Murder by Cheesecake

Rose consoles Nettie and Jason after telling them the truth about the police presence. Nettie is determined to elope. Rose explains that if she does, she will not receive her inheritance as a descendant of the town’s founder. Rose is frustrated at Nettie and Jason’s lack of practical interest in the money, and she is still eager to prove her love of wedding tradition. When Jason suggests eloping, Rose tells him that if he considers her family, he will continue to gather everything she needs for the traditional wedding. She enumerates a list of supplies, including:

Extra tubes of concentrated herring paste, a few willow branches, and twenty ounces of canned or jarred lingonberries. I don’t think you’ll be able to find fresh ones around here. After you gather all those supplies, then you a decide if you want a real St. Olaf wedding. But I think once you see the whole dazzling vision, you’ll make the right choice (94).

Rose assures the couple she will handle the fractious relatives. Rose resolves to throw the perfect wedding, but arrives home dejected, as Jason’s parents demanded more of a role in the wedding and blame her for the incident.

When Dorothy explains her unexpected connection to the deceased man, Rose blames her for their predicament. Rose’s cousin Gustave calls, lecturing her about a possible fish shortage and assuming she has forgotten a core wedding tradition. Rose reminds him she is aware of all the requirements, declaring in exasperation, “I have a great deal of respect for St. Olaf and its traditions, but I’m not feeling like you have the same respect for me!” (98). Gustave says he and the others believe Rose’s values align with her new life, not theirs. When her cousin suggests Nettie could still elope, Rose becomes suspicious Gustave wants the town to maintain its hold on her inheritance. When they hang up, Rose weeps in frustration.

The next day, the group arrives at the bridal shower hosted by family friends of the Bryants, the Corzons. The family runs a notable Cuban restaurant. Blanche notes that Mrs. Corzon is also interested in Jorgen. When the Bryants arrive, Rose explains that day’s unique wedding tradition: The group will take a shower before a more conventional bridal shower involving games and a gift exchange. For this ritual, Rose leads the group to some private outdoor showers on the nearby beach. Mrs. Bryant condescendingly assumes Rose does not understand the event is truly for gifts and a party, but Rose tells her the event is a metaphor. She explains, “you shampoo away your single life to prepare for your married one. Then you exfoliate with the loofah so you don’t have any rough patches in your marriage” (104). Rose has fond memories of the communal bonding with other women during her own shower and wants the same for Nettie.

Rose explains to the group that no one has to be nude but can stand under the spray briefly while wearing a towel or shower cap over their clothing. The ritual goes well, and Rose is relieved.

The group returns to the restaurant, and Dorothy, now the point-of-view character, notices Patricia is absent. Mrs. Bryant explains Chip has a sports injury and needed a ride to the doctor. Just as Dorothy is noticing the group getting along well, Detective Silva arrives. When the detective implies Dorothy was hiding something by not answering her phone, she points to the gathering, indicating she has been out. Silva is not placated, telling Dorothy she is wanted for questioning. A furious Sophia demands to know why her daughter is being harassed.

Rose notices the police and tries to distract Nettie, waving various shower gifts in front of her face. This is fruitless, as the whole group watches Detective Silva handcuff Dorothy.

Dorothy is anxious as she waits to be interrogated, especially after Officer Pierno suggests asking for a lawyer will make her more suspicious. In the interrogation room, Silva tells her that she and her friends are currently the only suspects, as their prints were found at the crime scene. A man introduces himself as FBI Special Agent Crum and accuses her of withholding information about a “public screaming match” involving Henry (115). Dorothy admits that Henry abandoned their date but denies feeling vengeful. She is taken aback when the officers ask if she lost money or valuables after seeing Henry.

Detective Silva explains that Henry seems to have used aliases and disguises, including the earring he was wearing when his body was found, as part of his con-artist schemes to defraud women. Dorothy points out that the deceased man wore no glasses, but Henry did. She also does not remember him having a mole. Crum and Silva imply Dorothy might be lying or concealing her anger at being scammed. The officials reluctantly let Dorothy go. She is relieved to see Sophia waiting for her.

Rose is still upset about the disruptions to the wedding festivities. As she blames Dorothy for dating a stranger, Cousin Gustave arrives. Gustave tells Rose that St. Olaf’s town leaders are so upset about the murder and arrest that they have added more requirements to the wedding. Gustave and Rose speak in furious Norwegian. Finally, she acquiesces, but she is too busy to talk more and demands he leave. The Bryants arrive immediately after and inform Rose that they refuse to have anyone from St. Olaf participate in the wedding, leaving a single invitation for her alone. Before Rose has more time to process, Nettie calls and tells her that her wedding dress has been stolen.

