Murder at the Arlington: Chapter 24 & 25

Chapter 24

Huge maple trees that must have sprouted before the Civil War lined the streets of the Trivista neighborhood. Opulent mansions with neatly manicured lawns spoke of old money.

A maid answered the door to the Rochester home and usher me into a foyer bigger than my apartment. Artwork covered the walls and a grandfather clock older than our country chimed ten. She allowed me to gawk for a few minutes and then brought me to the conservatory where I waited for my hostess. The giant room was filled with so many varieties of plants, I felt like I was in a botanical garden. A tree-size schefflera filled one corner. Pots of leafy philodendrons lined the opposite wall. A series of glass shelves contained dozens of blooming orchids.

The maid brought in a tray with a silver coffee service and a plate of butter cookies. I hoped this wasn’t the breakfast Margaret had promised. My stomach let out a rumble that sounded like an airplane on takeoff.

“Help yourself, ma’am. Mrs. Rochester will be down in a moment. Breakfast will be served shortly.” She raised her eyebrows as if hearing my body noises was just too offensive. She left and I shoved two cookies in my mouth. I fixed myself a cup of coffee and wandered around the conservatory. I was gazing at a white orchid that looked so delicate I was afraid it…