Requiem Murder Part 13

fine with me, he accused me of sulking."

The hurt in her voice troubled me. She and Roger had been a couple since June. "I can't imagine you being possessive. I thought the two of you were just friends."

"It went a little further than that. Sure I had hopes, but I didn't push. He's the one who calls or just drops by. He's been coming to the house for dinner several nights a week, including Thursdays and then we go to choir and the Pub together. I thought I was being nice."

"You were."

And what about Roger, I wondered. What kind of game was he playing?

"Any problems before this?" I asked.

She nodded. "After the choir picnic I took Robby home and stayed there. I just couldn't stand people's

curiosity or chance another encounter with Judith. He thought Pete stayed. I'm sure Judith will gloat. She brags about seeing him."

"For voice lessons. She's the alto soloist for the Requiem."

Her eyes widened. "Why her?"

"Who knows. It's not that she's incompetent. She'll know her part. Her timing will be perfect, but there won't be an ounce of emotion in her delivery."

"I don't understand him."

"He seems to enjoy stirring the pot."

"What do you mean?"

"Marcie stopped by. She has a crush on him. He gives her advice on how to handle her mother and he's

helping her with a college search. Then he plays up to Judith." I sighed. "I wish he didn't make such beautiful music. It may not be worth all the trouble he's causing."

She straightened. "It's not his fault. It's hers. Why does she want him when she's married?"

My thoughts filled with Judith's drunken ramblings. "Maybe she has him confused with someone else.

I've never seen her act like she does with Roger during one of her flirtations. She was always content to tease."

"She's sick."

Indeed she was and I'd begun to think alcohol was an attempt to escape inner demons. A poor choice.

But I wasn't sure of Roger's innocence either. He was a vain creature who liked to be stroked, in some ways like the cats he feared.

"I guess you're free again."

Her face flushed. "Looks that way. Pete asked me out. We're going to dinner Sat.u.r.day night and taking

Robby. It's not a real date."

"At least he recognizes you're a mom. I think Roger resents Robby."

"Maybe." She smiled. "I'll stop by and let you know how things go." She entered the kitchen. "Robby,

put Robespierre down. Time to go home and make dinner."

After they left I wondered if I should speak to Roger when he came for lunch. Was he manipulating people and enjoying the animosity he stirred? Not that Judith needed any help to make misery for others.

***** The leaves on the trees outside my windows had just begun to change colors. From the window seat where Robespierre and I sat, I watched sunlight sparkle on the Hudson River. The clock chimed the half hour. Roger was due at noon. I lifted the cat and carried him downstairs. Maria had agreed to keep him for the afternoon. I trudged across the lawn and rang the bell. Maria answered. Robespierre leaped from my arms and trotted upstairs.

Maria smiled. "Mrs. Miller, you must come and see. El nino sleeps but soon he will wake."

In the nursery Robespierre sat on the floor in front of the crib. As soon as Carlos stirred, the cat began to

talk. The baby gurgled and Robespierre answered.

"That's the most I've ever heard him talk."

"They do this much. Paul laugh when he hear them. Soon he will come home for lunch and there will be

much laughter. I wish you could be here to see."

"I'm having a guest so today's not a good time."

"We will have the lunch or dinner soon. I will tell you when."

At home I put the finis.h.i.+ng touches on lunch. Today I was serving open face turkey and ham sandwiches

with a piquant cheddar sauce, salad and fudge brownie ice cream b.a.l.l.s.

Roger was prompt. As we ate, we talked about the weather, the arrival of autumn and the town. There were no openings for the subjects that troubled me and I didn't want to be rude.

After lunch, we went to the living room. I opened the desk and spread my copy of Mozart's Requiem.

Roger sat at the piano. As we reviewed the score and marked dynamics, he played segments to ill.u.s.trate his intentions. His musicality seduced me from thoughts of other matters.

"I'd like you to start sitting in on rehearsals soon," he said.

How long could I postpone becoming part of the erratic emotions of the group? "Mid-October should be soon enough. You'll have time to beat your interpretation into their vocal cords." He laughed. "I'll give you a reprieve, but you're right that I'll need to smooth the rough spots. They are an excellent group."

"What about the soloists?"

"I'm working privately with them. They'll be ready by rehearsal week."

Though I wanted to ask about Judith's progress, I refrained, especially since my inclination would be to

tell him to find someone else. If he reduced the emotional flatness of her voice, he'd be a miracle worker.*

When Beth arrived to pick me up for my first rehearsal of the Mozart, the sparkle that had been missing from her eyes for weeks had returned. She wore jeans and a white sweater that made her look like a teenager.

"You look happy."

"I guess I am." She smiled.

"Just guess."

"Roger stopped by last evening to borrow my car, except he didn't. He stayed for dinner and after

Robby went to bed, we talked. He apologized for his neglect and explained what had happened. Since Judith is one of the soloists, he has to keep her happy. To do that he had to spend some time with the Simpson's."

"There are other altos in the choir who are more capable than Judith of making the concert a success."

"Then why did he pick her? We all know what a purist he is."

"To keep her from making trouble is my guess. If he spends time with her, maybe he'll diffuse her attacks

on his virtue."

Beth laughed. "Sometimes you're wicked. He said she called him after the picnic. He didn't tell me what she said, but I think he's afraid of her."

"Maybe, maybe not." I shook my head. "I'm beginning to see him as her male counterpart."

Her eyes widened. "How can you say that? He's a special person and wonderful. He stayed after Robby

went to bed and...well...I think I'm in love."

I waited until she parked the car in front of the church. "Don't just think. Be careful and be sure."

"I will."

As we walked toward the church, we heard Judith before we saw her. "Come on, Shadow. You're

mine. No one else cares."

We rounded the corner and watched Judith's attempts to entice the cat from its hiding place. Our arrival

startled her and she dropped the food she held. The cat darted from the hedges, grabbed the morsel and vanished before Judith could act.

She glared. "Look what you did. I nearly had him." She laughed. "I was taking him to rehearsal.

Wouldn't Roger have had a fit."

"It's not funny," Beth said. "You shouldn't tease him so."

I wondered if she meant Roger or the cat.