The Darling Dahlias and the Texas Star

Maybe, maybe not. But Verna vowed to give it her best shot.

It was over an hour later when Verna pulled her LaSalle into a parking place in front of the courthouse, next to Judge McHenry’s old gray Buick. The judge’s bluetick coonhound, Buck, was sitting erect behind the steering wheel. He barked cheerfully at Verna when he recognized her—Buck was a frequent visitor to the courthouse and remembered Verna, who always scratched his ears.

She knew she ought to run up to the office and check on Melba Jean and Ruthie. But she had something else on her mind, so she went straight across the street to the diner, where she found Myra May wrapping silverware in paper napkins for the noon rush. It looked as if peace and sanity had finally been restored. The morning crowd was gone, the tables were empty, and Rudy Vallee was crooning (on the Philco) “As Time Goes By,” one of Verna’s favorite songs. “Hearts full of passion, jealousy and hate . . .” Somehow, it seemed apropos to what she had just heard from Lily Dare.

“Did Raylene make it to work okay?” Verna asked. “She had already left by the time I got out to the Marigold. Her roommate told me she got a lift into town.”

“Yes, she got here,” Myra May said, “and we were plenty relieved. She’s back there in the kitchen right now, working on the food for the noon crowd. After lunch, we’re going out to the Kilgores’ and get started on the party stuff.” She picked up the coffeepot. “Coffee? You got out of here earlier without a full cup. We owe you.”

“Just what I need,” Verna said gratefully, sliding onto a counter stool.

Myra May filled a mug and pushed it across the counter. “Raylene’s got a roommate?” she asked with a curious, sidelong look. “She didn’t mention it to me.”

“It was a one-night thing,” Verna said, and then, when both of Myra May’s eyebrows went up, added, “A woman she’s known for several years. An old friend.”

Myra May’s eyebrows went back down. “Ah,” she said.

Verna added sugar to her coffee and stirred. “Myra May, would it be okay if I had a talk with Raylene? Something . . . well, puzzling has come up. Disturbing, actually. I think she may be able to shed some light.”

“She’s pretty busy right now,” Myra May said doubtfully. “Could you maybe do it after the party?”

“That could be too late,” Verna said. “Or maybe not. The thing is, I just don’t know. Maybe it can wait, or maybe not. It all depends on—”

The diner door popped open and Liz rushed in. “Verna!” she cried excitedly. “I went up to your office and Melba Jean told me you were out this morning. And then I saw your car and I thought you might be here. I’m so glad I found you!” She gulped a breath. “You will never guess what’s happened!”

“Oh, I think I can,” Verna said. “Lily Dare disappeared from her room sometime after you left her last night. You don’t know where she is and everybody’s looking all over for her. You want me to help.”

Liz stared at her, uncomprehending. “Yes, but how did you know? How could you know, Verna? You left the Kilgores’ before Mildred and Angel Flame and I discovered that she was gone!”

“I’m psychic,” Verna said with a smug chuckle. She sipped her coffee.

“Ha!” Myra May hooted. “Verna, you are the most un-psychic person I know.” She leaned her elbows on the counter and turned serious. “Raylene Riggs, on the other hand, is really psychic. She knows what people want to eat, she knows things that are going to happen, she even knows—”

“Excuse me, Myra May,” Liz said impatiently. “I’m sorry for interrupting, but this is important.” She sat down on a counter stool beside Verna. “Verna, you are not psychic, and if you were, you would never in the world admit to it. Now you tell me. How did you know Miss Dare has disappeared?”

Verna picked up her coffee cup and took a sip. “Because I found her,” she said calmly.

“You found her?” Liz leaned forward, her eyes widening. “Is she okay? Where is she? How did she get there? Why did she—”

Verna held up her hand, damming the flow of Liz’s words. “Yes, she’s okay. Right now, she’s out at the airstrip. I drove her out there just a little while ago. As to why, that’s a long story.” She put her cup down. “Oh, by the way, Liz. I stopped at the fairgrounds on my way back to town. You’ll be glad to know that the carnival got in last night. They’re setting up this morning. The rides look as if they’re in pretty good repair and the sideshows actually look decent for a change. The Masons are putting up the tents for the exhibits. I think we’re in pretty good shape for the festival weekend.” She paused. “As for the air show, well, that’s something else. We need to talk about that.”

“But I want to talk about Miss Dare!” Liz exclaimed. “I want to know why she—”