“Aunt Viv, be reasonable!” Ellie said, her voice an octave higher than normal. “Mom will kill me if I show up with you. Remember the last time?”
“Oh, please, like that snooty club would really cancel your parents’ membership,” Viv said. “I’ll be good this time, I swear!” Liar, liar…pants on fire…
“Vivian,” I said from behind her, catching her attention. “What if I promise to bring you back something from the buffet? Wouldn’t you like a whole container of prime rib?”
“Don’t you coddle me, Abigail!” she snapped. “I’m going and that’s that. Now you two can take me, or I’ll call a cab and meet you there. But if you make me resort to that then I won’t be on my best behavior.”
Ellie and I looked at each other through the glass for a moment, weighing that option, when finally Ellie popped the lock and Vivian jumped in…to the front seat. When she was comfortably nestled in, she looked at me and then at the backseat as if to say, You’re not actually going to make a little old lady sit back there, are you?
I rolled my eyes and asked, “Viv, can you at least move your seat up so I can squeeze into the backseat?”
“I aim to please,” she said dryly and pushed a button on the side of the seat sliding her forward with a soft humming sound.
“I am so sorry,” Ellie said while I squished into the back.
“No problem,” I said. “But just so you know, she guessed where we were going. I never breathed a word, I swear.”
“I’m in the car, you know,” Vivian said, pulling the door closed. “It’s not like I can’t hear you, sheesh!”
“Oh, we are very aware that you’re with us,” Ellie deadpanned, and gunned the motor. “Might want to buckle up, Viv. You know how I drive.”
“Damn skippy. Let’s see what this baby can do! Yee-ha!”
We arrived at the Valley Hill Country Club a mere fifteen minutes and six or seven yee-has later. As I unfolded my bent frame from the backseat I wondered if it was too early to order alcohol. “You okay?” Ellie said as we made our way inside.
“A little cramped but I’ll be fine. So how bad is this going to be?” I asked, gesturing toward Vivian’s back as she scrambled up the stairs, the clasp on her giant handbag already open.
“Nightmare on Elm Street bad,” Ellie said with a groan. “Mom’s gonna freak.”
“Maybe Viv will behave herself,” I offered, but as soon as I said that my left side felt thick and heavy—my sign for, You can forget about it.
“You two go ahead,” Viv said over her shoulder. “I gotta hit the powder room. They have the best little soaps in there,” she added as she pulled her purse open wide and darted through a doorway marked, LADIES.
“Say, Abby, I wanted to ask you something…” Ellie said as we crossed through the front lobby. “I know you must be tired and all, but I was wondering if later you might be up for giving me a reading?”
“Absolutely,” I said without pause. One of the great pleasures about being psychic was offering it up as a gift to my close friends. It always made Christmas and birthdays easier.
“You are a doll,” she said, beaming. “I just want to know that Eddie and I will be happy together. I mean, I know we will, but it’ll be nice to have you tell me—Oh, look! There’s Mom and Dad!”
While Ellie was talking about her life with Eddie, I got an incredibly loud buzzing sensation as my intuitive phone went haywire. I tried to focus on the message coming in, but was distracted by the sight of Ellie’s parents. Figuring I could simply give her a reading later and pick up on what the message was, I pushed it aside and hurried forward to greet Nina and Jimmy McGinnis.
Nina opened her arms wide and I rushed in for a hug. I squeezed her tight, then stepped back to look her over. Nina was about the size of my sister, Cat, right around five-foot-nothing. She had a pleasant round plumpness to her, and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. A native of Iceland, she still spoke with an accent that made her Ss a little longer and her Ws like they had an H attached. She hadn’t changed much from my childhood memories, just a few more white hairs where salt and pepper had once been, but for the most part she looked exactly the same. “Abigail,” she said warmly. “It’s so good to see you! Look at how beautiful you’ve gotten!”
“Right back at you, Nina,” I said with a broad smile.
“Hey, don’t forget about me,” Jimmy said to my right as he threw out his own arms. I smiled playfully, then launched into his warm embrace, noting that he’d grown a bit thicker around his very tall frame, but for the most part he too still looked the same.
