Annette Blair - Vintage Magic Mystery - 2 by Larceny & Lace

Author:Larceny & Lace [Larceny & Lace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-01-16T23:45:09.544000+00:00

could, but that’s old news.”

“Excuse us,” Eve said, pulling me well away from the central counter. “No paying cash, Mad, which I know is your preference,” she whispered. “You want a payment plan to give you wiggle room, money wise. You can always pay it off early, if Vintage Magic is hopping. What color?”

I love Eve. She’d jump into the ocean to save me. I knew, because she’d done that when we were five.

I patted the loaded Element in the showroom. “I want this one. It’s cinnamon. Isn’t it beautiful? The way its color flows from light to dark reminds me of a shiny bolt of sateen that changes color depending on how you move it in the light. See how the color graduates from brown to a dark antique bronze.”

“Get real. That’s the lighting in the showroom. You need me, Cutler, so go look at a brochure or something while I talk money.”

I felt as if I should salute, but I wouldn’t mock the hand that saved me a buck. Besides, I was used to premium Big Apple prices. Things were different in Connecticut, and Eve was certainly making it easy.

No zip, no fuss.

I read a history of the Goodwin dealerships on the wall while I waited. This was the second of two locations. The first, in Groton, had been started a century before. This one was practically a new baby at nearly thirty years.

Later, while I perused the brochures, I spotted Councilman McDowell behind a desk. Our eyes met, so I had no choice but to say hello. “Councilman.”

“Welcome back to Mystick Falls, Ms. Cutler.”

“You know who I am?”

“From the picture in my wife’s column that I get force-fed to me at breakfast.”

Right. Lolique, the Entertainment Tonight of Mystick Falls. Surprise; the publicity hound made me smile. “I didn’t know you worked here.”

He stood as I approached. “It’s worse than that. I own the place.” He indicated the chair across from his desk.

I shook my head and remained standing. “Guess you’re the in-law who has to keep the portrait of the Goodwin daughter front and center so her cousin won’t inherit.”

His expression darkened like a thundercloud. Talk about black looks. “Said cousin once spent months on the psych ward and would run this place into the ground if given half a chance.”

I stepped back from Councilman McNasty. “I didn’t mean to broach a touchy subject.”

He masked his expression like a good little politician. “The Goodwin daughter is my dead wife.”

Remove foot from mouth. Proceed carefully. “Forgive me. I had no idea.”

He nodded to someone across the room. “Your friend’s looking for you. Ms. Cutler,” he added, as I turned to go, “I’m glad your building escaped the fire.”

Unexpected nicety. “Thank you. I am, too.”

As I completed the paperwork for the car, I thought I did see our salesman’s eyes fill. Eve had used math and logic to shoot down every deal, forcing him to cut his own profit to make the sale. She could make car salesmen cry.

“That was an awesome deal, Meyers.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.