Death By Chocolate 6 (Mystery and Women Sleuths) (Josiah Reynolds Mysteries) (11 page)

O’nan unwrapped the bandage from his hand. It looked pretty nasty. Tenderly, he examined his hand. He was sure it was broken. That damn dog. It came out of nowhere.

He was going to need antibiotics and have his hand set. Maybe even surgery. What was he going to do?

Going to a hospital would be admitting his guilt. The D.A. would subpoena his medical file and that would be that. He would go to jail for assault and battery. The charge might even be attempted murder if Neff testified.

A wave of pain shot through O’nan. He vomited into the bathroom sink.

Wiping his face, he thought of the doctor at the Ephraim McDowell hospital in Danville whom he had caught with an underage girl when he was still a cop.

O’nan had let him go, as the girl stated that she had lied about her age, but still . . . a rumor like that could ruin a doctor’s promising career.

And O’nan still had the guy’s phone number.

Kelly stuck his head in the door. “Hey there,” he said, looking concerned at Asa. “How’s it going?”

“How did you know?” asked Asa, struggling to sit up in her hospital bed.

Kelly grimaced. “I’m a cop. Whaddya mean – how do I know?”

I started to get up to leave.

Kelly waved for me to sit back down. “Can’t stay long. The kids are waiting in the hall. We were doing some late Christmas shopping when I heard the chatter over the scanner. Just wanted to see how you were.”

I could see that Asa was disappointed. “Doing fine. They had me overnight for observation. I think as soon as the doctor comes for her rounds, she might let me go.”

Kelly glanced at me. “I’m sure you’re relieved.”

“Very. Thank goodness Baby was with her.”

“What happened? Do you know who the perp is?”

Asa shook her head. “He came from behind. Must have hit me with a shovel. I was in and out. I heard Baby rush him and then some screaming. After that I blacked out entirely until Mom found me.”

“We know who did this,” I blurted out. “Why don’t you guys pick him up?”

“Can’t find O’nan. Supposedly he’s in Florida spending Christmas with some relatives.”

“Unbelievable,” I seethed.

“The Florida boys are going to check on him for us. The judge gave him permission to go.”

“Unbelievable,” I said again.

A little boy popped his head into the room. “DAD! We gotta go. The stores are gonna close soon.”

“Be right there, son. Go wait out in the hallway.” Kelly looked apologetically at us.

There was an uneasy silence among the three of us for a moment.

“I best be going,” Kelly finally said.

Asa nodded.

“Let me know how you’re doing?”

“Sure thing.”

Kelly started to leave and then swung around. “Merry Christmas, Asa.”

“Same to you, Kelly.”

He gave Asa a look of longing and regret before walking out.

After peeking at Asa’s crestfallen face, I knew the affair was over.

It was for the best, but that fact didn’t make it any less painful.

My daughter had caught on fire.

I was determined this Christmas was not going to be a gloomy affair. It was solemn enough last year with me drinking soup through a straw because my jaws were wired shut.

Going though a dusty box in my office, I found some old paraphernalia from a dinner party I gave years ago. Taking some paper towels, I dusted off my treasures and put them on everyone’s plate.

Then I called Franklin and told him to come early to set up the video camera for me. I wanted a record of our happy event.

For obvious reasons, we had skipped Matt’s Christmas Eve party.

Asa just hadn’t felt up to it.

Franklin told me with glee that it had been a total bore with a lot of anal lawyers attending. Even Matt thought the conversation was tedious.

“Without my presence,” Franklin stated, “it would have been a total disaster.” According to Franklin, he had been the life of the party.

I called Eunice, who was with Shaneika and Linc in Florida for the holidays. Also Shaneika’s Thoroughbred, Comanche, was with them in training. According to Eunice, his time was faster and Shaneika had entered him in some races. If he did well, she would bring him home to race at Keeneland. The goal was to get him ready for the Kentucky Derby.

Eunice stated that she would be back sometime in the middle of January.

I wished her a Merry Christmas and hung up. I didn’t tell her about Asa. There was no need to cast a shadow over her happiness.

Looking at the clock, I saw that it was already ten. Guests were to arrive very soon and I still had to dress.

The doorbell rang. I hurried to the front door, pushing a cat off the dining room table on the way. I made a mental note to replace a plate, as the cat was sitting with his furry fanny squarely on my good china.

“Baby, get your friends together or out they go,” I threatened as I opened the door.

Franklin pushed his way in with his arms full of presents. “Merry Christmas, good lady,” he yelled. “Merry Christmas, Baby! God bless us everyone!”

“Welcome Tiny Tim. Where’s Bob Cratchit?” I asked, looking out the door.

Baby responded to Franklin’s greeting by sticking his snout in Franklin’s crouch.

“That’s a little too friendly there, doggy pal of mine,” giggled Franklin. “Here, help me with these.”

He dumped some packages into my arms.

I placed them under the tree. “I’ve got to get dressed. Can you make sure the cats don’t get on the table?”

“Why don’t we put them out?”

“Uhmmm, Baby would have a fit.”

