Angel's Flight (A Mercy Allcutt Mystery) (31 page)

      “A pistol, is she?” Father sounded skeptical, but he left Ernie when Chloe introduced him to Mr. Easthope.

      Francis Easthope was ever the gentleman, and he was suavity itself as he took Father’s hand and shook it. He even gave a teensy bow. “Mr. Allcutt.”

      “Mr. Easthope.”

      And that was it for them.

      Harvey and Father already knew each other, and exchanged all the proper greetings and expressions of pleasure. And that’s another thing. Harvey had met our parents before he married Chloe, and he married her anyway. You have to honor a man like that.

      Somehow, we all got through dinner. It was probably quite tasty, since it always is, but I can’t even remember what was served.

      After dinner, Mother regaled Father with my many sins, concluding with what she termed a “shootout” with a murderer that very afternoon. Father raised his eyebrows but didn’t scold me. I must admit to being a trifle surprised. Perhaps, given his own foibles, he’d softened his attitude toward his children somewhat. Unlikely, but you never knew.

      “And, Chloe and Mercedes, your father and I have decided to visit Pasadena and see if we can find a suitable winter home there. It’s such a lovely community.”

      “A . . . a winter home?” Chloe stammered.

      “Yes.”

      “In P-pasadena?” That was my shaky contribution.

      “Yes.”

      And then Mother did something I’d never have anticipated if I’d been given all eternity to do so.

      She admitted she’d been wrong.

      “I fear I leapt to a rather tasteless conclusion, my dears.”

      Good God! She was even calling us her dears! I sneaked a peek at Chloe, who was doing likewise at me.

      “Your father’s secretary, Miss Jenkins, had just become engaged when I visited the office. Albert was wishing her the very best of luck.” She took a deep breath and apologized. She
apologized
. The speaking looks whizzing between Chloe and me that evening could have filled the Grand Canyon. “I’m terribly sorry for my impulsiveness.”

      “That’s perfectly all right, my dear. It’s all forgotten now.”

      Not by Chloe and me. You could bet your life on that.

      “I’ve always thought her a lovely girl,” Mother said condescendingly.

      “She’s marrying my chief cashier, Robert Goodhugh,” Father put in, looking almost happy. Boy,
that
didn’t happen often. “I’m sure they’ll make a most suitable couple.”

      Suitable. Hmm. I guess that was a good thing.

      As if reacting to a cue given offstage, Mother and Father rose to their feet. Father said, “Well, my dears, I must thank you for a most delightful evening. Honoria and I will be repairing to the Melrose Hotel, where I’ve stashed my belongings. We’ll be back tomorrow to pick up her traps.”

      And they left us there. I’m not sure about the others, because I could only stare at the retreating backs of my parents, but my mouth was hanging open.

      As soon as the door opened, Chloe and I leaped to our feet and threw ourselves into each other’s arms.

      “It can’t be true,” I cried.

      “It had better not be,” cried Chloe back at me.

      “What can’t be true?” Ernie. “I thought you’d be happy that they’d reconciled.”

      We whirled as one to face the men. I said, “Of course, we’re happy that they’ve reconciled.”

      “Naturally. Good God, I can’t even
imagine
what life would be like if Mother decided to live with Harvey and me for all eternity,” said Chloe.

      “So what’s the problem? Sounds like all your troubles have come to a satisfactory conclusion.”

      “Shows how much you know,” I said bitterly.

      Ernie lifted an ironical eyebrow.

      Chloe and I exchanged one last speaking look. Actually, it was more a look of mutual horror. It was I who explained things to Ernie. “Our parents are going to be moving to California! That’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to us!”

      Ernie only laughed.

      “Bite him, Buttercup,” I commanded.

      But she didn’t. I swear, sometimes you can’t even rely on your best friend.

About the Author
 

      Award-winning author Alice Duncan lives with a herd of wild dachshunds (enriched from time to time with fosterees from New Mexico Dachshund Rescue) in Roswell, New Mexico. She’s not a UFO enthusiast; she’s in Roswell because her mother’s family settled there fifty years before the aliens crashed. Since her two daughters live in California, where Alice was born, she aims to return there as soon as possible. Alice would love to hear from you at
[email protected]
. And be sure to visit her website at
http://www.zianet.com/aduncan/
.