Murder at the Bellamy Mansion (7 page)

“
No. Of course not,” Melanie declared indignantly.

“
Well, then, none of this was your doing,” Jon said.

Melanie raged, “Do you think my enemies will believe that? No! I’ll be screwed with every preservationist and community leader in this town. We’re dependent on tourism, and if the Bellamy Mansion becomes a private residence and is no longer a tourist attraction, the tourist board will loathe me. My career will be over. Finished!”

“
But like Jon said, Melanie, what can you do?” I asked. “You don’t control Brian or the Chengs.”

“
There is no other house in the area that can compare with the Bellamy Mansion, so finding them a similar house is out of the question. No, somehow, I’ve got to find a way to stop them.”

“
Why don’t they buy some land and build a replica of the Bellamy?” Jon asked.

“
You know, I suggested just that to Candi. But no, she has to have an authentic antebellum mansion.”

“
Wait I minute,” I said. “You didn’t give Candi that beautiful blue jelly, did you?”

Melanie shook her head. “I wasn’t about to present it to her at the party where it would get overlooked. I had planned to give it to her when we were alone.”

“
What’s this about blue jelly?” Cam asked.

“
It’s a hand blown glass jelly fish,” I said. “It’s gorgeous, Cam. And called ‘the Blue Moon.’ I hope you are going to keep it,” I told Melanie.

“
I certainly do plan to keep it,” she replied. “I’ll find a bright sunny spot for it and feature it prominently. Maybe the garden room.”

“
Good. Because I think we are united in our repulsion for the Chengs. Not only are they trying to manipulate a local problem to their advantage to buy a landmark property that would not otherwise be available, but they are enemies of the environment.” I told Jon and Cam about the contraband ivory and bigleaf mahogany.

“
As incensed as we are, Jackie was even more livid. I doubt she will permit Brian to work with the Chengs.”

“
From the greedy look on Brian’s face when he described his fat fees, I doubt she’ll be able to stop him,” Cam said.

“
Cam, we’re delighted you’re back, but you didn’t explain how you . . . uhmmm, got away,” I told my new brother-in-law.

“
Yes, Cam. How is your mother?” Jon said.

What I really wanted to say was: How did you free yourself from the talons of the Dragon Lady? But I was raised well, so I kept my thoughts to myself.

Cam offered us another drink. “No thanks. I’m driving,” Jon responded.

“
I’m fine,” I said.

Cam refilled his glass and returned to the sofa beside Melanie. After all, he was at home. And the subject of Nelda Cameron required fortification.

“
Her cardiologist pronounced her fit as a fiddle,” Cam said. “She argued, naturally, and feigned chest pains. But all of the tests showed her heart was healthy. They discharged her.

“
And I got on the horn and hired her a nurse. He’s about thirty-five and what you girls call a hottie!”

Cam’s head fell back and he roared with laughter. “Thank god there’s no sexism in the nursing profession. This man was very qualified and highly recommended. Mother forgot all about me.” He snickered. “At least for the time being.”

“
I’m just glad you’re home,” Melanie said, leaning her head on his shoulder. “You were missed, darling.”

“
If you recall, I’m filming at the Bellamy Mansion in two weeks,” Cam reminded us.

“
How could I forget?” I said. “I’ll be making my television debut on the special feature you’re producing for ‘Exploring North Carolina.’” “Exploring North Carolina” is a television show that runs on our PBS station, WUNJ-TV.

“
I’m thinking about covering the belvedere restoration project as well,” Cam said. “I think our viewers would find it very interesting to see just how historic properties are restored.”

“
Sure,” Jon said. “Let me know what you decide. We can work something out. How about playing golf in the morning? You up for that?”

“
If it’s all right with Melanie,” Cam replied.

Melanie nodded. “You boys play golf. Ashley and I will go to church. We need to check on Aunt Ruby and Binkie.”

“
How did you like the courses in Pinehurst?” Cam asked Jon.

