Arsenic And Old Books

Instead I noticed her shooting covert sideways glances at Singletary—or so I thought. He sat at about a forty-five-degree angle from her spot in the bakery. From what I could tell, though, he didn’t appear to notice her. Perhaps she was hanging around to get a chance to talk to him. A good writer wouldn’t turn down an opportunity like this, I reckoned.

She did nothing but continue to sit there, however, as I watched. I became fascinated by the way she glanced his way, then back down at her plate, at regular intervals. What was going on here? She wasn’t shy; I knew that. So why didn’t she get up and go to his table?

“Are you sitting there ogling another woman, Charlie Harris?”

Helen Louise startled me. I had been so engrossed in watching Kelly Grimes, I hadn’t noticed her leaving the cash register and walking over to my table.

She grinned at me as she leaned down to give me a quick kiss. Diesel warbled at her, determined to be noticed. She laughed. “I’d never forget you, honey.” She rubbed his head, and he purred contentedly. I knew it wouldn’t be long, though, before he would be hunting for his usual treats from her.

“How could I ogle any other woman when you’re around?” I asked.

Helen Louise grinned impishly. “Do I take that to mean that you do ogle other women when I’m not around?”

“Oh, yes, I roam the streets of Athena just looking for women to leer at,” I said as I rolled my eyes at her.

“You cad, you. I didn’t realize you were such a roué,” she said in a mock-horrified tone, “or I never would have gotten involved with you.”

“You’re just feeling giddy because you’ve had two young, attractive men fawning over you.” I frowned. “I had no idea your affections were so easily shifted, and all for a pretty face.” I shook my head, my expression doleful.

Her peal of laughter made me smile. “I do love you so,” she whispered as she bent to graze my cheek with a kiss.

I grinned at her. “Ditto. Now, how about some food, woman? The cat and I are practically malnourished, we’ve waited so long for you to stop flirting and take care of us.”

Diesel warbled loudly, and Helen Louise and I exchanged a smile.

“Guess I’d better feed you right away,” she said. “I can’t have you fading away to nothing in my bakery. I’ll be right back.” She scratched Diesel’s head before she headed to the kitchen.

I was a lucky man, and I knew it. Helen Louise was not only smart, beautiful, and talented, she also shared my goofy sense of humor. We laughed a lot together, and I relished every moment spent with her.

Helen Louise’s teasing about my ogling other women notwithstanding, I couldn’t help glancing over at Kelly Grimes again. I was curious to see whether she would approach Jasper Singletary.

While I watched, she gazed back and forth between him and her plate. Then she paused as she seemed finally to catch his glance. She started to push her chair back, and I looked at Singletary.

He frowned and shook his head so slightly that I thought for a moment I imagined it.

Kelly Grimes, half standing by now, sat down again. She looked annoyed.

That little interchange was decidedly odd. What was going on here?

NINE

I wouldn’t admit it to many people, but I was a bit on the nosy side. People fascinated me, particularly when I observed what I considered odd behavior. I detected an undercurrent between Jasper Singletary and Kelly Grimes, mainly due to the latter’s focus on the former. She might think she was being discreet—and perhaps most people wouldn’t have noticed—but I was sure all her attention was squarely centered on the young politician.

“I thought you might like something different today.” Helen Louise once again startled me, and I hastily turned my attention to her.

“Smells wonderful,” I said as I took a second deep breath of the rich aroma. “What is it?”

“Chicken chasseur,” she said. “Chicken cooked in a sauce of butter, mushrooms, cognac, white wine, and shallots. Plus a few other things. Served with rice and fresh bread.” She set a small plate of plain cooked chicken on the table as well—treats for the cat.

Diesel put both front paws on my thighs and raised his head to stare at the food on the table. He meowed and looked back and forth from me to Helen Louise.

“Poor starving kitty,” Helen Louise said. “Things are a bit busy at the moment, so you’ll have to get Charlie to feed you, boy. See you soon.” She hurried back to the register.

I knew better than to taste my own food before giving the cat a bit of his own. While he was occupied with a chunky morsel, I tried the chicken chasseur. I would have to ask Helen Louise later what chasseur meant. In the meantime, I decided after one savory mouthful, I would tuck in and enjoy myself.