The humans ate while reviewing the amazing events. Comments on the incredible weather inevitably crept into the conversation. Harry talked about her plans for her second-year Petit Manseng grapes, her sunflowers, and the corn Bubba Wickham had told her to plant this year.
Ambrosia, a better corn than Silver Queen? Inez was incredulous.
Bubba and Donna Wickham farmed right outside Montpeliernot Montpelier Station, which was up in Orange County and home of the Madisons, but Montpelier in Hanover County, not far from Richmond. Even Virginians not from Hanover County and counties close by could get confused. Everybody knew Bubba and Donna. The two were the local sitcom: funny, occasionally outrageous, and plain good people.
You know his exact words when I told him I was going to plant Silver Queen? Harry ate so much salmon she could feel her waist expanding. Dont dirty your mouth with Silver Queen. You put in Ambrosia. Now, you listen to Bubba, you hear?
She did, too. He was one of the best farmers around, and Harry admired a good farmer the way a suburban teenager admired the rock star of the moment.
Fair and Inez repaired to the living room while Harry stacked the dishwasher and turned it on. She entered the living room to find her husband and Inez smoking contraband Cuban cigars. Diplomaticos was the brand.
Would you like one? Inez offered.
No thanks.
Nothing like a good smoke after a meal. I so look forward to it, Inez confessed. Didnt bring any to William Woods because I knew Big Mim would get her nose out of joint. As it was, Tally and I had to sneak cigarettes. Tally wont smoke a cigar, either. I tell her shes a wimp.
Fair tilted his head back and blew three consecutive smoke rings. If I could blow five Id have the Olympic symbol.
Wouldnt you run out of wind?
Tucker inquired.
He might, but Aunt Tally wouldnt if she smoked one.
Mrs. Murphy laughed.
After the relaxing time in the deep-seated chairs, Fair checked his watch, the inexpensive Fossil brand. Few vets wore costly watches while on the job. Time to throw your bags in the Volvo.
I wouldnt mind a ride in the Volvo. Inez smiled. Come on, Erno.
A road trip!
Erno was joyous.
With Bubble Butt.
Pewter indicated Tucker, who pointedly ignored her.
Mrs. Murphy chastised her friend.
Pewter, its a long way home.
Cats are supposed to stick together, Murph.
It took fifteen minutes to pack up and lock up.
Erno gaily jumped into the back of the Volvo.
Harry, you sit up front next to Fair. Inez opened the back door.
Inez, Im going to take a nap. I didnt sleep too well last night. Something was moving around outside and Tucker wouldnt shut up.
It was a bear,
Tucker defended herself.
On the way west on 250, Inez said to both of them, Thank you for this.
Ha. You think were being nice. Were being selfish. Youll reorganize my house and barn for the better. Im no fool.
Harry rolled up her coat for a pillow.
Inez enjoyed being teased. Are you inferring that Im an old version of Martha Stewart?
No. Im saying it flat out. Harry giggled.
A Volvo full of happy people and animals rode back to Crozet. Despite all, they truly enjoyed one another.
I told you about Lizs email? Inez asked.
Did. Fair responded.
I hope shes not the next victim, Inez said.
O
n Sunday, April 5, the weather turned back toward winter. Sleet drove from the northwest, and the temperature hung near thirty-five degrees. Residents of central Virginia usually figured the last frost would be by April 15. Sometimes Mother Nature would fool you; a mid-April snowstorm was unusual but not rare. However, snow in April was often deep and very cold.
Harry, like most farmers, preferred snow to sleet. Although the mercury dipped lower for snow, it always felt warmer.
Cooper kept the fire going in the fireplace in her simple living room. Harry had filled in Cooper on everything that she knew to date, and Cooper, having seen the photos of Flo, was hooked on the case.
Inez okay?
Harry replied, Horrified but okay. Shes not one to embroider a disaster.
Coopers hand found Mrs. Murphys head as the cat squeezed between the two humans. Hmm.
Any ideas?
No. The Fulton police department was more helpful than St. Louiss. Big-city departments usually look down their nose at us country folks. I have no right to know facts from this case, as it doesnt involve anyone in our county. I explained my concern, but they waved me off, so to speak. I understand it, but its damned frustrating.
Thanks to her position, Inez has been able to check alumnae accounts. Nothing has been touched. I told you that Mariahs treasurer, right?
You did. Know anything about Flos private account yet?
No. Given Dicks grief, no one connected to the board or college has inquired about Flos finances or personal life.
Cooper stretched out her long legs, propping them up on the battle-scarred but sturdy coffee table. This is like every other crime. Some are open-and-shut. Once you know the motive, things always make sense. You look at a persons finances, then business dealings, then sex life. Given Flos intended expose of Mariah, that provides a clear motive.
Its a good thing Mariahs in hiding, because its all over the news. The murder, I mean.
I tapped in to the Kansas City news. Saw the shuttered doors at Fletcher, Maitland, and DAngelo. Boy, what a mess.
Gayle Lampe called Inez and said Mariahs business partner swears hes innocent and doesnt know where she is.
You saw them a little. Whatd you think? Cooper inquired.
Nothing really. Mariah and Flo both looked like two well-groomed, successful Midwestern ladies.
As opposed to Southern ladies? Cooper appreciated the purr coming from Mrs. Murphy.
Cooper, we tend to be flamboyant in the South. Then you get to Texas and theyre over the top. Fun, though.
Its the hair. Cooper laughed. Those Texas girls do big hair.
Pewter, on her side in front of the fire screen, was dead to the world. Tucker, also out cold, lay back to back with the gray cat.
Ive racked my brain; Fair has, too. I even wondered for a flash if the hostility between Flo and Mariah wasnt put on. Were they in on the scam together, and then Flo betrayed Mariah to cover her own butt? But Inez reinforced that they really had hated each other since 1970, when both were freshmen at William Woods.
Harry, if Flo was a partner in crime, she wouldnt have betrayed Mariah to cover her butt, she would have killed her.
Oh, Harry blinked. Lets just suppose Mariah is dead. Who would kill her and Flo?
Cooper looked out the window, the small handblown panes decorated with frost around the edges. Whoever has the most to lose. The emails point to Mariah being alive or whoever is sending them is a convincing double. Mariah did have the most to lose.
Right. Sometimes my mind just goes places, you know, like what if? Harry propped her own legs up on the battered coffee table, something that would have drawn a sharp word from her very proper mother.
She changed the subject. Isnt it strange? For the last ten years weve had some heavy snows, but not like when I was little. This year its been like old times.
Is Terri Kincaid a board member? Cooper returned to the subject.
No. She heads the Charlottesville alumnae chapter. Liz is grooming Terri. Thats what Inez thinks. The fighting between Flo and Mariah dimmed Lizs desire to stay on the board. Then, too, given the economy, she probably wants to devote herself completely to business.