Requiem Murder Part 6

my hand on her shoulder. "I think that's what one feels until someone or something fills the void."

"Did you ever consider marrying again?" She poured red wine into a clear gla.s.s carafe. "Unfortunately, the only other man I felt that way about wasn't available until I'd grown accustomed to independence." As I spoke, I carried food to the dining room.

The doorbell rang. Beth opened the door and peered down the steps. She turned and giggled. "Quick, your shoes. It's Ralph and his mother."

By the time the first guests reached the kitchen, I'd stepped into my shoes and my role as gracious hostess. When Ralph presented a tin of b.u.t.ter mints, Beth's grin nearly ruined my dignified thanks. I put the gift on the buffet beside the hand-pressed wafers I'd bought at Sweetness, a candy shop up town. Bob and Betty Peters arrived just ahead of Edward and Laura. At the sound of Edward's voice, Robespierre charged out of the bedroom where he usually hid beneath one of the sleigh beds when I had company. He leaped on Edward's shoes.

"Katherine, call off the cat. Why can't I ever visit without being attacked?"

"Either he likes you or you've walked in something that sends him into ecstasy."

"He swears the cat wants him for dinner." Laura rolled her eyes. "I think it's the new shoe polish." She poured two gla.s.ses of wine, handed one to Edward and filled a plate with an a.s.sortment of appetizers. She joined Bob and Betty on the couch. Edward sat on the loveseat beside Mrs. Greene.

When the Simpsons arrived, Judith tried to grab Robespierre. "Oh, you darling cat," she crooned.

He made himself small and slithered under the couch. Judith is one of the people he avoids.

"Your allergies," Martin said.

Judith glared at her husband. "I wasn't going to sleep with him. I just want to feel his soft fur with my hands."

"More like his claws in her fingers," Beth whispered. She filled a plate with shrimp, cheese and crackers and some other items. Her mouth curved into a smile.

I turned. Tall, broad-shouldered Lars Claybourne filled the doorway. With a flourish, he handed me a box of G.o.diva chocolates. "You're as beautiful as ever." He kissed the corner of my mouth.

"And you're still a liar." Lars and I have greeted each other this way for years. He, his wife, Charles and I had been great friends. Even after his wife died leaving him with four young children, there'd never been a party here when Lars wasn't included.

His blue eyes twinkled. "Let me see what oddities you've a.s.sembled. Is there anyone you want me to charm?"

"You're mine tonight."

"Threat or promise?" He strode into the living room. Judith's husky greeting was followed by Lars' booming laughter. All here but the guest of honor, I thought.

Robespierre emerged from beneath the couch. He positioned himself at the top of the stairs. I walked to the door.

Roger reached the landing. He held a huge bouquet of flowers. "I know it's like bringing jewels to a maharajah, but I ran out of inspiration."

"They're perfect. I was so busy this afternoon, I never cut flowers for the buffet."

He reached the next to last step. For a moment, I thought he meant to step back. "Cat." His deep voice sounded as though he was being strangled.

"Are you allergic?"

He shook his head. "Phobic." He backed down several steps.

Judith appeared at my side. She laughed and grabbed for Robespierre. The cat dashed through the living

room.

Roger walked upstairs and handed me the flowers. "Sorry. It's just...it's a long story."

"Lars, close the bedroom door." I smiled at Roger. "The next time you come, I'll send Robespierre to

Maria's. He likes to watch the baby."

Judith handed Roger a gla.s.s of wine. "I'd love to get my hands on that gorgeous beast, but every time I come close he runs. He comes to you and you don't want him."

"He's perverse," I said.

Judith pointed to the island table. "Try the appetizers. The shrimp are divine and the cheese ball piquant."

She turned to me. "When I retire from the library, will you give me cooking lessons?"

"If I'm still around. Surely that's years away."

She shook her head. "I told Martin that when Marcie graduates from high school, I'll have done my bit."

She took Roger's arm. "Let me introduce you to people."

I clamped my mouth shut. Somehow, she'd become the hostess.

