The Maestro (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 3) (14 page)

Maurice checked his wristwatch and elbowed Adam as they walked to the vehicle. “We’ve set a record today, Adam. We just broke our previous record of fifteen minutes. This was done in ten.”

They jumped into the vehicle, and Adam drove them to Frannie’s farm. Maurice asked, “Is the hole dug by the tree line, Adam?”

“It sure is, boss.”

Maurice smiled as he looked at his watch. They had told Robert they would return in twenty minutes and so far, they were a minute ahead of schedule. When they arrived at the farm, Adam retrieved a wheelbarrow, and they lifted Reginald’s corpse and the aprons into it. Adam pushed it to a specific location by the tree line. Fran walked on tiptoes through the fields to avoid ruining her new pumps. She carried a bag of lime by her side. When Maurice inquired about a shovel, Fran said, “We left two at the gravesite this morning.”

Maurice glanced at his watch and sped up his pace. After they dumped the corpse and aprons, Fran dumped the bag of lime. Maurice held his hand out to Adam “The security disc.” Adam reached into his pocket and handed it out to Maurice, who broke it into several pieces and spread it atop Reginald’s corpse. Maurice and Adam then filled the hole with soil to the top. They stamped the ground down with their feet and returned to the vehicle. As Fran tossed the empty bag of lime in her outdoor trashcan, Maurice and Adam cleaned off the soles of their shoes and checked each other’s attire for any dirt. Maurice spied a red rosebush behind Fran’s house, pinched a blossom off, and pinned it to his lapel. When they were satisfied, they returned to the restaurant right on time.

CHAPTER 16

Maurice entered the restaurant, snapping his fingers and bringing everyone to their feet. He swiftly placed the wedding party in order and went into the banquet hall with Adam and Fran. Once there, he stood beside Tom, and Artie was to his left. He noticed Alice Dumont sitting in the front row, and she was already sobbing. Adam and Fran took a seat beside her at the front table reserved for members of the family. He motioned to the band to strike up the wedding march, and Donnie Borges opened the doors to the room with a flourish.

Everyone stood as the music played. Little Liam appeared and did the traditional wedding march down the aisle, holding his ring bearer’s pillow steadily within his hands. Cameras were flashing, and Liam smiled and posed for each one. Alice Dumont was openly weeping now as she watched him come to the front and stand beside Maurice. Amanda Borges appeared next, carrying her bridesmaid bouquet and wearing a strapless cranberry gown with matching pumps. Artie puffed his chest as he watched his girlfriend smile and make her way down the center aisle between the tables. She stood to the opposite side of the wedding arch and waited. Delilah walked in, wearing a strapless forest-green bridesmaid gown and matching pumps. Her long blond hair spilled down over her shoulders in loose curls, and her blue eyes shone with happiness. Cameras were flashing nonstop now.

As she took her place to the right of Amanda at the wedding arch, the crowd went into a hush as Wally Dumont and Myrna entered the room, arm in arm. Myrna stopped in shock as she entered the room and glanced around in wonder. The room had been transformed into something out of a fall issue of a fairy magazine. There were hundreds of strands of crystal string lights dangling from the ceiling and lighting up the room. The centerpieces were tall clear glass tubes filled with coordinating floral arrangements and candles. The satin tablecloths were double layered in cranberry and forest green. Everywhere she turned, she discovered different decorations signaling the arrival of fall. Everything was done in coordinating colors for the season.

The gift table was piled high with unknown treasures, and the wedding arch astounded her. It was a hickory arch decorated with an abundance of faux orange, yellow, and red trumpet vines. Her eyes filled, and she smiled and slowly made her way down the aisle to see Tom there. He looked so handsome to her, and she noticed his eyes were filling as he gazed upon her in the wedding gown. The photographer was in front, snapping photos nonstop. As they reached the front, Wally kissed her cheek and handed her off to Tom. He then took a seat next to his wife at their table. The judge from the next town over stood under the arch with a book in his hand, and the music stopped. The crowd went silent, and the ceremony began. When it was time to place the rings on each other’s finger, Liam approached and lifted his pillow up so they could each remove the rings from it. Alice Dumont was openly bawling her eyes out at this point. It wasn’t a long, drawn-out affair, and once Myrna and Tom said
I do
, the crowd came to life with cheers of happiness. When they kissed, the judge leaned toward Tom and said, “Are you sure you can handle this ball of fire, son?”

