her. “Of course. Why do you ask?”

“You were furious because he didn’t tell you something you would have told him. Meanwhile you’ve passed on every piece of information you uncovered that might be connected to the murders.”

I shrugged, conceding her point. “Why shouldn’t I be mad? I felt betrayed. Used.”

“You invited Brian to dinner then asked your book club members over, knowing some of them were under investigation.”

I bit my lip. “They’re people I know. I forgot that they’re suspects—or persons of interest. Besides, Brian went to the same Halloween party they were at.”

Gayle gave me a stern look. “Lexie, this was different. I bet you never told Brian they were coming.”

I felt my face grow warm. I should have been more thoughtful. More considerate of my boyfriend. “Hey, you’re turning into the big sister here.”

Gayle grinned. “It’s the least I can do, after all you’ve done for me.”

I reached over to hug her. “Thank
you
, for being my sister.”

“And thank you for not being like Corinne. Can you imagine what it must be like for Felicity?”

“I never realized theirs was a symbiotic relationship,” I said. “I always thought Corinne was the dominant and Felicity her underling.”

“Who knows what they had to endure growing up as Mafia princesses.”

“Whatever it was, I doubt they felt like princesses.”

*****

It was hours before I slept. I mulled about Brian, hoping our relationship hadn’t ended, and eventually managed to convince myself there was nothing I could do. I finally drifted off, telling myself I wouldn’t think about him while my family was still with me.

On Friday, the kids wanted to go shopping, so we set out for The Arches, the Tanger outlet mall in Deer Park. It was mobbed, but we all managed to buy a few items. Before we knew it, it was time to drive to Rosie and Hal’s.

“Where’s Brian?” Rosie demanded after she’d hugged each of us in turn and had me alone in the hall.

“Sorry, he couldn’t make it,” I said. “He asked me to offer his apologies.”

Rosie studied my face. “Why? What happened?”