The alarm startled me out of what must have been a subterranean sleep. How could I have drifted off like that after such a day? I had no idea, except for the Lord’s mercies. The light of morning filtered through the curtains, and it seemed to promise our neighborhood a rain-free day. I was still alive! That was the best part. No one had tiptoed in and squeezed the life out of me in the night. My heart was still beating, and my morning breath was as bad as ever. All good news.

  I showered and ate breakfast. The coffee was awful as usual. No problem. I was alive to drink it. What a blessing. I was thankful, though, that the caterers were bringing their own gourmet brew for the guests, since they might not share my new appreciation for terrible coffee. I dressed up for a change in a rather expensive sapphire pants outfit, and decided I didn’t look half bad—stray gray hairs and all.

  Then I covered the long dining room table as well as several other tables with white damask linen table-cloths. Nice. That was about it for actual work on my part, since the caterers were also being paid to put up some table decorations. It was amazing the conveniences money could buy. Easy to get used to.

  As the hours came and went I did the best I could to keep my mind off the funeral announcement by flooding my thoughts with the joys of my own upcoming wedding in May. I looked at my engagement ring for the hundredth time—a large diamond with a spray of smaller diamonds dancing all around it. Recently, my life had been so full of unlovely things, I hadn’t spent much time admiring what was lovely in my life. I hoped that would soon change.

  The doorbell rang, and before I could fear what was behind the front door, I saw a flower truck on the street. The time had arrived for the makings of a party. I swung the door open, and two people bustled toward me with huge bouquets of flowers and balloons. Dedra will love it.

  Just as I was thanking them profusely and writing them a check, the harpist arrived, and then the caterer. They too flurried about, so organized that I felt obligated to stay out of their way.

  There was a knock at the door, and this time I thought of Magnolia. She’d promised to help serve if she were needed. When I checked the door I found Max instead.

  He stepped inside. “Hi there.”

  “Hi yourself.”

  He pulled me into his arms and told me how gorgeous I looked. Then all the weariness of the last several days melted away. At least for a few moments. I rested my head against him, taking in his strength and warmth. I wanted to tell him about everything. And I would. Once the party was over and I had him to myself again, I was going to share it all. “I missed you.” He would never know how much.

  “That’s always good to hear.” He kissed my temples and then he worked his way down to my mouth. “By the way, who are all these people?” he whispered in my ear.

  I wondered when he would finally notice. “It’s for a party. Didn’t you get my text message?”

  “I did, but you made it sound so mysterious.” He glanced around. “This looks like more than a little party. What is this?”

  “It’s a reception for Adam and Dedra. They eloped yesterday morning.”

  He pulled back, looking genuinely startled. “You’re kidding.”

  We stopped to watch two women amble through the front door, carrying a large and lovely wedding cake.

  “Oh, you really aren’t kidding.” Max chuckled. “What happened? What did you say to Dedra?”

  Guilt clouded the happy moment. “Well, I hope I said all the right things. I hope this is a good thing and not too hasty.” I winced.

  “Well, we are talking about Dedra here. She is the quintessence of impetuousness. She can make a jackrabbit look comatose.” He grinned.

  I wanted to chuckle, but I still felt responsible for Dedra’s sudden change of heart. Maybe that was the real reason I was giving her a reception. Atonement. I tugged on his sleeve.

  “It’ll be all right, Bailey. Adam is a good man, and Dedra loves him in spite of what she said. I’ve had more time to think about it, and everything she said, well, I think she just got a little scared. It’ll be all right.”

  “I hope so.”

  “So is Joby coming?”

  I nodded. “I think so.”

  Before I could say another word on the subject, Magnolia’s voice burst onto the scene. She, along with Jarrett, opened the screen door and came inside. This time she was all decked out in burgundy. “Hope you didn’t mind me inviting Jarrett,” she said with a wink.

  “I’m glad you did.” I turned to Jarrett. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Clarke.” I shook his hand.