“
Never got near them,” Jon laughed. “My insatiable bride kept me locked in our suite. Only let me out long enough to eat. And that was to keep up my strength.”

I swatted him on the arm. “Ouch,” he cried, and pulled me into his arms for a hug.

8

On Sunday morning, Melanie and I attended church services at St. James Episcopal Church. St. James has been our family’s church for generations. This was the first time we’d been back since our double wedding here on December twenty-second.

“
We’ll have a party soon to watch the video of the ceremony,” Melanie said. “Out at the lodge. Maybe even have some of the wedding party join us. How’s Saturday after next for you?”

“
That’s a great idea, Mel. I think we’re free. I know we are. Want me to bring a casserole?”

Melanie snorted. “I remember your casseroles. Maybe we’d just better pick up some take out. Oh, look, here’s Aunt Ruby and Binkie.”

And I turned to see our Aunt Ruby and her husband Professor Benjamin Higgins approach our pew and then slide in with murmurs of greeting. Binkie had been my friend long before he and Aunt Ruby had rediscovered each other and began their long-distance courtship. In fact, Binkie had been like a father to both Melanie and me after our own father had died. Binkie is a history professor emeritus at UNCW. I realized that if anyone could fill in the voids on the monetary transactions that had occurred during the Civil War, Binkie would be the one. He is an expert on Lower Cape Fear history.

Binkie and Aunt Ruby are in their seventies. Aunt Ruby will not permit a strand of gray hair on her head. And she wears makeup and stylish clothes. She says she owes her youthful figure to a daily two mile walk, despite rain or shine.

Binkie is more sedentary, very comfortable looking, with his tweedy jackets and soft corduroy slacks. He has silvery hair and crisp, intelligent blue eyes.

After services, we followed Aunt Ruby and Binkie out of the church. On the sidewalk out front, Aunt Ruby invited us to lunch. “I have the most wonderful news, girls,” she said.

“
We’re due some good news,” I said. “I’d love to come for lunch, Aunt Ruby. And I have some questions for you, Binkie.”

He gave me a quick hug. “Always at your service, Ashley dear. My bride spent yesterday baking bread so we shall have the best sandwiches you girls have ever tasted.”

“
What about you, Melanie? Can you come?” Aunt Ruby asked.

“
I can, Aunt Ruby. The boys are playing golf. I don’t expect Cam home until mid-afternoon. We’ll meet you at your house. I’ll drive Ashley.”

Since I live only several blocks from St. James, I always walk to church services.

“
OK, meet you there,” Aunt Ruby called.

“
Come on, Ashley, this way,” Melanie said, leading the way to her car. And I trailed along. Don’t I always follow Melanie? She sees her role as the leader, and mine as the follower, and I am so pitiful, most times I fall lockstep right into my role. She drove south on Third, made a right turn and went over to Front Street to our Uncle Binkie’s charming little bungalow that he had inherited from his mother.

Aunt Ruby is our departed mother’s older sister, Ruby Chastain. As children, she and Binkie had been dance partners at the children’s dances held at the spectacular, big band Lumina Pavilion on Wrightsville Beach prior to World War II. The beautiful old Pavilion is gone now, destroyed by hurricanes and forces of nature, and the community’s failure to value their historic structures. Thankfully all that changed in the Seventies when preserving one’s heritage was recognized as the right thing to do.

Ruby and Binkie had lived unmarried, solitary lives – he in Wilmington, she in Savannah – until they met each other again last summer. Now they are grateful to be sharing their golden years as husband and wife.

We found parking spaces further down Front Street in front of the Governor Dudley mansion, and walked the block and a half back to Binkie’s bungalow.

Aunt Ruby was waiting for us at the front door. “Come in, come in, my beautiful girls. Not that I would deny you your honeymoons but I am so happy that you are home again.”

We hugged our aunt and she squeezed us, then we allowed ourselves to be steered down the narrow hallway into the parlor at the rear of the house. “You make yourselves comfy while I fix the sandwiches. Benjamin, would you pour tea for the girls.

