Dragonwell Dead

“This oughta be good,” smiled Haley. “Suffice it to say, Drayton’s entry is a bit nontraditional.”

Twenty minutes later a string quartet struck their first notes and Orchid Lights was officially under way. White twinkle lights glowed in the palmetto trees, flickering candles floated in the reflecting pool, and guests in elegant evening attire strolled from table to orchid-laden table, admiring the gorgeous plants on view. Overhead, the Charleston sky was a piece of dark blue denim embedded with stars.

“Everything looks so gorgeous and romantic,” commented Haley, pulling her butter-yellow pashmina closer around her shoulders.

“Perfect,” murmured Theodosia. What had seemed destined for disaster thirty minutes earlier had suddenly morphed into absolute elegance. Cream-colored tapers in a brass candelabra lit their tea table. Serving trays filled with lobster salad, cucumber cream cheese, and chicken chutney tea sandwiches looked most enticing. Haley’s three-tiered truffle trays were now strewn with edible flowers. To save space, they’d moved Charlie and the ice angel setup over to Parker Scully’s table. That way guests could have their choice of either the alcoholic Black Orchid cocktail or Drayton’s non-alcoholic but still delicious tea and gelato mixture.

Haley nudged Theodosia. “Here comes Drayton. Bet he shook things up with that bell jar and moss arrangement.”

Drayton’s heels hit the flagstones like castanets as he approached.

“You’re not going to believe this,” he began, eyes rolling upward.

“What now?” asked Haley.

“Harlan Noble is protesting my entry.”

“Because . . . why?” asked Theodosia.

“He says it’s completely nontraditional.”

“Hey, that’s what I just said,” said Haley, happily.

“But your entry is still an orchid,” reasoned Theodosia. “Completely within the boundaries. And this is an amateur orchid show at the Heritage Society. Good heavens, it’s not as though you broke convention with an American Orchid Society–sanctioned show or some sort of international orchid event.”

Drayton grabbed Theodosia by the hand and pulled her along. “Then kindly come and tell that to the people at the registration table!”

25

It was almost fun, Theodosia decided. All she had to do was mention Timothy Neville’s name and she had the instant ability to strike fear in the hearts of almost every volunteer. Obviously, the Orchid Society members had heard about Timothy’s famously hot temper and decided it wasn’t worth the effort to keep Drayton out of the judging. In fact, they probably figured it was the lesser of two evils. Harlan Noble might glower and fuss, but Timothy would completely blow his cork.

So Drayton’s orchid was in. Thank goodness!

And Drayton was breathing easier now, acting almost ebullient.

“Let’s go inside and check out the silent auction,” he said to Theodosia. “See how that’s going.”

“Only for a couple minutes,” replied Theodosia. “We don’t want to leave Haley and Charlie short- handed.”

“They’ll be fine,” expounded Drayton, smiling broadly now, waving to friends and Heritage Society regulars that they passed.

“Two minutes,” Theodosia told him as they made their way down the wood-paneled corridor to what the Heritage Society called the gallery room.

“Oh, this is going very well,” exclaimed Drayton. A pleasant hum filled the room as at least fifty people actively perused the various auction items and jotted their bids on the bidding sheets.

At the first table, they ran into Delaine and Bobby Wayne Loveday. Delaine looked like she was ready to party all night; Bobby Wayne looked drawn and subdued.

Theodosia reached out and clasped a hand on one of Bobby Wayne’s forearms. “Sorry to hear about Fayne,” she said in a low whisper.

Bobby Wayne’s eyes met hers and he shook his head. “Shocking,” he murmured back. “Almost unspeakable.”

“Such a sad child,” added Delaine. “So misguided.” She picked up a pen, thought for a moment, then scratched out her bid. “I certainly hope nobody else bids on this Hilton Head trip. I would simply adore spending a long weekend there.”

“I’m kind of interested in the fighter jet ride,” Theodosia told her.

“Goodness,” said Delaine, fanning herself. “Way too much excitement for me!”

At Bobby Wayne’s urging, he and Delaine followed Theodosia and Drayton back to their tea table.

“I haven’t had a bite to eat all day,” Bobby Wayne told them.

“You like lobster salad sandwiches?” Drayton asked.

Bobby Wayne touched a hand to his chest as his eyes fluttered. “Be still my heart.” He laughed.

Drayton took a small plate, stacked up a half dozen sandwiches for Bobby Wayne. Usually judicious in doling out tea sandwiches, Drayton was obviously feeling a certain amount of sympathy for Bobby Wayne. After all, there was sure to be some fallout for his company.

“You’re a lifesaver,” said Bobby Wayne, popping one of the tasty morsels into his mouth.

Delaine raised one quivering eyebrow. “Good?” she asked him.

Bobby Wayne rolled his eyes appreciatively and nodded.

“I bet you’d enjoy one of these chicken salad and chutney sandwiches, too,” said Haley.

In answer Bobby Wayne held out his plate.

Delaine’s eyebrows rose a little higher. “Perhaps we could also get a refreshing drink,” she suggested.

“Sure,” agreed Bobby Wayne.

Haley suddenly clapped a hand over her mouth. “You know what?” she exclaimed to Theodosia. “I forgot to tell you something.”

“What’s that?” asked Theodosia.

“Burt Tidwell called you back. I took the phone call just as we were leaving the tea shop. But in all the fuss and furor of getting everything transported and set up, I forgot to tell you.”

Delaine stared at Haley as though she’d just committed an indiscretion. “You’re referring to that boorish detective?” she asked.

“I guess you must have called him about something?” continued Haley. “Because he said he was getting back to you. From the Bahamas?”

Maybe Tidwell did check on that Bahamian company for me, thought Theodosia. She gave a casual flip of her hand. “Not to worry,” she told Haley. “I’ll call Tidwell back tomorrow.” Then, feeling good about things, Theodosia added, “I’ll tell him the case has already been solved. That his services weren’t needed after all.”

“Hah.” Haley laughed. “That’ll just about kill him. Tidwell thinks he’s smarter than Sherlock Holmes, Kojak, and the whole CSI team put together!”

Delaine plucked at Bobby Wayne’s sleeve, trying to get him away from the table. “I do believe Timothy Neville is going to make a short speech now,” she said in a somewhat strained voice.

“Oh, I don’t want to miss that,” said Drayton.

“What’s the big deal?” asked Haley, who had always been a little fearful of Timothy.

“He’s going to talk about the partnership with the Orchid Society,” said Drayton. “It’s one of Timothy’s new initiatives for the Heritage Society. Partnering with other arts organizations or like-minded groups. He’s even put out feelers for partnering with the Arts Board on the next Charleston Film Festival.”

“Thinking outside the box,” murmured Theodosia.

“That’s a good thing, huh?” said Haley.

“A very good thing,” smiled Theodosia. “Whether you’re in business, running a nonprofit organization, or just