Laura Childs - Shades of Earl Grey

“Slight puncture wounds,” responded Bentley. “Nothing that requires any serious medical treatment, even though your perp is complaining bitterly about what she refers to as dog bites. ”

“The woman does seem quite unhinged,” offered Dray-ton. He had arrived home just minutes after the police cruiser arrived.

The police, at Theodosia’s urging, had contacted Detective Tidwell. And Drayton, of course, had immediately phoned Haley, who’d been trying to call Theodosia at home and was frantic to know what was going on. Not one to miss out on excitement, she immediately came dashing over.

Now they were all gathered in a conversational knot on the front walk of Drayton’s house, a few steps from where Burt Tidwell’s burgundy-colored Crown Victoria was parked at the curb.

“You say she’s unhinged,” said Tidwell to Drayton. “What a quaint assessment. So very Dr. Watson.”

“Hey,” piped up Haley as she stroked Earl Grey’s head. “Drayton is Dr. Watson. To Theodosia’s Sherlock, that is. Haven’t you figured that out by now?”

Tidwell smiled tolerantly.

“Your suspect’s hair condition is what’s really causing the problem,” continued the paramedic, Bentley. His eyes sought out Theodosia’s. “I don’t know what you squirted on her, lady, but it sure as heck is permanent. My partner and the other two officers are still trying to cut her off the pavement.”

Drayton’s eyes widened. “ Cut her?”

“Well, her hair, anyway,” explained Bentley as he packed a roll of gauze and bottle of antiseptic back into his bag. “Looks like she’s gonna get a whole new look. Kind of patchy and choppy. That glue or whatever it was is pretty mean stuff.”

This time Drayton threw back his head and howled. “Don’t tell me you superglued Aerin Linley’s hair to my patio!” he exclaimed.

“How else could I subdue her?” said Theodosia. “She was thrashing around like a crazy woman. I certainly didn’t want to see Earl Grey get hurt.”

“God forbid,” said Tidwell as he rolled his eyes skyward. “And pray tell, while we’re on the subject, why exactly did you stage this elaborate little charade without benefit of any backup?”

Theodosia threw him a look that was pure innocence. “But I did have backup, Detective Tidwell. I had you. I always have you.”

“What she means is it’s comforting to know we can always count on our law enforcement professionals,” said Drayton, jumping into the fray and trying to derail Tidwell’s anger. “Thank you so very much, Detective Tidwell.”

Tidwell shook his head in bewilderment and gazed down at Earl Grey, who was sitting on his haunches and yawning contently, looking as though he’d just been through a typical, uneventful doggy evening. “I’m afraid the mayor doesn’t award certificates of appreciation to canines,” said Tidwell. “At least he hasn’t up until now. We’ll have to find some other way to honor the crime-fighting Earl Grey.”

“How about a free cup of Earl Grey tea to all our customers this week,” piped up Haley. “And we can put up his photo. With a big thank-you banner.”

“The dog that helped catch a cat burglar,” said Tidwell, and even he couldn’t resist a snicker.

“I’ve got a better idea,” said Theodosia. “Let’s all go in and have a cup of Earl Grey right now, instead of standing around shivering in the dark.”

“When you put it that way,” said Tidwell, “it sounds very inviting. The night is rather chilly.”

“Tea does sound nice,” said the paramedic, Bentley.

“You have Earl Grey in the house, don’t you?” Theodosia asked Drayton. “The tea, I mean, not the dog.”

“Of course,” said Drayton as he started for the door. “And some nice molasses spice cookies, too.” He glanced over at Bentley. “Does your partner drink tea?”

“I guess so,” said Bentley. “And we were due to go on break,” he said, suddenly showing genuine enthusiasm.

“By all means invite him in then,” said Drayton. “The other officers, too.”

“Hey, aren’t they still working on Aerin?” asked Haley.

“She’s not going anywhere for a while,” said Theodosia with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

“That’s right,” chuckled Tidwell. “Let her wait. Let her wait.”

1 tsp. olive oil

4–5 pieces of chicken, skin removed

2 slices bacon (cut in 1/4” pieces) or 2 oz. diced salt pork

1 large onion, sliced

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

1 cup long-grain white rice

1 can chicken broth (1 3/4 cups)

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 Tbsp. minced parsley

Heat oil over medium-high heat using nonstick 12inch fry pan. Add chicken and cook about 8 minutes or until golden, turning over once. Transfer chicken to plate. Reduce heat to medium and add bacon or salt pork, cooking for 4 minutes until browned. Remove bacon or salt pork with slotted spoon to small bowl. Discard all but 2 tsp. bacon fat from skillet.

Add onion and green pepper to same skillet and cook, covered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add rice and stir until evenly coated. Stir in bacon, broth, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup water. Return chicken to skillet; heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, 10 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Yields 4 servings.

2 Tbsp. Lapsang Souchong tea

2 cups water

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 lb. shrimp or prawns

Steep tea in boiling water to desired strength, then strain. Add lemon juice to the tea. Cool tea to room temperature. Marinate shrimp or prawns in tea for at least 30 minutes, then grill or stir-fry as usual.

2 bags of Apple Cinnamon Tea

2 cups vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt

1/4 tsp. cinnamon (optional)

Cut open tea bags and mix tea with ice cream and cinnamon in a blender until fully blended. Pour into a tall glass, garnish with whipped cream. Makes 1 serving.

3 Tbsp. lite soy sauce

1 1/2 Tbsp. rice wine

1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger

1/2 tsp. sesame oil

3/4 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips

1/2 lb. soba noodles

3 cups brewed green tea

1/4 lb. snow peas, cut into thin strips

1 medium leek, thinly sliced2 Tbsp. umeboshi vinegar

2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

Combine soy sauce, rice wine, ginger, and sesame oil in a medium bowl. Add chicken strips, tossing to coat, and let marinate for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook noodles in boiling, salted water in a large saucepan for 10 minutes. Drain, transfer to bowl containing chicken mixture and cover. Using the same saucepan, bring the tea to a simmer. Add the chicken mixture, snow peas, and leek and cook over low heat until the chicken is just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Stir in vinegar and cilantro and ladle into bowls. Yields 4 servings.

4 very thin slices honey-oat bread

1 Tbsp. butter

1 ripe pear, halved and thinly sliced

Lemon juice

2 Tbsp. crumbled Stilton cheese (about 1/2 oz.)

Spread each bread slice with softened butter. Sprinkle pear slices with lemon juice. Place 1/2 of the pear slices in a single layer on one slice of bread. Top with half of the crumbled cheese and the second bread slice. Make a second sandwich the same way. Slice off crusts. Cut each into 4 finger-sized sandwiches. Yields 8 tea sandwiches.

1/4 cup butter