Poisoned Prose (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

Gathering their belongings, they filed out of the room. Laurel lingered behind, and because she was seated at the end of the row, none of the Bayside Book Writers could move.
    “Why are we waiting?” Harris asked. “They’ll eat all the good stuff if we don’t get out there.”
    “The reception is being sponsored by the
Gazette
,” Laurel said. “Trust me, there isn’t anything too impressive. And we’re waiting because I want to introduce myself to Dixie’s cousin. Dixie promised to put a bug in Lowell’s ear about getting me an interview with Violetta.”
    They heard a rustling behind the stage, and Lowell came out. Without looking at them, he extinguished the oil lamp’s flame, folded the stepladder, and gently laid it down on the stage floor.
    Laurel made her way toward him. “The show was wonderful.”
    Lowell turned. “Thanks,” he said and continued to collect his instruments.
    “We’re friends of Dixie’s. She told us you were first cousins. I can see the resemblance. You have the same color eyes.” Laurel’s words poured forth like a rushing river. “Listen, I know you’re still working, but I wanted to find out if Miss Violetta had any free time tomorrow. I’m a reporter with the
Gazette
, and I’d love to talk with her.”
    “She’s not gonna see you,” he replied as he packed his fiddle into a case. “It don’t matter who you know or what you’re willing to pay. She wouldn’t sit down with God Himself even if He asked her real nice, so you don’t stand a chance.”
    Clearly taken aback, Laurel looked at the floor. Her cheeks were flushed.
    Olivia wanted to learn more about the intriguing storyteller too, and so she decided to help Laurel obtain an interview. “I sense that Miss Violetta values her privacy,” she said to Lowell. “Would she agree to a phone conversation?”
    Lowell shook his head. “She doesn’t do phones. That’s why I’m in charge of her bookings and travel arrangements.”
    This gave Olivia pause. Was it possible that Violetta faced strangers only when in her entertainer persona? Did she suffer from a complex social phobia perhaps? “Would it help if Laurel sat in a different room?” she asked on a whim. “They could speak through a crack in the door.”
    “Sorry, lady, but it’s not gonna happen. My boss—”
    “I’ll see you.” Violetta’s voice swept over them like a wind. It was cool and strong and musical. “But not here. I need a dark, quiet place, and I gotta be able to smoke.”
    Olivia thought quickly. “I have a small cottage on the beach. You’d have to drive there, but it’s private and you can sit on the back porch. The moon is weak tonight so there’s very little light . . .”
    Violetta didn’t answer. Millay and Harris exchanged looks as the silence stretched on and on. Lowell had stopped what he was doing and was staring at Olivia in surprise.
    “I’ll come,” Violetta finally said. “But I don’t want an audience. Just you, gal.”
    “Laurel’s the reporter. I’m just her friend.” Olivia wondered if she should have let Laurel do the talking.
    This was followed by another long silence.
    “Lowell and I will follow you to this cottage by the sea,” Violetta commanded softly. “Give me ten minutes. I need to collect myself first.”
    Olivia looked at Lowell and nodded. Laurel clasped her hands over her heart and scooted into the aisle, gesturing for the rest of the group to pass.
    “Do not start jumping up and down,” Olivia warned in a low whisper.
    Grinning, Rawlings promised to meet her at her house after the reception. He then congratulated Lowell on a great show and strode from the room.
    “Well, since we’re not invited to your private party, I’m going to toss back a few glasses of free booze and then head into work.” Millay saluted Olivia and sauntered off.
    Harris hesitated for a moment and then followed her.
    Onstage, Lowell closed the lid of the trunk and began to slide it across the floor toward the ramp in the back.
    Laurel turned to Olivia, her eyes shimmering with excitement. “You have no idea what a big deal this is! Thank you! Thank you! I have to call Steve and tell him I might be home late and then jot down some key questions. Oh, Lord, I cannot believe it. See you at the cottage?” Without waiting for Olivia to respond, she dashed up the center aisle and disappeared through the doorway.
    Lowell had gone outside through the fire exit close to the stage, leaving Olivia alone.