The Darling Dahlias and the Silver Dollar Bush

“That’s swell,” Verna said enthusiastically, getting into the spirit of the thing. “And maybe Charlie could write a front-page story about the new ownership of the bank. That way, people will know that the Darling Savings and Trust doesn’t belong entirely to an out-of-town owner. Two local people—two women, in fact!—now own half of it. That’s going to be important to the locals.” She wasn’t exaggerating, either. Knowing that Mr. Johnson’s widow and the legendary Miss Tallulah owned a big share of the bank would give people confidence. For something that had started out so badly, the ending—this part of it, anyway—couldn’t have turned out better.

“We need to wait on that part of the story for a week or two,” Al said in a cautious tone. “It’s going to take a while to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. Charlie is going to run Mr. Johnson’s obituary on Friday, and that will take up a full page.” He paused, considering. “But you’re certainly right that people will feel better if they know what’s in the works. So I’ll ask him to include a paragraph about future plans. Without going into specifics, he can say that a deal for local ownership is pending and an announcement will be made soon. That will quiet some of the apprehension”

“Good,” she said, nodding. “Makes sense.” She sighed. “I’m so sorry that Mr. Johnson has died—it’s nothing short of tragic. In a way, it feels like the end of an era, and I’m sure that the townspeople will see it that way, too. But with Miss Tallulah and Voleen Johnson becoming partners in the bank, it almost feels like the beginning of something new and . . . well, exciting, really. Don’t you agree?” But that was silly. Al Duffy was new to Darling. He wouldn’t be able to sense a change in direction in the same way a native would.

But he did, or rather, he understood it in his own terms. “Yes,” he said thoughtfully. “It feels like an entirely new ball game. It’s as if the Boston Red Sox have been bought by new owners in the middle of the season—and they suddenly discover that they have a new fastball pitcher and two new .300 hitters and as good a chance at the league title as anybody else.” He chuckled. “Well, not quite. But you get the point.”

She laughed at that, since the Red Sox had been at the bottom of the American League standings the previous year. But he had understood what she meant in a way she hadn’t quite grasped herself, which she found quite surprising. And Walter, with all his indisputable facts and known quantities, had never been able to surprise her. What would it be like to be surprised every now and then—or even dazzled by someone’s brilliance, as she was by Ellery Queen?

He was concentrating on the road ahead. “Speaking of new beginnings, I wonder if you remember what’s happening tonight.”

“Tonight?” she asked, puzzled.

“Yes, tonight. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten. We’re having prime rib at the Old Alabama, on a white tablecloth with flowers and candles.” He slid her a grin. “And out in the lobby, Mrs. LeVaughn will play ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game.’”

Verna hooted. “Mrs. LeVaughn won’t play that! She plays Chopin and Debussy. Dinner music.”

“She will if I ask her,” Al said confidently. “In honor of our new team. But it’ll be our secret, and we’ll smile and drink a toast—in cider, of course—to the success of Mrs. Johnson and Miss Tallulah. What do you say, Verna?”

Verna shook her head. “Prime rib, candles, flowers, a white tablecloth, and Mrs. LeVaughn.” And perhaps a surprise or two. “I can only say yes.”

“Good.” Al chuckled. “There’s one condition, though.”

Uh-oh, she thought. Here it comes. “Okay. What’s the condition?”

He reached over and gently tugged at the brim of her newsboy’s cap. “You have to wear that red hat all during dinner.”





SEVENTEEN


The Dahlias Get Beautiful

Wednesday, April 19



“I swear.” Bessie Bloodworth pushed herself out of the shampoo chair and allowed Beulah to wrap a dry towel, turban-style, around her wet hair. “I cannot recall a week in living memory when so much has happened. Feels like we’ve been hit by a hurricane.”