The Whole Enchilada by Diane Mott Davidson

Author:Diane Mott Davidson [Davidson, Diane Mott]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780061348174
Amazon: 0062278479
Barnesnoble: 0062278479
Publisher: William Morrow
Published: 2013-08-27T05:00:00+00:00

16

I closed my eyes. All my energy and ability to think were draining out of me. A map. Of Asia. And if something happened to Holly, Audrey was supposed to give the puzzle to Father Pete. But Father Pete lay in a coma. Maybe Holly had told him what all this was supposed to mean: the notes, the jigsaw puzzle, somebody who knew. “Thanks, Audrey.”

“You will find out what happened?” The anxious tone made her voice rise. “I mean, to Father Pete? And . . . and . . . to Holly? You’ll figure out what this important puzzle means?”

“I’m trying,” was all I could manage to say. Maybe it means nothing, my mind unhelpfully supplied.

Marla rang our doorbell—she didn’t bang, for which I was thankful—just as Julian, Boyd, Armstrong, and I were once more trying to sit down to lunch. Still, relief washed through me. Maybe she would be able to figure out what had happened to our friend, and why.

“You look like hell,” Marla said.

“Thanks. You look great.” She had changed into a hot-pink blouse and lime-green pants, with a pink-and-green-paisley sweater to match. She wore twinkly diamond-and-gold earrings, with a necklace and bracelet set. I said, “Come have some lunch.”

As I walked down our hall, my leg began to ache again. I resolved to put the mysteries of Holly, Father Pete, Kathie Beliar, and Audrey Millard out of my overstimulated brain. I was thankful when the chef salads plus homemade bread revived all of us.

As we did the dishes, Marla insisted that she was still helping out with the fund-raising dinner. She dutifully washed her hands while I told Boyd, Armstrong, Julian, and her about Holly’s giving Audrey Millard a gift for her eyes only, apparently—a jigsaw puzzle that was a map of Asia.

Boyd and Armstrong exchanged a glance. Despite the fact that a sheriff’s department investigator was on his way to Audrey’s house to hear this story at that very moment, Boyd took out a notebook and wrote. Marla dried her hands and shook her head.

“Goldy? That makes no sense whatsoever. Holly’s parents were of British and French extraction. I never even heard Holly mention Asia.” She sighed. “Maybe it’s a really pretty map of Asia? I mean, since she was an artist?”

I said, “Holly gave a puzzle of a really pretty map of Asia to Audrey, so close to when Holly died? And Audrey was supposed to give it to Father Pete if something happened to her, that is, Holly?”

Marla’s brow crinkled. “What does Father Pete care about Asia? Was he a missionary there or something?”

“I don’t think so.” I didn’t say, If and when he wakes up, we’ll have to ask him.

Julian said, “You know, sometimes when we cook, you get ideas, Goldy. No matter what, we need to get started. Sorry.”

So we got down to the prep. Marla followed Julian’s instructions for washing and spinning dry the heads of romaine, which then had to be separated into leaves, rinsed, spun, and dried again.

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