Tom laughed as Myrna reached out and pinched the judge’s arm. They didn’t do the usual exit that a couple would do from a church; instead, they turned to the crowd while holding hands and raised them into the air as one. The wedding party went to their table beside the table reserved for the family and sat down. The band picked up again as platters of appetizers were placed at each table. Myrna glanced around at all in attendance, and one couldn’t smack the smile from her face. Tom leaned in and whispered, “You look so beautiful, Wife.”

She turned to him, kissed his lips, and whispered back, “You are the handsomest man in the room, Husband.”

Maurice cleared his throat in objection and raised his eyebrows at her. She scowled. “You are handsome too, but I’ve got issues with you delaying our ceremony.”

He grinned. “You won’t have issues for long.”

Delilah leaned in and whispered, “He took care of your little problem in town.”

Myrna smiled and turned to Maurice. “You did?”

“We did indeed.”

Before Myrna could delve further into the discussion, the photographer began calling them back to the wedding arch for photos. He took so many poses of everyone that Myrna’s cheeks began aching from smiling.

When Robert rolled out the largest buffet Myrna had ever seen, the pictures were done and tables were called up one by one to fill their plates. Their table was first; Myrna eyed the chief licking his lips in anticipation and giggled. They filled their plates and returned to their table as the next table was called. When they were done, the waiters came and cleared the tables. Myrna watched as Delilah went to Robert and pulled him into the other room.

Robert escorted Delilah to the kitchen, where they could speak privately. He pulled out a stool at his prep table and sat opposite her. “What’s the problem?”

She smiled. “I don’t have a problem. I have an inquiry. It’s regarding business, and I require your help and understanding. In return, I do believe it will also benefit your business.”

He grinned back. “I’m all ears.”

She began: “I want to purchase that disgusting tavern in town and renovate it properly. It will be the town’s nighttime attraction for the tourists that swarm here in the fall and winter. I don’t want to interfere with your working hours, so ours will be set later, after your dinner crowd. However, I’ll need your assistance.”

He leaned forward, eager for more information, and listened as she continued. “You only serve beer and wine here, and I’m going to suggest that you purchase it through Father’s company at a great discount. I’ll also be ordering the high-end liquor and beer for my establishment from him too. What I require from you is the training of my staff and a chef. I believe Myrna will place the ad, and if you would train the chef and your staff trains my staff, I think it would be a good joint venture.”

“What are you putting on the menu?”

She grimaced. “Short-order items, but they must be delectable. I want the customers to be able to snack so they don’t become so inebriated that I need to hire a bouncer.”

He nodded in agreement. “I think I can come up with a nice, short menu.”

She smiled and leaned forward as well. “There’s more! I want to advertise your daily specials for the following evening every night at the tavern. I’ll also include Myrna’s specials at the bakery. We will become a triumvirate of culinary cuisine that will drive the tourists back, year after year.”

Robert sat straight and smiled. “I like it. I can almost see the new town slogan in my mind.” He raised his hands into the air as though holding a sign. “‘Welcome to Cold Hollow, the town where no one leaves hungry.’ I can also advertise here for you and Myrna each day on the chalkboard.” He extended his hand out, and she shook it.

He watched her shoulders slouch as she remembered something. She groaned. “Now all I have to do is convince the owner to sell it to me.”

Robert stood and filled her aperitif glass. He slid it over to her and watched as she sipped it. He replied with his hands on his hips, “Bring the heavy with you.”

He watched Delilah slam her hand on the prep table and giggle. She stood after finishing her drink and left the kitchen. She shouted over her shoulder, “I’ll do just that on Monday morning.”

