The Grilling Season Read online

  “I know you two probably don’t want to talk right now,” Marla gasped to the men, out of breath from her brief but determined trek across the gravel-covered lot. “Actually, we don’t either.” She feigned a sadness as fake as squirt butter. “It’s just that we have to….”

  “It’s okay,” Chris replied amiably, tugging on his blond beard. “It’s a tough situation. But we can’t visit for long. We’re here to plan the funeral.”

  “We can’t talk very much at all,” Brandon added, his voice tight. He flipped his long, dark bangs out of his eyes. “The priest just has to finish talking to the coffee-drinkers.”

  I nodded. The coffee hour was always the time when our pastor had to field questions that fell under the general rubric of pastoral theology. In actuality, coffee-hour questions rivaled anything Ann Landers had ever had to face. Is God punishing my neighbor with cancer? My son baptized his anole lizard and then the lizard died. Can you give it a Christian burial? For our spiritual leader, discussing Suz’s memorial service might prove to be something of a relief.

  Marla plunged right in. “If our ex-husband goes down for murdering his boss, it’s going to be bad for us, you know. Much as we don’t mind the Jerk suffering, we’d like to know why he killed Suz Craig.”

  Chris, Brandon, and Tina stared at Marla, open-mouthed.

  “That’s not …” Chris began. “You can’t expect us to discuss—”

  “Oh, yes, we can,” Marla continued brazenly. “You guys are department heads with a big corporation. You need to be responsive to the public, or at least to the ex-wives of the guy who’s been charged with murdering your boss. So what we’ve heard is … there were problems with firing at that HMO. Were there problems in the Human Resources department, Brandon? Did everybody hate her?” When he gaped blankly at her, she turned to Chris. “Can you answer our questions? Please?”

  I was embarrassed. This wasn’t asking a few questions. This was grilling, with no hot dogs in sight.

  “Ah.” I leaned in for a few confidential, light-hearted words with Tina Corey. “That doesn’t look like a Babsie outfit that I recognize. Let’s see … could it be … Babsie-as-a-Choir-Director?”

  Tina’s face became rigid. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Goldy, please,” interjected Chris, “could you not—”

  “Babsie-as-Altar-Guild-Director?” I attempted, undeterred.

  “Be quiet,” said Tina.

  Startled by her harsh tone, I pulled back. Apparently, Babsie wasn’t a churchgoer. “Sorry,” I muttered. “Er, how’s the cat?”

  Tina’s face remained stonelike. She said nothing. Maybe the cat had run away, and she blamed me. I wished I’d kept my mouth shut. Some people just can’t shoot the breeze when they’re about to plan a funeral. I shot Marla a pleading can-we-leave glance.

  Chris squinted over Marla’s shoulder and waved to the priest, who was heading our way with a worried look on his face.

  “We don’t want to cause a ruckus,” Chris said soothingly.

  “Then answer my questions,” Marla insisted.

  “Yes,” Chris said softly. “There were problems at ACHMO. It was not a happy place to work.”

  “You all look so solemn. People are wondering what the five of you are discussing out here,” our priest said, joining us.

  “Nothing,” Marla said gaily. She always sought gossip but rarely shared it when there was no hope of reciprocal dirt. She tugged me away and I muttered good-byes to the two men and Tina. Marla pulled open the door to her Mercedes. I got in on the passenger side. After the van, sitting in the low-slung four-wheel-drive Mercedes always made me feel like an astronaut en route to Uranus.

  “I can ask Brandon Yuille and Chris Corey a few questions if I want,” Marla said defiantly as she slammed her door and prepared to blast off.

  “Yeah, right. You can see how well it went.”

  “Tough tacks.” She revved the car and zoomed out of the lot, then slowed behind a van crammed with tourists from Kansas. “So who should we be talking to if you’re going to help Arch? And what are we supposed to say? Or haven’t you figured that out yet? ‘Hi, we’re the two ex-wives of the doctor who’s been busted for murder! Can we come in for tea and a little interrogation?’ “

  I sighed. “Let’s go talk to Frances Markasian. You said she came to visit you, why didn’t she come to visit me? I think she lives in the Spruce apartments.”

