Rest in Pieces

Chapter Two

Chapter TwoOPHELIA WAS GRINNING in an unpleasant way at Pearl Perry, wife of the state senate candidate. Pearl, as usual, was perfectly attired in a crisp and rather matronly dress without a hair out of place. The only difference in her usual appearance was the stress that was evident on Pearl’s delicate features.

“Perhaps Pearl is wondering how best to escape from Ophelia’s company,” mused Beatrice to Meadow.

They watched as Pearl opened up her purse, pulled something out, and leaned toward Ophelia in a quietly conspiratorial way, reaching her hand and its contents out to Ophelia and peering earnestly at her.

Ophelia’s face contorted with fury and she slapped Pearl’s hand away, causing money to fly at Pearl, falling in her lap, the table, and the ground beneath.

“How dare you!” snarled Ophelia. “I’ll have you know that I have plenty of money! Gobs of it!” She stood up, kicking the chair out of the way, and stormed out of the reception.

“Lovely,” said Beatrice dryly. “All we needed was a huge scene at the wedding to draw attention away from Piper and Ash’s big day. Thanks, Ophelia. And I hope Pearl is all right. She looks as if she wants to disappear into the floor.”

Meadow said, “How absolutely ridiculous! Maybe everyone didn’t see that, although the way that they’re looking sure makes me think that they did. It’ll be the talk of the town tomorrow, even though I think only the closest tables heard it. Thank heaven for the loud band in the background.”

“Here comes Pearl now,” said Beatrice. “Judging from the expression on her face, it looks like she knows we spotted her altercation with Ophelia.”

Pearl’s normally-pale features were infused with a blotchy flush. She held her arms crossed across her body in a defensive posture.

“I’m so, so sorry about that,” she said quickly to Beatrice and Meadow. “What a terrible thing to create a scene on such a beautiful and special occasion.” She glanced quickly around her as if to gauge how many of the wedding guests might have witnessed her argument with Ophelia. Pearl’s husband, Barton, was in a conversation with a small group of people but Beatrice saw him watching them through narrowed eyes.

Meadow said firmly in the tone of someone who wishes something to be true, “I don’t think that anyone really noticed—just a small handful of people. Is everything all right?”

Pearl blinked. “Yes. Well, at least, I suppose so. I was surprised to see Ophelia here.”

“So were we,” said Meadow ruefully. “Neither Beatrice nor I invited her.”

“When I saw her here a few minutes ago, I remembered hearing that she’d come upon some hard times recently,” said Pearl in a rush. “And I think she has a local relative who isn’t good about helping Ophelia out. I tried to discreetly give Ophelia a little money, just to tide her over a bit. And, well, you saw what happened.” The blotchy redness was now creeping down Pearl’s neck. “She totally lost it.”

“That was very kind of you,” said Meadow, beaming at Pearl.

“Was it? I don’t know. With Barton running for office and everything, I suppose it’s simply reminded me of my civic duties. I was only trying to help.” But Pearl looked away as she said the words and Beatrice had the feeling that she knew more than she was saying. Then Pearl quickly changed tack. She glanced back at Beatrice with somewhat misty eyes. “It’s been such a lovely wedding,” she said. “They look so happy together.”

Beatrice, never a fan of tears, said quickly, “There’s something about weddings that really brings out the emotion in us, isn’t there?”

Pearl said, “Something.” She brushed her eyes impatiently with her hand and said earnestly to Beatrice and Meadow, “I hope they’re as happy in 25 years as they are tonight.” She steadied herself. “By the way, Beatrice, I feel terrible about this, but Barton and I forgot to bring Piper’s and Ash’s wedding gift here. I should have mailed it to them sooner, anyway. I’m so sorry. I’m guessing they’re going directly out of town for their honeymoon? I’ll bring it over to your house tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. In fact, I have some errands tomorrow morning and would be happy to drop by and pick it up,” said Beatrice. There went any plans of staying in pajamas. But Beatrice didn’t really mind because she knew that sometimes when she was truly exhausted, that’s when she ended up with the most frenetic energy.

“Are you sure? That would be great,” said Pearl.

Beatrice was about to respond to her when Meadow gasped. “They’re about to cut the cake!” She grabbed Beatrice’s arm and they hurried over, the crowd of guests around the cake table parting for the mothers of the bride and groom and making room for them at the very front.

June Bug’s magnificent cake was another crowning achievement, as Beatrice had known it would be. It was gorgeous to look at and moist and delicious to eat. She somehow managed to have enough time to actually savor a slice before needing to talk with anyone else. And she and Wyatt were able to slip in several more dances before Piper threw her bouquet and the happy couple left for their honeymoon under a full moon and a sky dotted with stars.

