The Alpine Kindred by Mary Daheim Read Free Book Online Page A

temporarily eluded his toilette. “What did you think of Birgitta?” I asked.
    “Aloof. Private. Cool. A Swede.” Vida's comments weren't prejudiced, but the product of her upbringing in a Scandinavian majority. “However, I arranged an interview with her for Monday morning. She was reluctant at first, but I coaxed. Oh, dear!”
    I pictured Cupcake flying around Vida's kitchen. “Did you get any pictures of the party? Or did Carla show up with her camera?”
    “Carla didn't come. As far as I know.” There was a pause and some rather strange noises in the background. Now I envisioned Vida and the canary in a wrestling match. “And yes, I took some pictures. Really, I wish Fuzzy Baugh would try not to edge his way into every frame. He doesn't come up for reelection for another year and a half.”
    “We need to talk,” I said, carrying my cordless phone and my coffee mug out into the living room.
    “So I understand.” Vida had lowered her voice.
    “What?”
    Cupcake let out a squawk. No doubt he had been submerged in his tiny porcelain tub. Or were canaries cleansed by dusting? I tried to picture Cupcake in a bubble bath or wearing a shower cap. My knowledge of avian hygiene was very limited. “You and Milo reportedly had a confrontation,” Vida said while I imagined her ruffling thebird's feathers with a small loofah. “I've been wondering what came of it.”
    Exasperated, I surrendered my canary fantasy and sighed. “It wasn't a confrontation,” I fibbed. “And that isn't what I was talking about. It's something we missed in a story Carla wrote about the warehouse fire.”
    “Missed?” Vida sounded aghast. “What could we miss? Oh, drat!”
    I wasn't sure if Vida's outcry was caused by Cupcake's latest misconduct or her chagrin at having committed an oversight. “If you have time, drop by and I'll make tea,” I offered. “Or lunch, if you come around noon.”
    “Dear me, I can't today,” Vida said with what sounded like genuine regret. “I'm going to Everett with Amy to shop at the mall. One of her girlfriends is getting married for the third time, and she's had the nerve to register at the Bon Marche.”
    Naturally, a shopping expedition with Vida's daughter would have priority. Amy Runkel Hibbert was the only one of her three girls who lived in Alpine. The other two resided in Seattle and Bellingham.
    I left Vida to her canary, and spent the rest of the morning trying to get my garden in shape. The growing season comes later to Alpine. In Seattle, the daffodils would be past their prime and the tulips in full bloom. But here at the three-thousand-foot level, my bulbs were just beginning to unfold. Except for a few early crocuses and one brave yellow primrose, my yard looked barren.
    But gardening is therapy for me. After filling two plastic bags and one metal bin, I felt marginally better than I had for some time. I also felt filthy, and was heading for the shower when the phone rang.
    It was Leo. “I've got some damned bug,” he said in a hoarse voice I barely recognized. “It came on last night,which is why I didn't go to Ed's big party. Can we do dinner next week?”
    To my surprise, I was very disappointed. Though I hadn't thought much about the proposed trip to Seattle, I must have been looking forward to it. “Sure,” I said, trying not to sound too bleak. “But we'll have to wait two weeks. The RUB dedication is next Saturday, and I should stick around for that.”
    “I thought it was in the afternoon,” Leo croaked.
    “It is, it starts at three, but there's a reception afterward, and I told President Cardenas I'd be there.” Now I was wondering why I'd made the commitment. Carla had the assignment, and my attendance wasn't required except as a PR gesture.
    “Okay, that's fine. I'm not going without you.” Leo coughed several times. “Sorry. Hope I can make it into work Monday.”
    “Don't push yourself,” I said, and meant it. Leo was well organized, and probably could put