“
And now, bless my soul, we have another wedding to plan,” she told us merrily as she disappeared into their small kitchen.

Melanie and I settled into Binkie’s mother’s antique sofa and arm chair. We arched our eyebrows at each other as Binkie fussed over us and made small talk. “She has sworn me to secrecy,” he said, beaming. “She wants the words to come only from her lips.”

Wedding? Who did we know who was getting married?

“
Now what did you want to discuss with me, Ashley dear?” Binkie asked.

Melanie got up. “I think I’ll just go wash my hands.” And she left us.

“
Well, you know everything about our town’s history,” I began. “And Esther Hudson was telling Jon and me that during the antebellum period there was some conflict between the white carpenters and craftsmen and the African American carpenters. Can you shed some light on that?”

Binkie topped off my iced tea glass. “Esther is correct, Ashley. The African-Americans, both free and enslaved, were quite skilled in the building trades. They were craftsmen and artisans. They could accomplish things others could not. And they were free to bid their own contracts, as long as they gave a percentage to their owners. So they were able to underbid the whites. And they did.

“
This often meant the white carpenters lost work. And they were outraged. Things got out of hand. One of the town leaders suggested that if they were unhappy with the system, they should leave town.”

“
And did they?”

Melanie returned.

Aunt Ruby called from the dining room, “Lunch is ready. Now y’all gather round the table and I’ll tell you all about the wedding.”

And we joined our aunt in their old-fashioned dining room with its heavy dark furniture and lace tablecloth. Most of the Chastain family furniture that had been in Aunt Ruby’s house was now used in Melanie’s house, with a few pieces in storage for me, waiting until when I could decide where I wanted to place them.

“
Oh my, this looks scrumptious,” I said as I eyed a sandwich of chicken salad, lettuce, and tomato on home baked thick, crusty whole wheat bread. On the side, there was fruit: sliced pears and red grapes.

“
Grace first,” Aunt Ruby directed. “Benjamin will you do the honors.” And we joined hands as Binkie asked the blessing.

How his life has changed, I reflected. And how happy he looks. He loved being married to our aunt after a lifetime of bachelorhood spent in scholarly research, writing, and teaching. He once confided to me the sweetest thing, saying that he felt like he had been standing in the shade all of his life, until Aunt Ruby moved in and brought the sunshine with her. I was happy for both of them. Always happy when life turned out for the better, as mine had with Jon. Just the thought of him quickened my pulse.

“
Enough of this mystery, Aunt Ruby,” Melanie said. “What wedding? Whose wedding are we planning?”

“
And why are we planning the wedding?” I asked. “We don’t know anyone who is getting married.”

“
Well, land’s sake, you just won’t believe this. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I got the call. Now, just you settle yourselves while I fetch more tea, and then I’ll tell you all the exciting news.”

Aunt Ruby fluttered about, straightening napkins and the tablecloth, then flitted toward the kitchen.

Aunt Ruby does not flutter, nor does she flit, so this big mysterious wedding announcement had thrown her off kilter. Still, she seemed pleased by the news that someone was about to get married.

Aunt Ruby returned to the table with a fresh pitcher of raspberry tea.

“
OK, Aunt Ruby, stop stalling. Who is getting married?” Melanie asked.

“
Well, you will never believe this. But it is Scarlett and Ray. Isn’t that grand? We were with them when they met. In fact, I was the one to introduce them. And we watched them fall in love.”

“
But Aunt Ruby,” I said, astounded, setting my sandwich back on my plate, “that was just two weeks ago. How can they be getting married so soon? They barely know each other.”

“
I wonder too,” Melanie said. “What’s the rush?”

Aunt Ruby sat up straighter in her chair and said in a serious tone, “Scarlett feels that she has wasted so much of her life while the FBI had her in the Witness Protection program. Now she’s got her own life back again, and she and Ray are sure of their feelings for each other. She is forty, you know, not a child.”