Chapter One
Ever notice how you can do something over and over and you don't realize what's happening? For the past six weeks Jessica Fletcher had been inviting her friend, Seth Hazlitt, to dinner every Tuesday and Friday night. It was a pleasant evening with Seth cooking while she kept him company and then a game or two of chess to end the evening. Their chess matches were pretty even and they enjoyed teasing the loser. They talked about nearly everything under the sun and Seth was always current with the latest gossip. His patients must tell him everything! She was no longer trying to convince herself that what she felt for him was a close kinship. She was feeling something undefined but further along the romance spectrum than before.
She had come close several times to admitting that she wanted to see him more often. She didn't just want dinners in the evening or fishing on the occasional Saturday. She loved antiquing and traveling with him. She liked hiking and exploring towns and parks with him. They had so much in common and their differences usually made things interesting. They were beginning to truly relax when together. His sense of humor delighted her now that more and more of it was being released. She wasn't sure exactly what she wanted from him but she was thinking it was time to discuss it to see if he was interested.
She never had many male friends that weren't husbands of friends of hers and Frank. She knew nearly everyone in town but none of the men were close friends except Seth and maybe the Sheriff.
But she woke this morning with the uneasy feeling that she was missing something critical. She replayed their conversations over, mulling not just the words but his expressions as well. It took quite a while before she realized he was keeping the topics they discussed on everything but himself.
He cajoled, argued, fussed, and even agreed with her on occasion but while they were discussing her life, they weren't mentioning his at all. It wasn't flu season so he wasn't working overtime. He still had a busy patient load as well as being the assistant medical examiner when the coroner was off-duty though.
They had been friends for a number of years now. Years that found them growing closer. He didn't like her being involved in murders but he had to admit she was an amazing mystery writer and she had a keen mind. Her mind fascinated him in the same manner that his mind fascinated her.
She had been thinking of her late husband, Frank, lately. He had come into her life while she was young and full of inquisitive energy. He was an air force pilot and lived an adventurous life. While she was on the outer edge of his life during the war, he fascinated her with stories of exotic places. It would be years before he mentioned some of the horrors of the war, however.
By the time Frank passed away, she was no longer a young woman. She had lived during the past decades and enjoyed life but she wasn't enamored of death defying feats any longer. No, she was content to engage her mind rather than her body. Solving mysteries was second nature to her. If they happened to be murder mysteries, that was even better.
She loved researching for her novels and Seth was a big help. He often knew obscure poisons to aid her and his memory was amazing. He was a history buff as well. If she was looking for a partner, it would definitely be someone more like Seth and less like Frank now. It didn't sadden her. If Frank was alive, he wouldn't be flying off to Zimbabwe or Singapore. He would be selling real estate.
It was a typical July. She was home for the summer, like the summer before. She wasn't writing or traveling. Her garden was in order, her house clean, and she was caught up on her correspondence. She loved a mystery but she wasn't sure something wasn't wrong with Seth. She knew what she had to do. She had to go to Loretta's Beauty Parlor and catch up on the gossip. Saturdays were always busy so she hoped Loretta could squeeze her into the schedule.
She decided to ride her bike over early so she didn't miss any of the news. The ladies were used to her minimal involvement in their discussions so she was free to just listen. The hard part would be finding the kernels of truth in the gossip that was spread.
Jessica could hardly quell her frustration as Eve Simpson carried on about her date last night. The shop was pretty crowded and Loretta was apologetic about not being able to fit her in immediately but Jessica assured her she wanted Corinne to give her a manicure first and maybe Loretta could fit her in later. This gave her the opportunity to sit and listen to the women gossiping. Eve was being dramatic and she had the attention of everyone in the shop.
Loretta was nearly finished with her hair before Seth's name was mentioned.
"Jessica, why is Doc Hazlitt driving to Portland every Monday?" asked Ideal Molloy.
Jessica turned to look at Ideal. "I don't know." She didn't mention it was the first she was hearing of it.
"Even if she knew, she won't tell the likes of us," humored Eve. "Jessica clams up about Ol' Doc."
Jessica smiled. "I don't know everything Seth does or everywhere he goes, Eve. I'm usually out of town or working."
The women had to admit Jessica was known for being pretty busy. They also knew she didn't gossip about the doctor. Even his nurse, Beverly, kept things private but that was part of her profession. Jessica was cruel to keep them in the dark. She was kind about it though. She joked and laughed with them even when they suggested outrageous ideas.
The speculation was ripe. Doc Hazlitt was accused of having a special someone in Portland but it was argued he would spend at least an occasional weekend there but so far he hadn't. They discussed him having a love life quite eagerly. They studied Jessica's face to see if she was giving off clues with her expression but she wasn't.
Jessica's face didn't give anything away but inside she was worried. Did Seth have a love interest? Of course, she didn't have any claim to him but she felt protective of him. Yes, that was it, protective.
Phyllis Grant had everyone in stitches with her speculation that the doctor had gotten into trouble and was doing community service. The ideas ranged from taking care of a love child to going to Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. Eve thought they should just happen to go to Portland on Monday and see what he was doing but laughed and announced he was probably running a clinic there once a week. Everyone laughed while they considered it.
Jessica hadn't learned much but she found out he was leaving town every Monday. How far was she prepared to snoop? She didn't want to be intrusive and he had the right to privacy. If he wanted her to know what he was doing, he would tell her, right?
Her conscience pricked her as she mused. She and Seth had very rigid boundaries, for the most part. They didn't intrude in each other's private lives unless there was a very good reason.
When David Everett came to town, Seth told her she was thinking with her funny bone which was interpreted as her head was clouded by her former infatuation with David so she wasn't thinking clearly. She didn't believe that was the case but she had been hesitant to bring up certain matters with David. It worked out eventually.
She went home and picked up the phone to call Seth. She was going to have to tread carefully.
"Seth, is there any way we can get together Monday instead of Tuesday?"
"Why? We've been eating together on Tuesday nights for a couple of months now."
"If you can't do it, it's fine, Seth." She crossed her fingers. He was usually accommodating.
"Well, what are you doing Tuesday night?"
"Nevermind."
There was silence for a few seconds.
"I'm waiting, woman."
"Tuesday just seems a long way off. I wanted to see you sooner," admitted Jessica, softly. This was true but it didn't mean she wanted to give voice to her feelings.
Seth cleared his throat. "I'll come over tomorrow. We can have Sunday dinner together." He hung up the phone and stared off into space.
Jessica put the receiver on the cradle. Maybe he'll mention what he's doing tomorrow night.
A long bath relaxed her and gave her time to think about the phone call. It was true she wanted to see him sooner but it was also true she wanted to know what was going on with him.
She got into bed and looked at the picture of Frank she kept on her nightstand. She missed him. She didn't mind admitting she spoke to him some nights. Sometimes it made her feel melancholy but other times it lifted her spirits. Tonight it calmed her.
She took a long bike ride on Sunday to clear her mind. She concluded that she would respect his privacy and not ask him about what he was doing in Portland on Mondays but she would look into how long he's been going there and try to find out anything else. She almost convinced herself that she was just looking out for him.