Requiem Murder Part 15

"About what?" she asked.

"Pete." I hadn't meant to mention him, but I needed to divert the conversation from Roger.

She shrugged. "He comes and takes Robby places. He acts like a big brother to both of us."

And that was a good place for him to start. "How does Roger treat your son?"

She frowned. "Fine. Of course he doesn't play games with Robby, but he's a much more serious person. Robby kind of stays out of his way. Unless Roger comes for dinner, he waits until Robby's in bed."

"Does he return your favors?"

"I don't understand what you mean."

I shook my head. Maybe she didn't see loaning her car, playing secretary or buying his drinks as favors.

I pray she doesn't end up playing Martha while some Mary steals him away.

*Several mornings later as I walked through the fallen leaves on my way to the river, Pete fell into step beside me. His dark auburn hair needed a trim and he looked like he hadn't slept. "More weight loss activity?" I asked. He made a face. "You would ask that. Couldn't you just think I wanted some time with you and this is the best chance I have? I figure you'll be giving up your walks soon."

"Only during blizzards and ice storms."

He linked arms with me. "How close are you and Beth?"

"Why do you ask?"

He kicked a pile of leaves. "Roger the perfect man. You know what I mean."

"I'm afraid I don't."

"Beth, Robby and I did things together for a couple of weeks. Seems Roger was busy. Guess he's

unbusy these days. When I stopped by to take them to dinner, he was there so I took Robby. The boy's

upset. He doesn't like Roger and he's afraid to tell his mother."

His voice held distaste and every time he mentioned Roger, his hand tightened on my arm. "Are you sure he's not picking up your dislike? You're his hero."

"I try not to say anything."

"You don't have to. Children are experts at reading body language."

"Then you might be right. I don't like him. It's taken me until now to figure out why."

Would Pete have a view of Roger's character that would help me understand my growing uneasiness?

"I'll bite."

He studied the ground. "I like...maybe more than like Beth. I've fought my feelings since the day we built the snowman. I could have left that day and never given her a thought. Except I couldn't. I decided Robby needed a male influence, so I hung around. But that wasn't the real reason...She treats me like

I'm one of Robby's friends."

"Serves you right." Containing my laughter caused me to choke.

He pounded my back. "Not funny, but you're right. I

had this idea about not getting involved with some man's leftovers."

I stopped so abruptly he nearly fell. "What a stupid bit of logic."

His grin was sheepish. "Yeah. I know that. Think I was afraid. She looked good to me that day. Still

does. Guess it's too late. She and that creep look happy with each other." "Maybe, maybe not." How could I tell him that though Beth had bought Roger's excuses, they were subject to change? Knowing my young friend, he'd try to force Beth to see what she needed to discover on her own. "Keep cool. Be her friend. One problem is that she thinks he needs her."

"You mean if I act like I can't handle my life, she'll come running?"

"You're not that good an actor. Remember your undercover experience."

He groaned. "Not my thing."

"Just be there when she needs you."

He kissed my cheek and jogged away. I walked to the river and tossed pebbles in a tide pool along the

bank. Ripples spread in concentric circles. Just like life where a single event can spread and infect many lives.*

On Friday night, I invited Charles, Laura and Lars for dinner and bridge. This would be our last chance for a game before Lars left for New Mexico. We dined on corn chowder, Yankee pot roast with Boston cream pie for dessert. As usual Edward complimented the cook with effusive comments.

After we cleared the table, we went to the living room for cards. Loud thumping sounds came from the bedroom.

"Good grief, Katherine, do you think you're being robbed again?" Edward asked.

"It's Robespierre announcing his displeasure."

Laura chuckled. "I guess he smells your shoe polish."

"What's he doing?" Lars asked.

"Something mean. Sometimes he acts like a spoiled brat. If we ignore him, he'll settle down. Deal."

Two hours later I brought out dessert, coffee and tea. Edward tasted the cake. "Delicious, but not as delicious as your famous chocolate one."

He leaned forward. His eyes and expression registered gossip mode. Under the table, I kicked Lars. He rolled his eyes. Laura groaned but kept eating.

"So what do you think about our choir romance? Isn't it sweet?"

"Are you talking about Beth and Roger?"

"Who else? They look so sweet together. Wouldn't it be absolutely perfect if they got married. Then he'd be sure to stay."

Lars and I exchanged a glance. I coughed to keep from laughing. Laura gestured toward the bedroom. "Release the cat," she mouthed. I shook my head. Robespierre or not, Edward would persist in sharing his views.

"What makes you think there's a romance?"

"One only has to look at them when they're together," Edward said.

"And that'll make him stay here?"

"Why not? Beth has an excellent position at the hospital and her sweet son likes school. She'll never

move."

"I'm not sure that's true." What I wasn't sure of was that this was a viable couple. "If she owned her

house, I'd say you were right. Still, what's to keep him here when the city's so close. He'd be a hit on the concert circuit."

Edward groaned. "Please don't say that. We need him here. When the Bishop comes for confirmation,

we'll be the envy of all the churches."

"Pride," I said. "And one must be prepared for the worst. Besides, it could be that they're just friends.

Roger doesn't seem to be marriage-minded and he's not fond of Robby."

"You'll see."

Laura rose. "Now that you and Katherine have tried to arrange lives, I think it's time to leave. As usual,

the food was wonderful and the game fun."

"Absolutely delicious." Edward said. "It was sweet of you to have us."

Lars and I walked them to the door. When they had reached their car, he put his arm around me. "Must

you always needle him?"

"If only he wasn't so sure and so full of pride. Besides, he'd think it odd if I didn't poke holes in his fantasies. Thanks for coming." He put his fingers on my lips. "Don't toss me out yet. Let me give you a hand in the kitchen and try to persuade you to at least visit me this winter."

"We'll see." I hid a yawn with my hand. "First, let the beast out of his cage."

A moment later Robespierre bounded into the kitchen. Lars followed with a pair of shredded panty hose

in his hand. "Your bedroom's a disaster area and I hope you weren't planning to wear these again."

I glared at the cat. "You're not funny."

Lars laughed. "He's spoiled."