The next morning, Dorothy enters the kitchen and finds Rose asleep on her lists for the wedding. Dorothy explains to Blanche that her stay at the police station was hostile and unpleasant. Rose distantly greets Dorothy, clearly resenting her for her role in recent events. As Rose upbraids Dorothy, Sophia says that all they need to do is find the real killer so the wedding can go on. Privately, Dorothy admits she would like to understand how she could have been taken in by Henry’s warm façade. Blanche admits, “I’m no Jessica Fletcher, I have no idea how to solve a murder” (137). This is a reference to another 1980s television show, where a retired teacher turned mystery novelist also solved real-life crimes. Blanche is mollified when she realizes she might be able to engage in some espionage and meet a man. Rose agrees to help, admitting the wedding is making her paranoid and angry. She breaks down into sobs.

Dorothy resolves to use her logic and reasoning, honed from her career as a teacher, to solve the crime. The group agrees the real killer likely had some connection to the hotel. Rose agrees to try to talk to the Bryants, as she has an excuse to interact with them. Dorothy assures her that a casual, friendly approach will work best, as no one will expect them to be investigating. Sophia says to Dorothy, “you want her to play the role she was born to play—dumb” (139). Rose is comforted by the assurance her natural personality is an asset and agrees to help. Rose decides that even if the Bryants are hostile, she will always have a reason to be around Nettie. Blanche agrees to socialize with the guests to find out if anyone had a connection to Henry or his possible crimes. Sophia persuades Dorothy to surveil the hotel lobby. Sophia, delighted, tells the others she and Dorothy will need disguises.

Later that day, Dorothy parks her car near the hotel and takes a taxi to the hotel with Sophia. She is uncomfortable in tight jeans and a white denim jacket, but certain it will make her harder to recognize. Sophia is wearing a dark wig, with her hair wrapped in a scarf. She carries a heavy camera to pose as a tourist. Sophia mocks Dorothy’s proposed backstories about being a tourist on vacation with her mother, suggesting they need more authenticity. Dorothy adds, “I’m newly divorced and I’m wondering if I’ll ever find love again,” which Sophia pronounces the “kernel of truth” (148).

Dorothy lets Sophia take her picture in the lobby, relieved when she finds a discarded newspaper to hide behind. They spot a well-dressed woman deep in conversation with a younger man. Sophia and Dorothy recognize them as Gloria Corzon and Jorgen, having a romantic tryst.

On another floor of the hotel, Rose and Blanche are alone in a hallway. The Bryants unceremoniously evicted them from their offices, and they are uncertain how to investigate further. Rose draws Blanche’s attention to bins of incoming and outgoing mail. Blanche puts down her purse and pretends to have knocked over the mail by accident, and Rose, playing along, tells her, “Accidents happen! I’ll just help clean this up” (154). Rose makes note of many overdue bills, which belies the Bryants’ narrative of an extremely successful business.

With that avenue exhausted, the two friends head downstairs, hoping to find Patricia’s office. They physically collide with Dorothy and Sophia, not recognizing them. Sophia declares that she could have died: “I always feared the end would come, pressed between a couple of floozies!” (157). As the group compares notes, Dorothy and Sophia tell Blanche about the romantic link between Jorgen and Mrs. Corzon. Blanche is irritated, but Rose tells her to focus on the case. Rose catches sight of Patricia and pushes Dorothy to hide behind a plant. Though they cannot hear her conversation, Patricia is clearly arguing with Chip. Rose realizes she now sees everyone around her as a potential criminal. As she resolves to remain vigilant, Rose walks directly into her cousin Gustave, who is surrounded by her relatives.

Gustave reminds Rose he promised the group a tour of Miami. Rose forgot, and Sophia comes to her rescue by offering to help play tour guide and join the group on their chartered bus. Rose is concerned about derailing the investigation by splitting the group up. Blanche reminds her even her relatives may have information to impart, and Rose goes reluctantly. Blanche and Dorothy assure her they will continue their efforts.

On the bus, Sophia points out landmarks. Rose joins Nettie and Jason, who are happy to see her and share their decision to have a wedding that fits St. Olaf’s stipulations. Jason hopes the inheritance will help them purchase a house with room for future children. Rose reluctantly confesses that Jason’s parents are refusing to honor any traditions or allow any of Nettie’s family to attend. Rose persuades Nettie and Jason to conceal this from the other relatives, as she believes they can resolve the matter in time without informing them.

Blanche suggests that she and Dorothy find a new location to investigate. Dorothy is perplexed, admitting, “she felt more like the bumbling Columbo and less like the bumbling-had-a-purpose-all-along Colombo” (176). Thinking of the detective’s habit of eating during cases makes her realize she can return to the diner and ask the staff about Henry.

As they arrive back at Wolfie’s, Dorothy tells the hostess she needs to tip her waitress from the other day. The waitress looks pointedly at her purse and is willing to answer questions once Dorothy gives her money. The waitress remembers seeing Henry nervously flee after paying. When pressed further, she recalls that he was dressed in much more casual clothes after he left the bathroom. Dorothy and Blanche both agree this behavior is suspicious.

The two friends retreat to Blanche’s favorite bar, the Rusty Anchor. The two friends compare notes from their various visits, and Dorothy draws diagrams of names and locations. Blanche admits she is totally perplexed, declaring, “[H]ow do you know what you don’t know, you know?” (183).