Organize Your Corpses (26 page)

It seemed like hours before he finally said, “We’ve got you fixed up temporarily, but both those front teeth are going to need work. We’ll get your appointments set up.”

“Rlpph,” I said. Which meant, “Let me out of here.”

 
“You were provoked,” Dominic said in a soothing voice. “That news reporter is a total jackass. And those women outside the library? What a bunch of pickled old prunes. And don’t ask me what the Woodbridge cops were thinking. They must have leaked the information that you were being hauled in again. That was nothing short of abuse of power.”

“Even so, I feel like a jerk,” I said. Or something like that. My mouth was still frozen and it was interfering with my speech.

“Never mind. I’m calling to ask you to meet me for lunch. I really enjoyed our dinner and . . .”

I’d enjoyed our dinner too. “Lunth?”

“Yes, you know, that stuff people eat in the middle of the day.”

“Not a good day for me.” Meaning I was still drooling slightly from the freezing. Not my best look.

“I was thinking of Bruxelles. I’ve been smelling those fantastic Belgian waffles and maple syrup every time I walk by that place. I’ve had to start using the other side of the street so I can think straight when I’m setting up for photos.”

I knew that waffle scent. It smelled good enough to bottle as a new perfume line. But it was going to take every minute I had to get myself spiffed up to go into the library, possibly wearing a bag over my head. I needed that info on Crawford Henley from Ramona. Of course, I didn’t want to miss out on seeing Dominic.

“Tomorrow?”

“I’m booked solid. I just had a cancellation for lunch,” he said.

“That’s too bad.” I checked the mirror again to see if I could be rescued. Not a chance.

“Oh well, I have to do some retakes out at Stone Wall Farm. Inez Vanclief, the administrator, is asking for some stuff from a different perspective. Man, she’s one demanding client. But while I’m there, without blowing my contract, I’ll see if I can talk to your Mrs. Simonett.”

“Do you think they’ll let you?”

“I want to take some more shots of Henley House later this week, daylight and dusk. Maybe some from the inside. Or at least from the verandah. I’d like to juxtapose the surrounding properties, so I’ll have to go onto the property itself. I’ll tell them I need permission from her.”

“Henley House has been willed to the Woodbridge Historical Society. They’d have to give you permission.”

“You know that, but
I
don’t. I don’t live here, remember?” he said. “So I’ll ask to see Olivia. She’ll probably tell me the house isn’t hers; I’ll still get a chance to talk. I can be pretty charming when I put my mind to it.”

I knew that. “Good luck.”

“Keep your fingers crossed. I’ll call you as soon as I get finished. And I have an idea. If I juggle my early evening appointment to the afternoon, we could have dinner together tonight, if you felt up to it.”

“Sounds good. Waffles, mmmm.” With the rest of the day to pull myself together, I might be less scary.

“I’ve picked up a couple more juicy jobs on this trip, so I’d like to celebrate. I’m not sure that waffles will do the trick. So what do you say we try O’Leary’s? We can keep the waffles for some other time.”

O’Leary’s, contrary to the name, is the most upscale place in town. I would have been happy with waffles or even pizza and beer, but O’Leary’s was a chance for a girl to dress up. I hadn’t had many of those since I moved back.

“Mmm.”

“Pick you up at eight?”

I felt a little tingle in my knees thinking about it. I could get out my little black dress and those new metallic strappy sandals I’d been saving for a very special occasion. I had a pair of chandelier earrings that would be just right. It would be dark enough to disguise the green chin, and with luck my dental work would hold up.

 
At four o’clock I felt together enough to drive to the library. I held my head high as I walked through the reference department.

“I need to speak to Ramona,” I said to the librarian at the desk.

“Oh, you just missed her. She left early for a meeting.” Oh crap. “Did she leave anything for me? Charlotte Adams?”

“Of course, we all know who you are. I’ll check.”

Five minutes later, she shrugged apologetically. “I can’t imagine where she put it. She’s very organized and thoughtful. I know she felt awful about the other day when you got the short end of the stick because of
certain
pushy people. Anyway, I just can’t find it. Sorry you’ve had to make an extra trip. It’s some obituaries and an article, right? Well, at least it’s not an emergency.”

