Free Two Cooks A-Killing by Joanne Pence Page B

you.”
    Angie’s pulse slowly returned to normal. “You want to see me ?” That made no sense. Rebecca Mayfield hated her, and everyone knew it. “Come in.”
    â€œI came bearing a gift.”
    Where had Angie heard that before? She watched as Rebecca pulled an incense burner from a bag. “I have another at home just like it. It has special significance for me, and Eagle Crest is one of my favorite shows. I was wondering if I could just slip it onto a table or someplace where it’d be sure to be filmed?”
    Angie’s eyes narrowed. She and Paavo had been walking through Chinatown one day when he pointed out a miniature brass temple and told her he’d given one to Rebecca after she’d oohed and aahed over it. “I’m sure I can find an appropriate spot for it.”
    â€œWonderful!” Rebecca cried, fluffing her hair and strolling through the rooms, touching and studying every bit of Eagle Crest minutiae and Christmas paraphernalia as she went. “I have a confession to make. I also came to see the cast. The show was my absolute favorite. I may have even become a cop because of it. I wanted to know who killed Julia Parker and was furious that the dumb cops on the show went after Cliff Roxbury. As if! But you probably have no idea what I’m talking about…and I’m babbling…but I can’t believe I’m actually here, inside the Roxbury house! It’s so beautiful.”
    â€œI always suspected Leona,” Angie said. “The other woman and all…”
    Rebecca peeked in the dining room. “Where’s the cast?”
    â€œNot here yet.”
    Disappointment clouded Rebecca’s face. “Bummer!” In the family room, she placed her large purse on a tabletop filled with pictures of the Roxbury family and stood in front of it, lifting and studying each photo.
    â€œWould you like something to drink?” Angie stepped behind the bar and switched off the glowing and bobbing Rudolph. “It’s a long trip up here and back .”
    â€œA Coke’s good.”
    â€œDiet?”
    Rebecca put her hands on her svelte hips. “No.”
    Angie handed her a can.
    â€œI’ll take it with me,” Rebecca said as she turned toward the courtyard. “I can still see Julia sneaking into the gate after her romance with the stable-boy. He had wavy dark hair and big sky blue eyes just like Paavo. I guess I’ve always been partial to that combination.” She sighed as if she’d been in love with the boy herself. “This is fantastic, Angie. Thank you for letting me see it.”
    Angie walked her to the door. “Drive safely.”
    â€œI’ll give Paavo your best. I’m sure I’ll see him tonight. By the way, I gave him a screen saver for his computer. A black Corvette. He loves it! He didn’t try to give it back, either.” She smiled. “Bye!”
    Angie hadn’t known one could smile and wave with clenched teeth. Somehow she managed to. She’d tried to give Paavo a black Corvette as anengagement present, but he’d refused to accept it. Too expensive he’d said, despite his obvious love for the car. Instead, he drove around in a clunker…and looked at Rebecca’s present to him at work. Damn!
    She glared at the stupid tree and its “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” cacophony. A horrible thought struck her. She detoured to the family room.
    There, in front of the photos of the Roxbury family, where millions of TV viewers could see it if the camera panned slowly and they squinted hard, Rebecca had snuck a photo of her and Paavo standing side-by-side and smiling happily.
    Angie snatched it up and dropped it in the trash.
    Â 
    The local chapter of the Audubon Society was located near Sigmund Stern Grove. Minnie Petite lived off of West Portal Avenue, right between Paavo’s current location and the birdwatchers.
    As he drove, he phoned Missing