  Marla pressed the accelerator. “Now there’s an upscale address.”

  The Spruce apartment building was a four-story stucco edifice that had probably been constructed when Aspen Meadow was rapidly expanding in the sixties. Spruce up was just what the building owners had not done, unfortunately. The seventies had seen the apartment house, which sat perched on a hill overlooking Main Street, painted a blinding yellow. I was willing to wager there’d been no repainting since. Warped and rotted cedar-shake shingles curled on the roof or lay helter-skelter between the crab-grass and the drooping lodgepole pines that flanked the building. Marla pulled the Mercedes next to a wall of yellow cinder blocks that marked off the front parking area. I didn’t see Frances’s Subaru, but knew there was another cracked-asphalt blacktop behind the building where the residents kept overflow cars.

  “Tell me again why we’re here,” Marla said doubtfully.

  “All this happened to John Richard yesterday,” I reminded her. “You know Frances Markasian. She’s a fast and efficient snooper. If somebody knows anything, she will.”

  “All I know is that she’s also covering the doll show at the lake,” Marla grumbled. “Maybe she’s doing a story on Coroner Babsies.”

  The elevator was out of order. We walked up the stairs to apartment 349, the Markasian residence, and knocked. No one home. An elderly man came out into the third-floor foyer and unabashedly watched us as Marla rapped harder. The elderly man cleared his throat.

  “Hey, you girls!” he snarled. His white hair had been brutally shaved in a crewcut, and his deeply lined face looked malevolent. “What do you want? You’re not more of them, are you?”

  I held my index finger up to Marla: Let me handle this. To the elderly gent I said pleasantly, “More of whom?”

  He made an impatient gesture. “Parade of people all day. That woman’s not a reporter, she’s a bureaucracy. Get out of here, you’re ruining the place.”

  I felt my cheeks redden.

  But Marla wasn’t merely blushing. She was purple with rage. “Cool your jets, fella! If we want to look for somebody, we’ll look, you got it? We’ll knock on every door in the place if we want to. Ever heard of freedom of the press? Do you know where we can find Frances Markasian?”

  “Look, you two!” he cackled. “You want stories on your dolls? Grow up! Dolls for grown women,” he spat. “You want Frances Markasian, go down to the lake and find her!”

  I was ready to retreat, but Marla insisted on having the last word, as usual. She wagged a lilac-painted nail at the man.

  “Watch your mouth, please! Collecting is a venerable hobby. And it’s a smart investment! Not only that, but you’re rude!”

  “I may be rude, but I’m not crazy!” he cackled before disappearing into 350.

  Marla shot after him and I had to limp along behind her to catch up. Fortunately, the man’s apartment door slammed before Marla could force her way in for a confrontation. Marla rapped hard and repeatedly on his door. Squeals of “Shut up!” and “Go away or I’ll call the cops!” issued from other apartments. But our white-haired, unpleasant critic did not reappear.

  Chapter 15

  In the afternoon sun Aspen Meadow Lake shimmered like sugar on ice. Several dozen cars in the dirt parking area made me wonder if there was a waiting line for skiffs and paddleboats. We got out of the Mercedes and approached the LakeCenter’s front door.

  The LakeCenter was a jewel of that architectural species known as “mountain contemporary.” Constructed of row upon row of massive blond logs, wide, soaring
trapezoids of glass, polished plank flooring within, aprons of flagstone without, and topped with a phenomenally expensive all-weather shingle roof, the structure was the glory of the Aspen Meadow Recreation District. The interior consisted of a huge space, fancifully called “the Ballroom,” and a more intimate adjoining space known as “the Octagon.” Both rooms provided unequaled views of the lake. There was a kitchen, too. I would be working there when I catered to the Babsie people. Alas, the kitchen afforded no scenic vista.

  Unfortunately, the LakeCenter was locked up tight. We rounded the building, looking for Frances Markasian and any evidence of the doll show. The cormorants paddled furiously along the lake’s edge. When they dove for fish, they would stay underwater for so long it seemed impossible that a land-based animal would not drown. But then, miraculously, the sleek black birds would pop back up, triumphantly clasping tiny, slithering fish in their beaks.

