A Corpse In a Teacup Page 0,2

get on the van. She yelled, “Aren’t you going to help me with my luggage,” but he turned his back and took out his cell phone, deep in conversation in a language she didn’t recognize. Passengers tried to skirt around her to board first.

“Holley, I gotta go. Hey, watch it, sir. I was here before you. Holley, you there? Hang tight and I’ll call you in just a few.”

Tuesday barricaded the entrance to the van with her luggage cart until she had her bags jammed onto the racks behind the driver, ignoring the slurs of the boarding passengers.

“Hey, Pinkie,” someone said, referring to the pink Afro that she believed had wowed them in Darling Valley, “other people have baggage too, you know.”

Playing deaf, she took a seat and speed-dialed Holley’s number.

“Holley? Listen, if you received a death threat, you have to call the police. . . He told you not to or you’d regret it? I’ll pick you up and we’ll go to the Café together if you want and sort this out. I’ll be there in an hour. Don’t leave the house without me. No, I can’t come right now. I have to get my luggage home. I’m on a shuttle in Burbank, remember, and I have to go all the way to LA first . . . No, don’t take a Xanax. I need you clearheaded, okay? . . . Okay, yes. Meditate and make yourself a green smoothie with some lemon balm for your nerves. Bye, now . . . Wait. I don’t have your address. Text it to me.”

Next, Tuesday checked her email. Only one message got her attention. It was from Tessa, a one word shot across the bow. “Surprise.”

That was all it said. Surprise. She turned the phone over as if the surprise was on the underside. Which was worse? A threatening call such as Holley had received? Or a surprise from Tessa? Hands down it was any message from Tessa. Any time, any message. Tessa was her mother.

Chapter Two: The House Call

Tuesday climbed the hills above Hollywood to the 1930’s bungalows of Silver Lake. She was too busy looking for Holley’s house number to admire the sweeping vistas of downtown Los Angeles peeking between the renovated cottages. She came to 1417, a good address, but the wrong side of the street for a decent view. She tried out her new Tibetan numerology course, adding and dividing the house numbers in her head. Hmm. Holley had a strong future in needle arts and she should take care of her teeth and gums? What was up with that? Maybe she better look at her notes again.

Tuesday pulled into the driveway behind Holley’s white Mercedes SUV. Holley wasn’t married and didn’t have kids. What was she doing with such a big boat? It outshone the small house, like filet mignon on a paper plate. She saw Holley peeking through the Jalousie shades. Before Tuesday could get out of her timeworn Civic, Holley was hiding behind her front door waving her in. “Come quick, hurry.”

It was the anxiety in Holley’s voice, not the command that made Tuesday rush inside.

Tuesday gave Holley a hug, the fragrance from her neck and hair fruity and refreshing. Tuesday cringed a bit. She was not exactly bandbox fresh. She really needed a shower after her early commute from northern California. The aroma of coffee wafted from the living room. When she looked up to find the source, she was staring into the brilliant blue eyes of Holley’s father. At least that’s who she assumed he was, with his expansive smile, lanky frame and sliver fox hair.

Holley did the introductions. “Miss Tuesday, this is Mr. Gregory, my next door neighbor.”

Guessed that wrong. She stuck out her hand. “How do you do, Mr. Gregory. Nice to meet you.”

She was shocked Holley had company this early in the morning and on this particular occasion. They needed to talk about her threatening phone calls. Mr. Gregory had a demeanor that made Tuesday feel a little ill at ease. The man’s regal presence made her question her manners; worry if she had anything caught in her front teeth.

He returned her handshake, smiling still, all charm on a stick. “Just Gregory. Greg, actually. I didn’t realize Holley was expecting a guest.”

Once she was fully inside the living room, Tuesday smelled the seductive cinnamon and caramel fragrance of baked goods. The delicious aromas made her salivate while Greg explained his presence.

“My little neighbor here did me a great favor