He took her glass, cleaned it, and wrapped it in Maurice’s monogrammed handkerchief. He made his way to the banquet hall to see how things were running and slipped the glass to Maurice as he passed their table.

The band began playing again, and Myrna and Tom took to the floor first and had their dance while urging others to join them. Robert watched Sarah dance with Donnie; Becky was dancing with one of the workers from the nursery. He winced, but he couldn’t be so overprotective all the time. After all, it was a wedding. He cracked up as Liam dragged Alice Dumont to the floor and began dancing with her. The beer and wine was flowing, and the chatter picked up.

He watched with interest as Delilah made her way to assorted tables and introduced herself. He smirked when he noticed her talking to the banker in charge of new accounts, followed by the town interior designer. That girl had a quick and determined mind. He had no doubt she’d get that tavern. The chief would love it if someone took it over and made it into a thriving business instead of a dark hole for drug addicts and drunks.

Myrna and Tom returned to their table and sat down for a rest. Myrna watched with interest as the judge was swamped with townsfolk chatting him up. He took particular interest in Sarah, and Myrna could tell by her smile that he was teasing her as she gushed on about her progress with the bakery, her school, and the grieving process. The chief sat beside him, adding his two cents in, and had the table in fits of hysteria. Myrna presumed alcohol played a big part in that.

Delilah was networking the entire town too. Maurice leaned over to Myrna and said, “I do believe my daughter has plans up her sleeve.”

Myrna nodded. “I wonder what they are?”

Maurice chuckled. “We’ll find out soon. I’m sure she’ll talk your ear off before we leave Monday evening. However, tomorrow we will leave the newlyweds alone and perhaps stop in on Sunday.”

She shrugged. “We don’t have any plans for Sunday, so please, don’t hesitate. Liam would be upset if you didn’t show up two days in a row.”

Maurice smiled. “I would never dare to disappoint that child.” He stopped, and Myrna watched his forehead crinkle. He took a deep breath in and quickly asked, “Have you begun adoption proceedings yet for the boy? I only ask because I think he deserves to know that he is officially part of a family again.”

Myrna replied, “I have legal guardianship right now, but we began adoption proceedings the moment we got engaged. We also wanted to see if he was prepared for the adoption and to wait until his psychiatrist gave approval.”

“Does she think the time is right?”

Myrna smiled. “She discussed it with him, and he wants us to hurry up. We have a meeting with the judge in the next town over next week.”

“Is Tom allowed to leave town?”

Myrna nodded. “With a police escort, so the chief is coming too. The judge and the chief are good friends.”

Maurice snickered. “You have more connections than I presumed, Myrna. This pleases me.” He leaned back and rubbed his hands together. “It’s wonderful to spread the family name. I am so pleased by this news.” He reached out and hugged her. While he held her in his arms, he whispered, “You will also hold to your promise to tell the family the results of the pregnancy test after you take it.”

Myrna pulled away and nodded. “I promise. When I feel the time is right, I will.”

The band stopped, and it was time to cut the cake. Tom and Myrna rose and went to the cake in the center of the room after it was wheeled in. Robert handed Myrna the knife, and with Tom’s hand upon hers, she cut a small sliver. She fed some to him, and he took a turn and fed her some. Everyone waited in silence to see if one of them would shove some in each other’s face, but it didn’t happen. Dessert plates were brought in, and everyone rose to grab their piece and a clean fork.

The music kicked in again, and dancing continued all night long. The guests left one by one, saying good-bye to the couple and giving them their best wishes. They complimented Robert on the buffet, and Sarah received accolades for the cake; Becky received the same for the floral decorations. Adam was bringing Fran home, and Maurice obliged and stated they would meet up with him later at the Bed and Breakfast. Delilah and Maurice loaded the couple’s gifts into their car for them, as they were busy with a sleeping Liam. The boy had collapsed into Myrna’s arms at the end of the night, and she still sat holding him.

After Tom and Myrna dropped off Maurice and Delilah at the Bed and Breakfast, they headed home, still talking about how wonderful the wedding had been.