  When we came up on the boat-rental shop, we found that it was indeed open. Thirty or so people waited for skiffs.

  “A land-office business,” Marla commented, “despite the fact that it’s on the water.”

  “But no Frances,” I pointed out.

  “Think we should go talk to those other people John Richard mentioned, Ralph Shelton and Amy Bartholomew? And how’d you get messed up, anyway?”

  “I’d rather not see either of them just yet. Ralph Shelton banged into me yesterday at the McCrackens’ party. Literally. Amy Bartholomew patched me up. Before Ralph used me for a landing pad, I tried to ask him some questions about Suz. He didn’t have much to say. Ditto with Amy, except I got some New Age gobbledygook about Suz Craig’s negative karma. I don’t want to ask them any more questions until we know better what we’re looking for.”

  “What exactly are we looking for?” Marla said as she va-voomed the Mercedes. “I wish I knew.”

  “Speak for yourself,” she shot back. “We know the Jerk did it. I’m looking for lunch.”

  “Hold on a minute,” I replied. “Frances hates to cook. She’s a cheapskate, but every now and then she shows up at the Aspen Meadow Cafe, especially if she’s doing an interview and the paper is springing for the meal. With any luck, we could run into her there.”

  We trekked over to the cafe, but Frances Markasian was again nowhere in evidence. So Marla insisted on treating me. With the Jerk finally in jail where he belonged, she claimed, we should have every manner of salads to celebrate. Using her best queenly manner, she waved at the waitress and announced: “Bring ‘em all.” Soon platter after platter arrived: roast beef salad, pasta salad, corn and pepper salad, fruit salad, and an arugula salad with toasted walnuts that I went wild for. I knew from experience that I’d never get the recipe from the cafe chef, so I made a mental note to reinvent it in my own kitchen, using some meringue-baked pecans I had frozen. Not one to neglect balance, Marla ordered a bottle of champagne and hot popovers to go with our salads.

  I laughed at her indulgence. Really, I’m extremely fortunate that I have both Marla and Tom to be sure that I’m regularly fed as well as loved and fussed over. For someone in the food business, such care is a rare treat.

  Marla claimed to want none of the leftovers. When our waitress handed me the bulging bags of goodies, I observed, “Our family will have enough here for a week.”

  “That’s the idea,” Marla replied happily. “Besides, dealing with the Jerk, you’re going to need all the help you can get.”

  When she was signing her credit-card slip, a newly arrived group of diners caught my eye. I grabbed Marla’s arm. “Hey, check it out.”

  She followed my gaze. We watched Frances Markasian trying to decide which of the outside patio tables would suit. With her were Chris Corey and his sister, Tina. Tina had changed into some kind of costume. This time, I was sure it was a Babsie outfit.

  “Do you know why Tina changed into that getup?” I asked Marla, who made it her business to know as much as possible about the lives of Aspen Meadow residents.

  “The costume? Who knows. Tina is an aide at Aspen Meadow Preschool. She’s the head Babsie-club organizer, too, so it might have something to do with the show starting. Maybe Frances is interviewing her.”

  Tina now sported the same long blond pigtails she had at Gail Rodine’s house yesterday. She wore a frilly lace blouse and a royal-blue vest with matching skirt, both covered with a lace-edged, snow-white apron.

  I said, “For the doll show I’ve mainly been dealing with Gail Rodine. She’s in charge of hospitality and security.” Marla made a face. I pushed my chair back. “I promised Arch I would help him. Let’s go crash their lunch.”

  “Mah-velous,” she said. “I love crashing anything.”

  Frances was peering into the cafe for a waitress. As she did so, she impatiently tapped one foot. The foot was encased in a duct-tape-wrapped sneaker. Her black trench coat was, of course, unnecessary in the August heat. But Frances was (or fancied herself) a high-powered investigative reporter temporarily trapped in Aspen Meadow, Colorado. With long, wildly frizzy black hair, skin of an unhealthy pallor, thrift-shop clothes, and a chain-smoking habit that would undoubtedly blacken her lungs within a decade, she at least knew how to dress the part.

