Page 115 of Murder By the Millions

“It does, doesn’t it? I never wear this color, but Lillian convinced me.”

Noeline scanned the shop. “This is impressive. I’m so proud of you girls for pulling it off. I feel like I’m in a 1920s bookshop, right down to the pearls. By the way—Vanna, I didn’t want to tell you until we were all together—I’ve decided not to buy the other bed-and-breakfast.”

Tegan let out a happy squeal.

“Why not, Mother?” Vanna asked. “You can’t let Tegan bully you.”

“She didn’t. As it turns out, Helga’s friend is no longer available to help me with the enterprise. She got a gig at Whispering Winds, of all places, for a paycheck much higher than I could afford. Of course, she had to accept.”

“Helga can find someone else,” Vanna protested.

“She could, but for now, I’m happy with one place. The renovations are done. I’m booked for an entire year. I can’t wait to mount the special Christmas celebration.”

During the holidays, Noeline dressed up the bed-and-breakfast in the same fashion as the inn on Biltmore Estate, though on a much smaller scale. It was magical.

“Go, Allie.” Tegan nudged me. “Time’s a-wasting.”

I hurried to the office, closed the blinds, and changed into my dress. Darcy mewed his approval. Before returning to the shop, I checked my makeup and hair in the mirror on the stockroom wall. Still good. Setting up the party hadn’t marred a thing.

Tegan greeted customers as they entered. Chloe directed people to the food stations and beverages. All the guests embraced the Roaring Twenties style. Not one was wearing everyday clothing. Happy chatter abounded.

Zach strode through the entrance with Brendan Bates. Bates had donned a very dapper beige suit. Zach, who’d dressed in black trousers, black vest over white shirt, black tie, pocket watch, and bowler hat, gave the impression of a gentleman gangster. All he needed was a sly mustache to complete the look. Both men admired the lamé drapery, after which they began scanning the quotations.

I sauntered to them, a glass of lemonade in hand. “Welcome, boys. If you’re thirsty and you’re not on duty, the bar is thataway.” I hooked a thumb over my shoulder.

Bates strolled away. Zach stayed put.

“You look stunning,” he said. “Your emerald green is something else.”

“Beats my typical black-and-white getups, right?” I grinned. “Is the case settled? All t’s crossed and i’s dotted?”

He nodded.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, were you able to determine whether the initial on the cuff link we found was anIor aJ?”

“Definitely anIand made by Finette’s jeweler. Good guess. Finette told them it was a gift to replace the one her father lost.” He smirked. “Guess they didn’t know her history. Her father never wore a suit in his life, let alone cuff links.”

The door swung open, and Evelyn Evers swept in, dressed in a ruby-red, floor-length gown, elegant red gloves, a feathered headband, ornate gold-and-pearl dangling earrings, and strands of pearls. She looked ready to launch into song à la Bessie Smith. She paused by Zach and me.

“Wow!” I cried. “Double wow!”

She smiled. “I love a little drama. If you have a moment, Allie …”

Zach excused himself and joined his partner at the bar.

I eyed her expectantly. “Are you hoping I’ll volunteer more often, as thanks for all that the theater did for our party?”

“Yes, and …” She drew me into one of the book aisles. “It’s time you know what happened between your mother and me.”

My lungs tightened. Did I want the truth?

“I was once an actress,” Evelyn said.

“Well, you don’t have that in common with Fern,” I said lightly, attempting a joke.

“No, we don’t, because she could never commit to anything.”

“Except math and Jamie,” I countered.