The Maestro (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 3) (5 page)

CHAPTER 6

Myrna’s police radio went off just as Tom was opening the front door of their home to greet their out-of-town guests. She raced to the radio and rushed to the kitchen to speak privately with the chief.

“Myrna, we found her.”

“Who found her, and is she all right?”

“No. She’s not. Hugo found her in the woods beyond the pit. There were drag marks. I’ve got my boys there gathering evidence. She’s at the coroner’s so he can determine a definite cause of death.”

Her hand trembled, and she gritted her teeth. “I’m going after Reginald, Chief. I’ll take care of this situation!” She turned the radio off, tossed it onto the kitchen counter, took some deep breaths, forced herself to smile, and went to the living room to greet Tom’s family.

She smoothed her outfit down as she walked confidently into the room with her chin raised. Tom was busy embracing a young woman, whom Myrna assumed was his sister. It was a touching scene. His sister was sobbing in happiness. Liam was sitting beside Tom’s father, and they were conversing comically. The other man stood and extended his hand out to her. “I’m Adam Petrone, family friend. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Myrna smiled and shook his hand. “I’m Myrna, and I hope you have a pleasant time in our town. I’m also beyond happy that you could make it for our wedding.” She extended her arm out to the sofa. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”

Maurice observed Myrna as she entered the room and spoke with Adam. She was refined and quite attractive. He never would have suspected his son to become involved with a redhead, but he could see the attraction. She had a beautiful smile and was slender and fit. He mused to himself that she moved like a cat. However, she appeared to be restraining herself from speaking about something. When she turned to Thomas, her motions were stiff and a bit jerky. Yes, she was hiding something.

Maurice excused himself from Liam’s side and went to Myrna. He held out his hand, and introductions were made. When he was done, he leaned to her and whispered into her ear. “Come into the other room with me. I have something of importance I wish to discuss with my son’s future bride.”

Myrna gave a slight smile and did as he asked. When they entered the kitchen, she watched as he leaned back against the lower kitchen cabinets and crossed his arms before him and his feet at the ankles. Myrna could not help but think this man was gorgeous. His emerald-green eyes would bring any woman down to her knees, not to mention his long hair. It was by no means gray and wiry; it was more like thick, silken strands of silver. He currently had it tied back in a low ponytail. He was tall, fit, and built, just like Tom. His facial features were chiseled with a strong jawline, and there was a godlike quality about him.

He tilted his head as he watched Myrna take measure of him. He grinned. “You are sizing me up, Myrna.” When she started to object, he silenced her by holding up his right hand. “I don’t mind, as I’ve already sized you up as well. I’m extremely astute and would like to know what news you received when we entered the home that has you visibly shaken or upset. I need you to know that we are at your service. I’ll not have my son’s bride upset, so you may as well divulge the problem to me.” He shoved off the counter and approached her. He took her forearms in his hands and came close to her face. He stared into her eyes and smirked. Afterward, he sighed and stepped back. “You, my dear, have seen things in your lifetime. You are a woman to be reckoned with.”

Myrna swallowed what little spittle she had gathered in her mouth, found her strength, and stepped forward. She spoke in a soft, low tone, “I have to go out tonight at sundown and do something. I don’t want you to think me rude, but it won’t take me long. Even though I am on vacation for two weeks from the town hall, I may have to check in on my bakery in the morning as well.”

Maurice raised his eyebrows and chuckled. “My dear, you have not divulged the problem that has you upset. You are skirting the issue.”

She bit her lower lip. Should she trust him? No, not yet. “I’ll tell you once I return from the bakery in the morning. I promise. However, I don’t want anyone in this family involved.”

“Yet.” Myrna shot him a confused look, and he elaborated, “You don’t want anyone in this family involved…yet. However, once you divulge the problem, we will most assuredly be involved, darling.”

She grimaced and nodded. He patted her back and escorted her to the living room. He whispered, “You will take Adam with you this evening. He’s very…shall we say, handy?”

