“From what you’ve told me,” said Sheriff Billings addressing Theodosia, “I’m fairly certain Bobby Wayne planted that fire accelerant in Fayne Hamilton’s garage. To, you know, implicate her in the fire and supposedly the murder.”
“Because Fayne was in love with Mark,” mused Theodosia.
“Probably more like infatuated,” said Drayton.
“But when Bobby Wayne found out that you’d called Detective Tidwell about the Bahamian company, he obviously panicked,” said Haley.
“Right,” said Parker. “Because there probably isn’t any such company.”
“But Mark was going there . . .” protested Theodosia. “He’d bought a plane ticket.”
“I just got off the phone with Tidwell no more than ten minutes ago,” said Sheriff Billings. “If Mark had actually gone to the Bahamas, he would have found a big fat nothing. According to Tidwell there are no Bahamian futures commission merchants.”
“So Bobby Wayne was in a panic because of my call to Tidwell,” said Theodosia, gazing at Sheriff Billings. “I didn’t mean to step on your toes.”
“Step away.” He laughed. “By doing so, you forced Bobby Wayne’s hand so to speak. Smoked him out.”
Drayton shook his head. “Bobby Wayne probably figured that since Harlan Noble and Leah Shalimar were suspects—and both docents at Carthage Place—he could implicate them by bringing you out here and dumping your body.”
Theodosia thought for a moment. “But Harlan Noble was at the orchid show.”
“Not for long,” said Drayton. “Harlan stormed out in protest over my entry.”
“Really?” said Theodosia.
“And Leah wasn’t there at all,” added Haley. “So probably Bobby Wayne figured that since both of them were suspects, either one could have kidnapped and dragged you out here.”
“Okay,” said Theodosia, still digesting all this. “Did Leah Shalimar know about the bogus company in the Bahamas?”
“Doubtful,” said Sheriff Billings.
“Leah knew sales,” said Drayton. “She told me herself that she’d sold Jaguars and Mercedes and before that time-share condos. She bragged that she could sell ice to Eskimos. My guess is, you tell Leah to sell, she’ll sell. But no way is she a financial genius.”
“But Mark Congdon was,” said Theodosia.
“Yes,” said Sheriff Billings. “Mark knew his business. Which is why he was suspicious. And had probably launched his own investigation. He must have suspected that Bobby Wayne was involved in something nefarious.”
“But Bobby Wayne got to him first,” said Theodosia.
“Killed him and then burned down the Featherbed House.”
“He must have thought Mark Congdon had serious evidence on him,” said Sheriff Billings. He sighed, fingered the brim of his Smokey Bear hat. “If there’s any upside to this at all, it’s that your friend is in the clear and she’ll soon have a pile of insurance money to help her rebuild.”
“Still,” said Drayton, “a very sad state of affairs.” He stared at Theodosia with sorrowful eyes.
“Drayton,” said Theodosia suddenly. She pulled herself upright, put a hand to her head. “I forgot all about Orchid Lights. Did your monkey-face orchid win a blue ribbon?”
Drayton crossed his arms, tucked in his chin, and shook his head solemnly.
“Oh, I’m sorry . . .” began Theodosia.
Then Drayton’s hand dipped inside his jacket pocket and he withdrew a bright purple ribbon that fluttered from a giant purple rosette.
“Drayton!” squealed Theodosia.
A grin split his lined face as he handed the ribbon to Theodosia. “A purple ribbon,” he told her. “Judge’s Special Award of Merit.”
“I knew it,” said Theodosia, grinning at him.
“It was the moss goobers, as you so aptly named them,” said Drayton. “And that marvelous bell jar Charlie came up with. The judges said they were bowled over by the creativity of the display.”
“There’s that thinking outside the box thing,” quipped Haley. “Or is it thinking inside the jar?”
“I’m so happy for you,” Theodosia told Drayton.
“We better get you to an emergency room,” broke in Parker, looking more than a little concerned. “Get your poor head X-rayed, CAT scanned, and stitched if need be.”
“I really am feeling a lot better,” said Theodosia. And she was. Surrounded by dear friends, her ordeal over, she felt warm, secure, and much loved.
“Parker is quite correct,” said Drayton. “It’s off to the hospital for you.”
There was the familiar clatter and rattle of china, and then everyone turned as Miss Maybelle set an elaborate tea tray down on the low table in front of them.
“Leaving already?” she asked. “And I just made tea.”
“Tea.” Theodosia sighed. Just the idea of sipping fresh-brewed tea went a long way to soothe her jangled nerves.
Drayton glanced about nervously. “Is there time?”
Placing one of Miss Maybelle’s needlepoint pillows behind her head, Theodosia leaned back against the couch and said, “There’s always time for tea.”
Favorite Recipes From
The Indigo Tea Shop
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
1 cup mashed cooked sweet potatoes
3 Tbsp melted butter
1–2 Tbsp milk
Sift flour, salt, and baking powder into a medium bowl, stir in sugar. In a separate bowl, mix sweet potatoes and 2 Tbsp. butter, then add in dry ingredients. Mix to form a soft dough, adding milk as necessary. Place on floured surface and roll out or pat with hands to form a round that’s about ½-inch thick. Using a 2-inch cookie cutter, cut out scones, then place on greased cookie sheet. Brush tops with remaining 1 Tbsp. of melted butter. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until light brown. Serve warm with butter and honey.
8 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
2 Tbsp minced green onion
1½ Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1⁄3 cup mayonnaise
¼ tsp salt
2 cups iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
8 slices chewy bread
Chop eggs. Stir in onion, mustard, mayonnaise, and salt. Chill mixture. To prepare sandwiches, butter bread, then spread egg salad on 4 slices of the bread. Gently pile on shredded lettuce, then top with remaining bread slices. Using a sharp knife, carefully trim crusts and cut into quarters or finger sandwiches. Keep covered with plastic wrap until ready to serve. Note: this egg salad can also be served in croissants.
1 lb crab meat
1½ cups white sauce
2 eggs, separated and beaten
¼ cup green pepper, chopped and lightly sautéed
¼ cup onion, chopped and lightly sautéed
½ tsp Tabasco sauce
¼ cup shredded Cheddar or Jack cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Add beaten egg yolks to white sauce and stir. Mix in crab meat, green pepper, onion, Tabasco sauce, and dash of salt and pepper. Gently fold in beaten egg whites, pour into baking dish, and top with shredded cheese. Bake for 20 minutes in 375-degree oven until golden brown. Yields 4 servings.
2 cups brewed black tea, chilled
1½ cups frozen strawberries
1 (6-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate