Deadlines Are Murder by Anne Macdonald

Author:Anne Macdonald
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: suspense, mystery, contemporary, mystery suspense, boston mystery, amatuer sleuth, female slueth, mystery female sleuth, police procedural elements, police and detectives
Publisher: Anne Macdonald

CHAPTER TWENTY

Sam got out of the cab and looked up at the old, painstakingly restored Victorian mansion that was the home of the English department chair. Ruth had loved this house so and had worked hard to restore it. The mature trees, cascading over the house and lawn, captured and reflected the light back down, creating a lovely glowing effect around the front of the house. It was both exciting and awful standing there. As always, she noted the uniqueness of the houses’ paint colors – they way they came together always enthralled her.

She never really thought she’d be attending a party here ever again, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to attend this one. She thought of leaving right now, but the cab was already down the street and around the corner. If it weren’t for Kate and Ben, she wouldn’t be dressed so glamorously in a black, spaghetti-strapped cocktail dress with a beaded, black silk jacket. She doubted she would ever be a size 6 again, but her new size 10 body felt good. Of course, this was all hidden under her wool coat. She sighed, squared her shoulders and started up the front walk to the front door. She was so engrossed in her own thoughts she didn’t hear others arrive behind her.

“Sam, is that really you?” The voice broke into her reverie. Her head spun around and she saw William and Mathilda Crowley coming up the walk behind her.

William was tall and thin; his shock of thick silver gray hair made him look very distinguished. Mathilda, William’s third or fourth wife and equally tall and elegant, smiled at Sam and said how wonderful it was to see her again. Sam now felt better that she wouldn’t be entering the party alone.

“So, are you coming to keep Rick in line?” William asked mischievously, raising an eyebrow in her direction. He now had Sam on one arm and Mathilda on the other as they walked up the front stairs.

“Arthur invited me,” she replied, smiling somewhat mischievously herself.

“Well, well, this should add some excitement to an otherwise dull party,” William mused.

“It’s always so sad when a couple gets divorced or separated and we get stuck with the boring half,” Mathilda said. “We’re happy to have the exciting half with us tonight.”

“I don’t really know if Rick is the boring half, but I do appreciate the compliment,” Sam replied, a light laugh in her voice, though maybe it was a little too high-pitched.

The front door opened and Arthur greeted them in a booming voice. The party was in full swing. Arthur told them where the food and drink were before greeting the next group. William, Mathilda and Sam were surprised to find themselves not at a small gathering but at a much larger cocktail party. Besides the caterer, there was an open bar with a bartender and live music.

Sam soon found herself separated from William and Mathilda. She found herself welcomed warmly as well as quizzically by many guests, both those she knew and those she didn’t.

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