hippy tie-dye and Birkenstocks, except for Halloween when she turns into Madam Rasputin and wears a turban and flowing robes. But hey, she’s nice and does great business with tourists, especially with their kids. The more gore the better for the kids.”
“Does she talk much about Major Trumbo?”
June shook her head.
“She told me about him when I saw a puzzle with him hanging out of a window of the old Alworth Hotel. I got the impression there’s not much love lost there.”
“Since she and the second Mrs. Trumbo appear to be good friends, I guess not.” June was off to fill coffee cups.
When she was free again, Pippa asked her about Chief Matthew Wilde. “He took Chief Cosby’s place, right?”
June said as she wiped down the counter, “Now, there’s a pleasing hunk of man, been here maybe three years now.” She leaned closer. “Field Sleeman’s youngest daughter, Freddie, is after him now. I think he even went out with her a couple of times, then sheared off. Freddie is her nickname, which her parents hate. She’s maybe twenty-four now, went to school to be an interior designer. And no, I haven’t seen any of her work.”
Pippa’s eyebrow went up. “A bit young for him, isn’t she?”
June shrugged. “Only nine years between them, or thereabouts. In any case, who cares? A hunk’s a hunk.”
Pippa laughed. “True enough. So Chief Wilde decided he wasn’t interested?”
June nodded as she measured coffee into the pot. “Alas for Freddie, she’s not giving up. Would you like a slice of apple pie? Mrs. Hodkins makes them for us, renders our customers mute with pleasure, and gives her extra income.”
“What I’d really like is another one of Mrs. Trumbo’s oatmeal cookies,” Pippa said.
“Aren’t they delicious? Now, there’s a friendly woman, gruff and smiling, all at once. Tells you what to do, then gives you a cookie. She’s always talking about how important family is, but then she never speaks of her own family. I don’t know how many are left.”
“Her husband, Major Trumbo, he died before she bought the Calder Victorian and made it a B&B, right?”
June laughed. “Do you know, I’m not sure. She, Major Trumbo, and her son, Ronald Pomfrey, moved here half a dozen years ago. Mrs. Filly already lived here.” June shrugged. “The two former wives are the best of friends. Go figure. They still like to talk about the infamous Major Trumbo.” A customer called out, and June patted Pippa’s arm and was off.
Why was Major Trumbo infamous? But June was gone. Pippa called after her, “The sandwich was delicious. Thank you, June. I hope to see you again before I leave.”
June sent her a little wave. “Do come back, Pippa.”
It was nearly one o’clock when Pippa stepped onto the sidewalk and breathed in the fresh, clean St. Lumis air. It was chilly now, but tourists were still thick on the ground, eating ice cream, laughing, enjoying themselves. She smiled at everyone she passed and walked toward Whale Head Court and the Sleeman mansion. The house was still mostly colonial, with two stories, painted white with dark green trim. It was set back from the lane on a slight rise, with lots of maples and oaks and pines surrounding the beautifully maintained grounds. It was the only house on Whale Head Court with a big circular driveway. A BMW and a Lexus SUV, both silver, shined bright beneath the afternoon sun. The house was even bigger than she remembered. They’d built an addition that looked like a conservatory, with lots of windows and a lovely green domed roof.
A child’s voice said, “I don’t know you. Why are you staring at my grandma’s house?”
19
Pippa turned to see a little girl in jeans, sneakers, and a Baltimore Ravens sweatshirt, too large for her. She was holding a basketball she’d been bouncing up and down on the driveway.
Where was the hoop? “Hi, I’m Pippa. What’s your name?”
“I’m Anjolina Sleeman, Jo for short. That’s what everyone calls me, but my mama hates it. She always says I’m Anjolina, with an O. I think she was stoned when she picked that name and Daddy let her. She didn’t even spell it right.” She paused. “Maybe Daddy was stoned, too. When I grow up, I’m going to ask them why they weren’t stoned when they named my brother. His name is normal—Christopher.”
Pippa was charmed. This kid could rule the world someday. She said, “So your grandparents live here? It’s a lovely house.”