Dempster Road

Chapter 13

She had never seen Stanley so serious, and she weighed what his news might be against their relationship if she decided to ignore his demand. He fiddled with the cutlery and avoided her eyes. Emily returned and took Stan's order for a large scotch.

Belinda had to know, and she reasoned that she would be the only one getting the news later if everybody was sworn to secrecy, so she promised sincerely.

He glanced about and leaned closer. "Both Edgar and the Shafton guy had sex just before they died."

"Edgar!" She blurted the name aloud, and Stanley nearly had a fit right then and there.

"Jesus! Belinda," he hissed.

"I'm sorry, Stan, but Edgar? I didn't think he even knew how!"

"Yeah, well he was a little naïve on that front, but that's what the Doc says. Now you gotta keep that promise, Bel. You gotta."

"I said I would. You have to trust me too, Stanley."

She was about to continue when she saw Adelaine Curtis enter the dining room. She took Stan's hand and quickly told him what Emily had said and suggested that this could be a golden opportunity. Stan looked at the woman and considered the merits of trying to pump her with arousing suspicion. Belinda was squeezing his fingers and nodding encouragingly, and finally he pushed back his chair and crossed to her table.

"Evenin', ma'am. Uh- I uh- I was wonderin' if you would like to have dinner with my friend and I?"

"Excuse me?"

"Uhm- Mrs. Rastonburgh said you thought it might be a good--"

"I'm sorry I don't know what you're talking about. I like to eat alone thank you very much."

Stanley stood frozen, his face a brilliant shade of pink. "I- I'm sorry . . . I thought . . ."

"I think your friend is waiting for you." Adelaine turned her attention to her menu, effectively dismissing him.

Stan sat with a thump and glared at Belinda. "If that was supposed to be a joke it sure as hell wasn't very funny." Between gulps of her red wine and interruptions, Stanley finally surrendered to Belinda's assurances.

When Emily came out to take orders, Belinda asked her again about Adelaine's suggestion, and then they told her what happened.

"I told you she said some weird things."

"Yeah, well . . ."

"I'll talk to her. Let me take your order." Emily listened to Stan, saw his face set when he heard what Belinda had ordered, and then went to Adelaine.

"Find something you like, dear?"

"I suppose." The reply was cold and a little nasty sounding.

"Maybe you'd like to start with some wine?"

"I hope it's better than the food selection." Adelaine closed the menu and almost tossed it to Emily, who was gaping at the woman. "Make it white."

Emily was shaken, and it showed during the rest of the dinner when she kept forgetting things and having to run back and forth as a few more customers came in taking her attention. Stan and Belinda turned their own attention to the meal, and tried to forget Barney's news and the Curtis woman's attitude for a while at least.

When Adelaine appeared at their table they both stopped mid-chew.

"Hi. Hope you don't mind if I suggest we have some dessert together." She set her wine glass on the table and dragged up a spare chair. "I told Emily I thought it might be nice to eat together, but she said she was too busy and you guys had already ordered so . . ." She sipped her wine and smiled. "I'm leaving tomorrow so it'll be our last chance."