Arsenic And Old Books

“You heard Azalea,” I told Diesel. “If you want anything else, you’ll have to go eat what’s in your bowl in the utility room.”

The cat stared at me for a moment before he turned and stalked away, his tail in the air.

Azalea laughed, a sound I loved to hear. She had mellowed a bit since her health scare of the previous fall. She laughed and smiled more now, and that was good.

“How’s Miss Laura doing?” Azalea asked. “I sure do miss seeing her and that pretty smile of hers in the mornings.”

I sighed. “I do, too. She’s doing fine. I don’t get to see her much, either, these days.” I would have to tell Laura she really ought to drop by occasionally to see Azalea. I knew they were fond of each other, and Laura brought out all of Azalea’s considerable maternal instincts.

“Well, you tell her I was asking about her.” Azalea turned back to the stove for a moment. “There’s more biscuits here, and a couple more sausage links.” She scooped them onto a plate and set it on the table.

“I’ve got to get the laundry going.” Azalea disappeared into the utility room.

I eyed the remaining food warily. My mouth watered but my stomach felt full. I pushed back from the table, determined to resist temptation.

“Come on, boy, let’s go upstairs. I need to brush my teeth, and then we’re heading to work.”

Diesel reared up on his hind legs and put his paws on the table. As large as he was, he could easily see what was on the table, even if his nose hadn’t already told him.

“No, boy, you have to come with me.” If I wasn’t firm with him, he’d be up on the table and tearing into the sausage the moment I left the kitchen. “Come on. Now.”

The cat stared at the plate, then at me. He meowed again.

I sighed. This standoff could drag on indefinitely. I picked up the plate and found space for it in the fridge.

“I told you no, and I meant it.”

Diesel dropped to all fours and padded toward me. I rubbed his head and praised him for minding me.

Ten minutes later we walked out the front door and were on our way to the archive. Diesel wore his harness and ambled happily beside me. He knew where we were going, and I was sure he was already looking forward to seeing his buddy Melba.

The moment we entered the old house that served both as the administrative center of the college library next door and as the archive and rare book room, I heard raised voices coming from Melba’s office.

“I don’t care who you are or who you know, woman.” Melba’s tone was heated.

Diesel and I moved closer to the open door of the office.

“You had better start caring, or you’ll find yourself without a job. I came in here with a simple request, and all you’re doing is being obstructive, and for no reason. Mayor Long is going to hear about this.”

Marie Steverton barged out of Melba’s office and cannoned right into me as I was about to enter.

SIX

Diesel emitted a loud yowl and scooted out of the way as Marie lost her balance and landed hard on her rump on the floor. Diesel tangled the leash around my legs, and I stumbled and almost fell right on top of Marie.

At the last moment, however, I managed to regain my balance. I unwrapped the leash from my legs, dropped it, and then bent to offer the fallen Marie a hand.

“Why don’t you look where you’re going?” Marie flapped my hand away and got herself up.

I turned away from the ungainly sight and did my best to hold on to my rapidly escalating temper.

“You’re the one who went rushing off like a blind pig after an acorn.” Melba hurried over and put herself between Marie and me. “Don’t blame Charlie because you’re rude and a klutz into the bargain.”

Marie’s face reddened. “You are going to lose your job over this. I can’t believe you’re talking to a member of the faculty in this manner. You have no business working with decent people.”

Melba laughed. “Well, honey, in your case, I’m not.”

Marie took a moment to process Melba’s last remark. Her expression promised another explosion.

“You’d better watch what you say to me,” Melba continued before Marie could respond. “I’m going in my office right this minute to give my old friend Professor Newkirk a call. I was his personal secretary about fifteen years ago, and we’ve always been good buddies.” She smirked at Marie. “I think he’d like to hear about the low-down behavior of one of his faculty members. Yes, ma’am, I do think he’s going to be real interested in what I have to say.”

The lightning change in Marie’s demeanor was almost comical. She went from stroke-inducing fury to sickening obsequiousness in two seconds flat.

“Oh, now, there’s no reason for you to disturb Dr. Newkirk.” Her tone oozed sweetness. “He’s far too busy to be bothered with such a simple misunderstanding. Perhaps I was a bit hasty in chastising you for doing your job. Surely you’ll be willing to overlook one little lapse.”

Melba and I exchanged a quick glance. What little respect I had for Marie disappeared.