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They all gave her sorrowful looks.“I’m sorry,” said Brutus. “But it’s going to be too much for us. We’re going to get trampled. So we decided it’s best if we sit this one out.”

Odelia didn’t know why, but watching her four cats stare up at her with those big sad eyes suddenly broke something inside her, and before she knew what was happening, she suddenly burst into tears!

Just then, Emma Bezel announced,“I can see you guys now.”

But all Odelia could do was cry!

Chapter 23

“Why is Odelia crying, Max?” asked Dooley.

“I think it’s because Harriet and Brutus just told her we’re not coming to the wedding,” I said.

“Oh, no!”

“Oh, yes.”

“But… we can’t do that, Max!”

“Oh, yes, we can.”

“Yeah, can you imagine?” said Harriet. “Us and seven hundred people, all sharing the same space? We won’t survive.”

“You mean you suffer from hagarophobia?”

“Agoraphobia,” I corrected him. “No, Dooley. We suffer from being small and vulnerable. Besides, we see Odelia every day, so we can afford to miss seeing her for a couple of hours.”

“Yeah, we’ll simply stay home and when she gets back she’ll be Mrs. Kingsley,” said Brutus.

“But look at her,” said Dooley, and we all looked at her. She was currently being subjected to the comforting efforts of no less than two people, Chase and Emma the beautician.

“It’s all right,” said the beautician. “If you simply put some concealer on that no one will be able to tell you’ve been crying. Trust me. I’m a professional.”

“It’s not that,” said Odelia. “I don’t care if people see me like this. It’s just that… I’m getting married on Saturday.”

“Oh, of course. I remember now. Your mom was in here last week and she told me all about it. She invited me for the wedding and I said yes. So I’ll be there, don’t you worry.”

At this, Odelia burst into tears once more, and Emma cut a questioning look to the groom, who merely shook his head. I could tell he was thinking that this was not the way to conduct a police interview.

“We should reconsider, Max,” said Dooley. “Odelia is very, very sad that we won’t be there. We have to find a way to be there for her on the most beautiful day of her life.”

“Maybe we could sit on the balcony?” Harriet suggested. “Churches do have balconies, don’t they?”

“I’ll bet the balcony will be full of people, too,” I said. “Didn’t you hear what she just said? Father Reilly is going to put up big screens outside so that the people who don’t fit inside can watch. I’ll bet that place will be filled to capacity. Not an empty seat in the house.”

“Almost like a Beyonc? concert,” said Harriet with a smile. “Imagine that. Odelia selling out her first venue.”

“It’s not a rock concert, Harriet. It’s her wedding.”

“I know, I know. Just saying it’s pretty cool for her first show.”

“First and final show, I should hope.”

“Oh, for sure,” said Harriet. “I see a long and happy marriage in Odelia and Chase’s future. Just like the marriage of Odelia’s mom and dad.”

Just then, I happened to look out the window, and saw Marge stalk past, Tex trying to keep up and yelling,“Marge, wait! I would never cheat on you! Never!”

Bad sign!

“So what did you want to talk to me about?” asked Emma Bezel once Odelia’s flow of tears had lessened to a trickle.

“I talked to your sister this morning,” Odelia said, still sniffling a little but trying her darndest to put on a professional face. “About the death of Bob Rector.”

“Uh-huh,” said Emma, slumping a little in her seat.

“So you are aware that Bob Rector is dead?” said Chase.

“Oh, sure. I saw it on the news this morning.”

“Your sister didn’t know. It came as quite a shock to her when I told her,” said Odelia.

“I didn’t want to break the news to her over the phone,” said Emma. “I planned to pay her a visit later today, after I closed up my shop, and tell her in person.”

“How well did you know Bob, Mrs. Bezel?”

“Not very well. I met him a few times, but only briefly. Actually I was the one who introduced him to my sister. I’d been standing in line at the General Store for what felt like ages and Franklin was getting tired and had started barking—Franklin is my sweetheart. He’s a Shih Tzu. Well, Bob was so kind to help me out with Franklin and so we got to talking and turns out he was a dog person, too, and very sweet and gentle and it got me thinking about Evelina and the bad luck she’s had when it comes to men…”

“And so you set them up for a date,” Chase said, nodding.

“Worst decision of my life,” said Emma. “I should have known the man was too good to be true.”

“Why do you say that?” asked Odelia.

“Look, I’m the people person in our family, okay? I’m good at reading people. Evelina, on the other hand, is terrible at relationships but an amazing businesswoman. She took our parents’ company and turned it into a phenomenon. Amazingly successful. Money, and respect from her peers—the works. But she still sucks at creating a personal life that’s gratifying. That’s always been my department. So I figured I’d help her find happiness in her personal life as well. But Bob… You know what I think happened?”