“I’ve been baking all day,” Lila explained. “I was just out delivering pies to some of our neighbors and I had one left. A blueberry. I thought of you.”
“That’s very kind.” Nikki accepted the pie as she inwardly sighed. Word had already gotten out about Dr. Nance’s death. This was either a condolence call or a fishing expedition—possibly both. “Thank you.”
Lila craned her neck to glance around Nikki into the house. “I hope I haven’t come at a bad time.”
Nikki could hardly think of a worse time, but she stepped back from the door. “Would you like to come in?”
“I can only stay a moment.” She brushed past Nikki, stopping short in the tiny foyer before advancing into the living area. “My goodness, just look at this place! You’ve certainly made a lot of changes since you moved in. It doesn’t even look like the same house anymore.”
Nikki closed the door. “I’ve done a bit of updating.”
“I should say you have,” Lila said in wonder. “Everything looks so clean and modern. I prefer traditional, of course, but you’re young and single. You have only yourself to please.”
Nikki smiled at the backhanded compliment. “I have iced tea in the refrigerator. Would you like some?”
“That would be lovely. If it’s not too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all.”
“We’ve had such a hot summer. I always long for fall this time of year.” She followed Nikki into the kitchen, navigating seamlessly on her platform flip-flops as she circled the small area, taking in the new countertops and cabinets before moving to the French doors to glance out into the backyard. “I see you’ve kept up the garden. Poor Grace. She worked tirelessly in those beds even after she got sick. She was always so proud of her roses. Second only to mine, everyone said. We dearly miss her in the garden club.”
“The bush with the lavender blooms is amazing.” Nikki got down two glasses and poured the tea. “I’d never seen roses that color until I bought this house.”
“Twilight Mist.” Lila smiled dreamily. “Such a romantic name. I gave Grace that cutting years ago. You should see the original bush. The roses are stunning this year. I admire them every morning as I have my coffee.” She came over to the counter and sat down on one of the stools, giving a nod of approval after testing her tea. “So refreshing. Not many people can make a truly exceptional pitcher of sweet tea these days. Don’t get me started on cold brew and artificial sweeteners.”
Nikki left her own glass untouched. “Mrs. Wilkes...Lila...as much as I appreciate your dropping by like this, something tells me you didn’t come here to deliver a pie.”
“No, dear. I was with Sylvia Navarro early this morning when Billy called about Charles Nance. We were both shocked by the news. Utterly devastated. I know how close the two of you were. He spoke of you as if you were his own granddaughter. I hated thinking of you here all alone. I used the pie as an excuse to come by and see how you’re holding up.”
Nikki’s throat tightened perilously. “I’m okay.”
The older woman nodded sympathetically. “I understand Betsy Thayer’s grandson found the body. I saw him in town the other day. He’s...quite something, isn’t he? Such intense eyes. Not very talkative, but you know what they say. Still waters run deep.”
Yes, that was an apt description, Nikki thought.
“That young man has lived a life,” Lila said. “But that’s neither here nor there, is it? Poor Charles. Do you have any idea what happened? Billy said something about a capsized fishing boat.”
“An autopsy is pending. I really can’t discuss the details until the next of kin have been notified.”
Lila paused thoughtfully. “I suppose that would be his nephew, Jeremy. He lives in Atlanta, the last I heard. A few cousins are scattered about, but I don’t think Charles was close to any of them. If you ask me, Dessie Dupre is his real family. She worked for the man for the better part of thirty years. Cooked his meals, cleaned his house, tended his garden. She was quite proprietary of his time, too. No one was allowed to drop by that house without calling first.” Lila fingered the buttons on her blouse as she stared with a pensive frown into her tea. “If she’s not family, I don’t know who is.”
“I’m sure the sheriff has already spoken to her,” Nikki murmured, not offering any details about her conversation with Tom Brannon that morning.
“I’m sure he has, too, but maybe you should go see her yourself. Her sister caters our garden club luncheons and sometimes Dessie gives her a hand. We chat during the cleanup. She always speaks so highly of you and all that you’ve accomplished. I know you’d be a comfort to her at a time like this.”
“I’ll stop by as soon as I can,” Nikki said.
Lila nodded, her voice turning brisk as she mentally took charge. “I wonder if anyone has thought to call Dr. Wingate. I don’t know how close she and Charles were personally, but they were business partners for a long time. She’ll need to make arrangements for his patients. Then there’s the funeral. Flowers, music, eulogy. A hundred and one details to be considered, especially a service befitting someone of Charles Nance’s standing.”
Nikki could almost hear the gears grinding inside the woman’s head. She was in her element now. Nothing suited Lila Wilkes more than planning, organizing and delegating.
“I don’t want to think about the funeral tonight,” Nikki said. “As far as the interested parties go, Sheriff Brannon’s office will make the proper notifications. That’s how it works in this county.”
“Interested parties. That sounds so impersonal, doesn’t it? And yet there is nothing more personal than death.” Lila sighed. “But of course, you’re right. There’ll be plenty of time to make the necessary arrangements in the coming days. We all need time to process and mourn. So many people will be impacted
