Death of a Suitor #18

Chapter Twelve

When she woke up later, it was to the sound of thunder cracking overhead. Myrtle groaned. Apparently, the weather hadn't gotten the memo that they were going to be out and about a lot today.

Wanda was still sleeping, so Myrtle tried to be quiet as she got ready. She pulled out her big umbrella to get the paper at the end of her driveway since it was now raining buckets. Lightning flashed overhead as she returned with the paper and she jumped as something brushed against her leg.

"Pasha! Oh, poor baby. Here, come inside."

Pasha eagerly followed her in. Pasha, as a feral cat, was accustomed to all sorts of weather, but this was some of the worst. At least the cat was good about letting Myrtle know when she wanted to be indoors for a while.

Myrtle dug out an old towel and carefully wiped Pasha down. Then she got her a can of cat food, which Pasha quickly devoured. As Myrtle solved the daily crossword, Pasha sat in the window watching the storm outside with interest.

A particularly loud clap of thunder made both Myrtle and Pasha jump and even woke the deep-sleeping Wanda from her slumbers. Wanda wandered sleepily out of the guest room and Pasha bounded happily over to see her. It was unusual for Pasha to take to people, but Wanda and the black cat always got along perfectly.

Myrtle beamed at Wanda and Pasha and said, "I'll make us some breakfast."

Wanda shook her head though. "Nope. I'll make us breakfast. You just do yer puzzle."

Myrtle remembered that, once before, Wanda had cooked a marvelous and extravagant breakfast for her. "Thank you, Wanda," she said instead.

Wanda was very adept in the kitchen. She made eggs and bacon, cheese grits and toast with jam.

"Wanda, this is fabulous," said Myrtle after taking a big bite.

Wanda gave her a shy smile.

After breakfast, Myrtle called Miles. "Ready to unmask the murderer?"

"I wasn't aware it was a masked bandit," said Miles. "And no, I'm still not entirely sure this is a good idea. It makes me look like I'm in more trouble than I am."

Myrtle said, "As far as we know, we're both in a lot of trouble. You and I both had words with Eloise, witnessed by others. We've got to get to the bottom of this now."

Wanda croaked from behind her, "I can go with you, Myrtle."

Miles heard her over the phone and eagerly said, "Yes, Wanda's a better fit for today."

Myrtle tapped her foot impatiently. It was so aggravating when Miles was difficult. Ordinarily, he was happy to cooperate.

"Okay, here's the plan. Wanda will go with me to see our first interviewees of the day, Bailey and Marigold. That will give you some time to mope around the house, Miles, which is apparently what you're wanting to do. Have some coffee, watch some mindless TV, then you can come with me to talk to the next of our suspects."

Miles sighed. "I suppose so."

"Good. I'll call you in a little while." Myrtle hung up the phone and clicked her tongue in annoyance.

Wanda drawled, "He's just worried. Prob'ly upset his tummy."

"Oh, I'd forgotten what happens with his stomach when he's stressed. Yes, you're probably right. Well then, it's just as well that he's not with us right now."

Wanda gave Myrtle a thoughtful look. "How're you gonna git in to see them people?"

"You mean Bailey and Marigold? I'll just tell them we were walking by and I wanted a glass of water. When you're my age, people just let you in their house. They don't want anyone to expire on their front step."