"I've given you a warning." Nick looked at him chillingly. "You ignore me, and I'll have you arrested for interfering with a police investigation."
"I've got rights," Jeff called as Nick walked back to his car.
"You just keep telling yourself that, Lindstrom, when you're sitting in a dark, little jail cell with one of our less civilized citizens staring at you like you're a prime piece of fresh meat."
Thankfully the graveside service was short. Lily and her father dropped flowers onto the coffin. Then Lily made a beeline for Natalie. "You're coming back to the house with me, aren't you?" she asked almost desperately.
"Of course. I told you I would."
"I know. I'm just so… Oh, I don't know. Sad. Confused. Bitter. I've lost my sister and my father."
"You haven't lost your father."
"Not physically. But that damned Viveca and her nutty daughter…"
"Speaking of your father, he's shooting meaningful looks in this direction."
"I suppose I'm not presenting a suitable picture of family solidarity."
"Lily, don't you think you're being a bit hard on him?"
Lily's hazel eyes flashed. "No, and please don't lecture. I need a friend, not a… a…"
"I get it." Natalie put on her sunglasses. "I'll meet you at your house, and no lectures, I promise."
Fifteen minutes later she pulled up to the Peyton home. Cars lined the elegant street for a block north and another south of the house. Natalie wondered how many of these people really knew Tamara and how many were here because their familiarity with Oliver allowed them in the door to slake their avid curiosity. Inside she recognized few people and decided that unfortunately many were here out of curiosity alone. Ghouls. But maybe she wasn't being fair. Perhaps some of these people were friends Tam made through War ren. Natalie doubted it, though. She'd never heard Tamara mention parties or conventions she'd attended with Warren. It seemed he'd usually left his pretty, shy wife at home. Natalie had no doubt he'd always been unfaithful. How many women like Charlotte had there been?
She was making herself angry, she thought as she approached the front door. There was no sense in going over how Warren might have wronged his wife. That was what Lily was tearing herself apart over and for what? It wouldn't bring back Tamara. And Warren had certainly paid a heavy price for his wrongs. Someone had evened the score.
Someone had evened the score. The sentence tolled in Natalie's head. Was someone trying to even the score for Eugene Farley by killing the children of people who'd been involved in his downfall? Or had Warren died because someone thought he had killed Tamara? Who would feel passionately enough to exact revenge for Tam's murder? Oliver or Lily?
"Natalie, thank God you're here!" Lily stood in the doorway, her blond hair escaping from the bow, her eyes anxious. "I cannot get through this without you."
Natalie swallowed. She couldn't manage a smile when ten seconds earlier she'd been wondering if her best friend murdered Warren. Slashed his throat. And Charlotte 's.
"Nat, what's wrong?" Lily reached out with her strong, long-fingered hand. "You look…frozen."
"It's just a weird day." What a creative answer, Natalie thought. "I need a drink."
"You've come to the right place. I feel like I'm at Truman Capote's famous Black-and-White Ball. Viveca has outdone herself."
When Natalie walked in the house, she had to agree with Lily. None of the somberness of other funeral receptions she'd attended prevailed here. Instead, waiters circled with trays of canapes. Vivid flower arrangements flourished. Candles burned and music played loudly in the background. An open bar operated in the dining room. Natalie felt almost dizzy.
"Lily, isn't that the waltz from Die Fledermaus!"
"Yes. Any minute I expect someone to start dancing. Either that or the next musical selection will be 'Bolero.' I don't know what Dad is thinking. Or even he's thinking. He has to know Tam would hate this. And my mother would be turning in her grave!"
Natalie shook her head. "You're right. I don't understand. Viveca usually has good taste."
Lily emitted a modified snort. "From what I've heard she threw a similar shebang for her husband. Former lover Eugene Farley didn't rate the same treatment."
Natalie stiffened at the mention of Farley. She didn't want to talk about him, but Lily had just given her a perfect opening. She girded herself emotionally. "Did you know Eugene?"
"Yes, a little."
"Tell me about him."
Lily gave her a bemused smile. "Are you trying to take my mind off all this?" Natalie smiled back enigmatically. "Well, whatever. Let's see. He was extremely good-looking. Pretty boy good-looking. He came into the store once right after he moved to town. He said he wanted something for his mother. He bought a cameo pendant. He was friendly and somehow seemed younger than his age. He also talked a lot about his mother. Anyway, the second time he came in he wanted more jewelry. I asked if it was for his mother and he said no, someone younger. He actually blushed when he said it. I'd heard he was seeing Dee Fisher. I couldn't imagine I'd have anything she'd want. He chose an antique garnet brooch set in eighteen-carat gold. It was pretty expensive. I remember he put it on a credit card. I know now it was for Viveca."
"Did you like him?"
"He was okay. Too shy and formal for my taste. Of course, you know me-I always go for the dangerous types that break your heart." She paused. "I hope Viveca didn't break your father's."
"I think she barely fazed him, which must have bruised her ego. Maybe she turned to Eugene because she wasn't having the desired effect on Dad. He's wary of women after Kira. I'm surprised he dated her at all."
Lily shrugged. "Maybe he was just amusing himself or trying to show the town he hadn't turned into some weird old misogynist. By the way, how are he and his new lady friend getting along?"
"I haven't quite gotten a bead on that relationship yet. Dad is being even more cagey than usual. Ruth certainly seems nice."
"You like her."
"Yes. And I don't want Dad to be alone, but he's spent so long dodging serious relationships I don't have a lot of hope."
Lily smiled mischievously. "Well, if things don't work out for them, I want Ruth for Dad."
Natalie glanced up. Viveca stood right behind Lily. She raised a carefully penciled eyebrow and swept away, her head high. Had she been hurt by what she'd overheard or merely insulted? "Lily, Viveca heard that," Natalie murmured.
"Who cares? She knows I don't like her."
The front door opened again. Nick Meredith stepped in. "What do you know?" Lily said. "The heat has arrived."
Natalie excused herself and walked toward Nick. His cheeks were flushed, his gaze restless. "Why did you leave the church so fast?" she asked bluntly.
"Nothing gets by you, does it?"
"I usually notice cars speeding away from funerals. What was it?"
Nick lowered his voice. "I saw Lindstrom."
"At the funeral?" she blurted.
"Don't announce it to the whole room," Nick said. "Yes, at the funeral. I saw him leaving."
"Killers come to funerals."
"Now don't get carried away with all those murder mystery cliches. Sometimes they come to the funeral."
"What other reason could he have?" Natalie asked. "He didn't know Tamara. What excuse did he give you?" She paused. "You did catch him, didn't you?"
"Yes. He said he wants to write a book about the killings. You know-true crime."
"And you believe him?"
"He claimed to be a reporter with the Cincinnati Star. I checked it out. He was a reporter for them until about three weeks ago. The editor said he'd left, but even though the guy wouldn't discuss details, I got the impression Lindstrom was fired."