As I backed away from Jimmy I heard Nina give a gasp, then whisper, “Oh, God. Tell me you didn’t bring her!”
Without turning around, Ellie knew who her mother was talking about and hurried to explain. “Mom, I tried, I really did, but she practically climbed on top of my car!”
I turned just as Viv reached us. “Hello, Nina. Jimmy,” Viv said with a friendly wave. “What’re you all standing around out here for? Let’s eat!” And she shuffled toward the dining hall, the light scent of bath soap flowing from her purse.
“Ellie!” Nina hissed, trying to keep her voice down. It was no secret that Nina and Viv had never quite gotten along. The fact that for many years Vivian had lived with Nina and Jimmy over the summers was testament to her patience. The kicker was that everyone got along with Nina. She was loved by just about all who knew her. Her patience and motherly nature were legendary. But Viv was perhaps the one person in the world who could push her over the edge.
“Mom, really, I’m sorry!” Ellie tried.
“I’ll keep my eye on her, Nina,” Jimmy said as he hurried after his aunt.
Nina watched him go, then turned back to us. “Should we make a run for it?” she said. “Maybe find another place to have breakfast?” I laughed, but it sounded like Nina was halfway serious.
“You mean leave Dad alone with her? Mom, come on, we can’t do that to him,” Ellie said.
Nina heaved a great sigh. “Good point, honey. I suppose we might as well get this over with. Just be prepared to bolt if there’s trouble.”
We headed into the dining room and spotted Viv and Jimmy right away. Jimmy was carrying a plate for his aunt as she piled it with enough food to feed three people. He caught our eye and nodded his head to a table nearby, and we walked over and sat down. As I looked around the beautifully set table, I noticed one of the places was missing its silverware. A moment later a waiter stepped forward and filled our water glasses, then set an extra set of flatware down next to a cup of coffee. “For the madam at the buffet table who was missing her silverware,” he said by way of explanation, then took our drink orders.
After he’d gone I said, “Viv’s planning on stealing that flatware. She mentioned something about wanting a full set back at her house.”
Nina groaned. “Oh, yes, Vivian never misses the opportunity to pinch a place setting or two. That woman is going to be the death of me. But I don’t want to dwell on her. Abby, tell me all about your life, and don’t leave anything out. Ellie says that your practice is booming, and I hear you’ve just bought a new house.”
I caught Nina up to speed on my life of the past three years—leaving out the parts that involved crazed killers, mafia hit men and serial rapists…oh, and, of course, I left out the part about my recent breakup with Mr. Not-right-now-I-need-to-focus-on-my-job. I figured Nina had enough to worry about with Vivian at the table. Why distract her with so much bad news?
“Aunt Viv,” Jimmy said across the table, and we all turned to look.
“What?” she replied, pausing in folding up three huge slices of prime rib into her linen napkin.
“Can I at least get you a to-go box?” he said.
“Hell, no!” Viv replied as she wadded up the meat and stuffed it into her purse. “They take half your food when you give it to them to wrap up. This way I know I get what I pay for.”
“So you’re paying today?” Jimmy asked, narrowing his eye
s.
“What’s that?” Vivian said, cocking her head. “Sorry, Jimmy. Think my hearing’s going. I’m headed back to the buffet line for some of that dessert. You coming?”
The question was more a command, and after a warning look from Nina, Jimmy obediently got up from the table to follow Viv.
“So guess who I heard from the day before yesterday!” Nina said, turning back to me.
“Who?” I asked.
“Your parents. Claire called me out of the blue. I haven’t heard from her in ages. And of course I told her about Ellie’s big day, and wouldn’t you know, your parents would love to come!”
“Wow. How about that,” I said woodenly. Nina had no idea how much my relationship with my parents had declined over the years.
“Yes, I believe they’re flying in on Tuesday. It’s been so long since I’ve seen them. How do they look?” she asked me.
“About the same,” I said. Truth was, I hadn’t seen them in years, so how could I know?
