Jolly Dead St. Nicholas (31 page)

“I guess we need to remember he’s only nineteen years old, after all. By the way, he had Susan transferred to the OSU Medical Center.”

Vernon nodded. “It makes sense, I suppose. That way she’s close by. No doubt she’ll have a long, slow recovery. I did notice there’s crime scene tape around Susan’s house.”

“An arson inspector was supposed to be there today. I visited Daniel at the police station. He wasn’t very forthcoming about the status of the investigation. I feel like I’m being shut out.” She put her menu aside just as the waiter returned.

“Ready to order?” the young man asked. He looked well-scrubbed and efficient. His dark hair was slicked back, his uniform wrinkle free.

Vernon nodded Adelaide’s way. “I’ll have the almond-crusted tilapia, grilled vegetables and Caesar salad,” she said.

Vernon smiled. “Make that two.”

Once the young man was gone, Vernon leaned forward, putting his elbows on the table. “So, what happened with Daniel?”

She told him about the rather unproductive visit with her son.

Vernon studied her for a moment. “You have to admit, it doesn’t look good for Douglas.”

She felt her cheeks heat up. “Not you, too!”

He sat back, removing his arms from the tabletop. “Don’t jump to conclusions. I’m not saying I think he did it. I’m just saying—” He stopped suddenly. “No, we’re not going to do this tonight.”

Adelaide was a little startled. “Do what?”

“Discuss the murder or anything associated with it. I want tonight to be about enjoying each other’s company, Addy. No talk of murder or arson or anything else of that kind. I’ve watched you for the past few days. You’re fraught with tension. Frowning, upset, agitated. It hurts me to see you like this. So, tonight we’ll have to find other things to talk about. I’d like to discuss our Christmas plans.” He exhaled forcefully as though he’d just delivered a soul stirring speech meant to inspire the troops.

In a way he had done just that. His diatribe had been like a splash of cold water in her face, waking her up to the fact that there was more going on in her life than proving Douglas Underwood’s innocence. She wasn’t going to solve Jerry’s murder tonight, that was for sure, so why not go along with Vernon’s wishes? “You’re right. I’m sorry. You invited me to this lovely place for the evening. I’m happy to be here with you, Vernon. So, about Christmas, then…I wondered if you’d thought about going up to be with your sister. This is her first holiday as a widow.”

Before he could respond, the salads came and they began to eat.

After a few moments, Vernon said, “I called Vivian yesterday. She’s spending Christmas with William, Cathy and Seth, of course.” He was referring to his nephew’s family. They invited me to come join them, but I think I’ll stay here. I’ll pay them a visit after the New Year.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re staying.”

“So, give me the schedule.” His eyes twinkled merrily in the flickering candlelight.

“Church on Christmas Eve, of course. We
all
need to be there to show our support. Afterward we’ll go to my place for a late dinner. I’m thinking prime rib this year.”

“One of my favorites,” Vernon interjected.

“I know. Christmas morning I thought I’d fix breakfast, say about nine-thirty. Daniel should be able to make it by then. After that we can open gifts. Dinner will be at two, as usual. I’ll be inviting Brenda this year.”

“Are you baking a ham?”

“Of course. Maybe a turkey breast also.”

“There’s nothing like ham sandwiches later in the day,” Vernon said.

“Sometimes I think the leftovers are the best part of Christmas dinner,” Adelaide added.

Their entrees came so they concentrated on eating for a few moments. Adelaide shoved it in with gusto, her appetite perked up by the soothing surroundings and Vernon’s comfortable companionship.

Finally feeling full, Adelaide wiped her mouth with a thick linen napkin. “That tilapia was excellent. Thank you for recommending it.”

“I’ve never had a bad meal here.” He smiled a little wickedly across the table at her. “How about dessert? Trust me to do the ordering?”

Adelaide wasn’t about to turn that down. She knew the desserts at the Dovetail Inn were the best in the state. “Surprise me.” For the first time in days she felt utterly relaxed, almost carefree. The effect was almost euphoric.

The dessert was double chocolate turtle cake. The helping was large enough for two. They shared it off one plate, using two forks.

