Couples

Chapter 41

Cecil Newbridge Junior has the type of unaccented speech indicative of either a world traveler or a network news anchor. His demeanor with Rick seems devoid of caution. However, growing up backstage has taught Rick that a halfway decent actor can seem like anything a part requires. "Mr. Castle, your email said you found a fascinating mystery in an acquisition from my father's estate. I must admit, I'm curious. As far as I know, Haverburge sold off what household goods he had and a collection of knickknacks. There weren't any valuable collectibles like coins or stamps."

"Do you by any chance remember a wooden puzzle shaped like an elephant?" Rick inquires. "It has jade chips for eyes."

"My father was a puzzle addict," Cecil explains. "He picked them up wherever he went in the world, usually for the equivalent of a few dollars. Most of his collection was designated for donation to children's hospitals. I imagine he thought that particular item inappropriate for that purpose. Perhaps he was afraid a youngster might accidentally swallow one of the eyes. At the times he was around when I was growing up, he was obsessive about family safety. I never saw or played with a puzzle like that. Someone from Haverburge must have found it among his things. Why are you so interested in it, Mr. Castle? As a mystery writer, are you as captivated by puzzles as my father was?"

"I enjoy a good puzzle," Rick admits. "However, this one isn't the standard offering of a toy store or Chinatown tourist trap. It held a concealed treasure, an emerald. Do you have any idea at all where your father might have obtained it? My information so far indicates an origin in Thailand or possibly Cambodia."

Cecil's hesitation is barely perceptible. "It sounds like you hit the estate sale jackpot, Mr. Castle. I've heard stories about buyers finding windfalls but never knew if they were true or not. The emerald is yours. I hope you enjoy it."

"Actually, my wife will enjoy it. Giving it to her may have earned me a few personal points." Rick confides.

"Then double congratulations. As far as the origin of the piece is concerned," Cecil continues, "I can tell you that my father spent time in Thailand. He did a series of articles on the temples there. I don't know if he was ever in Cambodia. It's possible. He enjoyed making side trips, taking in as much of the world as he could. But I'm afraid that's as much as I know about his travels in that part of the globe."

"You have given me a clue about how the elephant – and the emerald – made their way across the world, Mr. Newbridge. I appreciate that. Your father must have been quite a character."

"Yes," Cecil agrees, "he was."

Eyes sweeping the food court at the student union for Dana, Alexis's gaze is drawn by Barton. The housemother is a fellow Marlowe alumna she encountered when canvassing a dorm for hair samples. Alexis can see that Barton isn't aware of her presence or much of anything else. The dorm caretaker is immersed in bliss, sucking on a milkshake. Evidently, she found a few moments away from her duties.

Alexis hadn't thought about it before. But the story she heard the last time she saw Barton is becoming more relevant to her own life by the second. She sidles up to Barton's table. "Hi!"

Barton looks up, a slightly dreamy expression still on her face. "Oh, Alexis! It's been a while – again. You and that boyfriend of yours sure caught a lot of attention around here with the toxic shampoo thing." Barton indicates the seat across from her at the small table. "Tell me about what you're up to now. I love vicarious adventure. It's all I can manage these days. Zev is holding the fort while I get away for a little while."

"Sounds like you picked a keeper," Alexis observes, settling into a plastic chair.

"I did," Barton agrees. "It's not easy riding herd on Colbert Hall and keeping up with everything else. But we're managing."

"Don't answer if this is too personal, but are you ever sorry you got married as young as you did?" Alexis asks.

"I have my moments," Barton confesses. "I think Zev does too. But most of the time, I can't imagine how we could have put it off. Busy as we both are, we're there for each other in a way we couldn't be if we weren't married. And we're almost done at Colbert Hall. Zev's in line for a good job at the end of the summer, and we'll be able to afford married student housing. The university decided to turn some of the closed-down fraternity houses into apartments. We're at the top of the list to get one of them."

"So the houseparent position at Colbert Hall will be opening up?" Alexis questions.

Checking her watch, Barton licks the tip of her straw. "Probably. Ooh, Zev's got a thing. I've got to go now. Great to meet up with you again, Alexis."

As Barton hurries away, Alexis spots Dana entering the eating area, and waves him over. "You're looking happier than you were the last time I saw you," he notes with a quick kiss.

"That's because I know something I didn't know yesterday. There may be a way we can be together a lot sooner."

Taking her hand, Dana drops into a chair. "Tell me."

Even late in the evening, Smokey Giles is full. Lanie and Lorne are lucky to get a booth with at least some privacy. "I'm starved," Lanie declares, flipping open a menu. "Driving down here is getting old. Did the moving company send you a confirmation?"

"I got the email on my way out here. They're supposed to arrive bright and early on moving day and have everything in my apartment in New York by late afternoon. My problem now is figuring out how to manage with almost all my stuff packed. I should fill up tonight. I don't think I'll be able to cook anything I can't microwave and eat with one set of silverware."

"You should order something big and get a doggy bag," Lanie recommends. "Check out the he-man's platter."

Lorne skeptically eyes the offering. "I can't say that a he-man is anything I've ever been accused of being. Nerd and dweeb come more to mind."

"Only from fools who can't see what's in front of them," Lanie declares. "And I'm no fool. Anyway, it's just twice as much ribs and chicken as a normal person would stuff in their body. Taking home half of it makes sense."

"You have a point," Lorne acknowledges.

"It's experience," Lanie confides. "When we get swamped, I don't want to think about cooking. And I fall asleep waiting for delivery. Doggy bags are survival, especially when I get to eat out with Kate and Rick. With the nose that man has for food, he should look like the before picture in a weight-loss commercial. But he and Kate burn the calories." Her tongue rounds her lips. "When you're in New York full time, we can burn some calories too – a lot of calories."

Lorne leans across the table to taste the path of her tongue. "I can't wait. And that he-man platter is sounding like a better idea by the minute."

Lanie scans down the laminated listings. "And we should try something rich and creamy for dessert."

"Right there with you," Lorne agrees. "Let's order."