Free Prosecco Pink by Traci Angrighetti Page A

Toto back to Kansas, I exited the room and opened one of the French doors to take in some desperately needed fresh air. As I stepped onto the balcony, I saw on old rocking chair to my right. I took a seat and let my gaze follow the striking tree-lined walkway straight to the waters of the mighty Mississippi River. I wondered how many times Evangeline had done the same as she held her pink diamond and waited for Beau.
    The door flung open giving me a start, and Delta popped her head around the side. "Sorry to intrude on your quiet time, but we have a tour starting in half an hour. So, if you're going to question my tour guide, you'd better get started."
    I bit my lip to keep from saying something I would only partially regret and rose from my chair. Once inside, I glanced at the narrow flight of stairs leading to the third floor. "What's upstairs?"
    "Storage. It was a walk-in attic even when the plantation was functional. Now it houses our document archives as well as some antique furniture and vintage clothes."
    I was about to ask whether I had time to take a quick peek when we heard a dull thud followed by a woman's scream. It sounded like it had come from the end of the hall.
    "What in the hell ?" Delta exclaimed as she rushed toward one of the guest bedrooms.
    I followed her with Veronica hot on my heels. When I entered the room, I saw a petite young woman in a waist-pinching corset and an old-fashioned white petticoat. She was kneeling and examining a large bronze pineapple.
    "I'm sorry, Miss Delta," she said with a distinct Southern twang. "I dropped it on accident."
    "Scarlett, you fool! That's a priceless antique!"
    "I know, but I didn't realize how heavy it was." She pushed a lock of frizzy, dishwater-blonde hair behind her ear and started to lift the bulky bronze fruit.
    "Leave it be!" Delta shouted as she scooped up the pineapple with a single hand. "Aren't you supposed to be getting dressed for a tour?"
    "Yes ma'am," Scarlett said, rising to her feet and taking a step backward. "But I remembered that I hadn't dusted the stuff on the bed."
    "Never mind that now," Delta said as she deposited the pineapple at the end of the bed next to a gray feather duster. "Where's your hoop skirt?"
    "On the back of the door."
    Delta stormed over to the door and pulled it back. She stiffened suddenly and turned to Scarlett with a look of pure rage. "What did I tell you about hanging up vintage clothing?"
    "That I shouldn't use no wire hangers?" Scarlett ventured.
    I felt my body tense in preparation for a Mommie Dearest moment.
    "That's right," she said through clenched teeth. "No. Wire. Hangers!"
    I halfway expected Delta to pull a Joan Crawford and start beating Scarlett with the hanger. Or with the pineapple.
    Instead, she inhaled deeply and looked at Veronica and me. "Scarlett earns extra money doing some light cleaning here at the plantation," she explained. Then she turned to her and gave her an icy stare. "But if she continues to drop two-hundred-year-old artifacts, I'll have to relieve her of her duties, both as a maid and as a tour guide."
    Scarlett lowered her head and began biting the fingernail on her middle finger.
    I wondered whether she was discreetly flipping Delta off and smiled inwardly at the notion.
    "At least nothing was broken," Veronica said.
    "Not yet, anyway," Delta remarked, putting her hands on her hips. "Now, I've got to get downstairs to see that everything is ready for the tour. Scarlett, Ms. Maggio and Ms. Amato need to ask you some questions about the murder. You make sure you cooperate, you hear?"
    "Yes, Miss Delta."
    Delta frowned at her and left the room.
    I looked at Scarlett and noted that her hands were trembling. I couldn't tell whether it was because of what had just transpired or because she was afraid to talk to us. Either way, I knew I had to try to calm her down to have a chance at getting any information she may have. "Scarlett is the perfect name for a plantation tour guide." I smiled.