Tamar’s breathless narrative continued all the way to a sidewalk cafe a full two blocks from her father’s listening ears. Along the way, I learned that she despised trumpets but adored flutes, that she felt this season’s hats were far too enamored of lace, and that Mr. Tibbles was experiencing one of his frequent bouts with gas.
The latter I didn’t need notification thereof, since most of the walk put me downwind of Mr. Tibbles.
I took us to a table and sent the waiter away with orders for hot tea and a plate of cookies. “Nothing with nuts, please,” added Tamar. “They’ll just make Mr. Tibbles worse.”
The waiter nodded, as though the dietary habits of Tamar’s dog were common knowledge among Rannit’s finer eateries.
“Now then,” she said as the waiter hurried off. “Tell me what you’ve learned.”
I told it all. I did neglect to mention the bribe her father had offered me, or the threat he’d made when I’d refused it. Both could wait, hopefully forever.
Hot tea and cookies arrived. I sipped the tea, and remembered my huffing and puffing of late, and let the pastries go. Tamar dived in and ate four, and Mr. Tibbles polished off the rest.
“So you’re breaking Curfew tonight,” she said. “Where?”
“A place that caters to Curfew breakers. The name doesn’t matter. The fact that Lethway wants to talk is all that’s important.”
“How do you know the Colonel will come? You didn’t speak to him, but to that large person.”
I shook my head. “Men like Lethway don’t let their hirelings arrange their social schedules. He knew I would be coming around. He had Pratt watching out for me.”
“How could he have known that?”
“I’ll ask him when I see him.”
Tamar laughed. “You don’t much like the man, and you haven’t even met him yet. Men are so funny. How do you keep from killing each other, all the time?”
“Good question. Mainly we don’t because it’s a lot of work. Now. How many florists and caterers and tailors have you sent up the Hill, Miss Fields? They weren’t surprised to find another one on their doorstep.”
“I’m only sending them the ones any groom’s family would traditionally pay for. And they’ve paid them all, Mr. Markhat. That in itself is significant, is it not?”
“It might be.” I was thinking Lethway gladly paid them just to avoid scandal. Tamar was convinced they were paying them because the wedding was still on. I couldn’t share her enthusiasm, but I saw no need to wound her, either.
“I’m going to make a couple of assumptions now, Miss. You aren’t going to like them. But I need you to consider them, even so.”
“Carris has been kidnapped, is that what you mean?”
I nodded.
“I’m also going to assume that the kidnapper or kidnappers may have reached out to more than just the Lethways,” I said. “It’s possible they might also have demanded payment from the father of the bride.”
Tamar’s eyes went wide, and for the briefest of instants, she was silent.
“Oh my.”
“Oh my is right. Think carefully. Has your father’s attitude toward Carris always been hostile, or has it taken a sudden turn for the worse? If so, when?”
She thought. She bit her lower lip and Angels bless her, she thought carefully before she replied.
“Oh my.”
“Tell me.”
“When we first started walking out, Father was…cold. He didn’t want to hear me talk about Carris. He didn’t want him coming around. But he was at least civil. Civil but no more. When we announced our engagement, he was the same. Mother said he was just sad at losing his little girl. We thought he’d get over it. And of course he’s always hated the Lethways.”
“Why? Why hate the Lethways?”
Tamar shook her head. “Something about the Army. Father was in the same regiment, the last two years of the War. He used to rail about what an incompetent officer Lethway was whenever the name came up. But isn’t that what soldiers do? Hate their commanders?”
“Universally. But I can’t recall half their names. Seems like your Father knew Lethway well. Did they serve together directly?”
“No. Dad was a cook. Lethway was a Colonel.”
“Why indeed. All right. Your father hates all things Lethway, and he was none too thrilled when you decided to take their name. But there’s something else, isn’t there?”
“I hope not.” Even Mr. Tibbles had the sense to fall quiet. “But one morning I came in early. We weren’t open yet, didn’t even have the ovens ready. But there was a man with Dad, and they stopped talking when I came in, and the man left. Dad seemed angry, but he said it was a tax collector trying to double-dip.”
“Go on.”
“Later that day, Mother mentioned something about the wedding and Dad threw a plate of coffee cups against the wall. I had my back turned, Mr. Markhat, but I knew he didn’t just drop them. It was so loud. And his expression was so angry. Mr. Markhat-do you think they asked for money, and Father said no?”
I put my hand on hers. Mr. Tibbles bared his teeth, but I bared mine back and he wisely let it go.
“If he did say no, Miss, that was the right thing to do. It might even buy us time.”
“But-”
“You can bet they visited Lethway too. And you can bet he didn’t turn them down. They were just taking the chance they could double their profit without any extra work, Miss. That’s all. I’m sure Carris didn’t suffer for it. If it happened at all.”
“Why would Father do such a thing?”
“He’s watching out for you, Miss. Please don’t forget that. And for Heaven’s sake please don’t go accusing him of anything. This is assumption. It’s probably not even true.”
“You think it is. Tell me you don’t.”
“I think it’s possible. That’s all. And it doesn’t much matter, unless it helps me learn who’s making the demands.”
“Will you ask Father?”
“When the time is right. At the moment, he’d probably show me the underside of his boots. I’m not very popular with him right now either.”
Tamar laughed a sad little laugh. “Is Father going to hate all the men in my life, forever?”
“He sure will. Often with reason. But that’s just the way of the world, Miss. Like you said, men are funny.”
“I suppose. So. What’s next?”
“I meet with your future father-in-law tonight. See what I can shake loose.”
“Isn’t that dangerous? Going around after Curfew, I mean?”
“Vampires never bite finders, Miss. We taste of sunlight and purity.”
She laughed. “I see why Darla likes you. She does, you know. When are you going to set a date? You’re already engaged. You haven’t been kidnapped.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” I rose, remembering pressing appointments elsewhere. “I’ll find you tomorrow.”
“How about lunch, right here?”
I shook my head. “It’ll be much later. Where will you be at quitting time?”
“Home. Come around to the back yard. I’ll be in the garden, unless it’s raining.”
I tipped my hat. Mr. Tibbles awoke and yapped at me, his little-rat teeth bared and menacing.
I did indeed have errands to run. I took a pair of cabs hither and yon, and was down to my last silver half- crown by the time I made it home.
My door beckoned. Beyond it lay a bed, of sorts, and some peace and quiet. I had strong suspicions I wouldn’t see much of either for a while.
