Daisy felt her eyes widen in surprise. “Margaret had a closet of costumes?”
“Yes, she did,” Rhonda affirmed. “She took me to a spare room. It wasn’t a very big closet. Those old houses don’t have big closets unless they’re renovated.”
“I see,” Daisy said, wanting to keep Rhonda talking.
Rhonda lowered her voice. “Margaret wasn’t as straitlaced as everyone thought. She acted that way here, wearing skirts and jackets that covered everything up.”
“How do you know she wasn’t straitlaced?” Daisy asked as Betty Sue looked on.
“From those costumes in that closet,” Rhonda answered. “I was playing the part of a hostess at a saloon, and she had just what I needed. It was skimpy with feathers. Bright red.”
It was possible Margaret had kept costumes from her acting career for sentimental reasons if nothing else. “Did she say where it had come from?”
“She simply said it was a dance outfit that she had worn for a part.”
As Daisy left the women with their tea and desserts, she wondered even more about Margaret’s past life, and if that’s what had gotten her killed.
Chapter Sixteen
The production of Christmas in the North Woods was sold out. It could be that the population of Willow Creek was curious about what had happened to Margaret. It could be that everyone just wanted to see a Christmas play. It could be that the killer was at the show.
Daisy’s mom and dad, along with Iris, Russ, and Vi, attended the Saturday night performance. Foster was at home with Sammy. He’d convinced Vi that a night out would do her good. He was trying to help Vi any way he could, and Daisy was glad to see it.
Earlier, Daisy had been backstage with Jazzi. Glenda had decided to enlist the children’s choir from Daisy’s church to sing carols at the opening of the play and at intermission. Jazzi had volunteered to help keep the kids in order.
To Daisy’s relief, and surprise, the first two acts of the play went off without a hitch. Applause was enthusiastic as intermission was announced and the children’s choir lined up on either side of the stage a second time.
Daisy leaned close to Vi. “I’m going backstage and see if Jazzi needs any help. I understand they’re serving beverages out in the lobby if you want to get something.”
Daisy glanced at her mom to see if she’d like to go, but her mother was just staring straight ahead and didn’t seem to hear Daisy or Vi. Her mother’s reaction made Daisy uneasy. Another time, her mom would have had an opinion about the play so far. She seemed quiet tonight.
Iris stood and called over to Vi. “Do you want to get something to drink?”
Vi nodded and she said to Daisy, “I want to call Foster too and see how he and Sammy are doing.”
“Are you worried he can’t handle Sammy on his own?” Daisy asked.
“I’m with Sammy a lot more than he is. I just want to make sure.”
Daisy gave her daughter’s shoulder a squeeze. “Call as often as you want if it will relieve your stress. I’m sure Foster will be glad you’re checking in.”
Waiting until Iris and Vi had gone up the aisle to the back of the theater, Daisy moved to the side entrance of the stage and climbed the steps, crossing behind the curtain.
Keeping her distance, she watched Jazzi as she stood in back of children dressed in red dresses. They were singing their hearts out. The boys were on the other side of the stage and had worn white shirts and red bowties. Daisy had a feeling Glenda had provided the bowties.
Seeing her mom, Jazzi gave a little wave, then went back to watching the kids.
Keeping an eye out for Jonas, Daisy moved behind the stage sets. Ward Cooper was helping Jonas move new sets. Keisha seemed to be everywhere, checking that props were in their place.
Ward came over to Daisy’s side of the stage.
“I thought you’d be in the lighting booth,” Daisy noted.
“Manpower is always needed when set changes are necessary.” He moved with Daisy to the side of the stage where the children were singing. “These are nice kids.” There was sincerity in his voice.
“I know many of their parents,” Daisy explained. “They have sisters and brothers Jazzi’s age.”
Ward asked, “You have two girls, right?”
“I do. Vi is in the audience with me. She just had a baby a few weeks ago, and this is her first night out.”
“So you’re a grandmother! No one would believe that.”
His compliment wasn’t in the least bit smarmy. It was genuine and she appreciated it.
For a few minutes, they listened to the choir singing “Joy to the World.” After the song was finished, Ward said to Daisy, “I wish I would have had kids but my work never keeps me in one place very long.”
“It’s hard to make connections when you’re constantly moving around,” she empathized.
“It is. I’ve missed out on relationships and family opportunities because of it. But I do love my work. I always have. It comes first.”
“I can imagine. I was a dietician before I opened the tea garden, but now the tea garden takes up a majority of my time. We have to work to pay the bills, but the hope is that we can enjoy what we do and put our best energy into it.”
“It sounds as if you’re doing something you love too,” he said with a smile.
“I am.” She was about to say she was lucky enough to have experienced marriage and children, but she didn’t want Ward to feel worse that he hadn’t.
Just as the children started singing again, this time “The First Noel,” Jonas appeared beside her and put his arm around her. “How do you think
