Author Anon

“Hello?” Michael walks through the open door.

“I’ll be right out!” calls Amanda. She emerges from the bedroom, dressed in a sapphire blue satin dress, her hair braided around her head. At sight of him, Amanda stops and admires him from head to toe.

Michael catches his breath. “You look beautiful. But I’ve got something here to complete the ensemble,” he says, as he removes a box from his coat. He takes out a corsage of white roses and carnations and pins it onto her dress with shaking fingers. Then he helps her into her coat.

“Thank you,” she says.

“Now, let me escort you to your carriage,” he says, bowing. “Nicholas is waiting in the limousine and we’ll discuss some business on our way to Lisa’s.”

“I must say, Dr. Steele, you are always stunning to look at,” says Nicholas.

Amanda smiles at him. “Thank you. But I think you can stop the doctor business.”

“Nicholas has been working hard all day,” says Michael. “As you know, there are not many condos on that cul-de-sac where David lives. And unfortunately, most of the people are snowbirds who had already left for Florida months ago, or who have been out of town for the holidays. It seems our busybody neighbor was the only one left. On Friday, she was at home waiting for her son to arrive. Are you absolutely sure you saw a man that night?”

“It was dark,” says Amanda. “I saw a figure. I presumed it was a male by the build. He lit a cigarette and looked around before getting into the car.”

“He looked around. Did he see you?” asks Michael.

“I don’t think so. At least, he didn’t give any indication that he saw me.”

“What about the car?” asks Nicholas.

Amanda thinks on it. “Wait a minute. I remember driving up to the cul-de-sac and seeing a rental car just on the bend. I nearly collided into it because the car skidded. I thought it was a very poor parking spot.”

“Can you remember what it looked like?” asks Michael.

“I just remember a black sedan from Diversion Rentals.”

“That’s a start,” says Nicholas. “Next. David’s drive and the back walk were shoveled. However, that night it was snowing again. They could see that footprints had been made in the snow, but by the time they investigated, they were unable to make out any footprints. Also, the back door lock was picked. We may assume others had been there but we cannot tell who or when. Since they assume Dr. Steele was the only visitor, they are not delving into that. Supposing that it couldn’t have been a neighbor or anyone living nearby, the visitors would have had to drive up to the house or be dropped off at the house.”

“There was only one set of tire tracks,” says Michael. “So let’s say they took a taxi. You’ll need to check all the cab companies.”

“What about a motive?” asks Amanda.

“David leads a very haphazard kind of life,” says Michael. “As you said yourself, he’s a grown-up kid. There could have been a dozen different people with a dozen different motives who would want to see him dead. Even I could have been given a motive.”

“Go ahead and say it,” says Amanda.

“Say what?” asks Michael.

” ‘I told you so’.”

Michael ignored the comment. “If you want a motive, let’s explore the Albrights. Would you mind introducing us to them, especially Blanche?”

“Of course,” says Amanda. “What about fingerprints?”

“Yours and David’s were on the gun,” says Nicholas. “There was another set of prints on the back door. They are trying to identify it.”

On arrival at the Copperfield house, they are met by Lisa and Lucy. Amanda introduces Michael and Nicholas. “Where is Blanche?”

“Oh, she’s putting Eileen to bed,” says Lucy. “She won’t be coming down, but she said to have a good time.”

——————————————————————————————–

“At least the shooting hasn’t deterred our guests,” says Sylvia.

“Not at all,” answers Ashley. She turns to Belle. “Gavin Sparks is quite a good-looking guy.”

“He’s also quite stuck-up,” says Belle.

“I thought he was charming,” says Ashley.

“Here comes Michael,” says Sylvia, watching the door as Michael comes in with his party.

“Dr. Steele is beautiful,” says Belle, admiringly.

“She could use a bit of updating on her dress,” says Ashley.

Michael introduces his party. As they are glancing around the room, Amanda catches William’s eyes. He glares icily at her and she instinctively backs up against Michael, who following her line of vision, perceives her fright and puts his arm around her, daring William with a look to make trouble. William looks away.

