Poison Ivy by Cynthia Riggs

Author:Cynthia Riggs
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781466863088
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

CHAPTER 21

The evening was mild, not really cool enough to warrant a fire, but Elizabeth lighted one in the parlor fireplace anyway. They settled down with their drinks, Victoria in her wing chair, Elizabeth on the horsehair sofa.

Victoria held up her cranberry juice and rum to let firelight flicker through the ruby-colored drink. “Just what I needed. Thank you.” She sipped her drink, then set it down on the coffee table. “Roberta is so anxious about tenure, I doubt if she would go off Island voluntarily.”

McCavity strode into the parlor with something in his mouth and headed toward Victoria. A large mouse, clearly beyond rescue.

“Good kitty,” Victoria said.

McCavity stalked out of the room with his trophy, and a moment later, there was a crunching noise in the kitchen that didn’t sound like his normal cat chow.

Elizabeth got up and put another log on the fire. Sparks rose and the fire flared up. “I saw you took notes at Alley’s. Did Sarah give you some news?”

“A nice item about a television star coming to the Island for the Bass Derby.”

“Who was it?”

“Bruce Steinbicker. Have you heard of him?”

“Sure. He stars in that Christian TV series, Family Riot. All about family values and morals. Where is he staying?”

“He usually stays on his boat, but he’s at a friend’s guesthouse in Vineyard Haven.”

“Where’s he keeping his boat?”

“Apparently anchored off Vineyard Haven.”

“I’d love to take a look at it next time I’m out on the water. Vineyard Haven’s not my territory, but, hey. Bruce Steinbicker is a big name. Since he’s not staying on board, I won’t be intruding, at least not on a big TV star. If it’s nice tomorrow, I might take the harbor launch on my lunch hour.” Elizabeth looked up at her grandmother. “Want to come?”

“I’ll pack a lunch,” said Victoria.

“Should be a nice day. The NOAA weather station is calling for another cold front day after tomorrow.”

McCavity returned and settled in front of the fire. He licked a paw and rubbed it behind his ear again and again. When he finished, he stretched out with his soft belly fur to the fire and dozed off.

* * *

The following day was as fine as Elizabeth had predicted, bright with a low row of summery clouds on the mainland horizon and a gentle mild breeze. Casey dropped Victoria off at the Oak Bluffs harbor and Victoria walked down the dock to the harbormaster’s shack, swinging her lilac wood stick. She was greeted by Domingo, the harbormaster.

“Sweetheart! Haven’t seen you for a while.” His dark face lighted up with a broad smile. He took a last puff on his cigarette and flicked it into the water. “Understand you’re taking a cruise to Vineyard Haven.”

“With a picnic lunch.” Victoria indicated the bulging paper bag she was carrying.

“Better keep a weather eye out. Storm’s predicted for tomorrow, but since this is New England, who knows.” He pulled his faded NYPD hat down on his forehead. “You know the weather better than I do. Got

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