“It will be wonderful to have the old gang back again.”
Ellie sneaked me a look that said, Sorry! and I nodded that it was okay. Just then her cell phone chirped and she dug it out of her purse to look at the readout. “Hey, big brother,” she said. “Where are you? We’re all here at the club.” There was a pause; then Ellie said, “Yes, she’s right here; hold on a sec,” and handed me her phone.
I gave her a puzzled look and she shrugged her shoulders in an “I don’t know” gesture, so I took the phone and said, “Hello, Duffy. What’s up?”
“I found Mark Weaver,” he said without preamble.
Working hard not to give anything away to Ellie and Nina, who were both watching me intently, I said, “Uh-huh. Did you get the answer you were looking for?”
“Not really. Listen, I’m gonna swing by there and pick you up. I may need your help on this.”
“Uh…okay.”
“But don’t tell Ellie or my mom what’s up yet, okay? Not till we know something for sure.”
“Right. Okay, see you in a few,” I said, and clicked off, wondering how I was going to explain my need to leave.
“Is Duffy coming?” Ellie asked.
“Yeah. He and I have an errand to run,” I said, trying not to look nervous.
“Really?” Nina and Ellie both said together, their eyebrows raised.
“Yeah. Something for the wedding that Duffy needs some help on. But I can’t tell you, because it’s a surprise.”
“Ahhhh…” both women said together again, and nodded to each other with little grins.
“So, I’d better eat while I can, ’cause I think he’ll be here real soon,” I said, getting up and heading over to the buffet line. On the way I caught sight of Viv and Jimmy by the dessert table, near a huge plate of sugar cookies. Vivian looked covertly around, then pulled Jimmy in by his suit coat and hid behind him. After a moment she stepped away, hugging her bulging handbag closely. Jimmy followed after her with a pained look on his face.
I was joined a moment later by Nina and Ellie, who were chatting about what still needed to be done before the wedding. “The caterer called this morning, Ellie,” Nina said. “She said she’s switched the spinach soufflés for the stuffed mushrooms, so Eddie will be happy.”
“I’m about to marry the man and I never knew he had such an aversion to spinach.” Ellie chuckled.
“Oh, don’t worry, honey; there was plenty I didn’t know about your father before I married him.”
“Like what?” I asked, turning around to join in the conversation.
“Like the fact that he had an aunt Vivian,” Nina said, a half scowl on her face. Turning to me she explained. “Jimmy and I met when he was a marine stationed in Iceland. We had a whirlwind courtship and eloped only three weeks after we met.”
“Don’t tell me; let me guess,” I said. “He never got around to mentioning his eccentric aunt until you guys came stateside.”
“Bingo,” she said, and turned back to Ellie. “Trust me, if I had known about her before I said ‘I do,’ you’d have a different father, Ellie.”
We all giggled, then Ellie smacked her forehead. “Oh! Abby, I almost forgot. We have to get you fitted for that bridesmaid dress. Gina never picked hers up from the bridal shop, so all we’ll have to do is a few alterations. Shouldn’t be anything too dramatic. You two are about the same size.”
“Speaking of Gina,” Nina said, “has anyone heard from her yet?”
I turned back to the buffet table, afraid the look on my face would give me away as Ellie said, “No. That superfreak hasn’t returned one of my calls. Not that that’s anything new. I don’t even know why she carries a cell phone. She never answers it and she never returns a voice mail.”
“At least Abby was able to take her place in the end. All’s well that ends well,” Nina said, and for some reason I felt a shiver go through me.
“You cold, Abby?” Ellie said, noticing.
“A little. I’m going to head back to the table. See you two in a minute.” And I darted away.
I ate in earnest, anticipating Duffy’s arrival, and it was a good thing I did, because just as I was polishing off some potatoes I felt a hand on my shoulder and a throaty voice said, “Hey, gang. What’s shakin’?”
Everyone at the table looked up and gave Duffy a warm smile in greeting. Everyone, that is, except Vivian. “How’re your swimmers?” she asked him.