“Oh, I see. Baby is running this house.” He petted Baby, who had followed him into the great room. “So you’re really the one to suck up to.”

“Franklin!”

“Yes, I’ll watch the cats,” he sighed as he began rearranging the ornaments on my Christmas tree.

I hurried to change into a simple but gorgeous silk lounging gown. Of course, Franklin had picked it out for me. It took me much longer to do my makeup. My right hand was shaking. I kept smearing lipstick on my upper lip. Once presentable, I made a grand entrance.

Most everyone was present.

Asa was wearing her usual black.

I patted her on the shoulder and said, “Thanks for dressing up. You look so cheerful. Are you going to sing a dirge for us later on?”

Asa sniffed and tossed her dark hair. She hated me commenting on her clothes, which usually resembled Batgirl’s, but that didn’t stop her from always commenting on mine.

“And who are you?” I asked a young man also dressed in black and standing by Asa’s side.

“My name is Boris. I work for Asa,” he stated in a thick Eastern European accent. “Thank you for having me.”

“My pleasure. I hope you enjoy our simple fare.”

Franklin bounced to my side with a tray of glasses filled with champagne. “I see Natasha and Boris are attending.” (For those too young to remember or just don’t know cool pop culture icons, Natasha and Boris were cartoon criminals/spies on the Rocky and Bullwinkle show 1961-1964.) “None for me. Thanks,” murmured Asa.

Boris shook his head.

Franklin gave me a look, muttering “killjoys” and buzzed away to the front door as the doorbell rang. In marched Lady Elsmere and Matt, both accepting glasses of champagne from Franklin.

Lady Elsmere glimmered with all the diamonds she wore.

And Matt shimmered like a god with his dark good looks.

He never failed to take my breath away.

Matt looked like the ’50s matinee movie idol Victor Mature, who was from Louisville. Noted for acting with his forehead, Mature was once asked if he was bothered playing Samson’s father in a TV remake of Mature’s epic film
Samson and Delilah,
as he had played the virile Samson years before. Mature said, “If the money’s right, I’d play his mother.”

Behind Matt, straggled in Charles dragging a little red wagon full of gifts.

“Charles, how wonderful,” I gushed. “You changed your mind about joining us.” I peered around him, looking for the rest of the family.

“We’re busy cooking for tonight. Now don’t fill up too much because we’ve got a big dinner coming. We’re cooking what we want to eat, not that hoity-toity food she orders,” grinned Charles, thumbing at Lady Elsmere.

Lady Elsmere rolled her eyes and made straight for Asa’s companion. “Who are you?”

“My name is Boris,” he replied haltingly.

Lady Elsmere patted him on the arm. “Of course, you are.” She winked at Asa. “Salut,” she murmured before downing her champagne. “Oh, my dears, you don’t have any bubbly.”

“We’re not having any,” replied Asa.

Lady Elsmere snapped her fingers at Franklin, who rushed over with filled glasses. She took several and handed them to Asa and Boris. “You don’t have to drink. Just pretend you’re having a good time.” Then she took two glasses for herself. “Killjoys,” she murmured under her breath.

“That’s what I said,” confided Franklin as they strode away.

Asa burst out laughing at Boris’ confused expression. “Don’t expect sanity here. Kentucky is known for its eccentrics.”

“Eccentrics?”

“Kooks, my dear Boris. Crazies.”

“Ah, crazies. Yes.”

I made a Screwdriver and took it to Boris. “You’ll like this better.”

Boris sniffed it suspiciously.

“It’s got vodka in it.”

Boris shook his head and handed the glass back to me. “I don’t like vodka. Thank you.”

“Hell has certainly frozen over,” I quipped.

“What?” asked Boris.

“Oh, Mother is commenting on her stereotypical idea of Eastern Europeans.”

“If a Kentuckian were a guest in your home, wouldn’t you offer him bourbon first?” I replied, defending myself. “Let’s try this. Boris, what would you like to drink?”

“Tomato juice.”

“Coming right up.” I asked Franklin to get Boris a virgin Blood Mary.

“Everyone. Let’s sit down.”

“No presents first?” complained Franklin.

“Franklin, you’re just like a kid,” commented Matt.

“What’s wrong with that?” replied Franklin. “You act like an old man.”

“Be nice, children,” I remarked. “We have so many things to be thankful for.”

“Like?” asked Franklin.

“Well, I made it another year,” laughed Lady Elsmere.

“To the Queen of Lexington,” we all said, lifting our glasses in concordance.

I continued. “I’m doing much better. My therapy is almost at its end. I feel pretty good most of the time. Asa is with us and not stuck in some dreary hospital. We have a new friend, Boris. And Matt has a baby on the way.”

Everyone clapped.

Baby thumped his giant head on the table, licking the tablecloth.

“And Baby has just four more months of being a puppy.” I kissed the top of his massive head.

Baby panted and swallowed a great amount of drool.

“If it wasn’t for Baby, I wouldn’t be here,” remarked Asa. She stood holding up a glass of water. “Here’s to Baby.”

We all stood and saluted Baby.