 
O’Leary’s was everything I’d hoped: curved dark wood surfaces, starched white tablecloths, a menu to die for, and soft jazz in the background. My little black dress didn’t let me down and my teeth didn’t drop onto my entrée. My strappy sandals didn’t even pinch my feet. How good was that?

Dominic was easily the most interesting man in the place. I could tell by the looks he drew from the other women. We had a corner table, with flickering candles and a waiter who knew when to hover and when not to.

Dominic raised his glass of pinot noir and clinked mine.

“End of a perfect day for you?” I said.

“Continues to be perfect,” he said.

“How did it go at Stone Wall Farm? Did you get to see Olivia?”

The smile slipped. “I did.”

“Didn’t she give you permission for the photographs?”

“She did. Permission to take shots of her and of Henley House. Just in case there’s some issue, I’ve already spoken to the representative of the historical society. They have no problem with it.”

“Did something go wrong at Stone Wall Farm? Were the administrators hanging around listening to everything?”

He shook his head. “They pretty much were, but it wasn’t a problem. Just that she’s such a sad old lady. All that money but she never gets to go anywhere or do anything.”

“Hmm,” I said. “We don’t know how lucky we are.”

“I never want to live long enough to end up in a pretty prison like that. Never mind. The idea of the photo got her all excited.”

“Were you pleased with them?”

“Couldn’t do them today. She wanted to get her hair done first. She had her heart set on getting some special hairdresser. Doesn’t matter to me. I’d like her to feel happy about it. Tomorrow’s fine.”

“That’s nice,” I said.

“It will give me a chance to probe a bit. I didn’t want to come on too strong and blow it today.”

“Right.” I felt like screaming.

He leaned forward and murmured, “This is our night. Let’s forget about the Henleys and Stone Wall Farm and everything bad that’s happened. We can get to know each other.”

Three hours later, the restaurant staff had quietly set up for the next day, and Dominic and I knew quite a bit more about each other. Childhood secrets, memories, dreams, hopes for the future. I knew he was part of a big Italian family, fond of food, football, and fights. They were adjusting to having a photographer in their midst although it seemed just plain wrong to them.

He knew how I felt about my childhood too.

“Sounds like chaos,” he said.

“Had its good points. I got to see the world.”

He shook his head. “And your mother had four husbands?”

“So far. My dad was the first. He was French Canadian.”

“Did you get along with him?”

“Never met him. Hubby number two is my earliest memory.”

“Your dad didn’t stay in touch?”

“I don’t even know if he’s still alive. But I guess I take after him. Maybe somewhere north of Quebec City there’s a small, dark-haired guy with a color-coordinated wardrobe closet and a very neat kitchen.”

He said, “My mom has a very neat kitchen.”

“Great, pray that she never meets my mother.”

“Funny, I was hoping she might.”

“Maybe.” I smiled.

He said, “No rush. We’ve got the rest of our lives. And there are lots of restaurants in Woodbridge.”

Wow. Just listen to that. Thousands of violins.

 
I could feel the warmth of Dominic’s body as I fumbled with the key to my door.

“I hope you’ll get used to the dogs,” I said, smiling confidently.

“Oh right, the dogs. I’ll cope with them,” he said. “If they don’t bite.”

I didn’t answer because as the door swung open, I stared at a blizzard. My jaw dropped. Was it snowing inside? No wait. That wasn’t snow. It was toilet paper. Miles of it. How did those tiny creatures get the toilet paper? I’m not a complete fool. I keep it out of their reach in my supply cupboard, with the door firmly closed. Had they learned to fly? Had they grown opposable thumbs? Hired an assistant?

Sweet Marie dashed by with a flamboyant streamer of double-thick premium quilted floating behind her. She glanced back over her shoulder provocatively before rounding the corner into the bedroom. Truffle smirked from the sofa where he sat surrounded in billowing white, like a tiny black dog angel on a huge curly cloud.

I was trying to make sense of the surreal scene and barely noticed the thud of footsteps on the stairs.

