Does he consider me part of this additional baggage? Polly asked herself.
Teddy downed his martini. Setting the glass on the bar top, he looked over to the kitchen island, watching his wife prepare their salad. She’d had her dark hair cut that afternoon in a perky wedge.
“Why didn’t you get highlights this time?” he asked.
Polly glanced up from the cutting board. “I just didn’t. Thought I would try something different.”
“You look better with highlights.” He fished his gin-soaked olive from the martini glass and then ate it.
“I can get them next time,” she told him.
Picking the empty glass off the bar top, he stood up and carried it to the kitchen island and set it down for Polly to wash.
“I talked to Seraphina today,” Polly told him, dumping the lettuce she had just chopped into a large bowl and ignoring the martini glass.
“Why are you talking to Seraphina?” he asked.
“We’ve gotten close. I’ve been giving her some acting tips,” she said.
“Leave her alone, Polly. You haven’t had a role in over five years, and if I want your help, I’ll ask you.”
“She asked me,” Polly said in a small voice.
“She shouldn’t have. You’re the director’s wife, not an acting coach.”
“You said I might be able to get a part in Moon Runners.”
“What did Seraphina have to say?” he asked, ignoring her comment.
“You will never guess, but she hired Phoebe back.”
“Why would she do that?” he asked.
Polly shrugged. “She said something about it all being a misunderstanding, that there really hadn’t been anything between Barry and Phoebe. And that Phoebe had been as hurt as she had been, and she wanted to make things right.”
“That doesn’t mean she has to rehire her.”
“And she’s coming to Oregon,” Polly added.
“What!” Teddy said louder than he had intended. The outburst made Polly jump.
“I don’t know why you’re so upset. Anyway, I thought you liked Phoebe?”
“She’s Seraphina’s assistant. I don’t particularly like or dislike her. But we don’t need that type of drama.”
Polly giggled.
Teddy furrowed his brows and asked sternly, “What’s so funny?”
“You know movie crew—drama. Isn’t drama what you do?” Polly giggled again.
“Don’t be obtuse,” he snapped.
“I’m not being obtuse! Goodness, Teddy, do you have to be so cranky all the time? You don’t like my hair. You don’t want me helping Seraphina. You don’t like my jokes!”
Teddy let out a sigh. “I’m just tired. I’m not looking forward to this trip. I would rather scout the area without taking an entire entourage along.”
“Can’t you just try to enjoy yourself?” Polly asked. “It’s been so long since we’ve gone anywhere together. I know it’s for work, but the Oregon coast is beautiful, and I’m excited to be staying at Marlow House.”
“Why?” He frowned. “We’ve stayed at B and Bs before, and from what I understand, it’s just a house now.”
“Haven’t you read about it?”
“Read about it? It’s the house where the author lives, why would I read about it?”
“It’s fascinating. There are lots of articles about Marlow House online. Did you know it was built by the founder of the town, who happened to be one of Walt Marlow’s distant cousins? In fact, he was named for the grandson of the founder, and he looks just like him.”
“Yes, I’ve heard all that, so?”
“Did you know some people think Marlow House is haunted?” she asked.
He laughed. “Don’t they always say old houses are haunted?”
“I’m serious. And there have been a number of murders at the house.” She sounded far too happy to be delivering that piece of news.
“Then I suppose Chase should be staying at Marlow House instead of Bentley. Sounds like the perfect place to inspire a writer,” Teddy said sarcastically.
“Actually it is. I never understood why Chase insisted on getting his own place. Surely they could have put Bentley in some nearby motel,” Polly said.
Teddy shrugged. “Chase doesn’t like anyone around while he’s writing. It would be more convenient for him to stay in Marlow House so he could easily collaborate with Marlow. But I suspect it is his way of keeping Marlow at a distance. You know Chase, when he’s adapting a book, he sees the final project as his own and doesn’t appreciate the original author butting in too much—especially a new author, like Marlow.”
“It is Walt Marlow’s story,” Polly countered.
“And I trust Chase to do an excellent job with the screenplay. He is one of the best.”
“Then why has he never even been nominated for an Oscar? Or an Emmy, for that matter,” she asked.
“It’s the politics. Chase is not that well liked in the industry, and you know it.”
“Well, I’m just glad we’re staying at Marlow House. I wish you were looking forward to it too.”
“Fine, I’ll try to enjoy myself,” he promised unconvincingly.
“Dinner should be ready in five minutes,” she said brightly.
“I’m going to my office to make a quick call.”
“Don’t take too long. Dinner is almost ready.”
“It won’t take long,” he said before turning away.
A few minutes later he stood alone in his home office, the door closed, and his cellphone to his ear. When the party answered, he asked in a harsh voice, “What are you up to?”
“Oh, Teddy, I was wondering when I would be hearing from you,” the female voice purred.
“I’m warning you, Phoebe,” he hissed.
TEN
Joanne Johnson spent Thursday putting fresh sheets on all the beds in Marlow House, washing a load of towels, along with cleaning all the bathrooms, vacuuming the house from top to bottom, and dusting. For a woman with a full load of chores she had a cheerful outlook, eagerly anticipating the guests. The housekeeper had missed the B and B. She enjoyed meeting the different people who had stayed at Marlow House, and there always seemed to be something interesting happening, although she could have done without a few of the murders.
On Friday morning she made a trip to the grocery store to purchase necessary items for the upcoming week. She had already returned and had put everything away, filling Marlow House’s pantry and refrigerator, and now sat at the kitchen table, reviewing the upcoming week’s menu with Danielle. Danielle was just refilling Joanne’s cup with coffee when the back door opened and in walked Lily and Sadie.
“Morning, Dani, Joanne,” Lily greeted them cheerfully as Sadie went to press a wet nose against Joanne’s hand, and then Danielle’s, while her tail wagged. Danielle gave the golden retriever a scratch behind her ears before the dog ran out of the kitchen, looking for Walt.
“Hello, Lily,” Joanne said with a smile.
“Want some coffee?” Danielle asked, still standing by the coffee pot.