Shades of Earl Grey

two thefts.”

“The wedding ring and the gems at the Heritage Society. Yes, I did,” he said. “Additionally, I spoke with the two investigators, Jacob Gallier and Peter Delehanty, who are currently working both cases. They’re not convinced the two incidents are at all related.”

This was surprising news to Theodosia. “How could they not look at them in the same context?”

Tidwell shifted his eyes from the persimmon bread to Theodosia’s face. “What is your interest in this?” he inquired.

“My friends are involved,” she said. “I’m worried about them.”

“Ah,” he said, “assuming the worries of the world again, are we?” Tidwell shook his great head slowly. “Oh, to be young and burning with such inner fire.”

“You were saying,” prompted Theodosia, “that Mr. Gallier and Delehanty do not think the two thefts are related?”

Tidwell chewed thoughtfully. “From their perspective, the first incident at the Lady Goodwood Inn seems more like an unfortunate accident.”

“And the second incident?” asked Drayton, suddenly deciding to join the conversation. “The missing necklace at the Heritage Society?”

“That is a clear-cut robbery,” said Tidwell. “No one’s disputing that.” He swiveled his head toward Theodosia and bore into her with small, intense eyes. “But according to the rather rambling e- mail you forwarded to me, you believe there is some mysterious cat burglar prowling the historic district.”

“I think it’s a distinct possibility,” Theodosia said. “And I do think the two cases are related.” She looked at Dray-ton, who hovered nearby, for confirmation.

“We both do,” he said.

Tidwell sat back in his chair with an air of finality. “And you’d like me to expound on what I know concerning the phenomenon known as the cat burglar,” he said with a sigh.

“Could you?” asked Theodosia with an encouraging smile.

Tidwell reached one paw up, absently brushed stray bread crumbs from the lapels of his tweed jacket. “Closest thing you can compare it to is a great white shark,” he said.

“What a strange analogy,” Theodosia said, looking perplexed.

Tidwell grimaced. “In my experience, which admittedly is quite limited, a cat burglar tends to be a territorial creature. If the feeding is plentiful in one place, he will tend to stay put.”

“And the feeding should be mighty plentiful in Charleston,” murmured Theodosia. “Think of all the estate jewelry that’s here. Or the priceless antiques and oil paintings that grace so many of the homes in the historic district.”

Tidwell nodded. “A tasty treasure trove, indeed. Old families, old money. There is a lovely synchronicity at work.”

“So we have to just sit around and wait for this cat burglar to strike again?” asked Drayton somewhat peevishly.

Tidwell reached for a second slice of persimmon bread, took a large bite, chewed with great enthusiasm, swallowed. “If he strikes at all,” said Tidwell. “Let me again emphasize that my experience is limited. However . . .”

“However what?” asked Drayton.

“There is another breed of cat burglar,” said Tidwell. “And that is the migratory kind.”

“Versus the territorial kind,” said Drayton. Now his lined face betrayed a fair amount of skepticism.

“Exactly,” said Tidwell. “This migratory version follows the goods.”

Theodosia and Drayton exchanged puzzled looks. “Which means . . .” prompted Theodosia.

Tidwell rocked back in his chair and the ancient wood creaked in protest. “For openers, there’s the summer social season in the Hamptons, opera season in New York, then a long stretch of charity balls in Palm Beach.”

Drayton’s mouth opened then closed. “Oh,” he finally said. “I see what you mean.”

Theodosia deftly slid the plate of baked goods closer to Tidwell. “If you had a gut feeling, how would you characterize our fellow?” she asked.

“If I listened to my gut, I wouldn’t help myself to a third pastry,” said Tidwell with a rueful smile. He reached for a croissant, slid it onto his plate. “Alas, dear girl, I can offer you no great insight.”

Drayton and Theodosia sat there looking slightly deflated.

Tidwell saw their distress. “What I may be able to parcel out,” he added, “is a small amount of information. The robbery division is working up a guest list from both functions. If something strange rears its head, I’ll let you know. How would that be?”

“Good enough,” said Theodosia. “Thank you.”

Tidwell raised a furry eyebrow and cast a warning glance at her. “You can keep your eyes open,” he told her, “but I warn you right now, do not make any attempt whatsoever to track, trail, or apprehend anyone you deem a potential suspect.” He continued to gaze steadily at Theodosia. “Is that clear?”

“Of course,” she said.

“Of course,” Tidwell repeated. “Miss Browning, your voice carries such a tone of innocence. But why do I sense a certain degree of insincerity in your promise?”

“No, I’ll be careful,” Theodosia assured him. “Really I will.”

“When are we going to talk about the open house?” asked Haley. She’d emerged from the kitchen and now stood hands-on-hips, staring at Theodosia.

Theodosia, standing up on tiptoes with her right arm extended, stopped in mid-stretch. She’d almost finished arranging her display of teacups.

The finished T-Bath products had all arrived, the shipping cartons stacked so high in her office it made it almost impossible to navigate her way to her desk. And the invitations for this Thursday’s afternoon reception had been mailed out well over two weeks ago. So far almost three dozen people had responded with RSVPs and she was confident quite a few more people would just spontaneously drop by. But drop by for what? Their big event was now three days away and it still needed to be finalized!

“I’m sure nobody feels like planning this thing,” continued Haley in a somewhat plaintive tone of voice, “but it is on our schedule.”

“You’re right,” said Theodosia. “And it’s not that we don’t want to plan it, we’ve just been caught up in other things.” She glanced across the room at Drayton. “Drayton?” she called.

He looked up from where he was pouring a warm-up cup of tea for two women seated near the front door and held up a finger. “Be there in a sec,” he answered back.

“What I thought,” said Haley moving into her take-charge mode, “was that we’d try for a kind of Zen-like atmosphere. Try to capture the feeling of relaxation and renewal that the T-Bath products are supposed to impart.”

Theodosia nodded. “That sounds like a great idea. We could use a stress-free zone around here.”

“And if we brought in some of Drayton’s Japanese bonsai trees, they’d make cute accent pieces for all of the tables.”

“You think he’ll let us?” asked Theodosia. “He’s awfully protective of those trees of his.”

Drayton had joined them now and was nodding enthusiastically. “Only the Fukien tea plant and the jade tree stay at home. They’re the most sensitive. As for the others, the maples, junipers, and larches... well, you know I never miss a chance to show off my bonsai,” he added with a modest grin.

“Great,” continued Haley. “Then, what if on the main table, the buffet table, we have a real knockout floral arrangement. Something very Asian looking. I don’t know what you call those arrangements, but they’re quite artsy and contemporary looking. I was thinking we could do something with orchids surrounded by stalks of bamboo?”

“I believe the correct term is ikebana,” said Drayton. “It’s Japanese flower arranging at its most fanciful. In fact, ikebana literally translated means ‘fresh flower.’ You might call it the bonsai of