Lilian Jackson Braun - Cat 11 Who Lived High

Qwilleran took the opportunity to say, "You have a handsomely designed apartment, Miss Plumb." "Thank you, Mr..." "Qwilleran." "Yes, my dear father designed it following one of our visits to Paris. A charming Frenchman with a little moustache spent a year in rebuilding the entire suite. I quite fell in love with him," she said, cocking her head coquettishly. "Artisans came from the Continent to do the work. It was an exciting time for a young girl." "Do you remember any of the people who lived here at that time? Do you recall any names?" "Oh, yes! There were the Pennimans, of course. My mother was related to them... and the Duxbury family; they were bankers... and the Teahandles and Wilburtons and Greystones. All the important families had complete suites or pieds-…-terre." "How about visiting celebrities? President Coolidge? Caruso? The Barrymores?" "I'm sure they stayed here, but... life was such a whirl in those days, and I was only a young girl. Forgive me if I don't remember." "I suppose you dined in the rooftop restaurant." "The Palm Pavilion. Yes indeed! My father and I had our own table with a lovely view, and all the serving men knew our favorite dishes. I adored bananas Foster! The captain always prepared it at our table. On nice days we would have tea on the terrace. I made my debut in the Palm Pavilion, wearing an adorable white beaded dress." "I enjoy that same view from my apartment," Qwilleran said. "I'm staying where Dianne Bessinger used to live. I understand you knew her well." The Countess lowered her eyes sadly. "I miss her a great deal. We used to play Scrabble twice a week. Such a pity she was struck down so early in life. She simply passed away in her sleep. Her heart failed." Qwilleran shot a glance at Mary and found her frowning at him. Furthermore, Ferdinand was standing by with arms folded, looking grim.

Mary rose. "Thank you so much, Miss Adelaide, for inviting us." "It was a pleasure, my dear. And Mr. Qwillen, I hope you will join me at the bridge table soon." "Not bridge," he said. "Scrabble." "Yes, of course. I shall look forward to seeing you again." Ferdinand followed the two guests to the foyer and whipped out a dog-eared pad and the stub of a pencil. "Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is full up," he said. "Nobody's comin' tomorrow. She needs somebody for tomorrow." He looked menacingly at Qwilleran. "Tomorrow? Eight o'clock?" It sounded less like an invitation and more like a royal command.

"Eight o'clock will be fine," Qwilleran said as they stepped into the waiting elevator. Once in its rosewood and velvet privacy they both talked at once.

He said, "Where did she find that three-hundred-pound butler?" Mary said, "I thought you didn't play games, Qwill." "Her hair is like Eleanor Roosevelt's in the Thirties." "I almost choked when you handed her that pear." "She doesn't even know that Dianne was murdered!" As they stepped out of the rosewood elevator on the main floor, the workaday crowd was pouring through the front door. They stared at the privileged pair.

Qwilleran said, "I'll walk out of the building with you, Mary. I want to check the parking lot. I've been here since Sunday, and five different cars have been parked in my space." As they approached the lot he asked, "May I ask you a question?" "Of course." "What do you think was the artist's motive for killing his patron?" "Jealousy," she said with finality. "You mean he had a rival?" "Not just one," she replied with a knowing grimace. "Di liked variety." "Were you friendly with her?" "I admired what she was trying to accomplish, and I admit she had charisma, or people would never have rallied around SOCK the way they did." Qwilleran stroked his moustache. "Could there have been anything political about her murder?" "What do you mean?" They had arrived at the entrance to the parking lot, and Mary was looking at her wristwatch.

"We'll talk about it another time. Perhaps we could have dinner some evening," he suggested.

"If we arrange it for a Sunday or Monday," she said, adopting her usual businesslike delivery, "I'm sure Roberto would like to join us." Qwilleran said it would be a good idea. He had lost his personal interest in Mary. Yet, it was a remarkable fact that she was the only woman Koko had ever actively approved. The cat discouraged Melinda, antagonized Cokey, and feuded openly with Rosemary. As for Polly, he tolerated her because she had a soothing voice, but he endorsed Mary Duckworth because she was an opportunist, and so was he! Koko knew a kindred spirit when he sniffed one. Also in her favor was the entire case of canned lobster she had given the Siamese three years before. That's the way it was with cats!