“Dr. Steele,” says Tracy, coming up from behind. “Despite what my father may think or say, I speak for the rest of the family when I tell you that we cannot believe you are involved in David’s shooting. After seeing you with our mother, we find the idea preposterous.”

Amanda reaches her hand out and Tracy takes it. “I’m glad to know I have so many supporters.”

Tracy smiles. “Michael, I hope you’ll find time to discuss with us the impact of this recent wedding on our financial situation.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about it too much,” says Michael. “Trust me.”

The Steeles make their way over to their daughter. “I’m so glad you decided to come,” says Carol.

“Some people are very persuasive,” says Amanda.

“He’s right, though,” says Carol. “You’ve got to hold your head high and show people you have nothing to worry about because you’re innocent.”

Michael leads Amanda away, introducing her to other people. Nicholas and Lisa join the others in dancing.

——————————————————————————————–

“Can I help you?” asks Belle, entering her room to find the Black girls rummaging through her closets.

The girls blush. “Oh, we were just admiring your room and all your clothes,” says Leslie. “Everything is so lovely.”

“If you were interested in seeing my things, all you needed to do was ask,” says Belle gently. “I don’t appreciate people going through my stuff without permission.”

“Oh, we’re really sorry,” says Leslie. “We didn’t mean any harm.” They leave the room and Belle takes a cursory glance around before quitting it herself.

——————————————————————————————–

“You never told me how you asserted yourself and overcame your shyness,” says Michael, while dancing with Amanda.

“After Rick left town to go to college, I had no one to defend me. That was when I knew I had to do it myself. My brother and sister were much older and had little to do with me at the time. They’re twins and always seemed to be one self-contained unit. I also had to lose weight. So I took up martial arts. I lost the weight and could toss any guy.”

Michael laughs. “What happened then?”

“The boys ran scared of me.” Amanda shrugs. “At least the teasing stopped.”

“Do you resent the teasing?”

“No. They were just kids. What I resented was the fact that they didn’t give me a chance. First, they disliked me because I was fat. Then they were afraid I could beat them up. Finally, they were intimidated by my intelligence. I had to leave and make a new start. And this is where I find myself.” She sighs. “Do you find intelligent women intimidating, too?”

“Intimidating? No. Interesting? Intriguing? Yes.”

“Annoying? Irritating?” asks Amanda.

“Oh, that just comes with the territory,” Michael responds, teasingly.

“Darling, I’m so glad I found you,” says Stephanie as she wedges herself between Michael and Amanda. Amanda sees a flicker of anger and annoyance in his eyes before he controls his face and voice.

“Stephanie Van Ness, I’d like you to meet Dr. Amanda Steele,” says Michael.

“Oh, so you’re the one suspected of shooting David,” says Stephanie.

“Where did you hear that?” asks Michael.

“It’s all over the news,” says Stephanie. “But I need to talk to you, darling. It’s about Lucas.”

Amanda excuses herself. Michael tries to stop her but Stephanie holds him back.

——————————————–

“What is that girl doing here?” asks Sylvia, looking at Stephanie.

“I was in the Christmas spirit,” says Ashley, also watching Stephanie carefully.

“She’s causing trouble,” says Sylvia.

“No doubt,” says Ashley. “But I think Michael’s staid little existence needs a little stirring up right now.”

——————————————————————————————–

Later that evening, Michael walks Amanda to her door. “I hope the evening wasn’t too boring for you.”

“Not at all,” says Amanda. “It was my first ball, and possibly my last. At least I got some use out of this old bridesmaid’s dress.”

“Were you a bridesmaid?” asks Michael.

“Yes, last summer,” says Amanda. “A resident friend.”

“Never a bride?”

“I told you, no one gave me an opportunity.”

Michael looks puzzled. “Not even in residency?”

“Too intimidating.”

Michael leans closer. “Not even a kiss?”

“No.”

His lips brush hers lightly, then he pulls her to him and kisses her harder. Suddenly, he releases her, shaking his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Unprepared for the kiss and her own reaction to it, Amanda is stunned by his sudden rejection. Tears well in her eyes. “You’re right. You shouldn’t have done that. Thanks for such a memorable first kiss,” she says sarcastically, going in and shutting the door on him.

——————————————————————————————–

Filed under: All That Glitters