Chapter Three.

In sheer exasperation, Jeff just stood transfixed. Finally, after an age, he lifted the plate from his desk drawer. He continued to stare as if that would somehow negate what he was seeing. The knowledge that someone had been in his study further stunned him. He was still absorbing this when, with a brief tap, the study door opened and he whirled round, coming face to face with his mother. His jaw dropped.

Her eyes went from his face to the empty plate, her chest swelled with indignation. "Jefferson Tracy, words fail me!" she said, then went on to prove no such thing.

"Mother wh……"

"No need to ask what you've been doing." She said, pursing her lips at the plate that now housed only a few crumbs. She felt a sense of satisfaction as she watched the dull flush of colour warm her son's face.

"Of all the sneaky, underhand….." She was in full steam now.

"Now wait a minute……"

"Did you think you could keep me from finding out it was you?"

"You knew it was me?"

"Jefferson Tracy, I might be long in the tooth, but I'm not senile. My eyesight's fine and there's nothing wrong with my sense of smell either." She let him digest that then galloped on. "It doesn't take a detective to work out who the culprit was. Kyrano wouldn't dream of touching one of my cakes, Brains is too well brought up and, since the boys were out on a rescue that just left you! Plus I can tell a guilty smile a mile off….stealing the cake from your own sons mouths……"

"Now hang on; w….."

"That I should live to see the day when a son of mine………"

"This is not how it looks……….if you'd only let me explain."

"Go on then," she said, taking the wind out of his sails. "I can't wait to hear you explain that empty plate away. And I can't wait to hear how it transported itself into your possession. And I can't wait to hear you explain how it doesn't look……well Jeff? I'm all ears."

"Well, you see……the thing is……." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck and cast her a rueful glance. "Okay Mother, you win."

She nodded victoriously, "That's the thing about being caught red-handed; it kinda drops you right in it with no chance to dream up a decent alibi. It's a good job your boys can't see this. Some example you've set."

Seizing the plate, she marched for the door. Turning, she looked at him and tutted, "Avaricious….."

"You know mother, if your cakes weren't so irresistible…..."

She almost melted, remembering just in time to hang on to her resolve. "Huh! Don't think for one minute that'll wash with me, Jefferson Tracy. I've heard that excuse once too often." She shook her head. "Depriving your boys like that. No doubt you're so full of cake you won't have room for any dessert." Mrs. Tracy pulled the door behind her with a knowing smile and looked up as two of her grandsons, wearing expressions of utter innocence, leapt back.

"So it was Dad then, Grandma?" Virgil enquired.

"That was some roasting you gave him," Scott stated.

"You boys weren't listening then?" For the second time that day she had the satisfaction of watching the flush of colour.

"There's nothing left then?" Scott asked.

"Now I didn't say that."

The brothers exchanged curious looks.

"I took the liberty of 'rescuing' what was left while your father was out of the room…….just to ensure you boys would have some cake for after dinner."

"You mean there's some left?" Virgil asked incredulously, his eyes on the empty plate.

She nodded.

"I don't get it, Grandma. You knew Dad hadn't eaten all the cake, so why the roasting?" Scott asked.

She tilted her chin and pulled herself up to her full five feet two inch height. "Well now, why'd you think? Just be thankful it wasn't you boys who'd filched my cake."

She missed the deepening flush of guilty colour and the exchanged looks as she marched away with an air of victory in her step.

Meanwhile in the study:

Pondering on his mother's words, Jeff walked over to the desk, shaking his head. Lowering himself into the plushly padded leather chair, he reached forward and punched in the combination behind the concealed drawer panel to reveal a secret drawer that only heknew about. 'Deprived? Those boys?' Jeff scoffed at the injustice.

"You've got it all wrong, Mother," he concluded, knowing his sons had beaten him to it again.

'Well, almost all of it.' A smile of satisfaction crossed his face as he removed a small plastic box and peeled back the lid to reveal the piece of chocolate cake he'd had the foresight to stash away. The rich tantalising aroma of chocolate and fresh strawberries filled the room. His mouth salivated as he finally bit deeply into the layers of crisp chocolate, velvety cream, fresh strawberries and shortcake. His taste buds leapt with joy as they were at last rewarded with the various flavours rolling seductively over them. He sighed leaning back into his chair, his eyes closed in ecstasy as the cake melted and slid obligingly down his throat. With relish, Jeff tucked into the remainder of the irresistible feast, his face a mask of boyish delight.

Guilty by implication, he was now going to make sure the charge was justified.

The End.