By Joan Russell
The two women met at the restaurant The Italian Connection to discuss planning the annual Christmas party for the local garden club. It was a white tablecloth restaurant with fine China, wine, and gourmet food. Ann wanted to convince Cynthia to have the party at this restaurant this year. She loved this restaurant because it was upscale.
Cynthia arrived wearing a short red dress and black-heeled pumps. Cynthia always attracted men’s attention; they turned their heads when she entered the room. Ann watched while all the men in the restaurant stared at Cynthia as she walked to the table.
Ann frowned. Cynthia smiled and sat down. The scent of the perfume Cynthia wore seemed remarkably familiar to Ann. Ann knew she had smelled the scent before somewhere. It smelled like fresh lemon peels. She gulped and her stomach lurched.
“Do you want to have the Christmas party here, this year,” Cynthia asked.
“Why that would be an excellent location to have the party.,” Ann nodded.
“Let’s order a glass of wine and some appetizers and talk about decorations and gifts.” said Ann
They ordered two glass of white wine and chicken wings, mushrooms, and shrimp cocktails. The waiter brought their wine and set the glasses down and each one of them took a sip.
“I think we can decorate the room with wreaths, poinsettias, and red and white roses. It will be stunning. Grab bags are fun and should be no more than $30 each.” Cynthia gestured as she spoke.
“Sounds good so far,” said Ann.
Again, the scent of perfume that Cynthia wore drifted by. Ann gritted her teeth trying to remember where she had smelled it before. The scent reminded her of a perfume she had smelled on several occasions. She sipped her wine.
“I have some Christmas decorations to bring a small ceramic tree with lights and a Christmas village. Our display will be stunning when we finish.” said Ann.
Their appetizers were served on white plates. Everything looked delicious.
“What about the menu for the Christmas party what do you want to have?” asked Ann.
“We need wine, appetizers, soup or salad, main entrée, and the dessert cart. We should order what we want off the menu.” Said Cynthia
“That sounds decadent and what our club really needs.” said Ann.
“I think some of our member need more than food. They need excitement and danger.” said Cynthia.
Ann frowned and she clenched her fists. Suddenly Ann recalled that several nights her husband Albert had worked late. When he came home, she noticed an unusual scent on him. It was the faint scent of lemons like the perfume that Cynthia wore today.
When she asked him about it, he told her it was the scent of the disinfectant from the bathroom. They had terrible arguments over it. He finally admitted he was having an affair with Ann. He promised to end it quickly.
The scent hit her nose again and Ann gripped the stem of the wine glass and took a sip. “I have ordered more appetizers for us to enjoy Cynthia as we continue to plan the party. Why don’t you take a break and freshen up before the next batch comes.”
“Great idea” Cynthia left the table headed toward the lady’s room.
When the appetizers arrived, Ann took the small bottle out of her purse. She looked around to make sure no one saw her. The bottle contained an herbal essential oil of Wolfbane she had made which was a poisonous perennial herb. She put a few drops on several of the appetizers and dropped some into Cynthias’ wine. She knew that too much wolfbane could kill a person in less than two hours. Quickly she placed the bottle back in her purse and she waited for Cynthia to return.
She put some appetizers on a plate for Cynthia. When Cynthia returned to the table she watched her eat the appetizers and drink the wine. Now Ann had to wait for the side effects to begin.
“What do you want for the main course at the Christmas party?” asked Ann.
Cynthia’s mouth tingled and she had stomach cramps. She clutched her stomach and leaned over. “I’m not feeling very well I may have to go home.”
Ann stared at her intently “That’s for sleeping with my husband.”
“What are you talking about?” Cynthia shook her head.
Ann smiled. “Albert was right you are a slow learner.”
Cynthia looked pale and sweaty.
Ann signaled the waiter over to the table. “My friend is not feeling well please call an ambulance for her.”
The waiter called the hospital emergency room and told them a customer was not feeling well, and they needed an ambulance quickly.
“The ambulance will be here in 10 minutes” the waiter said after he hung up his cell phone.
While they waited both women were silent. When the ambulance came to take Cynthia to the hospital Ann bent down and whispered, “Let this be a warning not to repeat the same mistake again.”