CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

A Productive Day

Chester Mulligan walked into Columbo's—and almost bumped right into Dark Blond. What was his name? He was a Barkley. Keith? No, Heath. Heath Barkley. With another Barkley brother. He didn't know his name. Dark Hair would have to do. And—Margaret Reynolds? Chester smiled and hid behind a plant. The Barkleys were seated at a private booth with a high back.

Mulligan was pretty much a regular at Columbo's. Pasta was easy to chew without front teeth, the food was filling, and the prices were reasonable. He smiled and asked to be seated at the booth behind theirs.

Keeping his face hidden, he followed the Matre'd to the booth, sliding in directly behind Heath and Margaret. It was a good thing he was on the ball—Sweeny and his idiot friends had an open door to the big house and still couldn't do anything. They said they'd shot Heath, but he looked alive to Mulligan.

He listened while his archenemies chatted. Something about a hotel restaurant. Then they ordered wine. Good. This may be a long lunch. He had plenty of time to pick up some good information.

"Margaret, were you able to order your dress?" Dark Hair asked.

"Yes. It's midnight teal—a dark teal. And Heath is getting a suit made to match it."

"I wasn't too happy about that woman measuring me," Heath said.

Margaret laughed. "You should've heard him. He kept telling her not to touch him there."

Dark Hair chuckled. "Where, exactly, was she touching you?"

"You've had a suit made before. You know." The man sounded uncomfortably embarrassed.

"Inseam, huh?"

"She suggested he hold the tape, and then he settled down." Margaret's voice.

Dark Hair laughed.

The waiter then came to Mulligan's table. "Spaghetti special and water," he said quietly, and dismissed the waiter with a wave.

"What do we need to do after lunch?" Dark Hair asked.

"I need to send a telegram to Caroline, my friend in Missouri, to see if she can come to the wedding if it's set for October twentieth."

"I thought we were going for the thirteenth," Heath said.

"Do you mind if we wait that one week? I think it would be better for Caroline."

"Of course. That's fine." Heath's voice. "And we need to get the rings."

Mulligan continued to eavesdrop. What he needed to know was where the wedding would take place. Knowing when was huge—but worthless information without knowing where. He figured it would be at the big house.

"Have you told Mother yet?" Dark Hair asked.

"No," Heath replied. "I suppose I should also telegram her and make sure she's up to hosting a wedding that weekend."

"Be a good idea," Dark Hair stated.

Hmmm. Then that would mean it was at the Barkley house. Where was that? He tried to think. Well, if they didn't reveal that, he should be able to find out easily enough. The Barkleys were a big deal. Stockton. That's where they were from. Stockton.

He continued to listen to the conversation behind him while he ate. It seemed there would be a wedding supposedly on October 20 at the Barkley Ranch in Stockton. He just needed to verify the date and the time, and then he and his not-so-bright friends would be quite unwelcome guests. Now, he just needed to finalize the plan. He had a lot to do over the next few weeks. A lot.

He leaned back and lit a cigarette. It had been a productive day in Sacramento.

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Nick helped Audra off the surrey and then lifted Andy off. He handed Audra's shopping to her and the bag of penny candy to Andy, and then he carried his carpetbag and the chocolates into the house.

Before Nick could bellow, Isabella took the boxes from him, set them on the table, and wrapped her arms around him. He dropped his carpetbag and lifted her in the air. Her tummy had seemingly grown quite a bit in the three days he'd been gone. "I missed you," he whispered in her ear. "A lot."

"I see you got chocolates," Isabella said. "Did Audra tell you?"

"No," Audra answered. "At least, not until after Nick said he wanted to visit the confectionary on his way home."

"I got another present for you too," Nick whispered. "But I have to give it to you in the bedroom."

Isabella laughed. "I'll bet!"

Nick sighed. "I have to work this afternoon." He glanced at the grandfather's clock. "The boys get out of school at three-thirty, right?"

"Andy and I can pick them up," Audra offered.

"Thanks." Nick finally released Isabella. "Andy, do you want to pass out the chocolates?"

"Yes, Papa."

"The biggest box is for your mama."

Victoria helped pull out the largest box and handed it to Andy.

"Here, Mama," Andy said, taking it to his mother. "Papa and I picked this out for you."

"Thank you."

"Then there's one for Grandmother."

Andy handed a box to Victoria.

She leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

"And one for Auntie Audra."

Andy handed one to Audra.

"Well, thank you." She grinned at Nick. "Maybe I will tell you next time."

"Now, let's take one to Silas." Andy went with Nick to the kitchen.

"Mister Nick!" Silas set down the pan and smiled at Nick.

"Papa and I brought you a present," Andy said and handed the box to Silas.

"Lordy be!" Silas smiled, his eyes shining. "That weren't necessary, Mr. Nick. You din hafta go and do that."

"Hey, I gotta take care of the man that feeds me," Nick stated. "And, speaking of which, any lunch leftovers?"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Nick. I saved you a plate." He took the wrapped plate off the top of the cookstove. "Be careful. It might be warm."

"Thank you." Nick headed to the dining room table.

Victoria and Audra followed him there. "So how are things in Roseville?"

"I'll have to tell you everything at dinner tonight," Nick stated, emptying the food into his mouth as fast as he could. "I really have to get to work."

Isabella came up behind him. "You shouldn't eat so fast."

Victoria raised her eyebrow. "No, you shouldn't."

Nick sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm just running out of time. I told Duke I'd be back at lunchtime." He took a long drink of coffee, then turned and pulled Isabella onto his lap.

Victoria and Audra silently left.

Nick passionately kissed his wife, taking his time.

She finally pulled away. "I thought you had to go to work?"

Nick sighed. "I do. I do." He smiled hopefully at her. "Tonight?"

"Tonight, my husband," she said and kissed his cheek.

"I sure love you, my wife." Nick kissed her forehead, swallowed the rest of his coffee, and ran out the backdoor.

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