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“Mom, we need to talk,” she said, and took a seat at the table. “Look, I know it’s probably none of my business, but Chase saw you and Randy last night. You were on his bed and he was naked and… well, we’re both grown-ups so we don’t need to go into any graphic details. All I want to say is that I hope this is just a fling, because I think Dad is one of the most wonderful husbands and fathers any woman could ever hope to—”

“Let me stop you right there,” said Mom, holding up a hand. She looked incredulous. “Are you seriously suggesting I’m having an affair with Randy Hancock?”

“Well, Chase saw you, so…” She frowned. “You mean you’re not having an affair?”

“Of course not! All I did was confide in Randy about certain… stuff, and he was so kind to offer me advice and a much-appreciated hug.”

“But…”

“Look, honey. I know how blessed I am with your father, but sometimes even the best husband in the world can suddenly seem like… not enough.” She sighed and fiddled with the salt shaker. “The thing is, with all that’s been going on—your upcoming wedding, and my brother and Charlene getting together, and Ma dating Wilbur—I just feel very keenly how little romance there is in my own life. How the fire has gone out of my relationship with your dad. And it’s made me feel sad, and a little lonely, and… well, Randy suddenly showing up here, and being so nice to me… It just made me think, you know.”

“Mom, you do want an affair with Randy, don’t you?”

“So what if I do? He’s a very handsome man, and very virile, and ever so sweet.”

“You do know that Randy is, um, batting for the other team, don’t you?”

Mom frowned.“What are you talking about? Randy is most certainly not gay. If he were I would have noticed a long time ago.”

“I talked to his manager today, and his accountant, and his housekeeper, and a bunch of other people who’ve known him for years, and they all told me the same thing: Randy is as gay as they come, and his favorite thing in the world is to engage in flings with young men ranging from pool boys togardeners to masseurs to cleaners to plumbers…”

Her mother looked startled by this.“Oh,” she said. “Oh, dear.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to give Dad another chance, Mom? You’re not seriously thinking about leaving him, are you?” The last thing she wanted was for her parents to split up. She really couldn’t imagine a thing like that. Though judging from the expression on her mother’s face it was exactly what she was contemplating.

“I honestly don’t know, honey,” said Mom. “It’s just that being around Randy has made me reevaluate my whole life, and now I simply don’t know what to do.”

“Oh, Mom…” She drummed her fingers on the tabletop. “Look, if you like Randy so much, and obviously he likes you, maybe you can do me a favor.”

“What is it?”

“Dan suggested I talk to Randy about what’s going on with him—with the poisoning and all. He suggests Randy probably knows more than he realizes. And if only I can get him to open up…”

Mom smiled.“You want me to talk to him, is that it? Make him open up to me?”

“You two seem very close.”

“There is a real bond between us,” Marge said. “A romantic bond, I thought, but obviously that isn’t the case.” She made a decision. “I’ll invite him over for dinner.”

“Maybe better do it at my place. Dad won’t like it when you and Randy have a cozy t?te-?-t?te in his own home.”

“Good idea,” said Marge. “So maybe you and Chase can conveniently get out of the house tonight, so it will just be me and Randy. A candlelight dinner will probably do the trick.”

Her mother seemed excited about the idea. A little bit too excited, Odelia thought. But if what his associates said about Randy was true, there was no danger of a romantic entanglement whatsoever. And if Mom could get Randy to open up, maybe they could finally get at the heart of what was going on.

Deep down, he probably knew exactly who was targeting him and why. They just needed to give him a gentle nudge in the right direction, and if anyone could provide that nudge, it was Mom—with the sweet way she had about her and her kind demeanor.

She got up.“Have you heard from Gran? Is she going to keep dating Wilbur?”

“Oh, I certainly hope not,” said her mom immediately. “That man is the worst possible candidate for your grandmother.”

“Dooley is very worried. He thinks they’re going to get married and that he’ll have to go live with Wilbur from now on.”

“Yes, Tex is salivating at the thought of Ma striking out on her own. He’s also giving serious thought about replacing your grandmother as his receptionist. And I can’t blame him. She’s hardly ever there.”

“I know,” said Odelia. “Oh, have you seen Brutus? He seems to have disappeared.”

“No, I haven’t. Are you sure he’s not at your place?”

“No, and the cats haven’t seen him since last night. Harriet is frantic with worry.”

“Oh, dear. So many things happening right now.”

“And all since Randy has come to stay with us, have you noticed?”