green grows the lilac

“Looked just like her.”

     Merry was sniffing the lilacs. “Isn’t this the most heavenly thing you’ve ever smelled?” She looked at Bobby. “Have you told Kate? Or her brother?”

     “No, and I don’t know whether I should.”

    “I wouldn’t. Let’s see what happens when the cat is set amongst the pigeons. Maybe something will flutter loose. Not pigeons, but something more subterranean.”

    “You looked like you were having quite the confab with Kate’s brother.”

    “Well, I was. I found the scratches on his knuckles peculiar for a man, an actor, so concerned with his appearance. I read somewhere that Robert Redford used to examine his face in the mirror every day, fearful that he would have a pimple. And there were those scratches on his knuckles. And then there was the way he turned up. It seemed to me that he hadn’t told his sister that he was on the East Coast, or when, exactly, he was coming here. He seemed evasive.”

   “And, he wasn’t close with his father.”

   “No. He chose his mother’s side. Not that I blame him. Hard for the kids when loyalties are split like that. I didn’t get the feeling he would have killed over it, though.”

    “Somebody killed Dude!”

     There was barking outside. “Oh my, let’s see what the problem is now.” Merideth went to the door and watched as Young Earl used the old stile to get over the rock wall. Sister and Tucker were bounding across the lawn towards him, barking and wagging their tails in excitement. As he creaked down, Merideth saw Earl stoop and give the dogs something from his pocket.

     “Bobby, come out. You’ll see a sight I haven’t seen in fifty years.”

     Earl limped across the grass.  He must have a bad knee too, Merideth thought. He gave a sideways glance at Bobby.

     “This is Bobby Marshfield,” she said.

     “Taxi fellow.”  Earl reluctantly took the hand Bobby extended. “I thought you should know,” he said to Merideth. “Heard that noisy boat or one just like it the other night too. Odd. You said mention anything unusual. Thought I ought. I’ll be getting home now.”  He paused and looked at the white lilac next to her door. “Always liked that one. Can smell it all the way to my house if the wind is right.”  He turned and started walking away. The dogs followed him.

     “Thank you, Earl,” she called. “ You notice anything else, let me know.”

    “I don’t know,” she said to Bobby. “He’s hated me for fifty years. I’m not sure why he’s being helpful now. Or if he’s being helpful. Fishy. But the dogs like him. And it is a beautiful lilac. My grandfather planted it lo these many years ago.”