BACK STABBERS by Julie Mulhern

Author:Julie Mulhern
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy mystery;humorous mystery
Publisher: Henery Press
Published: 2018-10-17T15:45:23+00:00

FIFTEEN

“Anarchy took the cat?” Libba smirked at me from across the bridge table. “I told you talking to him was the right thing to do.”

Discussing Anarchy over the bridge table was such a bad idea. I glanced out the window. The golf course was showing the first signs of green, and, given the mild weather, there were sweatered golfers taking full advantage.

“Why exactly did you have a cat?” Jinx shuffled a deck of cards. “I’d think that dog of yours would object.”

Ruined carpet, ruined upholstery, and a disaster-area studio all flashed through my mind. “He did object. Strongly. And, believe me, I had nothing to do with bringing that cat into the house. Grace brought it home from a shelter.”

One of Jinx’s brows raised slightly. “Why was Grace at an animal shelter?”

“She was volunteering.”

“How many more animals is she going to bring home?”

“None. She promised.” Famous last words.

Jinx chuckled. “Maybe she should volunteer as a candy striper instead.”

Daisy exploded into the card room, late as usual. “Am I late? I’m sorry.”

She was late but it was a surprise when Daisy was on time. She had more children than the little old woman who lived in a shoe. And just when she thought the end was in sight, she and her husband had been blessed with a surprise. She wasn’t showing yet, but she also wasn’t drinking and she’d somehow prevailed upon Jinx to forego smoking when we played cards.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“There’s a reason women get pregnant when they’re young.” She sat, dropping her handbag, which, thanks to all the things her children stuffed inside, usually weighed upwards of ten pounds (I knew, I’d swung it once) on the carpet next to her chair. “Just a little morning sickness.”

I made a sympathetic noise.

Jinx merely fanned the cards.

We each drew.

“I guess I’m dealing.” Libba threw her high card, the queen of spades, back into the deck.

As Libba distributed the cards, Jinx leveled an I’m-cranky-because-I-need-a-cigarette look my way. “You’ve had quite a week.”

“That’s right!” Daisy leaned forward. “Tell us about your latest body.”

“It’s not my body.”

“Oh, pooh!” Daisy’s face scrunched. “You know what I mean.”

“I found Winthrop dead.”

“And Frank Marshall’s secretary,” added Jinx. “Don’t forget her.”

As if I’d ever forget finding a body at The Nelson.

“Is that the woman Frank was fooling around with?” Libba finished dealing.

Remembering Celine’s flushed cheeks, I replied, “No idea.” I wouldn’t add fuel to that fire. I picked up my cards and counted ten middling points.

“Well—” Daisy rearranged the cards in her hand “—I heard he was carrying on with one of Celine’s friends.”

“Where did you hear that?” I hadn’t heard so much as a whisper about Frank and someone we saw socially.

Daisy waved her free hand with an airy (ditsy) lack of concern. “Someone told me. I can’t remember who.” She scrunched her face again and shifted a card. “Maybe Bea? I stopped by yesterday with a casserole.”

“Can Buzz eat casseroles?” asked Jinx.

“I didn’t think about dietary restrictions.” Daisy chested her cards and her brow wrinkled.

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