Digging Up The Dirt

“If you take a look at the website, Hadley,” Reba said, “you can see the kind of pictures we use. There is also a schedule up for this year, based on last year’s, but we can revise it if we need to. Have a look, and let us know if you foresee any problems.”

“Thank you, I will,” Hadley said. “I do have a question for you, however. You’re talking about raising ticket prices. Haven’t they already been on sale for a while?”

“No, the tickets go on sale usually the first of December, so we’ve got time to get this all arranged,” Dickce said. “We need to get the new prices on the website, though, right away. Will you tell Martin, Reba?”

“Yes,” Reba said. “I’ll have him take care of it today, as long as we’re agreed on the new prices.”

“Time for a vote,” Barbie said. “All in favor of raising the prices as discussed, say aye.”

A chorus of ayes sounded.

“Any nays?” Barbie asked. After a moment of silence, she continued, “The ayes have it, so the prices are approved.”

“Don’t the rest of the club members get a say in this?” Hadley asked. “Or does the royal council have complete power?”

An’gel saw Barbie, Lottie, and Sarinda bridle at that second question. The board could be high-handed, but the club charter gave the board the power to act in such matters. She explained this to Hadley. “The membership at large approved this as a change to the bylaws a good fifteen years ago. Most of them seem happy to leave financial matters to the board.”

“Then that’s good enough for me.” Hadley grinned. “Is there any other business to discuss, ladies? Because if there isn’t, I really need to get back home and check in with the workers. I have to talk to the contractor about repairs.”

“Are you sure you can’t stay a while longer and have a drink with us?” Sarinda pouted.

Hadley rose. “I would truly love to, Sarinda, but there’s so much to do at Ashton Hall. Especially now that I have a firm deadline, and I don’t want to let the club down. I’m sure you all understand.”

“Certainly,” Barbie said. “Let me show you out. I’ll be back in a minute, girls. Feel free to head to the kitchen. The iced tea is ready.” She laid her arm on Hadley’s and led him out of the room.

“I’m ready for tea.” Dickce stood. “How about the rest of you?”

“Might as well.” Reba rose, and so did Arliss and Lottie. Sarinda remained seated.

“I’ll join you in a moment,” An’gel said. “I want to powder my nose first.” She followed the others into the hall in time to see Barbie close the front door behind the departing Hadley. She ducked down the hall toward the washroom under the stairs ahead of the others on their way to the kitchen at the back of the house.

An’gel emerged from the washroom a couple of minutes later and walked into the kitchen. She was not surprised to hear her fellow members discussing Hadley and his appearance. She helped herself to a glass of tea. There was one full glass left on the tray, and then she realized that one member of the board was missing.

“Where is Sarinda?” An’gel asked during a brief lull in the rhapsodies over how handsome and distinguished Hadley was. She sipped her tea. Barbie brewed it dark and strong, exactly the way An’gel preferred it.

“Probably still sulking in the living room,” Barbie said. “I’m sure she thought Hadley didn’t pay her enough attention. Let her pout if she wants to.”

“Yes, leave her alone,” Lottie said. “You’d think she was a teenager sometimes, the way she has these little fits of hers.”

“I’ll go get her,” Arliss said. “Leaving her alone just encourages her to be a martyr.” She left the room, glass in hand.

Arliss returned moments later. “She’s gone. I guess she’s having a bigger snit than we realized. I’ll call her later and make sure she’s okay.”

“This is odd, even for Sarinda.” Dickce frowned.

“Yes, it is,” An’gel said. “She doesn’t usually disappear like this, even when she’s having a good sulk.”

“She was pretty fey about the whole Callie thing,” Reba said. “Do you think she knows more than she’s letting on about what happened to Callie forty years ago?”

CHAPTER 4

An’gel felt another frisson at Reba’s words. Had Sarinda been hinting that she actually knew what happened to Callie? If she did know, why hadn’t she spoken up before now?

An’gel decided that it might be a good idea for her and Dickce to pay Sarinda a visit soon. With coaxing, Sarinda might tell them what lay behind these cryptic questions. It might be nothing other than a bid for attention, but An’gel thought it would be better to know for sure. Perhaps they might go tomorrow.

“I thought Hadley seemed eager to leave.” Barbie frowned. “After all these years you’d think he’d at least stay and visit with us a few minutes.”

“Maybe Sarinda spooked him,” Lottie said.

Arliss snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous, Lottie. Hadley probably wanted to avoid more questions about what he’s been doing the past forty years.”

“And whether he has been married and might still be.” Dickce grinned. “You notice he never mentioned anything about a wife or a girlfriend.”