In the Event of My Death (12 page)

1

Laurel slipped into white wool slacks, pulled a white silk angora sweater laced with thin gold threads over her head, and stepped into new white and gold heels. A glance in the full-length mirror assured her the ensemble fit perfectly and looked casually festive. She wore a bit more makeup than usual, her lipstick a dark rose, her eyes accented with lavender and a touch of deep purple shadow. Even her hair was behaving for once. All in all, she felt pretty well, even in the mood for a party.

Kurt arrived at a quarter to eight. “I’m starting to look forward to what I’m going to find next on your door,” he commented, staring. “A red heart? It’s not Valentine’s Day.”

“I think Zeke might have stopped by on his way to the store yesterday,” she answered offhandedly. “At least it’s not as bad as a funeral wreath.”

“A lot harder to get off, though. It’s going to take turpentine, then the door will have to be revarnished.”

He stepped inside, dressed in a charcoal gray suit and lighter gray shirt. “My goodness, you look wonderful!” Laurel exclaimed. “I didn’t know you were going to get so dressed up.”

“Talked myself into a new suit,” he said in a slightly abashed manner. “I’ve been wearing that pair of dress slacks and sports coat forever.”

“Well, you look quite dashing.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been called that before. You look beautiful.”

“I look okay and thank you. Before we leave, why don’t you update me on Zeke Howard?”

Kurt took a deep breath. “I was afraid you were going to ask me that. He’s been released.”

Laurel’s lips parted in surprise. “
Released!
How?”

“Mary refused to press charges of assault and battery.”

“I can’t believe—” She sighed. “Yes, I can believe it. I could tell when I talked to her in the hospital this morning she wasn’t going to do anything. But there must be some other way to get him off the streets.”

“There is. A mental hygiene warrant.”

“How do you get that?”

“An application can be made to the circuit court or the mental hygiene commission for the purpose of an examination.”

“Who makes the application?”

“Anyone. The trouble is we don’t have a lot of witnesses. Mary isn’t going to say anything. I talked to the Lewis sisters, who refuse to say a word for the record about the attack. I don’t know who that young woman in the store was.”

“I don’t, either. But there’s Penny, Norma, and me.”

“Norma was in the workroom. Penny was outside.”

“Then what about the other deputy and all the other people who must have seen Zeke at the sheriff’s office?”

“Laurel, he was meek as a lamb as soon as we got him in custody. Just a gentle, kind old man, slightly confused by all the commotion.”

“There must be something we can do!”

“Honey, even if you have a psychiatrist testifying at one of these hearings, it’s still a judgment call on the judge’s part. We don’t have a psychiatrist, and even if we did, I’m not sure it would help. Yesterday was the first time we know of that Zeke ever acted like a danger to himself or anyone else.”

“What about his ramming my car?”

“We have no proof he did that. Our examination of his car showed nothing.”

“But—”

Kurt put his hands on her shoulders. “Look, Laurel, a judge would probably view his display in your store as just an aberration. Two or three more episodes and we might get him in a psychiatric institution for a month. As of now…” He shrugged. “I don’t think we have a chance.”

“Well, fabulous,” Laurel said in disgust. “So this lunatic gets to run around free in spite of what he did yesterday.”

“I’m afraid so. Let’s just hope he does something crazy again soon.”

Laurel looked at him. “The next crazy thing he does might be to murder someone.” If he hasn’t already, she thought grimly.

2

Around ten cars were already at the Prices’ when Laurel and Kurt arrived. Tiny white lights decorated the two evergreens on the front lawn and lined the big bay window.

“I love this house,” Laurel said as they parked.

“I’d hate to pay the heating bills.”

“Kurt, do you always have to be so practical?”

“Well, you have to admit it’s awfully big for just three people.”

“Maybe they plan to have more children.”

“You know what’s weird?” Kurt said, turning off the ignition. “Among all you girls who were such good friends in school, there’s only one child.” Laurel looked at him. “Of course, if Faith hadn’t died—”

“But she did,” Laurel said crisply.

“That child would have been almost thirteen,” Kurt went on as if talking to himself. “I’d bet it was a boy.”

Laurel’s heart rate accelerated. Even thinking about Faith had made her miserable for years. Now talking about her threw Laurel into a near panic. “Let’s go in. I’m cold.”

She nearly jumped from the car and hurried up the front walk. “Hey, wait a minute,” Kurt called. “Trying to leave me behind?”

