Six Cats A Slayin'

I had a sip of coffee before I answered. Why did she want to know? I wondered. Standard operating procedure for a Realtor, maybe. “Yes, she does.” I could have told her that Helen Louise owned several of the buildings around the square. Her father had been a shrewd investor, buying up properties in high-demand areas, and he had left everything to Helen Louise, his only child.

“Good for her,” Gerry said. I expected more, but she lapsed into silence, staring at some point on the wall beyond my head.

I decided to venture a question. “How long have you been in real estate? I found your flyer, of course, and I’ve seen your sign up at several houses around here.”

“A few years,” she replied. “I don’t suppose you’re interested in selling your house, are you?”

“No. Not at all,” I replied with a little more heat than I intended.

Gerry didn’t seem to notice. “If you change your mind, let me know. What about your girlfriend? Will she be selling hers anytime soon?” She favored me with a slightly arch look.

“We’re not planning to set up house together in the near future,” I replied, taken aback by what I considered an intrusive question.

“Interesting,” she said, eyeing me over the rim of her mug as she sipped her coffee. Before I could frame a response to that ambiguous comment, she continued. “I hope you’re looking forward to tonight. I’m expecting a lot of people. I’m sure you’ll know most of them.”

“Probably,” I said. “Everyone will be curious to see what you’ve done with this house.”

Gerry’s lip curled. “No doubt. That ought to bring them here, if nothing else does.” She laughed. “They’re in for a surprise or two.”

Her tone had an edge to it, I thought, almost a combative one. What was she planning to do tonight?

“That should be interesting,” I replied, hoping that she would elaborate without my asking a more pointed question.

She didn’t. Instead, she laughed again. “We’ll see.” She glanced at her phone when it vibrated on the table. She picked it up. “Excuse me, a message I have to respond to.”

I watched her as, head down over the phone, she tapped on it with both thumbs the way I saw young people do. I had never mastered the trick, instead using one finger most of the time when I texted.

I drained my mug and set it on the table. Time for me to go home, I decided. When Gerry put her phone aside after a couple more rounds of texting, I said as much and stood to leave. To my relief she didn’t insist that I stay for more coffee. She seemed more than happy for me to go.

Gerry led me to the front door. “See you tonight,” she said.

I smiled and nodded. “Looking forward to it.” She shut the door behind me, and I headed down the walk and across the street. As I neared my front door, I realized that I actually was looking forward to the party tonight. Gerry had piqued my curiosity over whatever surprises she planned to spring. If nothing else, I thought, the party certainly wouldn’t be dull.

TWELVE

I was in the kitchen when Helen Louise arrived at ten minutes to seven. Diesel must have heard the key turn in the lock, because he darted out of the room. He escorted her into the kitchen, trilling and chirping—no doubt telling her how gorgeous she looked in her new dress.

I caught my breath looking at her. Her dress, she had told me during a phone conversation, was silk, but she hadn’t shared the color. A brilliant emerald green, the dress had simple but elegant lines and reached to mid-calf. The fit was ideal for her statuesque figure, and the color complemented her lustrous black hair and dark eyes beautifully. Low-heeled black pumps, a black clutch purse, and a black jade-and-gold necklace completed the ensemble.

She stopped a couple of feet in front of me, awaiting my reaction. “Stunning,” I said. “Every other woman at the party will be ready to claw your eyes out for making them pale in comparison.”

Helen Louise laughed. “Thank you. That is exactly the effect I was going for.” She moved closer to kiss me. Then she drew back and eyed me critically. “You look pretty stunning yourself. That black suit is my favorite, and how clever of you to wear a tie that complements my dress.”

Startled, I glanced down at my tie. I didn’t remember which one I had chosen. Then I laughed. The swirling pattern of emerald green and black did complement her dress. “We’ll just have to let everyone think we coordinated our outfits.”

Stewart walked into the kitchen along with Haskell. “Turn around and let me see the dress,” Stewart said.

Helen Louise turned to face the two men, and Stewart whistled appreciatively. “Absolute knockout,” he said. Haskell smiled broadly and nodded in agreement.

“You two look pretty spiffy yourselves,” Helen Louise said. “Don’t you agree, Charlie?”

Stewart and Haskell wore black suits similar to mine, with white shirts and brightly colored ties. I had to admit that, with their muscular frames and broad chests and shoulders, they looked more impressive in their well-fitted suits than I did in mine.