Page 95 of Murder By the Millions

“You’re kidding.”

“No. I read it somewhere. Do like this …” I showed her my feeble attempt at a curtsy. “You’re thanking the audience for its applause.”

Chloe pulled a face. “Okay, I’ll break a leg, but I’ll probably stink.”

Tegan clasped her in a hug and whispered something in her ear, which made Chloe laugh. Then she pushed her toward the door. “Be brilliant.”

Chloe exited, and I turned to my pal. “What did you say to her?”

“She is adorable when she’s nervous.”

I swatted her arm. “You’re shameless.”

“See you at Blessed Bean.”

I raced home and checked Darcy’s toenail, which was healing nicely. Then I fed him, and I slipped into a pair of skinny black jeans and a soft blue short-sleeved silk top. I added a dab of mascara and a touch of lip gloss and hurried on to the coffeehouse. Lillian had advised us the owner would be serving appetizers to show her support for these sing-along nights, which thrilled me, because my stomach was growling. Like a dolt, I hadn’t eat any of the cake.

“Wow,” I murmured as I entered Blessed Bean.

The place, which was a rustic mishmash of tables, fairy lights, and hanging plants, was packed. One wall was filled with local art, and another lined with used books. Colorful signsreminding everyone to deposit library donations in the baskets on the coffee and wine bar were posted all over.

On the impromptu stage—a parquet square with a microphone and a karaoke screen scrolling the words to the current song—Candace was singing and bopping to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” For a soft-spoken woman who usually strummed her guitar while crooning folk songs, I was blown away by the way she was rocking it. She was outfitted in a jeans skirt, a jeans shirt, and cowboy boots and was twirling her hand in the air, as if prepared to lasso a calf. Her long blond tresses swished to and fro. I didn’t see her husband in the crowd. Maybe she had forbidden him to come so she could let loose.

“Allie!” Tegan called from across the room. She was sitting at a long table with Stella Burberry and Lillian.

I wove through tables to join them.

“Hi, Allie!” Stella waved from the far end of the table. A dollars-and-cents kind of woman, she admittedly wasn’t a fashion guru and said coming up with getups taxed her brain, so single-color ensembles, like the all-lavender one she had on, were the solution.

“What a crowd!” I exclaimed. “Who else is joining us?” I noticed a number of empty chairs at our table.

Lillian said, “Lots of ladies. Finette’s at the counter, ordering a glass of wine. The waitress … Wallis from the Brewery … Did you know she was working here?”

I nodded.

“She was a tad overwhelmed by the crowd, and Finette was getting edgy. She got her loan, but she’s had a long day of putting out fires.”

“What loan?”

“To renovate her house. She mentioned she’s thinking of hiring Patrick.”

Seconds later, Finette appeared carrying a small tray arranged with empty wineglasses and a carafe of chardonnay. I was surprised to see her dressed in jeans and a simple white blouse. The outfit took years off her age. She placed the tray in the center of the table and lifted the carafe. Wallis trailed her and deposited a plate filled with mini grilled cheese sandwiches on the table. I thanked her and selected one.

“Who’s thirsty?” Finette asked. “I thought everyone might like to indulge.”

Lillian said, “You come into money, and suddenly you’re gra ciousness personified.”

Finette laughed. “Raise your hand if you want a glass.”

Everyone did, with no reservations. I wondered about Reika and her addiction and whether she was remaining sober through another night, especially after Roy had rejected her a second time. To show my support, I decided to call her. It was too loud inside, so I slipped out the front door and tapped her contact on my cell phone.

She answered after one ring. “Hello?”

“It’s Allie.” It dawned on me that she might think I was being intrusive, and so I improvised. “I was, um, calling to ask how the tea went.”

“It was lovely. The muffins and cookies were divine. Everyone raved. And lots of attendees opened their pocketbooks and gave sizable donations.”

“Excellent.”