Dominic yelped.

“Hey, sorry,” Jack said. “I didn’t know you had company, Charlotte.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. Any doofus would know that meant “get out of here, this is a private moment.” But Jack was not just
any
doofus. He was special.

“Wow,” Jack said. “What happened here? I thought I heard strange noises coming from your place. I came up in case something was wrong.” He gave Dominic a look indicating he might fit the category of something
very
wrong.

Truffle and Sweet Marie had just noticed Dominic too. Sweet Marie lost interest in her white streamer. She bared her teeth at Dominic. Truffle leapt from the sofa and streaked straight for his ankles. Luckily, I grabbed the little angel in time. He squirmed in my arms, snarling and yipping. Sweet Marie growled.

Dominic turned a snowy white, much like the toilet tissue. “Maybe this isn’t the best time. I’ll call you, Charlotte.”

Seconds later the downstairs door clicked behind him.

“Huh. What kind of guy is afraid of toilet paper?” Jack said.

“Very funny. And don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.”

“What am I up to?” Jack said.
“What?”

 
Tuesday morning I decided to buckle down and pay attention to my dying business. I put Miss Henley and Olivia, and yes, Dominic, out of my mind and answered my messages. I called my on-and-off laundry client and left a message. I contacted half a dozen others who had indicated some small interest in my services. I flinched as I listened to their excuses. I spent an hour pondering what it would take to get my life going again. I made a list of actions to kick-start business, but every one of them had some kind of obstacle. When the phone finally rang, I snatched it up.

“Charlotte?” Dominic sounded nervous.

I said, “Allow me to apologize for my noisy dogs and my nosy neighbor.”

“Don’t worry about the nosy dogs and the noisy neighbor,” he said.

“Hmm. That works too,” I said with what I hoped was a casual little laugh.

“Did I get you at a bad time?”

“No. Just trying to salvage my career.”

“Hey, I’m a freelancer too. I know all about the ups and downs. Those downs can be scary.”

“Tell me about it. My biggest hitch seems to be that most people think I’m implicated in the murder of an elderly client. How’s that for a scary down?”

“Bad break.”

“Until Miss Henley’s murder is solved, I’m going to be one lonely little organizer.”

“That’s why I called you. I was just at Henley House, catching the house in the morning light, and I observed something that you should see.”

“What?”

“I can’t really explain it. You have to . . . it’s bizarre. But it may have to do with those documents you were supposed to look for. Or it could be just my artistic imagination.”

“Really? Oh, but I can’t be seen going in to Henley House.”

“I suppose not. And you shouldn’t go by yourself anyway. I can meet you there, but I’ve got appointments set up all day.”

“Lucky you,” I said bitterly.

He laughed. “Okay, jealous lady. How about seven? Park around the side so you’re not seen if you don’t want to set off the gossips. What I have to show you may be nothing, but even if so, it won’t take long. And I can fill you in about my photo session with Olivia at the same time.”

“That sounds terrific.”

“Maybe we can have a glass of wine together afterward. Your place, not Henley House. Does that sound good?”

“It does.”

“I’ll pick up a bottle of something nice. Oh, and by the way, I’ve found a source of organic dog biscuits here in Woodbridge. You deal with the nosy neighbor, and I’ll make friends with those fierce guard dogs of yours.”

 
I snapped open my umbrella and exited the Miata with my head held high. I kept my spine straight and sailed into the library, past the circulation desk and into the reference room. I did not make eye contact with anyone in the room, although I felt the stares on my back and I was very conscious of the soft gossipy buzz. Never mind. I was in a good mood. I smiled at the idea of the organic dogs biscuits. The dogs would adjust to Dominic instantly. Jackie Boy would just have to cope with the new man in my life.

Ramona’s eyes sparkled. “Thanks for the other night. All the excitement outside the library. Tension, trouble, television cameras. That’s as good as it gets for publicity. Prime time. Breaking news. Shots of the front of the building. It’s already been pumping up business. I bet our stats will be stratospheric this month. We are calling it the affair of the dramatic digit.”

“Glad I could help. Um, do you have that obit handy?”