  “Very good to see you too, Miss Bailey. And please call me Jarrett.”

  Max and Jarrett, being long-time friends, did one of those manly hugs I’ve never understood, and then Magnolia got me off to the side.

  “Well, honey, I made a bunch of calls. . .Dedra’s friends, some church folks, and what family I knew of. I called maybe seventy people. Forty said they could come, which is really good considering it was last minute. They should be arriving in about fifteen minutes.”

  I shook my head. “You’re incredible.” I gave her a hug. “Thank you.”

  “Was happy to do it.” She looked toward the dining room, where two women were bustling around with the food and table decorations. “Let me see if those caterers need any help. That way you can stay by the door and greet the guests as they arrive.”

  I squeezed her arm. “Thank you for bringing Jarrett. He seems like an exceptional man.”

  “Oh, that he is.” She waggled her head and barreled off toward the dining room.

  The doorbell rang. And then it rang a second time. Wow, looks like the guests are anxious to get here.

  I went to the door and saw Jason Greely standing on the porch. My eyelid started to twitch, so I mashed on it with my finger. I opened the door and glared at Jason with my one good eye. What had he come for? To poison the punch?

  37– The Day of Shadows

  “Well?” I said.

  Jason said nothing. He just stood there on the porch with his shoulders drooping. Good grief. What was I supposed to do with contrite? I wanted to throttle him for all the suffering he’d caused me, or at least allegedly had caused me. “How may I help you?”

  “I lost my job.” Jason stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jacket.

  “Was it because you didn’t get that interview with me?” I kept my tone civil.

  “It was because I’m a hardheaded jerk. I have been for a long time.” He shuffled his feet. “Actually, I’ve been a poor representative of the magazine. That’s what they said, and it’s true. I didn’t deserve to work there anyway.” When he looked up, he had mist in his eyes.

  “Okay.” That was a start, but not enough. He deserved jail time for trespassing and for teaching unauthorized words to Dedra’s parrot. Oh, yeah, and the possibility of arson.

  Jason rubbed his chin, which was now goatee-free. “Ms. Walker, will you forgive me. . .please?”

  Well, now that was about the last thing on earth I’d expected from Jason Greely. I felt speechless. I guess I could forgive him without forgetting about the crimes he may have committed. My shoulders slumped in surrender. “I forgive you. But I’m still not going to give you an interview.”

  “That’s okay. I only came to give you an apology.”

  “Thanks.”

  Jason tried a weak smile, and I had to admit, the expression worked on his face. He should try it more often. But talk about heaping coals. Now this guy was making me feel guilty. I didn’t need any more guilt. I already had a huge supply of it. When Jason put his hands in his back pockets, one could easily see, though, that he was still wearing the rebellious-looking Knight Torch T-shirt. “By the way, just as a friendly suggestion, if you want to make a clean break and become a new man, you should get yourself a new T-shirt. That one’s got a bad reputation.”

  Jason looked at his shirt as if he didn’t realize what he had on. “This? Somebody gave it to me because they knew I was all out of clean shirts.” He looked at his feet. “You see, I haven’t been myself since my fiancée died. My life sort of fell apart after that. I used to be a nice guy.” He grinned and then tugged on the shirt. “Actually, I don’t know anything about this band. I only listen to classical music.”

  Uh-oh. Did I see gaping holes in my guesswork? Perhaps so many, in fact, that I could hear the wind howling through them all? And his fiancée died. How awful. I’d hate to think what kind of person I might become if something terrible happened to Max. “Never mind, Jason. It’s okay. And I’m very sorry about your fiancée.” What was I going to do with this guy now? “You know Dedra Morgan. Well, she just got married, and we’re having a little reception for her and her husband. They’ll be here in a little while. Do you want to come in and celebrate with us?”

