Town In a Lobster Stew Read online

  His heart jumped in his chest. “Hey, who are you?” he called, starting toward the room. “What are you doing in there?”

  He thumped at the floor with his cane. His anger was becoming physical. He stopped a few steps from the bedroom door, which was half-open. Cautiously he craned his neck forward, trying to peer inside, but he saw nothing. He lifted his cane, placed its tip against the door, and pushed.

  As the door swung open the shadowy figure came swiftly toward him. He yelped in terror and fell back, struggling to stay on his feet as the figure came closer, adding substance, becoming something more human, more like . . . him.

  He stared in disbelief. It was as if he were looking into a mirror. He let out a gasp of surprise. The intruder wore a light gray sweater, just as he did, over a white shirt and baggy brown trousers, just like his. Black shoes. Gray hair.

  A wig, he realized with a start. His eyes studied it in fascination. It was well made and looked almost authentic. Even the part was in the right place. His mouth fell open. Who would do such a thing?

  “What . . . what’s going on here?” he sputtered. “Who are you?”

  “Who do I look like? I’m you!” the intruder said in a voice he vaguely recognized.

  That brought him back to reality. He focused his gaze. It took a few moments but finally his eyes widened in recognition. “Hey, wait a minute. I know you,” he said emphatically. The anger returned, flashing through him. He poked at the air with his finger. “I know who you are! You don’t belong here. This isn’t your home. You need to get out of here right now!”

  In indignation he lifted his cane, brandishing it at the intruder like a sword. “I’m going to call the police! I’m going to call them right now!” He turned abruptly and started toward the stairs. But a hand on his shoulder pulled him back.

  “Wait a minute, old man. You’re not going anywhere.”

  He jerked his shoulder forward, out of the intruder’s grasp. “Let go! I’m calling the police.”

  The hand returned to his shoulder, and having had enough of this nonsense, he turned and lashed out with his cane, swinging it toward the intruder. But there was no power in the attack. The intruder raised an arm and batted away the cane with a grunt, knocking it out of his hand. It clattered to the floor.

  The face under the wig hardened. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

  “I’ll stop you if I have to. This is her house. You have no right to be here.” He swung out with his fists.

  But the intruder backed away, out of his reach.

  Seeing his chance, he turned and scurried toward the stairs, but the intruder followed, grabbing at his sweater and pulling him off balance. He tumbled toward the banister, his legs going out from underneath him. He grabbed for a handhold, but his aim went high. Unable to restrain or protect himself, he fell forward, slamming his head with a dull thunk! into the hard wood banister.

  He crumbled, a thousand pinpricks of light shooting into his eyes. His ears were ringing, and his elbows and knees hurt. The side of his head felt numb.

  For a few moments he lay there, unmoving, groaning. Hands reached out toward him, taking him by the arms, but he swatted at them furiously, driving them away. Gasping, he reached up for the banister, finally grabbed hold, and tried to pull himself to his feet. He needed to call the police. He needed to get help. He needed to get rid of this intruder and get back home where he was safe.

  Safe. In his own home. That’s where he needed to be. He needed to get back home!

  He got his legs under him and started for the stairs, but the intruder was on him again, and he fell forward awkwardly, over the edge of the top step.

  He let out no sound as he fell. The stairs rushed up to meet him too quickly.

  I’ve failed. The desperate words flashed in his frantic mind.

  He landed once hard and bounced, landed hard a second time, bones twisting and snapping inside, shattering his life. His body broken, he tumbled and slid to the bottom, where he lay in an unmoving heap.

  A final thought flicked through his brain. My lovely Wilma Mae . . .

  Then, only darkness.

  From The Cape Crier

  Cape Willington, Maine

  May 20th Edition

  COMMUNITY CORNER

  by Candy Holliday Community Correspondent

  IT’S ICE CREAM TIME!

  After a long, wet spring, it’s officially summer in Maine! The sun has finally come out from behind the clouds! The tourists are back!! The stores are open! And, of course, ice cream is our top priority! The Ice Cream Shack is now officially open, and owner Lyra Graveton (who did a bang-up job in Oklahoma! last year) recently announced her new flavor for the summer. Drumroll, please. It’s . . . Fruit Lover’s Paradise! To create her chilly concoction, Lyra mixes pieces of peach, blueberry, and watermelon in vanilla ice cream with a delicate dark chocolate swirl throughout. Yum! You can get your three servings of fruit a day in a single scoop! This is the way life should be!

