Bed & Breakfast 5 - Bantam of the Opera by Mary Daheim

Author:Mary Daheim [Daheim, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mary Daheim
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2010-03-22T04:00:00+00:00

“They’re not the berry things you sometimes see on the plants. They’re more like rootstock,” Judith explained, surprised at Dooley’s lack of botanical knowledge. Unlike the majority of his peers, Dooley was a voracious reader, with a retentive memory. Judith wondered if he’d given everything up in the name of puppy love. From the looks of his tooskinny frame, she decided that he’d definitely given up eating.

“Have you quit Police Auxiliary work?” Judith asked as Dooley lounged in the doorway.

“Huh?” He shifted his gaze, which had drifted off toward the driveway which led to the cul-de-sac where the Steins lived at the corner. “Oh—yeah, sort of. That’s kid stuff. They don’t let you do much, except hang out at rock concerts and try to see who’s sneaking in drugs and chains and booze and guns and stuff like that.”

“That’s pretty boring, all right,” said Judith, trying not to look aghast. “I just thought that with Mr. Pacetti getting poisoned, you might have volunteered to help with the investigation. You know, being neighbors and all.”

“Mr. Who?” Dooley blinked uncomprehendingly at Judith.

“Never mind.” Judith started to explain that maybe over the weekend she’d be able to find some more pips in the garden, but Dooley was again staring at the partial view of the Steins’ house. “According to Arlene Rankers, they’re coming back Friday.”

192 / Mary Daheim

“I know.” Dooley’s beardless face somehow displayed both hope and desolation. “She’s missed almost two weeks of school.”

Judith wondered if she, who obviously must be Brianna, had also missed Dooley. As the veteran mother of a former teenage boy, Judith knew better than to ask. “It’ll be hard to catch up,” she said, seeking neutral ground.

“Not for Brianna,” Dooley asserted. “She’s a four-point student. We’re going to build a Mayan ruin when she gets back. For our science project.”

“Sounds great,” Judith said with enthusiasm. At least it sounded as if Dooley hadn’t given up entirely on the external world. With a bemused expression, she watched him lope off toward the picket fence, his gaze still lingering in the direction of the Stein residence. Judith went back inside and dialed Renie’s number.

Renie wasn’t home. Judith remembered that her cousin was meeting Madge Navarre for dinner before the opera performance. It was now after five-thirty. She called Woody Price, but he’d left work for the day. Debating whether or not to bother him at home, she jumped when the phone rang in her hand. It was Melissa Bargroom, sounding slightly breathless.

“Your adorable but ditzy cousin is out,” said Melissa, “so I took the liberty of calling you. I’m on my way to a chamber music concert, but I heard something today that I thought you two would want to know, lest I get killed by a flying cello in the next few hours.”

“I didn’t know chamber groups were so violent,” responded Judith, smiling into the receiver. She refrained from asking Melissa if ticket holders were patted down for weapons, booze, and drugs. “What’s up?” Judith settled onto the kitchen stool, wondering if she dared fix herself a second scotch.

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