Dead Man Docking - Mary Daheim [55]
“A guest spilled bean dip on one of your new sofas,” Arlene replied. “Unfortunately, it was after he ate it.”
Judith flinched. “You mean he…got sick on the sofa?”
“Yes, but it’s fine now. I cleaned it. He’s fine, too. At least I haven’t seen him since last night.”
After all that had happened since leaving Hillside Manor, Judith couldn’t remember who or how many guests had been registered at the B&B the previous night. It seemed as if Heraldsgate Hill was a world away. She’d have to back off and let Arlene handle any problems on the home front. That was, in fact, the reason she had gone with Renie. To rest. To relax. To regain her strength. To find herself in yet another murderous mess.
“Where’s Joe?” Judith asked, forcing a normal tone.
“He’s with Bill,” Arlene replied. “They’re in jail.”
Judith shot Renie a startled look. “What do you mean, Joe and Bill are in jail?”
Renie had to catch herself from slipping off the arm of the sofa. “What the hell…?” she muttered as she hurried into the bedroom to listen on the extension.
“It has something to do with one of Bill’s patients,” Arlene explained. “He’s been arrested for reckless embarrassment. Or something like that,” she added just as Judith heard Renie pick up the other receiver.
“I’m here, too, Arlene,” Renie said.
“What?” Arlene sounded taken aback. “Where?”
“On the other line,” Renie replied. “What are you talking about?”
“Someone named—” Arlene stopped. “I don’t know the name. Bill wouldn’t say. Your husband can be very secretive sometimes, Serena. It bothers me.”
“I’ve explained that a hundred times,” Renie said impatiently. “It’s doctor–patient confidentiality. Ethics prevent Bill from revealing names.”
“Hmm.” Arlene was silent for a moment. “Is it someone I know?”
“I doubt it,” Renie retorted, though Arlene’s circle of friends and acquaintances spanned the city and half the state.
“Is he between the ages of thirty and sixty?” Arlene inquired. “Is he average height, brown hair, blue eyes—”
“Do you have someone in mind?” Renie broke in.
“No,” Arlene responded, sounding offended. “I was just trying to get an idea who he might be.”
“Forget it,” Renie snapped. “Just tell us what happened.”
Arlene sighed loudly. “Apparently this man tried to jump off a building. Bill helped him, and the man was taken to the county hospital, and now he’s under arrest for…whatever I said before.”
“Reckless endangerment,” Renie murmured.
“Yes, yes, something like that.” It was Arlene’s turn to be impatient. “So Bill went to see him in the prison hospital or wherever he is, and Joe went along to help with the ransom.”
“The ransom?” Renie gasped.
“Yes,” Arlene said, still huffy. “This lunatic is holding Oscar hostage. He wants a helicopter and sixty-five dollars in unmarked bills.”
“Oscar does?”
“No, no,” Arlene replied. “The lunatic.” She hesitated. “Or maybe not. What would Oscar do with a helicopter?”
Judith was holding her head. Through the bedroom door she could see Renie, who seemed to be gnawing on the satin counterpane.
Apparently, Arlene interpreted Renie’s silence for understanding. “Anyway, I must dash. Now that I know how to turn the oven on, I must prepare the guests’ appetizers.”
“Wait!” Judith cried. “How’s Mother?”
Arlene laughed in her merry way. “She’s just wonderful! It was nice today, so we had a little picnic lunch on the patio. Carl brought her some pickled pigs’ feet. She says you never buy them even though they’re a great favorite of hers. Tonight she’s having tongue sandwiches and sweet pickles.”
Judith controlled her gag reflex. “Good.”
“I’ll tell Joe you called,” Arlene promised. “Don’t worry about a thing. You’re not seasick, are you?”
Judith felt like saying that her stomach had been in great shape until Arlene mentioned Gertrude’s menu. Instead, she explained that their sailing had been delayed because of a crew member’s illness.
“I thought Joe mentioned something about you not leaving on schedule,” Arlene said vaguely. “I hope it’s not one of those viruses that gets loose on cruises.”
“It’s not contagious,” Judith asserted, nervously