  “Okay. Sure. Thanks.” He made it through the door before I could even say another word. He looked hungry. But what if his repentance was fake, and he had been lying all the way around—just to get himself into my house? Poor Bailey, always the skeptic. But I would keep my eye on him.

  Cars pulled up out front, so the guests were arriving. The harpist began to play Pachelbel’s Canon. Well, at least that was perfect.

  Magnolia came over to me. “Everything is ready and beautiful. I don’t know where you found these catering ladies, but they put the P in professional. Mm, mm, mm.”

  I grinned.

  “Dedra loves parties and surprises.” Magnolia put her hands together. “So this should be fun.”

  “I hope so.” I’d never pulled off a surprise in my life. Or a party. It was all way beyond my comfort zone. I took a quick peek in the dining room. My hand went to my mouth in astonishment. The florist and caterer really had transformed the house into a lovely wedding reception, complete with lavender roses and silvery balloons and twinkly lights, and the table was filled with crystal and silver and all things delectable to eat.

  I dashed back into position at the door as several people from church came up the walk—an older married couple and two single women, all bearing gifts. We hugged, and suddenly I was transformed into a hostess. Max appeared at my side and helped take coats and greet. He seemed to fit into almost any situation, always thoughtful and friendly. I shook my head, still wondering what in the world he saw in me. I felt like a flimflam woman who’d somehow cheated the system.

  When the guests were all happily mingling, Max said, “You’ve got that look, Bailey.”

  I smiled. “Oh yeah? And what look is that?”

  “Pensive and maybe a little bit. . .fortified.” He clicked his tongue. “I’m just hoping it has nothing to do with us.”

  “We’re not even married yet, and you already know me better than I do.” I looked away for a second. “Sometimes, you just seem a little too good to be true. How did you get so perfect?”

  “I’m not perfect, Bailey.”

  I tugged on his shirt collar. “Oh, yeah? But you never even get testy.”

  Max rubbed his chin. “Well, two of my sisters have been bickering over nothing for a few months, and so a few days ago I told them both they were acting like a couple of spoiled little twits.”

  “You said that?” I batted my eyelashes in open-mouthed wonder.

  “I did. I said it.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “And did you have a sharp tone, Mr. Sumner?”

  “I was yelling.”

  My hands splayed over my heart. “Oh, wow.”

  “So, is that mean-hearted enough for you?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “It’ll do in a pinch.” I kissed his cheek and stayed there for an extra second or two, just to feel his skin against mine. “And so do you plan on calling me a spoiled little twit?” I eased back to catch his expression.

  An easy grin took over his face as he leaned toward me. “I will if you want me to,” he whispered into my hair.

  Okay, we were both ready to have a little meltdown in the entry when we were saved by the doorbell.

  Knowing we’d enjoy the rest of that conversation at a later date, we went back to work, greeting the guests. Several neighbors showed up and more of Dedra’s friends arrived, Jenny and Nell and Fredrick, who were all artists and all dressed like beatniks. Then a deluge of folks came through the threshold until we had a full house. During the lull we waited for the happy couple. I glanced at my watch. Hope they weren’t delayed. Maybe I should have told Dedra. They had no clue I was going to throw them a party. What if they didn’t show up at all? I was taking such a chance. I hated surprises. They were kissing cousins to the unknown. And where was my little Joby?

  “Don’t worry. They’ll all be here, Bailey.” Max gave my arms a beefy squeeze. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to talk to Jarrett for a minute.”

  “Okay.” I tapped the face of my watch. Where on earth was the count? He’d promised to come. Was he lying again? Patience, Bailey.

  Before I shut the front door, I saw Zola Fowler walking up the sidewalk. I couldn’t believe she’d really come. What a shame. Well, looked like the party would be a mingling of both friends and foes. In spite of my serious reservations, I welcomed Zola. “Hi.”

  She gave me a pump of the hand, but it didn’t appear she was packing any heat, as they say. Zola handed me her black coat as she glanced around the room. “Thank you for the invitation.” Her attire was as severe as her manner with her black shift dress, red vest, and ortho shoes. The only thing to soften the effect was the cameo at her throat.

