Wedding Day Murder by Leslie Meier Page A

hired some protection. Things are really tense down at the harbor. There was almost a big fight yesterday. Ron doesn’t want the fishermen using the dock, because the noise and the smell upset Thelma.”
    â€œI’d like to upset Thelma. Come on, Lucy, you must have some ideas. How can I get this wedding back on track?”
    Lucy watched as Dorfman set a tiny tape recorder on the table and began talking with Ron, apparently interviewing him. Down at the harbor, thought Lucy, it had been easy to underestimate Davitz. He had seemed like the unpopular kid in the schoolyard, being picked on by the bigger, more athletic kids. It was easy to forget how wealthy and powerful, and wellconnected, he really was.
    â€œShe ought to be pleased with her little boy today—it looks like he’s doing that magazine interview she wanted.” Lucy smiled.
    Sue smiled back. It was the first time since they’d started talking, Lucy realized.
    â€œYou know, on one hand I think it’s great that Sidra’s going to be meeting all these important people and having so many opportunities. Then on the other hand, I can’t help wondering if she really knows what she’s getting into.”
    â€œWhich brings us back to Ron,” said Lucy, watching as he suddenly stood up, knocking over his chair.
    The commotion attracted everyone’s attention; there was a sudden silence, and all eyes were on him as he marched out the door.
    â€œI guess Dorfman got a little too personal,” said Lucy. She picked up her previous train of thought. “Sue, you’re forgetting that Sidra has been living in New York for a couple of years now and working on the TV show. She’s already living in a much different world from Tinker’s Cove.”
    Out of the corner of her eye, Lucy saw movement and turned to focus on it. One of the muscular young men was on his feet. “Look! One of those guys is following Ron!” She savored the moment. “So, who’s got an overactive imagination now?”
    â€œHe’s probably going next door to buy postcards,” said Sue.
    â€œAnd his friend is going to help him carry them,” retorted Lucy as the second man stood up and took the check over to the cash register.
    â€œWhatever,” sighed Sue wearily. “Maybe I should just give up and let Thelma do whatever she wants. It looks like she’s going to do it anyway.”
    â€œThings have a way of working out.” Lucy knew she was simply repeating a platitude, when something occurred to her. “Sidra will be coming home for the shower, won’t she?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œWell, this is your opportunity to find out what she wants. She’s your ace in the hole, you know. If she is appalled and horrified by the shower . . .”
    â€œShe will be.” Sue was certain.
    â€œThen you can team up against Thelma. . . .”
    â€œAnd get back the wedding!”
    Sue jumped out of her chair. “Lucy, you’re a genius!”
    â€œAbout time people realized it,” muttered Lucy, reaching for the check. She glanced at it and handed it to Sue. “This one’s on you.”

Chapter Ten
    T he invitation to the shower didn’t arrive until Saturday. As usual, Lucy was cleaning, and today she had the house almost to herself because Bill and Elizabeth were working and Sara and Zoe were visiting friends. Only Toby was home, sound asleep. A typical college kid, he slept until noon whenever he got the chance.
    She had just finished wiping down the kitchen counters when she looked out and saw that the little red flag on the mailbox was down. She trotted down the driveway to get the mail, and there among the bills and credit card offers was a little square envelope.
    She opened it as she walked up the drive to the house, and a handful of variously colored cards tumbled out and fell to the ground. Lucy stooped to pick them up and discovered they were cards from the