Going Through the Notions(21)

“So you think they could have killed Jimmy to pin the murder on Angus and get their revenge? And recover their money by stealing the pens?”

Cyril shrugged. “Who knows? Jimmy was also the one that recommended they hire Angus in the first place. Kill two birds with one stone, if you catch my drift.” He took another of Martha’s oatmeal cookies and pointed it at me. “These sweets aren’t too bad. I didn’t peg you for a good cook.”

“Actually I didn’t make them. That bossy woman did.”

Cyril raised his eyebrows a fraction and took another appreciative bite.

My cell phone beeped with a missed call. “Well, I’d better get back to the store. Thanks for your time, Cyril. And for the tea.”

On the way across the lot toward my car, I noticed an interesting boot scraper made out of iron in the shape of a squirrel. I bent down to take a closer look. The rain had let up momentarily, and the rising heat was going to turn this day into a steam bath later on.

“You’re going to take this withee?”

I glanced up. It wasn’t really a question.

“Um, okay. How much is it?”

“Ten dollars.”

I didn’t dare argue. “Fine.” I forked over the money and stuffed the squirrel under my arm, while also stuffing down the feeling I’d been had.

“Next time, bring some coffee.”

I grinned. That sounded as close to an invitation to come back as I was ever likely to get. As I pulled out of the lot, I called to him. “It’s recalcitrant, by the way.”

“What is?” he shouted.

“Three across. On your crossword puzzle.”

*



“I checked my phone. The missed call was from Joe.

“Hi, babe,” he said when I called him back. “Wondering where the car was. Thought I’d go over and see if Betty needed some manly muscle to get ready for the auction this Saturday. It’s the least I can do after all Angus has done for us.”

“Oh, Joe, you’ve read my mind. I was going to ask if you’d mind helping her with the heavy stuff. But as usual, you’re one step ahead of me. What’s Sarah doing today?”

“Still sleeping right now. I fed the pup and walked him, so he’s all set.”

“I see. Anyway, I’m dropping the car off in a couple of minutes. I just went to visit Cyril Mackey.”

“Yeah? Did you have fun?”

I grunted. “Honestly, I don’t know how you put up with that man.”

Joe laughed. “Oh, he’s okay once you get to know him. I never can leave there without taking something with me, though. I can’t believe he let you off the hook so easily.”

There was a short silence.

“Daisy? Did you have to buy something?”

“Look, it was very nice talking to you, Joe, but I’ve got to go.” I hung up to the roar of my husband’s laughter.

I parked the car outside our house and hurried back to the store, dodging raindrops. It didn’t matter that I hadn’t fully dried my hair earlier. It was wet again now anyway.

The striped pole was turning outside the barber shop across the street, and a customer was already sitting in the cracked red vinyl chair. Tony Zappata, the barber, or Tony Z as he called himself, was a transplant from South Philly. Short in stature, but a giant in personality, he embodied the nation’s impression of Philadelphians. Warmhearted enough to give you the shirt off their back, but tough enough to rip it off again and slap you with it, depending on the occasion and their mood. He was also a pretty good tenor and belted out operatic arias to entertain his clientele while he worked.

Next door to Tony’s, Eleanor’s shop was still dark. A pair of mannequins dressed in exquisite antique wedding gowns posed together in the shadowy front window.

I entered Sometimes a Great Notion to the sound of the cash register ringing. It was an ornate brass National model from 1914, and Martha was stuffing it with five-dollar bills, looking like the Cheshire cat who’d swallowed a gallon of cream.

The store was full of men. One man was poking through the MALE box, and two others were drinking coffee and chatting.

Two more sat at a bistro table that Martha must have moved from the sewing room upstairs. They were playing Shut the Box, a vintage dice game.

Eleanor was there, too. “Have you lost your mind, leaving this one running the place?”

I grinned. “It looks as though she’s handled everything pretty well.”

She raised an eyebrow as if to say she begged to differ. “I guess Sarah wasn’t around to watch the store?”

“It was easier to ask Martha.” I looked into Eleanor’s dark gray eyes and knew she understood.

She nodded. “So how long will Sarah be staying?”