  CAPE OBSERVES MEMORIAL DAY

  The town of Cape Willington will host its traditional Memorial Day activities on Monday, May 30. The main event will be the Memorial Day Parade, which starts off at 1 P.M. from the high school parking lot and follows a route that takes it south on River Road to the Coastal Loop, up Main Street, and down Ocean Avenue to Town Cemetery. After a brief ceremony and laying of the wreath on the Veterans’ Memorial Bench, the parade will regroup and head north along the Coastal Loop to Stone Hill Cemetery for a second ceremony, speeches, and a twenty-one-gun salute. Everyone is invited to participate. Groups and individuals interested in marching in the parade should meet at the high school parking lot at noon. The event will take place rain or shine.

  LOBSTER LOVERS UNITE

  While the Memorial Day Parade is the main event going on in town this coming holiday weekend, there are plenty of other activities taking place, including the world famous and totally scrumptious Lobster Stew Cook-off, now in its twenty-ninth year. This year’s culinary event takes place on Saturday, May 28, at the Lightkeeper’s Inn, located on the corner of Ocean Avenue and the Coastal Loop (they asked me to put that in there for the out-of-towners). The chefs will begin their crustaceous concoctions around 9 A.M., with judging taking place at noon. The event opens to the public at 11 A.M. and continues throughout the afternoon.

  Eleven wonderful chefs will be working their magic this year, including Melody Barnes, Wanda Boyle, William “Bumpy” Brigham, Delilah Daggerstone, Charlotte Depew, Lyra Graveton (taking a break from her ice cream- scooping duties!), Walter Gruthers, Juanita Perez, Burt Ramsay, Tillie Shaw, and Anita Weller. I’ve heard rumors of a guest judge, so stay tuned for that news—as always, you’ll be the first to know!

  Emerald Isle, a wonderful Celtic band, will entertain the crowd from 1 to 3 P.M. Other events taking place throughout the day will include children’s games, face painting, and a raffle with great prizes. You can browse several craft booths as well. And, of course, be sure to sample the stews, at just $3 a cup. Such a deal! You can purchase tickets at Gumm’s, Zeke’s, or at the Lightkeeper’s Inn on the day of the event. For more information, contact Wanda Boyle at 555-6571.

  PLANTS AND PASTRIES

  But wait, there’s more! A Plant and Pastry Sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 28, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. at Town Park. (I told you there was a lot going on!) The joint operation, sponsored by our local community gardeners and the Cape Young Bakers’ Group, will offer an eclectic assortment of perennials and phyllos, plus pies, tarts, cookies, croissants, and other assorted goodies. There’s even a rumor (another one!) that Herr Georg Wolfsburger, of the renowned Black Forest Bakery, will prepare a selection of his famous German pastries especially for the event. So if you’re looking for that special plant to fill an empty spot in your garden, this is the sale for you. And you get to take home dessert as well!

  LASSO UP SOME SNOW

  Sure, it seems like the wrong time of year, but congratulations go out to Cape’s hard
working (and often unsung) snowplow drivers, who won second place at the Eighteenth Annual Washington County Snowplow Rodeo. Yee haw! The team was assembled by Gordon Davies, Cape’s manager of public works, and consists of Tom Farmington, Francis Robichaud, Payne Webster, and Pete Barkely.

  What’s the most difficult maneuver they had to perform? According to Gordon, that would be driving the plow through a twisty course of orange cones that have tennis balls balanced on their tops. Sounds tricky, but our boys came through with flying colors. Great work, gentlemen! The team moves on to the state competition in Augusta next month. Be sure to mark your calendars, and head on over to the state capital on June 22 to cheer on our team.

