Peril in Paperback: A Bibliophile Mystery

or Madge, of course. But, then, I didn’t really care if they were happy or not.
    “Thank you, my loyal darlings.” Grace smiled bravely. “On the bright side, I can promise you great food and plenty of it all week long. We must keep up our strength, after all. So for anyone who’s interested, Merrilee has set out a delectable buffet lunch in the informal dining room on the first floor, whenever you’re ready to dine.”
    I was more than ready. I was half in love with Chef Tang already, based on the first night’s meal. But then last night, when I dashed into the kitchen to return Gabriel’s and my wineglasses, I’d had a chance to meet him. Chef Tang had generously shared his polenta and sausage recipe with me. I told him about my sister, Savannah, the chef and owner of Arugula, her new restaurant in Dharma, my hometown in the Sonoma wine country. Tang assured me that he would make it up to Dharma sometime soon to dine with Savannah. The chef and I were now the very best of friends.
    “Come on, Auntie,” Suzie said. “I’ll walk with you to lunch.” She threaded her arm through Grace’s and strolled out of the room, followed by the others. I found Vinnie and we linked arms, too, and joined the crowd going downstairs to the dining room.
    It was a quiet, reflective group today. Not that we all didn’t have a lot to talk about. It just didn’t feel like the right time yet. Everyone was still rattled by Bella’s death and the past four hours of grilling by the police.
    The kitchen staff must have caught our pensive vibe, because they had outdone themselves trying to cheer us up.
    Besides the main table overflowing with sandwich makings and breads and yummy salads of all kinds, two staff members stood at the ready to make omelets and dessert crepes for any who wanted them. There were at least twenty-five ingredients to choose from, all chopped, grated, and ready to go.
    I decided on a Mexican omelet with onions, peppers, chorizo, avocado, sour cream, and salsa. And in case I was still hungry, I asked for a strawberry-and-banana-cream dessert crepe with hot fudge drizzled on top.
    That would teach me to ever skip a meal again.
    “I think we all need a treat to wash away the doldrums,” Grace announced. “Tonight, after dinner, let’s put on a show. This is a talented group, so I insist that you all perform something. Whatever you’re good at. Or not. Pick something fun. Something entertaining. Make us laugh. We all need a good laugh.”
    “That’s for sure,” Harrison said.
    “I’m not good at anything,” Suzie muttered, then grinned at Vinnie. “Too bad we didn’t bring our chainsaws.”
    “Ruth will read her poetry,” Grace continued, “and I’ll read a scene from my manuscript.”
    Merrilee clapped. “Won’t that be fun?”
    “Oh, please,” Madge snarled under her breath.
    I ignored the woman’s mutterings and searched my mind for something I was good at, something that would provide some entertainment. I’d tried to learn piano when I was in grade school, but it had been disastrous. I liked to sing, but I wasn’t very good. That didn’t keep me from belting out show tunes when nobody was around to suffer through my caterwauling.
    It was too bad I hadn’t thought to bring along my mother’s sacred-chanting love drum. I’d practiced onthat thing and knew I could get a real groove going. But maybe Grace had something I could borrow. How much talent did it take to pound on a drum? I mean, besides the ability to keep time and the whole rhythm thing. I could do that.
    “Oh, Vinnie, you must dance!” Grace said, her excitement rising. “Bollywood! Don’t think you’re getting away without performing tonight.”
    “Vishnu wept,” Vinnie muttered.
    I looked at Suzie. “Vinnie dances?”
    “Like a freaking New Delhi Rockette,” Suzie said, beaming with pride.
    “Vinnie, I’m learning so much about you this week.”
    She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Brooklyn, I’ll thank you to forget everything you’ve heard or seen by the time we get home.”
    I laughed. “Fine, but I still want to see you dance tonight.”
    “Yes, yes, I’ll dance,” she grumbled, and gave Grace a narrow look.
    As the afternoon wore on, people began to get energized by the notion of performing in a talent show. Some of the guests traipsed up to the attic after Grace mentioned that there was a trunk filled with fancy outfits and costumes from a costume ball the company had thrown years ago.