Theodosia poured a little more tea into Tidwell’s cup. “Tell us about the FBI being called in for the Heart’s Desire robbery. How will they help? What exactly are they expected to do?”
“Probably gum up the works,” Tidwell said. He took a sip of tea, put his cup down, and then used a napkin to blot his lips. “They’re not known for their skill or keen insight when it comes to actual field investigations.”
“But you were an agent once,” Theodosia said pointedly. “You were one of their best investigators.” Tidwell had been an FBI agent, years ago, before he’d quit the agency and come to Charleston to head their Robbery-Homicide Division.
Tidwell reached for a second scone, sliced it in half, then twiddled his silver knife. “I worked many cases, yes. But I was always butting heads with useless bureaucrats. When I pushed to question witnesses and do field research that might lead to actual clues, they preferred to do wiretaps, amass information, and do a data dump.” He snorted. “They wanted to write a report.” He said the word report as if he was referring to camel dung. “A lot of good that does.”
“So what now?” Drayton asked. He sounded a little frustrated. “Now what do we do?”
Tidwell gave a tight grimace. “I’d keep a close watch on that jeweled egg of yours.”
? ? ?
“Did you hear any of what we were talking about out there?” Theodosia asked Haley. She was in the kitchen, leaning up against the butcher-block table, enjoying the aroma of fresh-baked scones and muffins, and watching Haley stir a big pot of corn chowder.
“I kind of did,” Haley said. “Drayton said something about a Fabergé egg? What’s that all about?”
“The Heritage Society borrowed it for their Rare Antiquities Show. A Peter the Great egg.”
“Peter the Great from Russia?”
“That would be the place. And apparently this egg is the real deal.”
Haley twiddled her wooden spoon and gave the counter a tippety-tap. “I’d say the timing on that fancy egg is seriously wrong. Can they hold off on displaying it?”
“Drayton tells me it’s the key piece in their show. All their big-buck donors are coming Saturday night just to get a peek at it.”
“What if somebody else shows up to take a peek at it?” Haley asked. “Like the same clowns who showed up at Brooke’s shop last night?”
“Then we’ve got a huge problem.”
“We? No, no.” Haley looked startled. “Just leave me out of this, please. I’ve had enough robbery to last me a lifetime.”
Theodosia realized that Haley was still deeply shaken by the robbery. And, of course, Kaitlin’s death. “Yes, of course we will. Apologies if I upset you. Especially since I just came in to get today’s luncheon menu.”
“Whew.” Haley looked relieved. “Hopefully we’re back to our regular routine, then. Okay.” She dug out a three-by-five-inch index card from her apron pocket and handed it to Theodosia. “Here you go.”
Theodosia studied the card. “So lemon scones and your corn chowder as a starter.”
“Yup. And a choice of three entrées today,” Haley said. “Individual chicken potpies, zucchini quiche, and three kinds of tea sandwiches with either chicken salad filling, tomato slices with Cheddar cheese, or strawberry cream cheese. For dessert we’ve got toffee bars and chocolate brownie tortes.”
“It all sounds perfect.”
“With the cooler weather moving in, it’s fun to come up with some heartier offerings.” Haley smiled. “Heart-healthy ones, too.”
“Atta girl.”
? ? ?
Lunch was busier than Theodosia thought it would be. She greeted customers, poured tea, and took orders. And with the cooler temperatures moving in, customers did want heartier lunches. She brought out bowl after bowl of corn chowder and was beginning to fear that they’d run out of chicken potpies. But, somehow, through Haley’s magic, they still managed to have a few left.
When one fifteen rolled around, Theodosia found herself with a slight break in the action. So she grabbed a carton of scone mixes from her office in back and carried it out to the tea room so she could restock her shelves.
Theodosia prided herself on her little retail area. There were two antique highboys chock-full of tea strainers, tea towels, DuBose Bees Honey, and shiny blue bags of Indigo Tea Shop tea. This time of year, Drayton’s proprietary blends included Cranberry Razzle-Dazzle, Black Tea Orange, and Autumn Magic, which was a blend of white tea, apple bits, and black currants.