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“You might be our only salvation,” Jeremy added.
“Excuse me?” Theodosia said. Had she heard them correctly? Their salvation?
Jeremy flashed another look at Holly, then turned his gaze directly on Theodosia. “Holly tells me you’re some kind of neighborhood detective. That you’ve managed to solve quite a few crimes.”
“Solved actual murders,” Holly said with emphasis.
Theodosia picked abstractly at her apron. “Oh, I don’t know about that. It was more like noticing a few strange inconsistencies and pointing the police in the right direction.”
But Holly was shaking her head. “No, Theo, you’re being far too modest. That fashion show woman who got killed a while back, you were instrumental in figuring out who shot her.”
“And almost got killed in the process,” Drayton mumbled, loud enough for them to hear.
Theodosia glanced over at Drayton, who was still standing behind the counter, looking innocent as he measured scoops of jasmine tea into a Brown Betty teapot.
“Drayton, if you want to be part of this conversation, why don’t you come over here and sit down,” Theodosia said.
Drayton raised both hands in a benign no thanks gesture and shook his head.
“Okay then,” Theodosia said. It looked as if Drayton preferred to kibitz from afar. “So you’re asking... wait, what are you asking?”
“For your help,” Holly said. “We need someone like you who’s influential in the neighborhood and...” She ducked her head and glanced around the tea room. “And who hears things. You know, gossip, street news, rumors.”
Theodosia knew it was more than that. “You’re asking me to try and figure out who killed Osgood Claxton, aren’t you?”
They both nodded.
Theodosia took a few moments to consider their request. Obviously, her head was still spinning with information that Riley had given her last night. About Claxton’s contacts, dirty tricks, and misdeeds. How he was connected. But knowing the man’s background was a far cry from ferreting out actual suspects. “I’m not sure I can do that,” she said.
Holly reached over and grabbed Theodosia’s hand. “You can. I know you can.”
“Even if you just look into things in a tertiary way,” Jeremy implored. “It would be a great help.”
“You realize,” Theodosia said. “Claxton was a bad guy.”
“We’re familiar with many of the rumors,” Jeremy said. “Which is why we came to you. Yes, the police are working the case but... who knows? With all of Claxton’s past connections and influence, maybe they won’t work it so hard, so diligently?” He tilted his head sideways in a questioning gesture. “Maybe they don’t want to uncover skeletons in the attic?”
Theodosia nibbled at her lower lip. Jeremy could be right about that. Maybe some folks in city government had benefited from a few of Claxton’s deals. So the wheels of justice might turn painfully slow. On the other hand, the idea of getting involved... well, she had to admit it gave her a tingle. Intrigued her and pulled at her sense of adventure.
“Why was Claxton at the tea?” Theodosia asked.
“He came as someone’s guest,” Holly said.
“Their plus-one,” Jeremy said, rolling his eyes.
“If I were to do anything, anything at all,” Theodosia said, “the first thing I’d want to check would be your guest list. I’d need to see who all was in attendance yesterday.”
“It’s yours,” Holly said, practically pouncing. “If you could drop by the gallery later today, I’ll print out a list for you.”
“Around four-ish?” Theodosia said.
Holly nodded. “Perfect.”
“I’d also like a list of the artists,” Theodosia said.
Jeremy looked suddenly nervous. “That’s kind of confidential. We have certain agreements in place...”
“Had certain agreements,” Holly interrupted, tapping an index finger against the table. “Now those artists are abandoning us like rats from a sinking ship. No, if Theodosia’s willing to step in and help, we need to give her everything. Open the kimono, so to speak.”