The next morning, Beatrice woke up with a smile on her face. It had been such a wonderful evening that it almost felt like a dream. She tried to move quietly, so as not to wake Wyatt. It was Sunday morning, and usually that meant they were both at the church. But they’d planned ahead to take this day off, and a new associate minister at the church was at the helm this morning. Sometimes Wyatt was able to sleep in if Beatrice were quiet enough when she got out of bed. She turned to look at him and was surprised to see that he wasn’t there.

Beatrice pulled on a robe and slippers and walked into the living room to see Wyatt slipping back in the house with a smiling Noo-noo on a leash. He spotted Beatrice and smiled, holding up a paper bag.

“I decided to walk downtown with Noo-noo and get some muffins from June Bug’s shop,” said Wyatt, stooping to take the leash off the little corgi.

Beatrice said, “You sure were quiet! I thought you were still in the bed. Or maybe I was sleeping so soundly that I didn’t hear a thing.”

“I think all the excitement of the night before kept me awake. I finally decided to stop tossing and turning and get up. June Bug’s shop opens early and after that delicious cake last night, I was in the mood for more of her baking,” said Wyatt, leaning over to give Beatrice a light kiss. He washed his hands in the kitchen and pulled out two plates.

Beatrice poured them both coffee and then settled down at the kitchen table. “I must have been more worn out than I thought to have slept that hard. It was a beautiful wedding, although I haven’t spoken to so many people at an event since I was a museum curator.”

“Everyone looked like they were having fun,” said Wyatt. He pulled out blueberry and banana nut muffins and put them on the plates, then frowned for a second. “Was everything all right between Pearl and Ophelia? At one point when I was speaking to someone, I glanced over and it looked as though they were having a disagreement of some kind.” Noo-noo, still panting a little from her walk, tried to inconspicuously get directly under Wyatt so that she could see any muffin crumbs that might fall. She wanted to ensure that the crumbs never reached the floor.

“They were, although I’m not sure it was for the reason that Pearl was saying. She indicated that she’d heard Ophelia had fallen on hard times and she was trying to lend her money, surreptitiously. But Ophelia seemed quite offended and yelled that she had plenty of money. Pearl ended up dropping the money all over the floor and Ophelia stormed away. It was all very dramatic.” Beatrice buttered the muffins, which were still warm and gave a happy sigh After a few moments she asked, “Do you think that Ophelia is doing as well as she says? Should the church do anything to help?”

Wyatt shook his head slowly. “She certainly doesn’t live very high on the hog, but I’ve never had any indication from her that she was having any sort of financial difficulty. And the church can help, but only if we’re asked. It sounds as though Ophelia might be too proud to ask for help, if she needs it at all. I’ve always had the impression that she just leads a very simple life.”

Beatrice snapped her fingers and glanced over at the clock on the kitchen wall. “Going back to Pearl, I did tell her that I was going to be running errands this morning and would stop by her house to pick up a wedding present for Piper and Ash. I should finish eating this and then head on out. I’m getting something of a late start today.”

“I could go with you, if you don’t mind combining errands. I’m not going to the church until later today, and I do have a couple of things I need to take care of,” said Wyatt.

After Beatrice got ready, they headed out with Beatrice behind the wheel. They drove to the grocery store and the drugstore before driving to Barton and Pearl’s house. It was one of the larger homes in Dappled Hills, a brick Colonial with mountain views. It was directly next to the lakefront park where Piper and Ash had their wedding reception.

Beatrice parked in the driveway. “I’ll just ring the doorbell and pop right back to the car,” she said. “Won’t be but a minute.”

She’d hopped out of the car and was walking to the front door when Barton Perry came staggering around the side of the house. His still-handsome face was white with shock as he wordlessly held out his hands to Beatrice. Instead of his usual suit and bowtie, he was wearing track pants and a gray tee shirt.

“Barton? What’s wrong?” asked Beatrice sharply.

“Dead,” said Barton, eyes open wide.

“Who’s dead?” asked Beatrice, hurrying to his side. Wyatt got out of the car and walked toward them, his face concerned.

“Pearl.” The name came out in a kind of groan.

“In the backyard?” asked Beatrice.

“I’ll call Red,” said Wyatt, pulling his phone out of his pocket. He followed closely behind Beatrice as she walked around the side of the house. Barton leaned against the hood of Beatrice’s car, head in his hands.

In Pearl’s lovely backyard, full of brightly-flowering shrubs and plants, was Pearl. She was slumped on her side, a large, broken flowerpot lying next to her head.