Миранда Джеймс - Arsenic And Old Books

Long gave little outward sign that he registered Singletary’s jab. “You’re lucky you’ve got the knees for it. I guess I played too much tennis, because my knees give me heck these days.”

I remembered reading that Long had been a tennis champion all through high school and college and had even flirted with the idea of turning professional, but decided instead to stick with family tradition.

“That’s too bad,” Singletary said in a patently insincere tone. “My advisors and I are planning to have lunch in this excellent establishment, and our schedule is tight. Have you finished here?” He waved a hand toward the cash register.

“Yes, I’m afraid we have to push on. No time for lunch today. So many folks to see. We just stopped by to say hello to Ms. Brady.”

Long’s entourage of five evidently took that as their cue, because they started moving away from the counter and toward the door. Long turned back to Helen Louise and nodded. “Always good to see you, Helen Louise. Let me say again how much my parents and I enjoyed your food the other night.”

“My pleasure, Beck,” Helen Louise said.

I watched as Long paused on his way toward the door to shake a few hands. My attention switched back to the counter, however, when I heard Helen Louise greet Singletary.

“Nice to see you again, Jasper,” she said. “We have that chicken salad you like so much today. How about that?”

Singletary grinned. “You know my weakness, so how can I say no?” He motioned for his companions to join him at the register.

I listened for a few moments but when I realized all they were talking about was food, I lost interest. I hoped they would finish soon because I was getting hungrier by the minute, I realized. Diesel chose that second to reappear from under the table and tap my thigh again. “I know,” I told him. “I’m hungry, too. Won’t be long, though, I’m sure.”

The cat appeared to understand, though the look he gave me was far from happy. He meowed twice and slunk under the table as if disgusted.

When I focused on the register area again, there was no line. I surveyed the room and spotted Singletary and his companions sitting on the far side of the bakery from me. They occupied a table next to the small one where Kelly Grimes sat. I was surprised to see her still here, because I thought she might be following Beck Long discreetly for either personal or professional reasons.

Instead I noticed her shooting covert sideways glances at Singletary—or so I thought. He sat at about a forty-five-degree angle from her spot in the bakery. From what I could tell, though, he didn’t appear to notice her. Perhaps she was hanging around to get a chance to talk to him. A good writer wouldn’t turn down an opportunity like this, I reckoned.

She did nothing but continue to sit there, however, as I watched. I became fascinated by the way she glanced his way, then back down at her plate, at regular intervals. What was going on here? She wasn’t shy; I knew that. So why didn’t she get up and go to his table?

“Are you sitting there ogling another woman, Charlie Harris?”

Helen Louise startled me. I had been so engrossed in watching Kelly Grimes, I hadn’t noticed her leaving the cash register and walking over to my table.

She grinned at me as she leaned down to give me a quick kiss. Diesel warbled at her, determined to be noticed. She laughed. “I’d never forget you, honey.” She rubbed his head, and he purred contentedly. I knew it wouldn’t be long, though, before he would be hunting for his usual treats from her.

“How could I ogle any other woman when you’re around?” I asked.

Helen Louise grinned impishly. “Do I take that to mean that you do ogle other women when I’m not around?”

“Oh, yes, I roam the streets of Athena just looking for women to leer at,” I said as I rolled my eyes at her.

“You cad, you. I didn’t realize you were such a roué,” she said in a mock-horrified tone, “or I never would have gotten involved with you.”

“You’re just feeling giddy because you’ve had two young, attractive men fawning over you.” I frowned. “I had no idea your affections were so easily shifted, and all for a pretty face.” I shook my head, my expression doleful.

Her peal of laughter made me smile. “I do love you so,” she whispered as she bent to graze my cheek with a kiss.

I grinned at her. “Ditto. Now, how about some food, woman? The cat and I are practically malnourished, we’ve waited so long for you to stop flirting and take care of us.”

Diesel warbled loudly, and Helen Louise and I exchanged a smile.

“Guess I’d better feed you right away,” she said. “I can’t have you fading away to nothing in my bakery. I’ll be right back.” She scratched Diesel’s head before she headed to the kitchen.

I was a lucky man, and I knew it. Helen Louise was not only smart, beautiful, and talented, she also shared my goofy sense of humor. We laughed a lot together, and I relished every moment spent with her.

Helen Louise’s teasing about my ogling other women notwithstanding, I couldn’t help glancing over at Kelly Grimes again. I was curious to see whether she would approach Jasper Singletary.

While I watched, she gazed back and forth between him and her plate. Then she paused as she seemed finally to catch his glance. She started to push her chair back, and I looked at Singletary.

He frowned and shook his head so slightly that I thought for a moment I imagined it.

Kelly Grimes, half standing by now, sat down again. She looked annoyed.

That little interchange was decidedly odd. What was going on here?

NINE

I wouldn’t admit it to many people, but I was a bit on the nosy side. People fascinated me, particularly when I observed what I considered odd behavior. I detected an undercurrent between Jasper Singletary and Kelly Grimes, mainly due to the latter’s focus on the former. She might think she was being discreet—and perhaps most people wouldn’t have noticed—but I was sure all her attention was squarely centered on the young politician.

“I thought you might like something different today.” Helen Louise once again startled me, and I hastily turned my attention to her.

“Smells wonderful,” I said as I took a second deep breath of the rich aroma. “What is it?”

“Chicken chasseur,” she said. “Chicken cooked in a sauce of butter, mushrooms, cognac, white wine, and shallots. Plus a few other things. Served with rice and fresh bread.” She set a small plate of plain cooked chicken on the table as well—treats for the cat.

Diesel put both front paws on my thighs and raised his head to stare at the food on the table. He meowed and looked back and forth from me to Helen Louise.

“Poor starving kitty,” Helen Louise said. “Things are a bit busy at the moment, so you’ll have to get Charlie to feed you, boy. See you soon.” She hurried back to the register.

I knew better than to taste my own food before giving the cat a bit of his own. While he was occupied with a chunky morsel, I tried the chicken chasseur. I would have to ask Helen Louise later what chasseur meant. In the meantime, I decided after one savory mouthful, I would tuck in and enjoy myself.

For the first few minutes I was busy stuffing my face and keeping Diesel happy with his lunch, and I didn’t pay any attention to Kelly Grimes and Jasper Singletary. When I did look over in their direction, I saw that the politician seemed engrossed in food and conversation with his companions. The writer, her plate empty now, was scribbling furiously on a notepad.

The bell jangled again to signal fresh arrivals, and I of course had to see who it was. To my surprise, I saw Lucinda Long headed for the register.