Dead End Donation by Kirsten Weiss

Author:Kirsten Weiss [Kirsten Weiss]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: misterio press
Published: 2023-07-20T00:00:00+00:00

chapter eighteen

I like to think I learn from my mistakes. So after Price left the museum, I called Jason.

“I can’t tell you where we are in the investigation,” he said before I could speak.

I leaned against the counter. Watery afternoon sunlight streamed through the front windows and gleamed greasily off the glass. “Chadwick’s brother, Price just stopped by the museum,” I said.

GD sniffed my elbow, and absently, I reached behind me to pet the black cat. Naturally, he bit me. I rubbed my hand and winced. So much for learning from my mistakes.

“What did he want?” Jason asked cautiously.

I checked my hand. At least no skin was broken. The cat seemed to know exactly how much pressure to apply without crossing the line. “I think he wanted to let me know that his brother was having an affair with Rea.”

“We already knew that.”

“And that her husband knew.” The tip jar was too close to the counter’s edge, and I shifted it closer to the old-fashioned cash register.

“Bob knew? That’s... interesting,” Jason said. “How could Price be sure?”

“He said his brother told him Bob confronted him about it.”

He grunted. “Which we only have Price’s word for.”

It could all be a lie. Price might have told me in the hopes of making Bob a better suspect. That might take the heat off Price. “I told him to contact the police about it.”

Jason laughed shortly. “Thanks. I’d ask why he decided to confide in you, but I can guess the answer. Does he know about our relationship?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t mention it.”

Someone rapped on the museum’s front door, and I glanced over my shoulder. My mother, Cora, and a hatchet-faced woman named Eliza stared through the window. “I’ve got to go,” I said. “My mom’s here.”

“I’ll see you tonight.”

My heart warmed. Jason couldn’t be too mad at me if our date was still on. “Bye.”

I hung up and opened the door, the bell above it jingling. “What brings Ladies Aid to the museum?”

Eliza sniffed and brushed an invisible fleck of something off her navy parka. “It wasn’t my idea.”

“But we’re so glad you were able to come with us.” Cora smiled at the woman and adjusted the folds of her purple cloak.

Eliza had once been president of Ladies Aid. In a hostile takeover, Cora and my mother had become the new co-presidents. Eliza had neither forgiven nor forgotten.

“Have you found the Benedetto goblet yet?” Eliza asked me.

“Herb’s taking care of it for now.” I shut the door behind them.

“In other words,” Eliza said, “no.”

“He seems to think the goblet’s cursed,” I said, ignoring the implied criticism.

“So we’ve heard,” my mother said. She was bundled in an elegant ivory knee-length coat over jeans and a denim top. “But that’s not why we’re here. We’re interested in its retrieval, of course, but we have full confidence in you on that score. We’re here about the plans for the new museum.”

I stiffened. I didn’t need them on my back. “I still haven’t officially accepted the donation.

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