After we sat back down, I made everyone put on the paste diamond tiaras and wave the wands I had placed on their plates. I even had a tiara for Baby, which he loved. Even the manly Boris got silly and wore his headpiece.

Christmas breakfast lasted until early afternoon. Finally Matt took Lady Elsmere home, along with Franklin who squeezed an invitation to nap in one of the guest rooms at the Big House until dinner.

Boris agreed to stay. Asa showed him to a guest bedroom to rest while I headed for my room.

I needed to digest my breakfast to make room for Charles’ Christmas dinner. I intended to eat until I could barely roll myself home . . . or I popped.

Old fashioned chicken and dumplings, baked ham topped with pineapple and cherries, macaroni and cheese, turnip greens, mashed potatoes smothered with gravy, fried corn, candied yams, carrot raisin salad, apple pear salad, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and cornbread, gobs of butter, sweet potato pie and pound cake with bourbon hard sauce.

“What is this?” asked Boris, pointing to the hard sauce.

Amelia replied, “It’s a Southern topping for cakes and pies. It’s made with powdered sugar, melted butter and as much bourbon as you can stand whipped into a thick cream. Here’s a spoonful. See if you like it.”

Boris licked a bit of the topping from the spoon. “Whew, that is strong,” he gushed, looking at Asa.

Asa smiled back. “Come on. You sit by me.”

At Lady Elsmere’s Christmas dinner, there was no employee or employer. Just family. There wasn’t even a Lady Elsmere, just June from Monkey’s Eyebrow.

June motioned for her nephew, Tony, to sit down with his valet, Giles.

“Where are the seating cards?” asked Tony incredulously.

“Just sit your butt down anywhere,” ordered June.

Bess put the last bowl on the table and sat between her father, Charles, and her son, who pushed in her chair.

June looked around. “Everyone here?”

Charles nodded.

June bowed her head. “Dear Lord, thank you for everyone being together and in good health. Thank you for our wonderful friendships and all the good grub. Amen.” She looked up grinning. “Let’s eat, children.”

Everyone grabbed the bowl in front of them, piled food on their plate and then passed the bowl to the left. It was a noisy affair with everyone talking and laughing at once.

An hour later we were in the library in front of a large fire, admiring June’s Christmas tree that reached the top of the fourteen-foot ceiling.

There was also a beautiful silver menorah on the fireplace mantel.

June pointed to it. “My good friend, Rabbi Geffen, is coming this week for tea. I wanted him to feel at home.”

“He’ll appreciate the gesture,” I assured.

“Here’s something for you,” she said, handing me a beautifully wrapped box.

“You didn’t have to, but I’m glad you did,” I kidded as I opened the box. “Oh, June. I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”

June closed my fingers over a diamond brooch in the shape of a butterfly. “I won’t be here much longer, Josiah. It’s time to let go of things so others can enjoy them. This is the first piece of jewelry my first husband bought me when he made his money. It’s special to me. I want you to have it.”

Hearing ooohs and ahhhs in the room, I turned to see others opening their gifts from June. Each woman had received a piece of jewelry from June’s fabulous collection.

Asa held up a yellow diamond ring encircled with tiny white diamonds.

Bess and Amelia were trying on their pearl necklaces while Charles’ wife admired an antique emerald and diamond necklace and matching ring that had supposedly belonged to Josephine Bonaparte.

In the corner I heard Franklin frantically opening his small box whispering, “God, oh God. Please let it be bling.” He ripped open the box and shouted, “Thank you, June!” Happily, he shoved on a gentleman’s diamond pinky ring and showed it to Matt.

June shook her head. “Maybe you should have him tested.”

I laughed.

The rest of the men cautiously opened theirs. Charles’ grandsons got checks for college. They must have been a large sum, as they were grinning from ear to ear.

Matt got a gift card to spend on items needed for the coming baby.

Tony and his valet, Giles, also got gift cards. The valet mumbled thanks to June, while Tony just stuck the card in his coat pocket as an afterthought.

Charles strummed through an old leather bound book. “My goodness, what is this?”

“It is one of Henry Clay’s diaries in which he writes about your great, great grandmother suing him for her freedom. Here’s the provenance,” she pointed. June looked kindly at Charles and patted his arm. “I thought you might like to have this since it’s about your family before the Civil War.”

“Here, let me take it before you cry all over the leather,” said Charles’ wife as she carefully put the diary back in the box.

“I don’t know what to say,” gasped Charles.

“Does it make you happy, Charles?” asked June.

“It sure does. It’s a part of my family’s past. It’s part of me.”

“No more needs to be said.” June affectionately patted Charles’ hand.

Matt put a new log on the fire and offered to freshen everyone’s drinks.

“I can’t accept this,” said Boris to Asa, referring to his gift card.

“You will offend June if you don’t take it,” replied Asa, admiring her new diamond ring on her left hand. She raised her hand to show it to Boris.

Boris was standing in front of the glass double doors that lead out to the pool patio. Beyond the pool, one could see the roof of the Butterfly.

Asa saw something flicker behind him. Rushing to the glass doors, she screamed, “MOM! THE BUTTERFLY IS ON FIRE!”