“This is sinful,” Adelaide said at one point. The rich chocolate melted in her mouth and the caramel slid down her throat like liquid silk. Her taste buds exploded with pleasure.

When her fork collided with Vernon’s as they swooped in for the final piece, she almost giggled like a schoolgirl. He deferred to her, of course, allowing her to have the last morsel.

Adelaide hated to see the meal end. She’d so enjoyed the evening and the conversation that went along with it. They briefly discussed the community food pantry’s Christmas basket deliveries tomorrow. Vernon always volunteered to help, as did she. This year, of course, there would be more need than ever with L&C closing.

Once he paid the bill, they got their coats then walked out onto the porch. “It’s snowing again. We’re parked in the back lot. You wait here, I’ll go get the car,” he told her, hurrying off into the night.

Grumbling that she’d never believe a weather report again—they’d said no snow today or tomorrow—Adelaide went to the porch railing, taking in the picturesque scene before her. The stately pine trees surrounding the smaller front lot were covered with a glistening blanket of white, giving them an almost translucent look in the glow of the nearby vapor lights.

Suddenly the sound of raised voices caught her attention. Off to the side, where there was space for just a few cars, stood a man and a woman arguing. The man was burly, the woman small and slender. She had golden blonde hair. A nearby light showcased the pair as the man grabbed the woman’s arm, shaking her almost violently. Adelaide stepped forward, ready to step in if things got any rougher. Suddenly the woman turned, her face becoming clearly visible. The man grabbed her into his arms from the back, appearing to nuzzle the nape of her neck.

“Brenda?” Adelaide gasped. It couldn’t be. Yet, it was.

Adelaide watched as Brenda Collier shoved the man back. He steadied himself against a black sedan. She turned to face him again as they continued to argue. Finally the man cupped Brenda’s face in his hands, kissing her quickly on the lips. She flailed at his chest. He laughed harshly then got into the car.

Brenda turned. Afraid of being seen, Adelaide stepped back into the deep shadows of the porch. She watched as her son’s girlfriend stomped angrily toward a familiar looking silver Jetta parked a few slots away from the black sedan, which was now pulling out of its parking place. As the man roared away, he waved Brenda’s way. She ignored him completely.

Just then Vernon drove up beside the porch steps. Still shaken by the scene she’d witnessed, Adelaide just stood there watching as Brenda got into her car and sped out of the lot via another exit.

At a little after seven-thirty on Saturday morning, Adelaide arrived at Sustenance, the local food pantry. Today, volunteers would assemble then deliver over seventy Christmas food baskets to those less fortunate in Crescent Falls. Many of the recipients this year were former L&C employees who had lost their jobs when the company closed.

Located at the corner of Main Street and Dogwood Avenue on the west end of town, the gray stucco building housed not only the food pantry but a thrift store as well. Although the two community outreach programs shared the building, they were managed as separate entities, each with its own entrance and work area.

Adelaide took off her coat and hung it on the long rack to the right of the door. The room was large, with pale green walls. The gray linoleum on the floor was worn but freshly polished. Three rows of heavy metal shelves took up the right side of the room. Two similar shelves lined part of the back wall. Today those shelves were loaded with canned goods along with other staple food items, all arranged by category. Two chest freezers stood side by side next to three refrigerators, all of which had been donated over the years. In the back left corner was a glassed-in office area. Tables for sorting and packing food items were situated in the center of the room. Restrooms were immediately to the left of the front door.

Adelaide was quite pleased with the way Rudy Engler managed both Sustenance and the thrift store. Inventory control was computerized, which made things much easier. Of course all records for Sustenance were confidential since recipients were investigated by a team of volunteers, in coordination with the county family services department, to ensure that only those with a real need received assistance.

Adelaide hadn’t slept well last night. The scene she’d witnessed between Brenda and that powerfully built man in the parking lot of the Dovetail Inn had preyed on her mind into the wee hours.

Maybe I should have told Vernon about it. He noticed how quiet I was all of a sudden during the drive home. I know he thought he’d done something wrong. But I just couldn’t tell him. If I tell anyone it will be Daniel. I just hate to say anything to him until I know more about what was really going on
—
although it looked like a lover’s quarrel, that’s for sure. He kissed her on the lips. How do I explain that away? I can’t. Should I confront her? After all, Daniel is my son, so my first loyalty must be to him.

