Requiem Murder Part 35

Pete and I left the sanctuary. Edward waved from the side porch. We walked through the garden and

joined him.

"This is dreadful, simply dreadful," Edward said. "We're going to have to bless the church and I don't know what I can tell the Vestry. Poor Mrs. Simpson."

I looked at Pete. He raised an eyebrow.

"Judith's been sick a long time," I said.

Edward shook his head. "I don't understand what went wrong. He was the perfect organist -- talented, dedicated and charming." He sighed. "And Judith was the perfect wife, the perfect mother and a perfectly

dedicated choir member. Katherine, we're approaching another holiday season and there's no organist.

You must lend your aid."

Pete rolled his eyes. I poked him in the ribs.

"Edward, I can't. I've too much with the bazaar, the holidays and I'm taking a trip out west." The instant

I made the announcement, I knew my decision was right. I'd accept Lars' invitation to spend New Year's Eve with him.

Pete took my arm. "Reverend Potter, I'll talk to you later. This lady needs to get home."

"He's right. I'm exhausted. Don't worry. Things will work out."

"I certainly hope so."

Pete walked me to my car. "Taking a trip is a good idea. Are you going to be all right?"

"I'll be fine. I need to plan for my weekend guests. Do you have a cot I can borrow for tomorrow night?"

"Since you'll have Marcie, Beth and I can change our plans."

"No need. Robby and Andrea will help Marcie forget about what happened. About the cot?"

"Will an air mattress do?"

"As long as you bring a pump."

"Will do." He kissed my cheek. "Be careful."

"Always."

The sound of his laughter followed me home.

*At a few minutes past three thirty, Marcie arrived. She sat at the kitchen table and lifted Robespierre to her lap.

"I'm glad you went to school today."

She smiled. "The counselor told me hiding was the worst thing I could do. What happened to Mom? Dad left a weird message for me."

"She's in the hospital."

"Here?"

"Across the river. In a private psychiatric hospital."

She rubbed the cat's head. "Her drinking?"

"Partly."

"Will she get better?"

"I don't know. Your dad's with her and he's staying over there tonight. He'll call this evening. He'd like

you to spend the weekend here...Now, how are you?" Though I could have told her more about the

morning's events, I think Martin should be the one to tell her.

"Numb. Angry. I wish he wasn't dead so I could tell him what I think of him." She sighed. "He was a wonderful musician. Why wasn't he satisfied with doing the best he could? Why did he have those crazy ideas? Why did I fall for them?"

"You weren't the first." I set some cookies on the table. "Milk or tea?"

"Milk."

"Andrea and Robby will be here this weekend, too. Do you think you can handle that?"

"I'll be gone most of tomorrow. There are my cla.s.ses and the counselor." She ate one of the cookies.

"We could rent some videos to entertain them."

"Andrea's bringing a couple from home."

She ate a second cookie. "Do you mind if I run home for some clothes and to practice." She smiled. "He

didn't take my music. I can feel it inside."

"I'm glad."

After she finished the snack, she hugged me and left. She'd be fine. Not today or tomorrow, but soon.

She still believed in her talent. Nothing Roger or her mother had done would destroy that.*At a little after six the next morning, the doorbell rang. I put the hairbrush down and left the bathroom.

Marcie rolled over. I tiptoed past the couch where Andrea slept. Robespierre arrived first, followed by Pete and Robby.

"Put him in my bed."

"I'm awake," Robby said.

"You were supposed to go back to sleep."

"Can't. I'm hungry." He looked at the pan of cinnamon rolls I'd just taken from the oven. "Want one of those."

Beth arrived and halted in the doorway. "Quiet, Robby. Marcie and Andrea are sleeping." She dropped

a duffel and a pillow on the floor.

Robby sat at the kitchen table. "One roll and then you can rest until the girls get up." I poured him a gla.s.s of milk and put a roll on a plate.

Beth hugged him and hovered. I took her arm. "He'll be fine. Hanging around won't make it easier to leave. I'll walk you down." I halted on the landing to let Pete dash past. "Now tell me how you are."

She smiled. "Excited and scared."

"You'll have fun."

"I know, but I never expected -- From friend to fiance in two weeks is fast."

"He loves you and he's never said that before."

"So he told me." She opened the front door. "How's Marcie?"

"Angry. Sad. Martin told her about her mother last evening. She's not ready to talk about her feelings yet. She's seeing a counsellor today and I'll be here to listen."

"And Judith?"

I shrugged. "She's still catatonic. There's a lot she has to face." I hugged Beth. "Tuck this mess in a dark corner and have a fun weekend."

"I will." She grinned. "Pete asked me to marry him and Robby said yes."

Laughter, hers and mine, blended. Pete strode up the walk carrying an air mattress and a pump.

"Secrets?"

"Just heard about your romantic proposal. Smart kid. Congratulations."

"Thanks." He winked. "Bet you never thought I'd take the plunge."

"Don't bet on that." I took the things from him. "Off with you. Enjoy."

The End.