Thirteen Diamonds

about her motives. She probably felt that the shellfish would brighten up the dish.”
    “But why do it in secret?” I asked.
    “Oh, you know how women are. It was Harriet's recipe and she might have objected to someone tampering with it.”
    “So she waited until the casserole was brought over to the recreation room. But how did she know the fire alarm was going to go off, unless she set it off herself.”
    “No, it was an accident. But it was serendipity, in a morbid sort of way. Although I'm sure, whoever she is, she was planning to put the shellfish in, anyway. The fire alarm just made it easier to do without ruffling Harriet's feathers.”
    “And then when Gerald died,” Tess said, “whoever did it couldn't bring herself to tell anybody.”
    “Exactly.  So we don't have to worry about this, anymore. And, Lillian, you can go back to playing croquet. I understand that you and your partner are the favorites to repeat as champions again this year.
    “If one of us doesn't choke to death,” I said.
    She smiled and said, “By the way, I'm going to a dance recital tomorrow with your son.”
    “So I heard. I hope you have fun.”
    “Are we on for noon?” asked a voice from the doorway I recognized as that of Joe Turner, the facilities man.
    I turned around to gaze at his sleek body and unruly black hair, as I do every chance I get, and wondered what he meant by “on.”
    “Yes we are,” Carol said.
    “I'm jealous,” I muttered, and she laughed again.
     
                       *    *    *
     
    “I think it all fits,” Tess said as we walked back to our apartments. “Carol's explanation has me satisfied.”
    “But not me,” I said. “She's telling it the way she wants it to be because a murder would be bad public relations for Silver Acres. For one thing, what she said doesn't explain the 13 diamonds.”
    “But you didn't bring them up. She doesn't know that the deal was fixed.”
    “She would have had some glib explanation for that, also. It's obvious that she doesn't want the police brought into it.”
    “Lil, you've got to put your ego aside for a minute and admit that Carol may be right.”
    “It's possible, but she may be wrong, too.”
    “So what are you going to do now?”
    “I don't know.”
     
                       *    *    *
     
    “I'm doing this under protest,” Sandra said as she wheeled her red Toyota along the Silver Acres road at something above the 20 mile-per-hour speed limit. “I'm not in the habit of frequenting bars, and you aren't, either. And you know how Dad feels about you doing crazy things like this.”
    “You didn't tell him, did you?” I asked, momentarily alarmed. Albert was such a killjoy.
    “Of course not. You know he wouldn't have permitted it.”
    “You look beautiful, Honey,” I said, changing the subject as Sandra pulled onto the main road. “That light green is a perfect color for you.” She wore a minidress that went so well with her blond hair and blue eyes that I wished I could take credit for the looks in our family, but I'm afraid that goes to Milt, my late husband.
    “Thanks. That pantsuit looks great on you, Gogi.”
    “I'm glad you and your Dad gave it to me.” I usually protested that I didn't need any more clothes, but once in a while they put their feet down. The pantsuit had been a joint Christmas present. I had to admit I looked pretty sharp in it for an old lady, and it hid my legs, which give away my age faster than anything else. “We're just two single women, out on the town.”
    “Women don't usually hang out in bars without men, unless they want to be picked up.”
    “If anybody tries to pick us up, we're waiting for our dates. Although it's been 30 years since anybody has tried to pick me up—maybe 40. The only thing I'll do is scare away any man who might want to talk to you.”
         “Gogi! I do not want to meet a man in a bar. I'm not looking for a one night stand.”
    “This is a high-class bar.  It's part of the best seafood restaurant in Durham. Who knows, you might meet the man of your dreams there.”
    Sandra had left Winston with Audrey, who runs the small daycare center he stays at while she teaches. I was paying the extra charge. I needed Sandra on this escapade for two reasons: because I don't drive any farther than the market and Albert's farm, especially at night, and because I couldn't very well go to a bar alone.
    I was finally following up on the