AUTHOR'S NOTE:  Ch.32 was called "The Date (Pt. 1)" and referred to a particular kind of date. Ch. 33, the final chapter of the book, is called "The Date (Pt. 2)" and mentions a totally different sort of date. That "totally different" date will lead to a new relationship developing in Minokee Mysteries Book Three.  

Enjoy the final chapter of The Mammoth Murders, Minokee Mysteries Book Two.

Two days later.

In a sitting room of the Krausse mansion, Miranda's father answered his cellphone.

"Good morning, Muffin! What's new? Don't answer that if you think I'm better off not knowing." Although Carlo had briefly told Zeke that his professor friend had been arrested, none of the parents knew the details. Zeke, for one, did not want to know.

"Hi, Dad," came Miranda's voice through the phone. "Shepard and I are getting married tomorrow— "

Zeke did not hear the rest of the sentence because he held his phone out toward his wife, with a grin, saying, "It's for you."

In another room in the Krausse mansion, Rebecca answered her desk phone with, "Good morning. You have reached the line of Hermione Montgomery-Krausse. This is Rebecca. May I know who is calling, please?"

Rebecca's eyes widened and her jaw dropped when the caller stated the purpose of his call. She put the caller on hold and left her chair to walk briskly down the hall to Hermione's Baroque-style office.

"Madam, there is a call from Mister Shepard on the public line," Rebecca said from the open doorway.

Hermione did not look up from the envelope she was addressing. "Ask him to wait— " She broke off, stopped writing, and looked at Rebecca. "Why didn't you simply buzz me on the intercom, instead of walking all the way over here? Is something wrong?"

Rebecca wrung her hands and inhaled deeply before saying, "I believe Mister Shepard prefers to tell Madam personally."

"Oh, for heaven's sake," grumbled Hermione, reaching for the phone's button. "If it's so 'personal,' why in the world is he calling on the public line?"

She punched the speaker button. "Shepard, what is the matter? And be brief, I have literally hundreds of envelopes to address — by hand, as proper etiquette requires."

"Good morning, Mother. I'm getting married tomorrow. You said you wanted to know as soon as we'd set a date, and we have."

Hermione stared at the phone as if it had become a coiled cobra.

In the doorway, Rebecca's knees wobbled, and she leaned against the doorframe. The color in her face paled from dark chocolate to milk chocolate.

"That is absurd," Hermione pronounced. "I haven't even had the final invitations printed."

"That's fine," Shepard's voice poured like hot fudge from the speakerphone and gently filled the room. "We went door-to-door and invited all the neighbors. Miranda called her parents, and I'm calling you. Invitations complete."

"Don't be silly. I have gowns ordered for seven bridesmaids and a flower girl. The most beautiful church in the state capital is booked, the flowers and food have to be prepared and delivered, the ringbearer's tuxedo is being specially made, and the white horse and carriage are being groomed and reupholstered. I think the photographer is in Europe on assignment for National Geographic until next week. You cannot expect me to pull all this together for a wedding only twenty-four hours from now!"

"Frankly, Mother, it would be a shame if you did pull all of that together for a wedding, because Bean and I wouldn't show up for a production like that one. We're getting married here in Minokee. And it's twenty-six hours from now, by the way."

In the doorway, Rebecca slid down the frame until her derriere thumped onto the floor. Hermione looked up from the phone and turned panic-filled eyes toward Rebecca. Both women wagged their heads side-to-side in silent denial.

"Wh— ... ahem ... why did you not tell me this sooner, dear?" his mother said.

"Well, two nights ago we had an ... adventure ... that convinced us life is short and unpredictable, so we're not going to procrastinate about the important things any longer."

"But, ... does she even have a dress?"

"I expect she has a closet full of them, but it won't matter. Dress code will be casual," he told her.

Hermione watched Rebecca drop her face into her hands.

Hermione's eyes searched the corners of the room as if an answer would appear suddenly on a wall. She inhaled and stated, "Shepard, this is ridiculous. You cannot wear casual clothing to your wedding, and you cannot get married in the middle of the woods, with no caterers, no orchestra, no attendants, no bridal gown, no press coverage!"

"Actually, it turns out, we can," Shep said.

"Have you forgotten that you are the scion of the Montgomery family!"

"Irrelevant, since we're discussing the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Krausse, of the Minokee Krausses. We'd love to see you there, Mother, but we'll understand if you can't make it on short notice. Talk to you soon, 'bye."

After a click, the line was silent.

Hermione tapped the button on her phone to disengage the line. "Rebecca, please get me a cup of very strong tea with far too much sugar in it. Give me a few minutes to organize myself, and then get Mrs-Doctor Ogilvy for me. No doubt, she needs consolation after receiving the 'happy news'."

"Yes, Madam," Rebecca said, using the doorknob to pull herself from the floor to her feet. "Shall I notify the staff, Madam?"

"Call a meeting at one this afternoon, please. I will make the announcement myself."

Day Three — Minokee

On only two days' notice, Miz Martha and the coffee ritual ladies of Magnolia Street (Miz Bernice, Miz Wyneen, and Miz Charlotte) had arranged a simple wedding in Martha's back garden, in Minokee.

Bishop Ebenezer Lincoln, retired African Methodist Episcopal church pastor and Orchid Street resident, presided over the ceremony. The entire neighborhood attended, as well as the parents of the happy couple.

Carlo Fratelli brought a date to the wedding. No one was surprised that his date looked like a European fashion model — with more curves.

What surprised and amazed everyone was that, like the bride, Carlo's date was a librarian. Her name was Annabeth ... um ... Something-or-other. Strangely, no one could quite remember her name.

Neighbors filled Magnolia Street with tables and chairs borrowed from a dozen dining rooms, and after the couple's vows were exchanged, everyone enjoyed a covered-dish lunch.

They all agreed the wild hog barbecue was delicious.

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