Page 78 of Murder on the Page

“You’re sweet to offer, but I’m really not interested.”

Tegan put the bag of food on the small table and pulled outthe containers. The Brewery had supplied paper plates and plastic utensils. “Allie, you take the settee. Mom and I will pull these chairs over. You each want something of everything, right?”

“Yes, please,” I said.

Noeline fetched another wineglass from the dresser and poured some red wine into it. “It’s Chianti. I hope you like it.” She handed it to me. “I heard you saw Vanna last night, Allie.”

Oof.What had Vanna told her? “I, um, yes, we . . .” I realized I hadn’t mentioned the altercation to Tegan.

“Vanna said she improperly accused you of stealing clients,” Noeline went on.

“She what?” My voice squeaked. Vanna told the truth? Well, I’ll be.

Tegan said, “The nerve of her. You? Filch her clients?”

“She didn’t mean it,” I said quickly, cutting Vanna some slack. After all, I’d delivered the final barb. “I mean, she did . . . accuse me . . . but she was ginned up from the music at the festival. It was rowdy.” Oh, wow, could I weave a yarn. “Please tell her I’m not mad at her.”

The corner of Noeline’s mouth started twitching, leading me to believe she knew the whole story. “Don’t worry,” she whispered, confirming my suspicion. “She has a short fuse, but she gets over her miffs just as fast.”

I sipped my wine, not believing her for a minute.

“She’s so like her father,” Noeline added. “The man could be such a hothead. Vanna leaps before she thinks. Why, that’s the very reason she accused you of murdering your aunt, darling.”

“Tegan . . .” I began, earnestly wanting to inform her that Zach considered her a person of interest again.

“Yes?”

I couldn’t speak. My mouth felt as if I’d swallowed alum. I licked the inside and started again. “Nothing.” Changing gears,I said, “Noeline, I’ve been meaning to ask. Do you know which jewelry store your sister frequented to have her jewelry cleaned, possibly the one who brokered her deals?”

Noeline shook her head. “She was circumspect about her purchases. I think she worried that I might chastise her for spending so much money.”

“I thought her long-lost lover gave her the jewelry,” Tegan said.

“Some of it,” her mother replied, “but not all.”

Tegan set our plates on the table and passed us each a napkin. “Dig into the food, and then, Allie, spill. What have you drummed up?”

“Detective Armstrong would prefer if I didn’t.”

“Don’t listen to him,” Tegan said. “It’s not like the police are breaking any speed barriers solving Auntie’s murder.”

“Who do you suspect?” Noeline asked around a mouthful of potato skin topped with sour cream and chives.

I told her the three names and why, adding that Marigold might have discovered Katrina’s secret regarding her ex-boyfriend. I recapped how Upton hounded Katrina at the Brewery earlier, but she wouldn’t talk to me about it.

“Do you think Auntie wrote down what she knew?” Tegan asked.

“Good question. We should look through her computer tomorrow and review any notes she might have jotted down.”

“Tell Mom about Graham.”

I did, adding that we weren’t sure about the specifics of his argument with Marigold.

“As for Piper Lowry,” I said, “Quinby Canfield is convinced she’s a killer.”

“Quinby Canfield.” Noeline wrinkled her nose. “That man could kill a fake plant.”

I detected some history between them, but didn’t have to ask because Noeline continued.

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