Why do they say that?”
“What? You mean about time?”
“No,” Gertrude replied with a scornful glance at her
daughter. “
first legs, or their second or their third. If you got more
legs as you went along, then they wouldn’t give out on
you. Your last legs should be your best legs, because
they’re newer.” She paused, scanning the cards in her
hand. “Now where’s that ace of clubs? I saw it someplace.”
Judith surrendered. She’d been curious about the
trick-or-treaters because she wondered why they’d
gone to the toolshed instead of to the house. But maybe
they had. Renie or Arlene would have taken care of
them. There’d be more tonight, she realized, since it
was officially Halloween. At least the wind had died
down and the rain had dwindled to a mere mist.
Joe had returned when Judith went back into the
house. He was putting a variety of pastries and doughnuts onto the buffet, along with crackers and various
cheeses. There was also a plate of cookies in the
shapes of jack-o’-lanterns, bats, and witches.
“Cute,” Judith remarked, kissing him on the cheek.
“Me or the cookies?” he responded, plugging in the
coffee urn.
“Both,” said Judith. “When should we hear from the
ME?”
“Elevenish,” Joe replied. “Then we’ll know if the
guests can leave.”
Judith began to pace the living-room floor. “I’d hate
to have to go through Ingrid at the B&B association to
put up the guests who are coming in later today. We’ve
got five reservations, you know.”
Dirk Farrar entered the room, looking belligerent.
“What’s going on? Nobody’s telling us a damned
thing. We can’t stick around forever.”
“We were just talking about that,” Judith said.
“We’re still waiting to hear from the police.”
“Screw ’em,” Dirk said fiercely. “That SOB Bruno
had a heart attack. It served him right. My price just
went down at least five mil and next time—if there is
a next time—I’ll be lucky to get any points at all.”
“But you’re a huge star,” Judith protested. “You’ve
been in several big hits, including with Mr. Zepf. Or so
I’ve heard,” she added humbly.
The handsome, craggy features that had made females hyperventilate on five continents, and possibly
Pluto, twisted with anger. “You don’t get it. None of
you people who aren’t in the business get it. Last
night’s flop could be the end of Dirk Farrar!”