  HOORAY FOR HULA-HOOPS

  Although she’s best known for flossing her teeth while driving, Elsie Lingholt is heading to New Brunswick, Canada, to compete in the Women’s International Hula-Hoop Competition. When she gets back to Cape Willington, Elsie plans to start a local women’s Hula-hoop group. Hopefully we’ll see them marching in the next town parade. Now Elsie has a lot to smile about!

  TASTY TIDBITS

  There’s so much love in Cape Willington these days, with seaside weddings galore. We’ll list them all in our special Wedding Section, scheduled for early June, so keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, congratulations to all the happy couples. May all your dreams come true!

  The annual Beach Cleanup Weekend was a great success, thanks to Jim Harrison and his organizational skills. Three miles of beach and the docks were cleaned up so they can be fully enjoyed by all this summer.

  Official Judicious F. P. Bosworth sightings for the first three weeks of May:

  Visible: 7 days

  Invisible: 14 days

  It seems Judicious has been keeping to himself lately. We hope to see more of you this summer, Judicious! As always, pass on your Judicious sightings to the Cape Crier for ongoing publication.

  High school seniors, PLEASE send us your postgraduation plans so we can print them in our special Graduation Issue next month. You can mail, e-mail, or text them to us, or just give us a call. See the inside front cover of this issue for contact information. Also, please include any prom photos you would like us to publish in our Keepsake Issue.

  Finally, mark your calendars for the Ham and Bean Supper, scheduled for Saturday, June 4, from 4:30 until 6:30 P.M. at the Chapel by the Sea. The Reverend James P. Daisy will be attending, but he promises no sermons! He does tell us, though, that he cooks a mean baked bean dish. We can’t wait. Good food and good company are promised.

  ONE

  Wilma Mae Wendell hurried about the kitchen in a tizzy.

  While the water rose to a boil in its teakettle on the gas burner, she darted first to the cabinet, where she stood on the toes of her sturdy brown shoes to reach the higher shelves, then to the fridge and the sink before pausing beside a silver serving tray that sat on the oak countertop. With practiced hands she arranged the rose-patterned teacups, matching saucers and bowls, polished silverware, cloth napkins, and cookie plates on the tray.

  As she worked, she talked.

  “I just can’t believe it’s gone,” she said with a quiver of disbelief in her voice. “It’s always been in exactly the same spot, year after year, right up there in the front bedroom on the second floor.” She tilted her head toward the ceiling to emphasize her point but kept her eyes on the tray.

  “I put it in there myself, in a special place where no one else could find it. And it’s been right there, safe and sound, ever since James—well, Mr. Sedley, you know; I still tend to call him that after all these years, even though he’s always insisted I call him James—ever since he gave it to me for safekeeping. At least that’s what he told me at the time—safekeeping, he said—but I know he was mostly just tired of all the commotion that always seems to follow him and that silly recipe of his around.”

  She lowered her voice just a bit, as if revealing a secret. “He didn’t mind the spotlight too much, I can tell you that. But the truth is it just tired him out after a while.” She reached toward a cupboard, took out a box of sugar cubes, and proceeded to fill a crystal container using sterling silver pincers. “I think one day he finally realized he’d simply had enough of the whole celebrity life and decided to return to his own kitchen for a little peace and quiet. It was for the best. He was always more comfortable cooking in front of a stove, you know, than he was standing up in front of a crowd.”

  Wilma Mae shook her white-haired head and made a clucking sound with her tongue. “But he’s a lovely gentleman, he is, my Mr. Sedley. He always has been. I’ve known him for years, longer than I can remember—or longer than I care to admit, at least.” She smiled to herself, but it was a melancholy smile. “I was just a teenager when we met. He was a very handsome young man back then, in his early twenties, with his black hair and lovely gray eyes. The same color as mine! Ooh, all the girls thought he was so handsome. We used to talk about him all the time back in the serving station. Some of them . . . well, they couldn’t help themselves, now could they?”

  She shrugged, as if that was explanation enough. “But he was already married, even then, to a rather plain woman who held on to him real tight. And well she should. She passed away a while ago—more than nine years now, I think. Yes, that’s about right—it was a few years after my own Milton left me. It’s just me and Mr. Sedley now, just the two of us. Anyway, I told him I’d keep it safe for him, and that’s exactly what I’ve done all these years, right up until now. But it’s not there anymore, is it? It’s got me so worried, I don’t know what to do. What will Mr. Sedley think?”

