Wheres Inez? Harry asked as she walked into the store. Sorry. Im Harry Haristeen. You must be Tina Hotchkiss.
The slender woman in her mid-forties smiled. Inez is in the storage room.
Harry called out, Inez, what are you doing in there?
Inez came out. I cant find the little potsthe pint-size and quart-size pots with the beautiful glazes. Tina says she never saw them.
I have the large ones. Arent they beautiful?
They certainly are, Inez agreed. Tina, these had some of the same glazes but were small; you could use them for flower arrangements. And they were heavy. Full of sand, I guess, with big round corks sealed with wax.
Never saw them. Tina shrugged.
Harry changed the subject. Much business?
Yes, Ive been pleasantly surprised.
Harry asked, May I? as she reached for a small notepad on the counter.
Of course.
She scribbled her home number and her cell. If you need anything, Im about a half hour away in Crozetmore when its peak traffic time. But I can get here.
Thank you so much. Garvey offered his services, too.
Did you know Terri? Inez inquired.
Actually, I didnt. I know Liz from our days in Junior League. Course, were too old now. She smiled. But not that old. Anyway, I had an art gallery down on Cary Street in Richmond. Liz and Tim were regulars, and I got to know him a bit, too. I finally gave it up. Id worked around the clock for ten years. That was enough, but now that Im back here, I realize how much I miss retail. The challenge of it.
I dont know how anyone does it. Harry smiled back at her. Were sure glad youre here.
Once Harry was back in the wagon, up went the windows and she cranked the motor.
Can you swing by BB&T? Inez named a regional bank that had bought out many small local banks over the last ten years.
Sure, Inez. Let me think a minute. Our best bet will be over by the
university, by the giant clam. Theres one down there on 250. Wont be too crowded.
Isnt that clam the ugliest thing youve ever seen? Inez mentioned the basketball arena.
It is. If you want to make a list of hateful architecture, we could start with Madison Square Garden.
Fortunately, I dont go to New York anymore, so I dont have to see it. To think that Penn Station, one of the most beautiful public buildings in America, was destroyed for that ugly mess.
Was Penn Station a public building? Harry wondered.
You know, Im not sure. Somewhere along the line it was owned by the railroad. Ah, here we are. That didnt take long.
Want to go to the drive-in window?
No. I just want to check my account balance. Tally teases me. She says Im obsessive about my money. I wont repeat what I tell her, but it rhymes with rich witch.
Want me to come with you?
No, Im fine. This way you can turn on the radio. Inez winked as she opened the door, grateful that the station wagon wasnt any lower to the ground.
Harry did turn on the radio, just in time to hear one of her favorite Kenny Chesney songs.
When the sun goes down.
Tucker and Erno sang along.
Will you two shut up?
the cats instantly complained.
The dogs didnt.
Mrs. Murphy and Pewter hopped over onto the backseats.
Send them to Nashville. I dont want to hear it.
Pewters hackles rose to indicate further displeasure.
Jealous, oh, so jealous,
Tucker sang to the melody.
That dog is mental. Seriously,
Pewter intoned.
Uh-oh. Harry looked at Inezs face as she exited the bank.
Inez got into the vehicle, fished into her purse, and plucked out her cell phone. Somethings not right. I told Liz to sell my Delta Petroleum stocks. She named a company in which she had a small number of stocks. Seems she didnt do it, because the funds were to
be transferred into my account. These things are so easy now. When I was young I had to go to my broker in person.
Obviously, she forgot.
Harry, if youre in financial services you dont forget things like that. Not if you want to stay in business.
She dialed the office.
The recording said, Youve reached Filmore Investment Services. This is Tim. Im in Frankfurt this week, but Liz will get back to you. Thank you for calling.
Rats. Inez next dialed Lizs cell.
Again, she heard a recording.
At the beep, Inez spoke in clear tone, Liz, this is Inez. My funds arent in my account at BB&T. Please call me. Also, the lovely little pots are not at the store. Thought youd like to know. You can reach me on my cell. Good-bye. She pressed the end button. I am furious. Flat-out furious. Then she dialed again. Liz, sometimes my cell doesnt work near the mountains. Its eleven. Ill be at Tallys until two.
On the way to Rose Hill, Harry turned her eyes from the road for an instant. Inez, why wouldnt the pots be there?
Dammed if I know.
Because Liz came back and took them. Harry waited a beat, as Inez sharply turned her head. Right. Who else has a key? Maybe Garvey. Hes so close. Its possible Terri trusted him with a key. Worth a call.
Call him. Ill call him. Youre driving. Inez punched in the numbers. Hello, is Garvey Watson there? Pause. Garvey, this is Inez. Fine. How are you? Pause. Say, Garvey, you dont have a key to Terris store, do you? Another pause. Just checking. Hope you sell a lot of good stuff this weekend. Pause. You, too. She rested her chin in her palm.
The minute Harry and Inez got to Aunt Tallys, Inez used the landline to try Lizs cell again, getting the same result.
Damn. She put down the phone, then explained everything to her old friend.
Harry told the two ladies, Im going over to Little Mims. Said Id
help her put in her vegetable garden. If I dig in the dirt, it helps clean my mind. Im a little jangled.
Honey, we all are. Aunt Tally then suggested, Want to leave your critters here? Just in case Tucker decides to dig.
Im not a terrier.
Tucker was incensed.
No, youre a bubble butt.
Pewter giggled.
As Harry left, Inez counseled Aunt Tally, Why dont you get the balance on your checking and savings accounts?
I didnt sell any stock, Aunt Tally responded. Well, maybe I should.
Does anyone have access to your account?
No. I keep my bank books in the drawer of my desk.
What about Bev? She named Aunt Tallys housekeeper, daughter of Big Mims housekeeper. Where is she, by the way?
Grocery shopping. Fridays are supermarket days. She goes out to the Harris Teeter on 250.
Doodles followed, along with Tucker and Erno, as the two women walked into the den.
Aunt Tally pulled out her bank books and dialed.
After giving her account number, she listened, then looked up at Inez. Im fine.
The two returned to the living room, where light poured in through the triple-sash windows.
You know how I get about money. Im probably being too fussy. Inez then said, Lets take a walk. Ill feel better.
The two went out to enjoy the early blooms in the garden, returning for a cup of tea in forty-five minutes. The air had invigorated them.
They had no sooner sat down, with Aunt Tally leaning her gold-headed cane against the table, than the three dogs barked.
Intruder! Intruder!
A knock on the door got them both up.