Myrna agreed. As they entered the room, she was smothered in a tight embrace by Delilah. Myrna laughed and hugged her back while saying, “I’m so glad I finally get to meet my maid of honor. She’s as beautiful as her brother promised me she’d be.”

She felt a tug on her shirt and glanced down to see Liam staring up at her. “Mama, you can’t hog my new aunt. I want to show her the gnome family!”

Myrna laughed and disengaged from the embrace. Liam took Delilah’s hand and took her to the back door of the home to see the gardens and his gnome statues.

Tom approached and wrapped an arm around Myrna’s waist. They sat together on the love seat as his father and Adam took up the sofa. Maurice had not stopped watching her every movement, and it had her on edge.

Maurice cleared his throat and bluntly stated, “Thomas, are you aware that something is upsetting our Myrna?” Myrna scowled at him, and he brushed this off. “Haven’t you told her there are no secrets within our family?”

Tom answered him calmly, “Myrna and I hold no secrets. If she has one, it’s just that she likes to tell me things in private. No, she’s not aware of how our family works, Father.” He turned to Myrna and explained, “We work together to solve issues. Just as there are no secrets between the two of us, the remainder of our family holds no secrets either. Father considers secrets a waste of time that causes undue angst. He feels each problem has a solution.” He squeezed her to him and continued, “Myrna, he knows everything.”

Myrna raised her eyes to his and said, “Everything? Even about me?” She watched Tom nod, and her head slowly turned to Maurice and Adam. She found them nodding as well.

Adam grinned, pointed at her, and chuckled, “A redhead with a penchant for pitchforks! The boss told me how you got rid of that piece of abusive slime you were married to with a pitchfork right through the head. Who wouldn’t love that?”

Maurice slapped Adam’s hand. He shook his head. “Please forgive Adam. He means well and has a dark sense of humor.”

Tom cleared his throat and said, “Father, speaking of a dark sense of humor, please do not tell Liam any nursery rhymes.” He watched his father frown in sadness. “I only say this because Liam was traumatized in the past, and it would only upset him. He’s far too young.”

Maurice acquiesced. “You’ve already informed me of what happened to the poor child. It was a terrible loss he endured, and I’m pleased he has settled in here with the two of you. I promise, I will not utter one rhyme.”

“Or story, Father. Add that you will not read him one story.”

Maurice chuckled and nodded. “You have my word.”

Tom turned to Myrna. “You have to hear one of his twisted tales. If you did, you’d agree with me.”

Myrna squeezed his hand. “I trust you, Tom.” She glanced at her wristwatch and back at Tom. “We should go now, or we’ll be late.”

Tom smiled at his father. “Myrna made reservations for our meal at Carla’s Fine Cuisine on Main Street. You are going to love it.”

Myrna smiled as well. “You’ll also be able to see the banquet hall where the wedding will take place.”

Maurice shot up from the couch and said, “Very well, then. Lead the way. It sounds divine. Following our meal, we will have a full-disclosure meeting.”

Myrna took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She could only imagine what the “full-disclosure meeting” was about. She was not in the mood for a weekly therapy session of Killers Anonymous. She slowly rose from the couch and went to gather Delilah and Liam. Liam turned when she called out and smiled as he raced to her with his arms extended. She hefted him to her hip and kissed him. He was babbling, “Delilah said she’s taking me to the nursery tomorrow after school so we can get more gnomes. We have to get one for Adam, Grandpa Maurice, and Aunt Delilah. Isn’t that great? Is it okay?”

She saw how happy he was and agreed. “It’s perfectly fine. Perhaps we can make an afternoon of it and see how Becky is coming along with the flower arrangements for the wedding too! I like the idea, Liam.” He kissed her cheek in thanks, and Delilah came up the steps and asked where they were going.

When Myrna told her, Delilah whispered to herself as she entered the house: “I have to tell Father not to forget my special glass.”

