Dana Mentink - Finny's Nose 01 - Trouble Up Finny's Nose by Dana Mentink

Author:Dana Mentink [Mentink, Dana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery: Cozy - Humor - California
ISBN: 1597895075
Publisher: Barbour Books
Published: 2008-01-23T05:00:00+00:00

When Ruth arrived at the door of the gallery Friday evening, she was impressed at the immaculate paint and the burnished brass doorknobs, highlighted by the footlights at each side of the cement steps. No one would ever guess there had been a fire only two hundred yards away now that the setting sun concealed the blackened greenhouse beams.

A tall teenage girl greeted her warmly. “Hi, Mrs. B. How are those birds?”

Lizzie Putney was a high school student who had worked for a while at Phillip’s veterinary clinic. Ruth eyed the row of hoops twining down the girl’s left ear and connecting via a delicate chain to a hoop in her nostril.

“Hi, Lizzie.” She wrapped the girl in a hug. “You look. . .great,” said Ruth, shifting her camera bag to the other shoulder.

“I’m helping out Monk tonight with the food. Don’t I look the part?” She minced along for a few steps. “I’ll show you to the dining hall, my lady.”

Ruth gave her a squeeze. “Thank you. And how is your menagerie?” The girl had, at last count, four turtles, six cats, a one-eyed frog named Nelson, and an ancient guinea pig fondly referred to as “the old geezer.” As a much younger child, she had soberly lugged each unfortunate critter to Mr. Budge for medical advice.

“Oh, they’re all fine.” She giggled. “But my dad says I had better come up with a plan before I go away to college. He says he isn’t Dr. Doolittle.” She giggled again as she led the way into the large foyer. “See you later, Mrs. B. I gotta go be couth!”

Ruth wondered if couth and nose rings were compatible.

The room was sparkling with white linens and candles twined with garlands of white roses and ivy. Prinn had class, no doubt about it. She took out her camera and snapped a few shots of the pristine dining tables. A few people were milling about, and she took their pictures, too.

Maude Stone was standing with Flo Hodges, point- ing at a watercolor. She wore navy blue from head to toe with a matching feathered hat. Flo burst into loud peals of laughter at some comment from Maude.

Nestled in an inconspicuous corner of the foyer was the catering headquarters, and looking supremely con- spicuous in a chef ’s white togs was Monk. He snapped off a jaunty salute with his slotted spoon and plunged it into a steaming stockpot. Her heart beat faster as she approached.

“That smells divine, Monk.”

“Thankee, ma’am.” He lowered his voice conspira- torially. “The little weasel ordered me not to associate with the guests, but I won’t turn down a compliment from such a gorgeous lady. Is this place duded up or what?”

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