  “You’re welcome.” But I’ll be keeping a wary eye on you too.

  Zola wore a smile, but it looked artificially wrenched on one side, like it was being pulled by a string. She lumbered into the crowded living room. Jason approached her, and I watched them, making sure they didn’t notice my surveillance. He reached out his hand, and I could tell from their formal greeting that they didn’t know each other. So, at least I knew there was no collusion between the two of them.

  A strand of hair fell from my up-do, so I tucked it back into place. As I did I noticed a hint of gasoline on my hand. Where had that come from? I gave my fingers a good sniff, and I smelled it again—gasoline. I hadn’t touched anything with that odor, and I hadn’t filled up the SUV in a while. Then I knew. Zola Fowler. I’d shaken her hand. The gasoline must have transferred from her hand to mine.

  I shut the door. One could safely say that it wasn’t a good thing for Zola to come to the party smelling like combustibles. Especially since a piece of her garment had been found the very night I’d seen someone fleeing from my house. And especially since everything she did seemed suspicious in one way or the other.

  As I thought about my next move, I spied the newlyweds through the entry window as they emerged from Adam’s Mercedes. The clock read one thirty. That was so not Dedra to be on time. Adam must be helping her—complementing her lackadaisicalness. That was a good sign for them both. “They’re here!”

  Suddenly everybody disappeared behind walls and scrunched down behind couches. Guess they really did want to surprise them. Except for Zola. I saw her standing in the corner, eating a pickle.

  I opened the door, trying my best to look cheerful but not wanting to give anything away. Of course, with all the cars lined up outside, it was hard for them to pretend something wasn’t up. After a generous hug, Dedra looked around, her expression more than a little curious.

  “Surprise!” People leaped out from every corner. Screams and laughter erupted. I stepped back in wonder. And suddenly surprise parties seemed to work. I could actually appreciate the serendipity of it all. Within seconds I watched as the crowd closed around the effervescent couple. After a few minutes they migrated toward the food.

  They were such a happy group to watch, talking and eating and causing general merriment. On a normal day, I would have felt that special glow—the feeling hostesses get when they know the party is going well. But the day wasn’t normal. I still knew that someone out there didn’t enjoy seeing me alive and well. And that someone could be milling around in the room.

  And then there was the count. He was officially late. What was all that noble talk about becoming a new man? And wanting to meet Max and get to work? If those were lies, then all of it must have been a lie. Was he the arsonist and the one stalking me? If so, why didn’t he gun me down in the alleyway? He could have easily enough. No one was around at the time. Or was he waiting for something? For the right moment for his revenge? I had gotten in the way of his windfall. He said so himself. So how far would a person go in reprisal?

  “My dear Bailey,” Max said, coming up behind me and putting his arms around my waist, “you pulled it off.”

  I turned around to face him. “You sound surprised.”

  “Well, you almost had me convinced you had a social-gathering impediment.”

  I chuckled and felt a bit lighter. But not even the warmest smile or the sweetest hug could take away the weight of the day. We strolled into the dining room together and joined the undulating crowd. Adam and Dedra stood behind the wedding cake, beaming and holding glasses of sparkling punch. They no longer had their formal wedding clothes on, but they were both dressed up and looking elegant.

  Dedra gazed at her groom with such rapture it brought mist to my eyes. I wonder if that’s what I’ll look like on my day.

  With her glass raised, Dedra addressed the crowd. “Everyone.”

  The group settled down for a moment and turned to the new bride.

  “This has been the most delightful of surprises,” she said. “One I shall remember all the days of my life. Thank you for coming. You have helped to make our union special. Well, Adam contributed too.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Dedra flushed and giggled and then raised her glass to me. “Thank you, Bailey, for making this happen. All this time I never knew there was this Martha Stewart hiding inside you.”

 

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