Carlene Thompson - Don

"Yes, Daddy," she said meekly. "I love you."

Meredith left the store shaking his head. Lily smiled at Jeff Lindstrom, who was watching Meredith closely. "And that is our sheriff, Nicolas Meredith," she said.

"Pretty imposing guy."

"Who apparently doesn't have time for introductions."

"That's all right. No reason for him to be interested in me. I'm just a harmless tourist." He gave Lily an earnest look. "Ms. Peyton, I'm very sorry about your sister. I had no idea."

"How could you?"

"I did read about the murder in the newspaper but I-didn't realize the poor woman was your sister."

"My identical twin."

"God, that's awful." He hesitated. "I guess they have no idea who…"

"Slashed her throat?" Natalie winced at Lily's bald language. "No, although I wonder if Sheriff Meredith isn't suspecting Tamara's husband Warren. That must be why he's in such a fizz to talk to him this morning."

Paige lingered around the counter, looking in the glass case at several pieces of antique jewelry. And taking in every word, Natalie thought. She caught Lily's eye and nodded at the child. "Where are you off to first?" Lily asked Jeff.

"I might visit the nautical museum." His stomach growled loudly. "Or I might eat," he laughed. "Can you recommend a restaurant that serves a hearty breakfast?"

"Trudy's Diner, right down the street. They make the best cinnamon rolls in the world and they load your plate as if you're headed into the Yukon for the day."

"Sounds like just the ticket. Well, thank you for all the information. And once again, I'm sorry about your sister, Ms. Peyton."

"Lily."

"Lily it is." He looked at. Natalie. "Nice meeting you, Dr. St. John."

"And I'm Natalie. Nice meeting you too, Jeff. Enjoy your day."

As he walked out the door, Paige moved away from the jewelry counter and joined Mrs. Collins, who was looking at a brass bedwarmer. "I wonder if Nell would like this?" she asked no one in particular. "Oh, no she wouldn't. Her husband left her a month ago. She'd think I was rubbing it in. Maybe a pretty ceramic thimble. No, she'd think I was being cheap. Oh, this art glass is pretty… Good gracious, look at the price!"

"Decisions, decisions," Lily murmured to Natalie.

"He was nice-looking," Natalie said.

"Jeff? Yes. Under different circumstances I might even have flirted, but I don't have any coquetry in me this morning."

"It will return, maybe even before he leaves town."

"If you don't get to him first."

Natalie smiled. "We sound desperate."

"We are," Lily said wryly. "So, Natalie St. John, why did you need to talk to me this morning?"

"We didn't discuss the post-funeral arrangements. I assume everyone will be coming back to your father's house."

Lily sighed. "Yes, and how I dread it. Maybe some people take comfort in having a bunch of people stand around stuffing themselves with food after the burial of a loved one, but I find the custom repugnant."

"I'm not crazy about it myself," Natalie said. "Need my help?"

"Surely you jest. With Viveca Cosgrove in the picture? She started making plans an hour after she heard Tam was dead."

"Viveca? What about Mrs. Ebert?"

"Oh, forget that she's been the housekeeper forever and has impeccable taste. Viveca pushed her aside and Dad let her. She's having the damned affair catered. I've heard her on the phone making arrangements. They sound like they're for a party. I'm surprised we're not having a reception with a band at the country club. Maybe even a door prize. I told Dad I thought the whole shebang was in terrible taste. He said I should appreciate Viveca's efforts. I can just imagine what my poor mother would think."

"She'd be appalled. Is Alison coming?"

"With bells on. Even Dad isn't too happy about that, but last night on the phone Viveca told him it was important to Alison." She glanced around like a guilty child and lowered her voice.

"While they were talking on the phone, I happened to pick up the extension and I didn't hang up."

"Lily!",

"Yes, I'm thoroughly ashamed of myself," Lily said, not looking at all ashamed. "Viveca was upset. She said Alison got quite distressed when she told her she didn't want her to attend the funeral and that she'd flung off to her bedroom in a fury. At around one-thirty in the morning she thought she heard the front door closing softly and someone coming up the stairs. Viveca got up and peeked in Alison's room. She was in bed, but she was dressed. Viveca said she didn't want to upset Alison by asking if she'd left the house, but it's pretty obvious she did." Lily raised an eyebrow. "Now where do you think someone like Alison Cosgrove would go in the middle of the night?"

Mrs. Collins had looked at every item in Curious Things. She picked up one thing after another, rejecting each after careful inspection. Finally she'd dithered over a pair of brass candlesticks until Paige thought she would scream. At last she bought them, paying the whole amount in five- and one dollar bills. Purchase in hand, she'd marched from the store to window-shop, although how anyone could enjoy window shopping at the hardware store and the office supply outlet Paige could not imagine. At last they'd made it to McDonald's where Mrs. Collins complained steadily about the terrible food although she ate every bite of her Big Mac, large order of fries, and apple pie.

When they reached home, Paige tore up the stairs to her bedroom and the precious phone. She stroked Ripley as she endured Mrs. Jenkins's inquiries about Paige's health, her father's health, and Mrs. Collins's health while a child whined maddeningly in the background. At last she put Jimmy on the line.

"Can you talk in private?" Paige asked.

"Yeah. Mom took my sister to her room. What's up?"

"This morning I was in a store owned by Mrs. Hunt's sister. Her name is Lily Peyton."

"I know who she is. She looks just like Tamara. She told me to call her Tamara, you know, not Mrs. Hunt. I liked her a lot. She always made me chocolate chip cookies."

Chocolate chip cookies, Paige thought. She would immediately learn to make them. "I met Natalie St. John."

"Who?"

"The lady vet who took home the dog that found Tamara's body. I think she's pretty. Real pretty."

Jimmy sighed. "Did you call just to talk about her?"

"No I did not," Paige snapped. "When we were in the store, my dad came in and asked Lily Peyton where her brother-in-law was. That would be Tamara's husband."

"Sure. His name is Warren but I always had to call him Dr. Hunt. Dad says he's a stuffed shirt."

"My dad seemed like he really wanted to talk to Dr. Hunt. You live right across the street. Isn't he home?"

"No. He's been gone all morning."

"How do you know?"

"The garage door is up. No car. And his morning paper is on the porch. He always gets it real early." There was a moment of silence. "Hey, I just remembered something! When we couldn't go to Ariel's last night because my sister Ivy got sick and everyone was up and I couldn't sneak out, I stayed awake and watched television. Ivy went to the emergency room."

"What's wrong with her?"

"Chest cold. She'll live. Anyway, I was looking out the window and I saw Dr. Hunt leave in his car. It was before midnight."

"When did he get back?"

"Mom and Dad brought Ivy home about one o'clock. I was watching Lethal Weapon 4 on HBO. Mom got mad. She thinks it's too violent. She made me go to bed, but I looked at the Hunts' house first. He hadn't come back."

Paige sat silent for a few seconds, thinking. Finally she said, "I think Dr. Hunt was gone all night. You have to tell my dad."

"He wouldn't believe me," Jimmy said glumly.

"He might not believe you about that creature at Ariel's house, but he'd believe you about this."