I found the large white tent that was to be used for the auction. Inside, a bunch of people were arranging the items on long tables. I snagged one of the volunteers and held up the afghan.
'Oh, thank heavens,' the dark-haired woman said. She was wearing her glasses on a chain around her neck and had a puffy black hairstyle. I recognized her from several old TV series. She was always the boisterous sidekick.
'Oh, it's so fabulous. A lot of dogs are going to get spayed or neutered because of your contribution.' She looked around for the rest of my posse, and I explained that we'd worked all night and they'd be there soon.
With the blanket delivered, I breathed a sigh of relief and wandered through all the setups, wondering if anyone had coffee. I noticed that some of the storefronts were actuallybeing used for the fair. There were signs for tarot card readings, astrology charts, chiropractic adjustments and massages. The smell of coffee got my attention, and I followed it. I got a 'black eye' this time. It was definitely a two-shot-of-espresso day. I didn't even want to think what I looked like, still in yesterday's clothes. I was glad I'd worn the khakis that promised not to wrinkle.
There were several benches in the grassy center area, and I settled on one. Even with the espresso-and- coffee mixture, my eyes got heavy, and though I didn't mean to, I fell asleep.
'Molly, are you all right? Speak to me,' a voice said, cutting into my sleep. When I opened my eyes, Sheila's face was inches from mine, and she was shaking my shoulders.'Sorry, but when I saw you slumped over, I thought you were . . .' she said with a nervous laugh.
'Dead?' I said, finishing her thought.
'After Ellen and then Natalie . . . You know how they say things travel in threes,' she said with a trace of warning in her voice. As I looked around, I realized I must have been asleep for quite a while, as the fair was now in full swing. I don't know if it was from sleeping sitting up in public and wearing yesterday's clothes or because of Sheila's comment, but the feeling of unease had moved up from the back of my mind.
My eyes felt kind of gritty, and slumping had left me with a nice kink in my neck. There was still some coffee in the cup, and I drank it cold, then began rubbing the back of my neck.
'Meredith is doing massages.' Sheila pointed to a row of storefronts. 'You ought to sign up. I'm first on the list.' Sheila sat down with me. She seemed very tense again, and I wondered what was up. Looking as if she was on autopilot,she took out her hook and wad of string and started crocheting a coaster.
A massage by Meredith sounded like just what I needed, but before I could act on the thought, I looked towardthe shaded area where the dogs for adoption were in enclosures. Barry and Jeffrey were leaning over the metal fencing, petting a black and gray mutt. It felt like a rock had dropped in my stomach. Without realizing it, I reached into my pocket, took out my hook and string, and joined Sheila in nervous crocheting. I wasn't looking at what I was doing, and I made a long tail of chain stitches and then turned the work and started going back over the chain with single crochets.
'There's CeeCee,' Sheila said. I pulled my eyes away from Barry just as a man handed the dog's leash to Jeffrey. When I saw CeeCee, I did a double take. She was freshly attired and seemed to have joined the living again, but what really got my attention was who she was talking to-- Lawrence Sheridan. He had Felix with him, and his head was leaning toward CeeCee's as if they were in some deep, friendly conversation. Something had definitely changed between them.
I got up and stretched.
'Hey, Pink, did you deliver the blanket?' Adele asked as she walked over. The lavender pedal pushers and aqua top, finished off with a silver baseball cap, were apparently her casual mode.
'Of course,' I said, starting to rub my neck again. 'I'm signing up for one of those massages.'
Adele followed me--well, she actually tried to pass me, but her platform sandals slowed her down and I got to the storefront massage parlor first. The windows had been paperedover to give privacy, and there was a clipboard with a sign-up sheet on a chair by the door.
I signed my name and handed the board to Adele just as she clomped up. Unfortunately my allotted time wasn't for a while, and I decided to walk around.
There was a nice turnout, and lots of people had brought their pets with them. But I didn't think it would have been Blondie's cup of tea.
I ran into more familiar faces. Meg and Stacy, two of the newbies, had come with their kids. They were on the way to the auction tent to show them the 'murder' blanket. Farther on, I passed Will Hunter. He'd brought his dog, a mutt with one blue eye and one black one, and multicoloredfur. He'd already seen the blanket and was proud to say he'd played a part in it.
'Molly,' a male voice called. I turned and squinted into the sun, trying to find its owner.
'Mason?' I said, surprised.
'I hoped I'd run into you. Here's that name.' He handed me a business card. 'I saw the afghan, and it looks great,' he said, touching my arm in his signature gesture. I caught sight of his watch and realized it was time for my massage. After saying I'd see him at the auction, I rushed off, slippingthe business card into my pocket. I assumed it was the booking agent for Samuel.
When I reached the massage storefront, a sign was hanging on the door, saying MASSAGE IN SESSION. ApparentlyMeredith was running late. I hung around the door, waiting.
When it finally opened, a smiling man walked out. 'You're in for a treat,' he said, before disappearing into the crowd.
When Meredith saw that I was next, she hugged me and brought me inside. I walked across the smooth tile floor, hoping the massage would take away this feeling of somethingnot being right, but if anything, the lingering fragrancein the air made me feel even more uneasy, and I started rubbing my temples.
I tried to push it all away, making small talk with Meredith.
'I promise this will be better than what I did in the bookstore,' she said as she helped me into her special chair. She explained that she'd begin with me leaning forwardwhile she worked on my back; then she'd recline the seat. It all sounded good to me. She undid my shirt, pulled it off my shoulders and laid some flat, warm stones on my shoulders and neck. They felt soothing, and I closed my eyes, hoping I would relax.
I felt Meredith take the stones off, and I heard her squeeze something onto her hands. Suddenly I smelled a stronger version of the disquieting fragrance. My stomach felt queasy, and I opened my eyes and sat up.
I blinked and looked around, hoping my stomach would settle. The makeshift massage parlor was empty except for a shelving unit with some supplies left from the last shoot. I'd put my purse on it next to Meredith's things. I tried takingsome deep breaths. I noticed my purse had fallen over, pulling Meredith's scarf away from her bag. Something about it got my attention. It was messenger style and crochetedout of granny squares. I couldn't take my eyes off of it, and she followed my gaze.
'Beautiful, isn't it?' she said. 'It was a gift from Ellen.'
I nodded in agreement. It was beautiful, and perfect exceptfor the hanging yarn around the button closure.
'It's better if you close your eyes,' she said, gently pushing my shoulders and easing me against the special chair.
Even with my eyes closed, I couldn't get my mind off the bag. There was something about the beige yarn in the middle of the squares that bothered me.
Meredith worked on my arms and shoulders, and moved on to the pressure points in my back. It was supposed to relaxme, but if anything I was feeling more tense. The yarn was the color of coffee with lots of milk, and it was fuzzy. A halo, that's what CeeCee had called it. I swallowed hard as I realized what bag it was. It was the one Ellen had made for her daughter, with the yarn from her cat. No way would Ellen have given that to Meredith. I remembered the ball of yarn and hook next to Ellen when I'd found her. Ellen must have been finishing it when . . .
Meredith's hands were back on my shoulders. Her hands felt powerful as they squeezed and kneaded. Then she began working on my neck, and the smell of the massageoil was so strong, I felt like I couldn't breathe. I had to get out of there.
I sat upright. 'I've changed my mind about the massage,' I said, trying to keep my voice calm.
Meredith didn't release her hands, and for the first time I realized just how strong she was. I couldn't get up. 'Nonsense,Molly, nobody leaves in the middle of a massage.'
'I really have to go,' I protested. Using my arms for leverage I gathered my strength, thrust against her grip,