She’d already rung the doorbell and Wayne was opening the door by the time Kurt caught up with her. Wayne, five feet ten, slightly stocky with a round face and thinning brown hair, beamed at her. “Laurel! You look wonderful. So does the house. You did a great job. Hello, Kurt. You two come on in out of the cold. We’ve got some of the best eggnog in the world to warm you up.”

He took their coats. Several people were gathered in the living room and music poured from the stereo. Laurel was relieved it wasn’t Christmas carols. Hearing them over and over for weeks could be wearing. Instead, the sounds of soft rock filled the room. Denise came to greet them. She wore a long red and green plaid hostess skirt and a white silk blouse. “Everyone loves the decorations, Laurel.”

“I’m glad.”

“Wayne says you have some extra special eggnog,” Kurt said.

“It’s on the dining room table. Why don’t you get a couple of glasses for you and Laurel while I talk to her for a minute.”

“I guess females never outgrow girl talk.”

“No sexist remarks from you tonight,” Laurel warned. “And make sure my eggnog—”

“Is nonalcoholic,” Kurt finished. “Yes, ma’am.”

As he left them, Laurel asked softly, “Is Monica or Crystal here?”

“Crystal is. I didn’t think she’d come and she’s nervous as a cat. I believe this is her first social event in a year. She looks dreadful. Something else must have happened but I haven’t been able to get a word alone with her.”

“I was certain Monica would be here.”

“If I know Monica, she’ll wait to make an entrance. No sign of Neil Kamrath, either. Any word on Mary and Zeke Howard?”

“They’ve both been sprung,” Laurel told her. “Mary was discharged from the hospital and she wouldn’t press charges against her father so he’s out of jail.”

“You’re joking! He’s running loose? Can’t anyone do something?”

“Kurt already explained the process. Getting him committed, which is what he needs, would be incredibly complicated.”

Kurt returned with her eggnog. “Lots of calories, no alcohol.”

“Just how I like it.”

Audra appeared in a red velvet dress. “Hi. Are April and Alex asleep?”

“Yes. They get up early and go to sleep early.”

“I get to stay up later because of the party.” Audra wiggled her finger for Laurel to bend down while Denise talked with Kurt. “Mommy wants me to play the piano, but I don’t want to,” Audra told her confidentially. “I’m terrible. I’ll just
die
if she makes me play.”

She looked so distressed Laurel couldn’t help taking pity on her. “Maybe I can help you out. I’ll suggest your daddy play something.”

Audra brightened. “Would you? That’d be great.”

“What does he like to play?”

Audra pursed her lips. “Lots of times he plays classical stuff I don’t like. But his favorite
fun
thing to play is ‘Great Balls of Fire.’ Mommy gets embarrassed when he does it in front of people, but he
loves
it. So do I.”

“I’ll make a special request, then.”

“I need to talk to you!” Crystal suddenly whispered in Laurel’s other ear, making her jump.

Denise was right—she did look dreadful. Her eyes were rimmed with dark circles and she’d slathered unflattering makeup shades on pale, dry skin. She wore burgundy knit slacks too small to accommodate the weight she’d gained, a striped ski sweater, and no jewelry except for her wedding ring. Her short dishwater blond hair lay lank against her head. It was impossible to believe that just fifteen years ago she’d been the slender, golden blond, baby-faced head cheerleader everyone found so adorable.

“How are you, Crystal?” Kurt asked.

“Okay.” She gave Laurel an appealing look.

“Still driving that old red Volkswagon?” Kurt persisted. “You’d better get rid of it before you have serious problems.”

“I
have
serious problems.”

“What? Alternator? Brakes?”

It was obvious Kurt wasn’t going to give up. “I don’t mean problems with the car,” Crystal snapped. “If you’ve talked to Chuck lately, you know what problems I’m having.”

Kurt looked like he’d stepped on a land mine. “I’m sorry things aren’t going well,” he said lamely.

“Not going well! That’s an understatement!” Crystal reached out and clutched his arm. “You and Chuck are best friends. Can’t you do something?”

“Do something?” Kurt echoed, his cheeks reddening as Crystal’s voice rose.

“Yes. Talk to him.”

“I have talked to him.”