“Still paddling,” he said, looking her in the eye.
“Hmmph,” she replied. “That won’t last, you know.”
“Viv,” Duffy said in answer. “Is that your purse that’s leaking?” And we all looked over at the puddle on the table forming by Vivian’s handbag.
“Time to go,” Jimmy said, standing up and hovering over Vivian’s chair. “Nina, why don’t you catch a ride back with Ellie while I make sure Viv gets home safe and sound?”
“Thank you, Jimmy,” Nina replied gratefully.
“But I’m not finished yet!” Vivian protested when her chair was pulled out by her nephew. As she was tugged away from the table, she made a lunge for the salt and pepper shakers, and Jimmy had to wrestle them out of her bony hands. Not about to give up, she snatched an extra set of silverware before he had a chance to stop her, shoved them into her overstuffed purse, then held up her hands karate style. “Stand back!” she barked. “My hands are like weapons!”
“Easy, Viv. Let’s get your coat and go,” Jimmy said with gritted teeth. His face began to turn a pinkish hue.
“Fine,” Viv said, pushing the contents of her purse down so she could get the clasp closed. “This party wasn’t all that fun anyway. You people need to lighten up!”
After they’d left the table Nina sighed audibly. “Thank the Lord that’s over. Duffy, are you going to stay for something to eat?”
“Sorry, Mom, can’t. Abby and I have an errand to run.”
“Well, stop by tonight for dinner, or are you working the afternoon shift again?”
“’Fraid so,” Duffy said as he bent to give his mother a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll call you tomorrow so you don’t worry, okay?”
“And when will you have Abby back?” Ellie wanted to know, the curiosity on her face evident as she looked from me to Duffy for any sign of a clue as to what we were up to.
“I’ll need her for a little while. Why? You two have plans?”
“I have to take her to the bridal shop for a fitting. Can you have her back by one?”
“You got it,” Duffy said, then leaned over and kissed her on the top of her head. “Call me if you need anything. Okay?” he said, his voice tender and his eyes pinched.
“Uh…sure,” she said, looking at him with a puzzled expression. “Duff, you okay?”
“I’m cool,” he said, regaining his composure. “Come on, Abby; let’s roll.”
I excused myself and followed after him. As we got outside, Duffy handed his valet ticket to one of the attendants and gave me a glance. Then he did a double tak
e.
“What?” I asked feeling self-conscious.
“You clean up nice, you know that?” he said with a grin.
I felt my cheeks grow hot. “You giving me a line?” I asked him, narrowing my eyes.
“No,” he said as his Mustang arrived. “No line. It’s the truth. If I’da thought way back when that you would turn out to be a looker, I never would have picked on you so much.”
“Good to know,” I said with a grin as we got in the car. “So where are we headed?”
“To Gina’s,” he replied as he turned the ignition.
“What did Mark say?” I asked.
“He said the last time he heard from Gina was two nights before she disappeared. She never called to tell him she was on her way, and as far as he knew the last conversation they had was their last one for good. He said he told her that he’d met someone and was moving on. He doesn’t know anything about her booking a flight to LA.”
“Did she book a flight?” I asked.
Duffy nodded. “That was my next call. And yes, she did book a flight, but she never checked in and never boarded the plane.”
“Something happened,” I said.
“Sure looks that way.”
“How about where Gina worked? Have you been able to talk to her boss, or someone who may have known what she was up to?”
“Not yet. But if we don’t find anything at Gina’s apartment, then that’s the next place we’ll go.”
There was a pause as we drove in silence for a minute, and then I asked, “Duffy?”
“Yeah?”
“Why am I along? I mean, I’m flattered and all, but you’re a trained cop. Shouldn’t you be doing this alone?”
Duffy gave me a sideways glance and said, “Abby, come on. Ellie’s told me all about how you worked with your local police department. Didn’t you help nab that serial killer?”
“Yeah,” I said, rubbing my arm subconsciously, remembering the stab wound from the serial killer I’d helped the police catch.
“And when we were kids, who helped Mrs. Tracer find her cat?”