Page 85 of Murder By the Millions

“When is the time?”

“Mother has plenty of money.”

“I don’t want her to be taken to the cleaners. Do you remember how she put her heart and soul into opening this place?” Tegan stabbed the table to make her point. “Do you remember how tired she was all the time?”

“Girls, I’m right here,” Noeline said. “I can hear you. Relax. I’ve got it under control.”

“You say that now.” Tegan thwacked the table with her fingertips. “But how about a year from now, when the roof caves in or the staircase gives way? Have you forgotten all the things you had to repair or replace here? Do you have long-term memory loss?”

Vanna gasped. I held my breath.

“Enough, young lady,” Noeline said. She pushed back her chair. The feet screeched on the floor. She rose to a stand and dropped her napkin on her plate. “Do not diss me. For your information, no, I haven’t forgotten a thing. I relished every step of the process of making this place beautiful. Even the snags and pitfalls. I look forward to bringing another dinosaur to life. Now, leave me be.” She stomped away.

“You heard her, Tegan,” Vanna said under her breath. “Leave her be.” I doubted Vanna disagreed with Tegan, but I figured she was defending their mother because she knew it would irk her half sister.

Which it did. Tegan gave her sister the evil eye and marched out of the room.

CHAPTER17

“Well, I’ve had a very bad time, Nick, and I’m pretty cynical about everything.”

—Daisy Buchanan in F. Scott Fitzgerald’sThe Great Gatsby

Italked my pal into coming back to dinner and finishing her meal. Over the years, I’d learned ways to cajole her when she was out of sorts. After all, what were best friends for? Noeline did not reappear.

Later, on the way to her house, Tegan asked if she had been in the wrong.

“Your mother is not old. She’s very smart and capable. If I were you, I’d ease up. Allow her to spread her wings.”

“And if she fails?”

“You’ll swoop in to help her then. Remember, you are not the mama bird. You are the baby bird.” I was pretty sure Noeline wouldn’t ever need Tegan’s help. She was a live wire.

“Fine,” she grunted. “I hear you.”

I pulled in front of her house and idled. “By the way, your garden looks good. Even in the dark. Happy snail hunting.”

She stuck out her tongue and climbed out of the van.

As I was turning around, I peeked at the blue house with the yellow shutters. How difficult it must be for Finette, having to manage her great-aunt all by herself. I doubted I’d ever need to assist my parents. They were so vital.

Driving along Main Street, it dawned on me I’d promised Fern a phone call. She hadn’t texted after I’d assured her everything was fine. Seeing as Machu Picchu was an hour earlier than our time, I dialed her.

She answered after one ring. “Thank heavens. You’re alive.”

“Yes, I’m fine. Did you get my message?”

“I did, but hearing your voice, Cookie, makes all the difference.”

“Gee, Fern, how do you think I feel whenever I can’t reach you and Jamie?”

“You know we’re stalwart, and we have each other. You—”

“Have a cat.” I chuckled. “I’ve taught him how to dial nine-one-one.”

“Very funny.”

“Relax. I have a good support system. Tegan, her mom, Chloe, Vanna.”