  Frances’s ambition in the county was legendary. She went after every crime and disaster story like a starving wildcat pouncing on its prey. Her headlines were certainly creative. In May we’d had I-70 DRIVER SHOOTS ROADSIDE BUFFALO IN COLD BLOOD! June had seen EXPLOSION IN MOTH-INFESTED PROPANE GRILL SAILS PRESIDENT OF KIWANIS INTO CREEK! Readership of our town paper had tripled since Frances had come on staff two years ago.

  “Hey, Goldy,” she said amiably as we neared her table. She pushed the black frizz from her forehead. “I’ve already been by to see you today, but you weren’t home. Do you know the Coreys? Chris is head of Provider Relations with ACHMO—the AstuteCare Health Maintenance Organization in Denver. And this is his sister, Tina. She works at Aspen Meadow Preschool and presides over the local Babsie doll club.”

  “Good to see you, Frances. And I know both Coreys,” I replied. “In fact, we’ve already chatted this morning.”

  Chris brought his unwieldy bulk to a standing position, balancing awkwardly on his cast. His pale beard bobbed as he greeted us.

  “We’re sorry to disturb you,” Marla lied in a breathy gush.

  Frances rumbled a laugh and lit a cigarette. “No, you’re not sorry. Anyway, this is great. I’m absolutely desperate to talk to Goldy. Sit.”

  Tina nodded at us. Her cold manner had changed completely from her behavior at church. She blushed. If I’d been wearing her outfit, I’d have blushed, too.

  Gaping at Tina, Marla said, “Well, Heidi, where’d you leave your sheep?”

  Chris smiled indulgently, but the color deepened painfully on Tina’s neck and cheeks. She lowered her head and smoothed the frilly apron. I knew better than to ask about the cat again. Frances scowled in the awkward silence. This was not a good way to start a lunch-crashing, no doubt about it.

  “Wait a minute,” I said enthusiastically. “I know that outfit, Tina! It’s the Icelandic Babsie!” Tina raised her head, grasped a blond pigtail, and gave me a shy smile. “I’m catering the doll show,” I reminded her, since she seemed not to have remembered me at church. “Do you remember me from the Rodines’ place yesterday?” I shook Tina’s limp, fleshy hand. “Do you remember me?”

  Tina regained her composure. “Of course. You gave me my new kitty.”

  Finally, we were on solid ground. Maybe she just didn’t discuss dolls or cats at church. “That cat sure took to you,” I said warmly. Tina beamed.

  Under her breath Marla muttered, “Gosh, Goldy, run for office, why don’t you?”

  Our waitress reappeared, and Chris announced that he was treating everyone, what would we like? Chris, his sister, and Frances ordered sandwiches. Marla, suddenly the picture of charm, said she’d love some fudge meringue pie. I went for Linzertorte and iced coffee, trying to think of how to ask Frances my questi
ons about John Richard. What have you dug up? Are you on to something? Exactly why did you want to see me this morning? Lucky for me, Frances pried so blatantly that we were spared subtle inquisition. Instead, she plunged right in.

  “Hey, ladies, think your mutual ex-husband will grant me an interview from behind bars?” Her slightly yellow teeth flashed in a wide, crooked smile.

  “I don’t know,” I answered sincerely.

  Marla said, “I’ll pay for you to do the interview, if you get a photo of him in an orange suit that you publish in the paper.”

  “Has it been hard, or are you two just loving this?” Frances wanted to know, with her usual sensitivity.

  Marla shrugged.

  “I wouldn’t say I’m loving it,” I told Frances tartly. “A woman is dead. Plus my son’s suffering pretty badly, especially after his father called from jail yesterday. Arch is down there visiting him right now.”

  Too late, I realized I should have kept my mouth shut. Frances and I were friends, but nothing came before a scoop. She dug frantically in her voluminous black handbag, yanked out a pen and a grimy pad of paper, and began to scribble. “What did Korman say in this phone call that upset Arch?”

  “Nothing! Please, stop taking notes. For crying out loud, Frances, this is personal.”

  Chris mumbled, “Maybe we should talk about something else, Frances. I don’t think—”