Ding Dong Dead Read Online Free PDF Page B

singing coming from the back of the house.
    Caroline set her purse on a counter. “April and I have been working nonstop the last two days. What you see here is all we’ve managed to organize so far.”
    “I love it already,” Gretchen said.
    Fabulous displays began at the entryway. The minute she entered Gretchen felt as though she were on an exciting Disney ride. Smiling dolls with colorful clothing were placed in settings that would draw visitors farther into the museum. The displays were like scrumptious appetizers, a promise to the diner that every course would be as flavorful as the first.
    “I have a few calls to make,” Caroline said. “Look around. You have such a good eye for design, Nina. Come back in, oh, about fifteen minutes and tell me what you think would be the best layout.”
    Gretchen and Nina followed the melody down the hall and into a room on the left where fellow club member and good friend, April, was humming away while she arranged dolls. She had a rich, well-projected voice.
    April was the doll club’s appraiser. She had a keen eye for detail and a natural talent that Gretchen envied. April could touch a piece of doll clothing and tell you exactly where it came from and when. She was also Gretchen’s best friend along with Nina. April was about Gretchen’s own age but looked older than Nina (who, at twelve years younger than Caroline, was almost closer to Gretchen’s age than her own sister’s). April was a big-boned woman who wore muumuus and colored socks with her sandals, and she absolutely adored a tiny Chihuahua named Enrico, another of Nina’s successful adoption placements.
    Gretchen and her aunt stood in the doorway and listened to the melody until April noticed them.
    “Hey, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be directing?” she asked.
    “We gave the cast the day off,” Nina said as if it had been her idea.
    “Oh good. Julie offered to help us after rehearsal,” April said. “That means she might come early.”
    “Look at this!” Gretchen exclaimed, stunned by the wonderful collectibles spread out on a metal worktable. “Wow!”
    “I’m going to do a walk-through,” Nina said. “My expertise is needed elsewhere.”
    “Go and create,” April said.
    April was thrilled to show Gretchen the display she was working on. She had almost completed a collection of Robert Tonner dolls—sixteen-inch Tyler Wentworth dolls with their ultramodern hair fashions and up-to-date casual wear. Fleece, peasant tops, jean jackets, accessories. Gretchen also admired a collection of Seventeen dolls by Ashton-Drake, wearing hip teenage fashions.
    “But some of these are new dolls,” Gretchen said, dazzled but puzzled. “They aren’t old enough to be part of the original collection, are they?”
    April smiled. “One of the ladies who is coming to our luncheon donated them after I solicited for a contribution. Can you believe it?”
    Gretchen shook her head in wonder, feeling very emotional. The doll collectors of Phoenix were some of the most generous, loving people she had ever met. This collection went far beyond her wildest expectations. If this, Gretchen’s first room of dolls, could make her tear up, what else was in store for her?
    “I’ve been so busy trying to shape the play and the players that I forgot about our actual cause, this museum.” Gretchen wiped away a tear of joy.
    “And this is only the beginning.” April stood back from the display with a critical eye. “Wait until after the fundraiser, when we have more money. Eventually we’ll open the upstairs rooms, too.” She picked up one of the dolls from the table and smoothed the hair. “This is one of the original owner’s dolls. Remember Starr?”
    How could Gretchen forget the teenager dolls? “And Starr’s friends, Tracy and Kelley,” she said.
    April held up two more 1980s dolls. “We don’t have a Shaun doll, but I’m on the lookout. He’s my favorite. He was the guy everybody