Free Gossamer Ghost by Laura Childs Page A

moaned. “Uh-oh.”
    â€œI’ve got Mavis Sweet here in my shop . . .”
    â€œYes?” His voice hardened slightly.
    â€œAnyway, she has Joubert’s calendar with her. Apparently he had a meeting with Titus Duval on the exact same day the death mask in Dallas was stolen . . .”
    â€œYes, yes,” said Babcock. “We’re still checking out this so-called alibi.” He sounded like he’d uttered those words a million times. Probably had.
    â€œI’m not so sure it’s an alibi,” said Carmela. She gazed at Mavis and gave what she thought was a hopeful nod. “I think it might be fact.”
    Babcock snorted loudly.
    Carmela took a step back, not wanting Mavis to overhear Babcock’s rather negative reaction.
    â€œHere’s the thing,” said Carmela. “I think . . .”
    â€œYou know what? You don’t have to concern yourself with this. We’re covered. I’m checking it out. In fact I’ve got an entire team of detectives and uniformed officers who can check this out. So you don’t have to.”
    â€œTell me how you really feel,” said Carmela, disappointed.
    â€œHey,” said Babcock. “I’ll see you tonight. I’m really looking forward to this theatre thing.” And with that he hung up.
    Carmela put the phone down and smiled at Mavis. “They’re working on it,” she said, with far more assurance in her voice than she really felt.
    Mavis nodded and pressed a chubby hand to her heart. She fluttered her lashes, drew a deep breath, and said, “Thank you, Carmela, you’re an absolute lifesaver.”
    *   *   *
    Once Mavis had left the shop, the other three women pounced mightily on Carmela.
    â€œIs Babcock being an ass?” Tandy demanded.
    â€œHow’s the investigation
really
going?” asked Baby.
    â€œBabcock’s working on it,” said Carmela.
    â€œIs he doing his best?” put in Gabby.
    â€œI’m sure he is,” said Carmela. Her mind was in a whirl and she was trying to figure out an angle or two. Then she looked at Baby and said, “Baby, do you know Titus Duval?”
    â€œOh sure,” said Baby. “He lives right down the street from me.”
    â€œIn that ginormous house with those two snooty-looking stone lions out front,” said Tandy.
    â€œ
That’s
his house?” said Carmela. “The one with turrets and stained glass windows?” The place wasn’t just a landmark, it was a virtual castle.
    â€œThat’s just one of his homes,” said Tandy. “He’s got another place up River Road near Destrehan. Supposedly he bought one of the old plantations and is working to restore it to its former grandeur.”
    â€œAnd he has a spiffy new condo in Aspen,” said Baby.
    â€œHow’d he make so much money, anyhow?” asked Carmela.
    â€œBusiness,” said Tandy.
    â€œBanking,” said Baby. “And investing. He was big into technology stocks during the go-go ’90s.”
    Tandy chuckled. “I was big into go-go during the ’90s.”
    â€œIf Duval is your neighbor,” Carmela said to Baby, “then I’m guessing he’s been invited to your Halloween party?”
    â€œI invite all my neighbors,” said Baby. “It’s tradition.”
    â€œJust like your five city blocks lined with hundreds of carved, illuminated pumpkins,” said Tandy.
    â€œAbsolutely,” said Baby. “It’s Halloween and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
    *   *   *
    A few minutes later, sitting alone in her office, Carmela put in a call to Ava.
    â€œWhat’s up, sweet cheeks?”
said her friend.
    â€œI feel all balled up. Like I stepped on a bunch of flypaper.”
    â€œWhoa,” said Ava. “Rewind the tape and give me the sordid details, please.”
    â€œFirst I got roped