"She'd be appalled. Is Alison coming?"
"With bells on. Even Dad isn't too happy about that, but last night on the phone Viveca told him it was important to Alison." She glanced around like a guilty child and lowered her voice.
"While they were talking on the phone, I happened to pick up the extension and I didn't hang up."
"Lily!",
"Yes, I'm thoroughly ashamed of myself," Lily said, not looking at all ashamed. "Viveca was upset. She said Alison got quite distressed when she told her she didn't want her to attend the funeral and that she'd flung off to her bedroom in a fury. At around one-thirty in the morning she thought she heard the front door closing softly and someone coming up the stairs. Viveca got up and peeked in Alison's room. She was in bed, but she was dressed. Viveca said she didn't want to upset Alison by asking if she'd left the house, but it's pretty obvious she did." Lily raised an eyebrow. "Now where do you think someone like Alison Cosgrove would go in the middle of the night?"
Mrs. Collins had looked at every item in Curious Things. She picked up one thing after another, rejecting each after careful inspection. Finally she'd dithered over a pair of brass candlesticks until Paige thought she would scream. At last she bought them, paying the whole amount in five- and one dollar bills. Purchase in hand, she'd marched from the store to window-shop, although how anyone could enjoy window shopping at the hardware store and the office supply outlet Paige could not imagine. At last they'd made it to McDonald's where Mrs. Collins complained steadily about the terrible food although she ate every bite of her Big Mac, large order of fries, and apple pie.
When they reached home, Paige tore up the stairs to her bedroom and the precious phone. She stroked Ripley as she endured Mrs. Jenkins's inquiries about Paige's health, her father's health, and Mrs. Collins's health while a child whined maddeningly in the background. At last she put Jimmy on the line.
"Can you talk in private?" Paige asked.
"Yeah. Mom took my sister to her room. What's up?"
"This morning I was in a store owned by Mrs. Hunt's sister. Her name is Lily Peyton."
"I know who she is. She looks just like Tamara. She told me to call her Tamara, you know, not Mrs. Hunt. I liked her a lot. She always made me chocolate chip cookies."
Chocolate chip cookies, Paige thought. She would immediately learn to make them. "I met Natalie St. John."
"Who?"
"The lady vet who took home the dog that found Tamara's body. I think she's pretty. Real pretty."
Jimmy sighed. "Did you call just to talk about her?"
"No I did not," Paige snapped. "When we were in the store, my dad came in and asked Lily Peyton where her brother-in-law was. That would be Tamara's husband."
"Sure. His name is Warren but I always had to call him Dr. Hunt. Dad says he's a stuffed shirt."
"My dad seemed like he really wanted to talk to Dr. Hunt. You live right across the street. Isn't he home?"
"No. He's been gone all morning."
"How do you know?"
"The garage door is up. No car. And his morning paper is on the porch. He always gets it real early." There was a moment of silence. "Hey, I just remembered something! When we couldn't go to Ariel's last night because my sister Ivy got sick and everyone was up and I couldn't sneak out, I stayed awake and watched television. Ivy went to the emergency room."
"What's wrong with her?"
"Chest cold. She'll live. Anyway, I was looking out the window and I saw Dr. Hunt leave in his car. It was before midnight."
"When did he get back?"
"Mom and Dad brought Ivy home about one o'clock. I was watching Lethal Weapon 4 on HBO. Mom got mad. She thinks it's too violent. She made me go to bed, but I looked at the Hunts' house first. He hadn't come back."
Paige sat silent for a few seconds, thinking. Finally she said, "I think Dr. Hunt was gone all night. You have to tell my dad."
"He wouldn't believe me," Jimmy said glumly.
"He might not believe you about that creature at Ariel's house, but he'd believe you about this."
"Gosh, Paige, I don't know. My mom already gripes at me for spying. She calls me a little Peeping Tom. She'll be mad."
"You weren't spying. You just noticed. For Pete's sake, the guy lives right across the street."
"She's all upset over Ivy today and she'd blow up and call it spying and maybe ground me."
"Jimmy?"
"Yeah?"
"Eddie Salvatore would do it."
Silence. Then a voice full of determination. "You're right. I can't worry about getting grounded. I have a civic duty. I'll call your dad right now."
"Why aren't you at work today, Mama?"
Alison sat at the kitchen table tearing her wheat toast into tiny pieces.
Viveca poured a cup of tea and sat down. Her honey blond hair fell in soft waves to her shoulders and without makeup her skin was pale but unlined. "I'm taking a week off so I can arrange the funeral."
Alison began stacking the pieces of toast. "I don't like Lily."
"Really?" Viveca asked casually. "I thought you did after she sold us that brooch."
"It was Ariel's brooch. It belonged to us anyway and she should have just given it to me. But that's not why I don't like her. She looks at me like I'm crazy."
Viveca sipped her tea. "I'm sure that's just your imagination."
"Now you sound like you think I'm crazy," Alison huffed.
"Of course I don't. You're being too sensitive. Now eat your breakfast."
Alison threw her a mutinous look. "I hate wheat bread and I hate tea. Mrs. Krebbs, my keeper, knows that. Where is she?"
"Taking a few days for herself. Since I'm off this week, I thought we could spend some time together."
"Doing what?"
"Whatever you want. We could just relax and talk-"
" Warren had a girlfriend," Alison burst out.
Viveca's cup stopped halfway to her mouth. "What are you talking about?"
"He was having an affair. You know what an affair is."
Viveca set down her cup. "How do you know he was having an affair?"
"I have my ways."
"With whom?"
"I'm not going to tell you. You'll know soon enough. And you'll be surprised." Her malicious smile faded. "I was. I thought he was better than that. I thought he cared about me."
Viveca suddenly wanted nothing else to eat or drink. Her stomach had immediately twisted into a knot. "Dear, you've been listening to gossip."
"It is not gossip. I know."
Viveca's tongue touched her dry upper lip. "Do me a favor and don't repeat this. It's vicious."
Alison shrugged. "All right. Whatever you say. Your wish is my command. I live to please you. But everyone will know soon."
Alison pushed her plate away and glared out the window, twisting a lock of hair around an index finger.
Viveca made an effort to sound composed and offhand. "Dear, did you go out last night?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"No. I'm crazy. I'm not sure of anything."
"Darling, you are not crazy. Don't say such a thing. But you know it isn't safe for you to be out at night. After all, Tamara Hunt was murdered."
"So you think I might be murdered by the same person who killed her!"
"Yes."
Alison stared at her mother. Then she burst into shrill laughter.
"I need to talk to the sheriff."
Ted Hysell idly sketched a twelve-point buck. At least it was supposed to be a buck. It looked more like a Great Dane with antlers. "Look, son-"
"Jimmy. My name is Jimmy Jenkins. I already told you that."
Ted sighed. He'd have something to say to the new receptionist for putting this call through to him. She probably thought it was funny. She was a smart-alec and he didn't like her. She wouldn't have dared to show Meredith such a lack of respect.