  With questioning eyes, she looked over at her guest.

  Candy Holliday sat at the kitchen table, perched at the edge of a white wooden chair, trying earnestly to follow the elderly woman’s rapidly ricocheting chain of thought. Candy sat politely, listening, greatly impressed with the fact that Wilma Mae had said all she had while barely taking a breath.

  Candy had come prepared for an interview and had set out a pen and reporter’s notebook on the table before her. But she hadn’t written anything down yet. She’d only just arrived when Wilma Mae launched into her soliloquy.

  Now, realizing Wilma Mae had stopped talking, Candy cleared her throat. Hesitantly, she began. “Well, I don’t know Mr. Sedley myself, but I’m sure he would understand . . . whatever it is he . . . is supposed to understand about . . . whatever it is you just said.” She frowned, uncertain if she’d made any sense at all.

  Wilma Mae gave her an indulgent look. “Yes, Candy dear, perhaps he would, but he trusted me with it, don’t you see? And Lord knows what will happen if it gets out in public. Lord knows! It’s fairly valuable, you know. Both Mr. Sedley and I received generous offers for it. Very generous offers. But we turned them all down, of course.”

  “Um . . . of course.” Candy thought about that for a moment, then finally shook her head. “Mrs. Wendell, I’m sorry, but I’m a little confused. I’m not sure what we’re talking about here. Can we back up a little? What, exactly, have you lost?”

  Wilma Mae made a clucking sound with her tongue, as if she thought Candy should pay more attention. “Why, Mr. Sedley’s recipe, of course. And it’s not lost, dear. It’s missing. There’s a difference. That’s why I called you. I’m hoping you can help me.”

  “Oh.” The word came out quickly. Candy blinked several times. “Oh, I thought I was here for an interview. That’s what we talked about, right? On the phone? An interview for next week’s issue of the paper? You’re an honorary judge for the Lobster Stew Cook-off on Saturday, right? But you . . . you want me to help you find a missing recipe?”

  Candy tilted her head as she considered her words. Suddenly it all started to make sense. “Is this the famous lobster stew recipe you’re talking about? The one you used all those years to win the cook-off yourself?”

  Wilma Mae seemed pleased Candy remembered. “Oh, aren’t you smart! The very one! It made the most delicious lobster stew you’ve ever t
asted in your life. I won the cook-off six years in a row with that recipe.” Wilma Mae allowed herself a brief moment to feel just a bit smug. “And Mr. Sedley won seven consecutive times with that same recipe—which he created, I should add.”

  “Wow. That must be some recipe. And now it’s missing?”

  “That’s right, dear. It was taken right out from under my nose. But it shouldn’t be too difficult to find. You see, I think I know who stole it.”

  Another surprise. “You mean someone stole the recipe from you?”

  Wilma Mae nodded emphatically. “That’s the only explanation, dear. Someone stole my lobster stew recipe from its secret hiding place. And I need a detective like you to help me get it back.”

  TWO

  Candy feebly protested. “Mrs. Wendell, I’m very flattered, but I’m just a blueberry farmer who writes columns for the local newspaper on the side. I’m certainly not a detective.”

  “Oh, but I think you are,” Wilma Mae said with a playful wag of her finger. She picked up the silver serving tray and walked out of the kitchen into the living room, talking as she went. “I’m a good judge of character, Candy dear, and we both know it’s true. You’re the person I’m looking for. There’s no doubt about that. The whole town knows about you and your detecting skills.”

  Candy sighed. It was true. After tracking down Sapphire Vine’s murderer the previous summer, she had quickly developed a reputation around town as a solver of mysteries both large and small. Folks started calling out to the farm to ask for her help in all kinds of situations. Most were simple requests, involving missing pets or misplaced items. But some were more serious. One woman asked her to spy on a wayward husband, while another wanted Candy to find out where her teenage daughter went when she sneaked out of the house late at night. One elderly woman even sought Candy’s help in catching a ghost that was haunting her house. It turned out to be a neighborhood kid flashing a light in her window after dark.