“But did you
really
talk to him?” Crystal had drawn several people’s attention. Laurel was certain she’d downed more than one drink. “Have you told him how awful that woman is for him? She’s old. She’s spoiled. Chuck’s just a plaything for her. She doesn’t love him like I do—”

Denise interrupted. “Have you tasted some of the candied cranberry and raisin tarts yet, Crystal? It’s absolutely delicious.”

“I’m not hungry and I’m trying to talk to Kurt.”

“Well, I
am
hungry,” Kurt said. “I’ll try some of those tarts, Denise.”

He fled toward the dining room table where a buffet was set up. Instead of staying to talk to Laurel, Crystal followed in hot pursuit, warming to her subject. Denise rolled her eyes. “Oh, no.”

“Kurt will shut her up,” Laurel assured her. “She’s going to lose it if she doesn’t let this thing with Chuck go, though.”

“Do you think she ever will?”

“I don’t know. Looks like she’d have more pride.”

“I think she led a charmed life for so long she’s having trouble accepting that she can’t have everything her way. Besides, this murder business is taking its toll.”

“On all of us,” Laurel said. “Still, we should make more of an effort to be Crystal’s friends and drag her out of that house. I know she feels abandoned by everyone.”

“I told you I intend to make some changes in
my
life,” Denise commented. “I have more free time than you do. I’ll make Crystal my first project.”

Laurel joined Kurt at the buffet table. Cyrstal lingered, but she’d quieted although she still looked anxious. Laurel wondered if she ever relaxed these days.

The doorbell rang a couple more times and two other couples arrived. The third ring was answered by Denise. Laurel had her back to the door but Audra, standing beside her, widened her eyes and muttered, “Wow!”

Laurel turned. Monica strode into the room. She wore an emerald green Far Eastern–style gown with cap sleeves, a mandarin collar, heavy gold embroidery, and slits three-fourths of the way up her thighs. The dress was so tight it left no curve of her well-toned five-foot-ten-inch frame unrevealed. Her eye makeup was heavy, exotic, yet perfect for her. Her hair lay in gleaming strands almost to her waist and her perfect teeth shone between crimson lips. She looked like an exotic bird amid a flock of brown wrens.

“Hi, folks,” Monica said gaily. “Sorry to be late.”

Everyone stood speechless for a few moments. Laurel had a brief mental flash of Scarlett O’Hara arriving in her skin-tight, sexy red sequined and feathered gown at sweet Melanie’s sedate party. Denise was the first to react, coming forward with a forced smile. “Hello, Monica. We’d nearly given up on you.”

“Oh, you know I never miss a party.” No, Laurel thought, Denise and I didn’t know that and no one else here has ever even met you except for Kurt. “Thanks so much for inviting me.”

Denise began making rounds, introducing Monica to everyone. “Is she a movie star?” Audra asked Laurel in awe.

“No, honey, she’s a lawyer in New York.”

“Do they all dress that way?”

“Not when they go to the office.”

“I think she looks cool. I wonder if Mommy would let me have a dress like that.”

“I doubt it,” Laurel said. “Besides, you’re much prettier the way you are.”

Kurt sidled up to Laurel. “Does Monica look as out of place as I think she does?”

“She’s probably forgotten she’s in Wheeling, West Virginia, not Manhattan. But she does look beautiful.”

“And knows it. Look at her, taking control of the whole room.”

Laurel nudged him playfully in the ribs. “I think she intimidates you. Always did.”

“She
doesn’t
intimidate me. I just don’t like her.”

After about twenty minutes, Monica unobtrusively cornered Laurel. “Denise tells me Zeke’s free as a bird.”

“Unfortunately. I wish the law weren’t so difficult.”

“If it weren’t, I wouldn’t make the salary I do.”

“And you would love your work so much. I really don’t see you doing my job.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Arranging flowers must be relaxing.”

Laurel started to snap back that there was a lot more to running Damron Floral than daintily arranging flowers all day, but Monica was scanning the room, paying no attention to her. She probably hadn’t even realized how belittling her comment was. Sensitivity had never been one of Monica’s strong points.

“Mary is fine, not that you asked,” Laurel said tartly. “She was released from the hospital today.”

Monica’s attention whipped back to her. “With Zeke free, we have two of our possible killers on the loose,” she whispered. “Damn.”

Crystal joined them. Although she had a drink of what appeared to be straight bourbon in her hands, she didn’t look any calmer. She immediately hissed, “Someone’s been in my house. I went to the grocery store this afternoon and when I got back, I found some things missing.”