It's Been a Long, Cold Winter.

Mavis Schuyler woke up in a crabby mood. This was nothing unusual since Mavis had woken up in a crabby mood for almost every day of her fiftysome years but this morning her mood seemed extra crabby, as if she'd slept on a head of those hard pink plastic curlers, something Mavis Schuyler had never done in her entire life. But that was how she felt. Like she was being poked by something cheap and uncomfortable.

Getting out of her king-sized bed, Mavis reflected that she was being poked by something cheap and uncomfortable--her oldest son's newest fiance, Claudine. Her mouth tightened into a hard straight line at the thought of Claudine. There was no way that Mavis was buying Claudine's story that she was some kind of vegan-hippie-existentialist who just happened to fall in love with someone as wealthy and materialistic as Brad Schuyler. No, Claudine had set her cap for Brad and it was up to Mavis to remove her from Brad's life the same way she would take her son to a dermatologist to get a wart burned off. It was driving Mavis absolutely insane that Brad couldn't see the trap that Claudine had laid for him and how he was walking into it so blindly.

Mavis pulled on a cashmere bathrobe and went downstairs. Maybe a cup of coffee would improve her mood.

"Good morning, Mrs. Schuyler," Carrie said when Mavis entered the kitchen.

"Good morning," Mavis mumbled. Carrie silently set a cup of coffee down in front of Mavis. Mavis did like the way her new housekeeper had the sense not to say more to her than a simple good morning every day. That was one plus in her life. For once she had decent help.

Mavis slowly sipped her coffee, her mind focused on the Claudine problem. If only that bum Rex would do what he promised to do and get rid of Claudine. What was wrong with him anyway? She made a mental note to drop in on Rex later and remind him of their deal. Honestly, do I have to take care of everything?

The house phone rang and Carrie hurried to answer it. "Just a moment please," Mavis heard her say. "Mrs. Schuyler? It's for you."

"Who is it?" Mavis snapped.

"Someone from the police department. Peter Something or other."

Her crabbiness vanished. Peter Van Husen was calling her? Although their affair had ended ages ago, Mavis still got shivers whenever she saw Peter driving around town in one of Schuyler Square's squad cars, his blond hair gleaming underneath his cap. He might be a city employee but he was still the best looking man Mavis had ever met. Perhaps he was calling to ask her out to dinner. Of course she'd say yes. What harm could that possibly do?

Mavis took the phone out of Carrie's outstretched hand. "Thank you. Hello, Peter? This is a surprise. How are you?"

"Hello, Mavis." Peter's voice was just as deep and sexy as she remembered. "I'm calling about an investigation I'm conducting. Do you suppose I could drop in at your house in about an hour?"

"Of course," Mavis replied, instantly seeing through Peter's 'investigation' ploy. He was dying to see her again. Not that she could blame him. Mavis must have been the highlight of Peter's entire romantic spectrum. "I'll see you in a while."

Mavis returned the receiver to its cradle, her face thoughtful. Hmmmm. Peter wants to see me again, probably to pick up where we left out. Well, why not? It's been a long, cold winter. I could use some excitement.

"Carrie," she said as she got to her feet, "Officer Van Husen is coming over in a while. I'm going to get dressed. Will you please turn on the fireplace in the den and make fresh coffee before he gets here?"

"Of course," Carrie said.

Mavis sailed out of the kitchen, all of her morning crabbiness along with her worries about Claudine disappearing under the prospect of a visit from Peter Van Husen.