Beth entered the kitchen. "Go inside. I'll take care of the flowers."

"The vases are in the bottom of the china cabinet."

After pausing to greet my guests again, I joined Lars on the window seat. Martin sat on one of the Queen

Anne chairs and Ralph sat on the other. Judith had drawn a folding chair beside the piano bench where

Roger sat. He tasted the shrimp and kissed his fingers in appreciation.

Conversation flowed around me. I caught bits of several conversations and the mes.h.i.+ngs amused me.

"Did you hear...Johnny took...seven strokes to reach...Beethoven's...

five puppies." The juxtaposition amused me.

Beth crossed the room and sat on the floor near the window seat. She sipped wine and watched Judith's attempt to claim exclusive possession of Roger's attention.

"Beth, there's room on the bench," Roger said.

Judith rose. "She can have my chair and I'll sit beside you. There are so many things I want to ask you."

Sultry tones muted her usually strident voice.

Betty Peters glared at Judith. The older woman rose and walked to the kitchen. Martin stiffened.

"Quite a collection," Lars whispered. "Is it guts or did you forget?"

What did he mean?

Roger carried his plate to the kitchen. When he and Betty returned, she wore a smile. Chalk up another

one who's succ.u.mbed to his charm.

Roger opened the piano. "Do you mind?"

"Of course not."

He played several short Mozart pieces. "This is a great instrument. I'll trade you upright. Mine needs to

be tuned every month."

"No trade. I've had this one for more years than you've lived."

"Play something we can sing." Judith's voice held a note of command. "That will give you some idea of

the quality of your choir."

"After dinner if Katherine asks. This is her house and her party."

Judith scowled and moved to stand behind Martin's chair. I wanted to laugh. She'd chosen Roger for her

next flirtation and he appeared indifferent.

I rose and walked to the piano. "Shall we lead the way to the buffet?"

Roger took my arm. While we ate, the conversation centered on St. Stephen's, the music program and the food.

After dessert and coffee, the Peters, Ralph Greene and his mother left. Edward, Laura, Martin and Judith lingered near the piano and listened to Roger's rendition of a Straus waltz. Beth, Lara and I worked in the kitchen. The music stopped, and moments later Roger appeared with Judith a few steps behind.

"Katherine, thank you for inviting us." Judith pushed between Roger and me. "Lovely party." Her fingers crept along his arm. "I'll call and we'll set a date for dinner. You can hear our daughter play and let her know she's not talented enough for a career in music. She's not half as good as you are."

"She's only sixteen," I snapped.

Roger stared at me. "What --" He swallowed the rest of his question.

Judith laughed. "Of course you would champion her. She was your student. Her latest madness is a

desire for voice lessons."

"They won't harm her," Martin said.

Judith stepped away from Roger and clamped her hand around her husband's arm. "We really must go.

Beth, don't keep Marcie up too late. She has to go to the city in the morning."

Once the Simpsons vanished down the stairs, Lars kissed my cheek. "I'm on my way. Call you tomorrow." "Thanks for coming." I turned to Beth and Roger. "Run along. I'll finish in the morning." Beth shook her head. "The dishwasher's ready to run. I'll hand wash the wine gla.s.ses. Won't take long." "Take less time if I help," Roger said. As soon as the wine gla.s.ses were in the china cabinet, Beth kissed my cheek. "See you Sunday,"

Roger kissed my other cheek. "Thanks again and don't forget the recipes."

As they walked downstairs, I smiled. What a nice looking couple, I thought, but I wouldn't meddle. I locked the door and headed to the bedroom.

Chaos greeted me. My cat had shown his displeasure at being relegated to one room. One of the bedspreads had been pulled from the bed. My robe and slippers lay in a tangle. I scratched Robespierre's head. "You've been busy. You wouldn't have enjoyed the party." He purred. "The man's afraid of you. He should realize you're just a big fluffy fool."*On Sunday after coffee hour, Edward cornered me on the stairs leading to the choir room. "Katherine, the dinner was superb, simply superb."