***

When they arrived at the restaurant, Liam rushed to the kitchen door and shouted to Robert what he wanted. Myrna could hear Robert’s chuckle and his reply, “Aye-aye, captain.” She imagined he saluted Liam as well because Liam returned to their table giggling. Delilah had told her father to order for her because she was running to the pharmacy to develop the photos she had taken. She wanted to show them to Tom. Maurice briefly excused himself and sauntered over to the open window between the dining room and kitchen. He called out to Robert, introduced himself, and leaned toward him, whispering, “I have a special request, and this request stands if we return here for another meal.”

Robert’s eyebrows rose, and he asked, “What is it?” He watched Maurice dig into his jacket pocket and remove something wrapped in a pressed, monogrammed handkerchief. He unrolled it and displayed a delicate aperitif glass. Robert’s eyes widened. “What am I supposed to put in it?”

“I would like some warm butcher’s blood poured into it.” He indicated with his finger. “Fill it to this level and not beyond. It is for my daughter, who has yet to arrive.”

“Does she suffer from anemia or something?”

Maurice displayed a cunning smile. “Yes, something like that.”

Robert agreed and relayed the message to their waiter, who was already plating appetizers and gathering the drink orders. He then leaned to the side to see a big man sitting with Tom, Myrna, and Liam. He glanced at Maurice and asked, “Who’s the heavy?”

Maurice turned around and back to Robert. “Are you referring to Adam? He’s a close family friend and dear to us all.”

Robert gave a deep chuckle. “Sure he is. Listen, Mr. Gillette, I ain’t stupid. I’ve seen hit men before.”

Maurice leaned closer to Robert and whispered, “Isn’t he a fine specimen?”

Robert backed up and replied, “I wouldn’t mess with him.”

Maurice was impressed and expressed his delight in being present for one of the best meals Cold Hollow had to offer. He then turned and sauntered back to their table while surveying the dining area. He liked its rustic but elegant décor. It was tasteful and surely must be the talk of the quaint town.

When he was back at their table, Delilah rushed inside and took a seat next to her father. She held an envelope bulging with photos and displayed each one to Tom and explained what was going on in each particular shot. When she displayed one in particular, Tom burst out in hard laughter while pointing at it. Maurice already had an idea of which photo it was and chuckled. Tom grasped the picture and said, “I’m getting this one blown up.”

Delilah leaned into him and said, “I’ve already done that for your office at home. I hid it in your car.”

Tom kissed her cheek in thanks, and she continued showing the rest of her photos to him. When she was done, the photos were passed around the table. Myrna watched as Adam slid one of the photos out of the bundle and slipped it into his jacket’s breast pocket.

Myrna asked, “What photo was that, Adam?”

They watched Adam blush and rumble, “It’s Frannie’s photo.”

Myrna’s eyebrows rose. “Adam, do you have a crush?”

Delilah interrupted and babbled on about their first encounter with Fran O’Connor. She recited what had happened at the farm and their entire conversation with her. The table was filled with lively discussion, and plans were made for the entire week before their main meal even arrived.

As Myrna raised an appetizer to her lips, she watched the chief enter the restaurant, slap her police radio on the table beside her, and chide her, “Don’t shut it off or leave home without it again.” He placed his fists on the table beside her, leaned down, and growled, “Don’t do anything stupid, missy. I’m warning you.” He turned on his heel and left the establishment before she could utter a single sound, but she did manage to give him a sour look before he had turned his back to her.

Maurice cleared his throat and asked, “If memory serves me correctly, I believe I saw that radio on your kitchen counter. How did the chief of police retrieve it?”

Myrna shrugged and replied, “He went inside our home, retrieved it, and delivered it to me here. He’s angry because I shut it off this afternoon. The fact is, I always forget it, and it angers him.”

Maurice glanced at Tom and back at Myrna. “Is he a relative of yours?”

Myrna grabbed another appetizer and said, “No, but we work closely together on all town issues.”

He grinned and winked at her. “I see. However, I will ask you to heed his word and restrain yourself from acting in haste. Your plans for this evening will be fulfilled—just simply postponed. We will discuss it at our disclosure meeting this evening.”