“You look a million miles away, Adelaide. Are you all right?”

Adelaide jumped as though a sonic boom had gone off next to her. “Oh, Tina, I’m sorry. I guess I was woolgathering.” She forced a smile.

“Well, you’re one of the first to arrive. Come on, I’ll get you started filling the orders. No sense waiting for the others,” Tina Engler told her.

Adelaide obediently followed the petite woman to the office, where Rudy sat behind a battered metal desk. As always he had a smile on his face. His dark brown eyes twinkled with good humor.

“The boxes need to be assembled. They’re stacked in the back corner as usual. We got over a hundred from the moving company in Rosewood this year. We’ll have some left over for everyday use.” He stood up stretching his solidly built body.

“People always give above and beyond the call of duty,” Tina said.

Adelaide took the cards Rudy handed her, glancing at them quickly. A family of four, a family of three and a family of six. She recognized the names. All of them were former L&C employees. Again, her resentment against the heartless company surfaced. Quickly, she tamped it down, knowing it would do no good to hold onto that particular grudge.

“How is Susan Hatfield doing?” Tina asked, as they walked out into the work area again. More volunteers were arriving, their chatter filling the air.

“I really don’t know,” Adelaide almost snapped. Softening her tone she explained. “Her son had her transferred to OSU Medical Center yesterday.”

“Oh, I see. Well, maybe that’s best. I mean, our medical center is fine, but it isn’t a specialty facility. I’m sure she’ll get excellent care in Columbus, plus she’ll be close to Eric, who I’m sure wants to continue his studies.”

Adelaide gathered up three boxes and took them to a table, where packing tape and scissors awaited. Tina scurried off to greet other volunteers.

“Mind if I share your table?”

Adelaide looked up from her chore of struggling with a cardboard box to find Dora Carmody standing there. “By all means. I think next year some of us should come in early to assemble these boxes beforehand so we don’t have to waste time.” Adelaide realized immediately how disgruntled she sounded.

“A good suggestion. Now, tell me, who pissed in your oatmeal this morning?”

Adelaide looked over at Dora. Today she was wearing a pair of jeans with a black sweatshirt. Her hair was spiked up a little, giving her an almost pixie appearance. The yellow flecks in her brown eyes danced brightly.

“Oh, Dora, I’m sorry. I guess the stress is getting to me,” Adelaide explained.

If I snap like this at everyone, Rudy will probably send me home for bad behavior.

“I heard Susan is gone. Off to Columbus. I can’t say I’m surprised.”

“Eric wanted her away from Douglas.”

Dora grabbed several boxes and began assembling them. “So I gathered. A friend of mine works in the ICU at our medical center. I guess there was quite a scene there yesterday.”

“Yes, I was unfortunate enough to be there when it happened. It was awful.” Adelaide thought back to the night of the fire. “Your son Paul was one of the paramedics who responded to the fire at Susan’s. If I recall, he rode in the back of the ambulance with her to the hospital.”

“I know where you’re headed. He told me she never regained consciousness. She didn’t say a word. She was doing good to keep breathing.” Dora shook her head sadly. “Paul was quite upset by the whole thing. He said he felt so helpless, just kept praying that she’d hang on until they got her to the ER.”

“Has he ever thought of pursuing medicine as a career? I’ve heard he’s the best volunteer paramedic Crescent Falls has ever had.”

“I’ve broached the subject with him. I mean, come on Adelaide, what kind of future is there in being a bartender at Marty’s Pub? I’m afraid my words fell on deaf ears. He likes his job and likes being a volunteer paramedic, in that order.”

“When does he find time to sleep?” Adelaide asked.

“Believe it or not, there aren’t that many calls that require a paramedic. Besides, there are five other volunteers to share the duties. He never has to go out on calls when he’s doing his shifts at Marty’s. In fact, the night of the fire, he’d just closed the bar and was on his way home when he got the call.”

Dora excused herself to go get some cards from Rudy. Picking up one of her own cards from the table, Adelaide walked over to the shelves. She was soon joined by Hal Buckner, owner of the local market, followed by Gayle Nelson, proprietor of the town’s only gift shop.