“Forget the damned radio,” Margo implored. “I want to
know how somebody got into Ms. Flynn’s handbag.”
Judith explained how she had left the bag in their room
when the cousins had come down to get a snack. “I didn’t
discover the theft until this morning,” she added, “but it
probably occurred before Ms. Jones and I finally retired some
time after midnight.”
“You said you didn’t lock the door?” Gene Jarman had
assumed his role of witness interrogator.
“No,” Judith replied. “It didn’t seem so important to keep
people out when we weren’t inside.”
A silence fell over the dining room. Margo began to pace
again, Ward toyed with his food, Russell sat with his chin
on his hand, Ava stared off into space, Gene sipped coffee,
Nadia twisted her hands in her lap, Max twirled a piece of
melon on his fork, and Frank Killegrew grabbed the coffee
carafe. Judith went back into the kitchen.
“I eavesdropped,” Renie admitted. “Do I detect a note of
desperation?”
“Several,” Judith said. “Some are louder than others.”
The cousins remained on kitchen duty for another halfhour, eating their own breakfasts between treks into the
dining room. Shortly before ten, the conferees headed in a
body to the lobby. Apparently, it was business as usual.
Judith and Renie were clearing the table when Ava and
Nadia reappeared. “We’ve formed a buddy system,” Ava
announced. “Nobody goes anywhere alone, including to the
bathroom. In fact, we’re thinking about sharing bedrooms
tonight. If we’re still here.”
It was unclear if Ava’s reference was literal or—really literal. “Good idea,” Judith remarked. “My cousin and I are
sticking together like glue.”
“If only,” Nadia sighed, “Leon had taken Andrea with him
last night when he came down to get the cake. Or if Barry
had asked one of us to go with him a year ago. I would gladly
have accompanied him on his errand. I’m used to fetching
and carrying.” Only a hint of bitterness was evident in her
voice.
“You couldn’t guess what would happen to either of them,”
Ava said, not unkindly.
“I enjoyed talking to Barry,” Nadia went on as if she hadn’t
heard the other woman. “He always had all the news.”
“Gossip, you mean.” Ava’s tone was good-natured. Judith
noticed that she looked reasonably rested. Or perhaps it was
the rich blue high-necked sweater and slacks ensemble she
was wearing. It was the one that Judith had seen in the suitcase, and it was definitely a becoming color with Ava’s dark
complexion.
“Yes, gossip.” Nadia smiled, producing a rather charming
effect despite the obvious strain on her thin face. “You see,”
