Death of the Party by Carolyn Hart

Author:Carolyn Hart [Hart, Carolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fiction, Contemporary Women, Mystery & Detective, General
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2009-10-13T04:00:00+00:00

Seven

“A HAM RADIO? YOU SAID there was no contact with the mainland. You lied to us.” Craig’s tone was scathing.

Anger blazed in Britt’s green eyes, spotted her cheeks fiery red. “It wasn’t anybody’s business.” She was defiant. “I had a ham radio and a computer in case there was an emergency and we needed help immediately. The Coast Guard has helicopters for evacuation purposes.”

Millicent stalked across the floor. “I hold you personally responsible for this fiasco.” Much the taller woman, she stopped, folded her arms, stared down at Britt.

Antagonism bubbled between them.

Millicent’s voice quivered. “Everything you told me was a falsehood from start to finish. I came expecting to meet with supporters. Instead, I have been subjected to verbal abuse, accused of criminal conduct, and placed in jeopardy. Now the hired man absconds with our only means of escape from this hellish place. It is your duty to your guests to employ trustworthy people. Who was this man? What did you know about him?”

Craig jangled coins in his pocket. “Ease up, Millicent. You’re going after the wrong person.” His tone was conciliatory. “Dad met Harry at a skeet shoot in Savannah. They had a few drinks, hit it off. Harry told Dad he was between jobs. Dad hired him on the spot. I don’t know if Dad ever got references. Now it looks as though that may have been a mistake that cost him his life. We can’t fault Britt. For Harry.” His look at Britt was cold. “But there is no excuse for covering up Dad’s murder.”

Britt pressed her hands against her flushed cheeks.

Craig was unrelenting. He took a step toward her, his voice rough. “You claim you were trying to make amends by getting us all here, doing an undercover investigation. But maybe this was just your way of blunting an effort at blackmail.” His gaze moved from her to Everett.

“Of course I wrote to Britt.” Everett spoke too loudly. “It was only fair to let her know I felt I had to contact the authorities.”

Kim gave a hoot of laughter. “That doesn’t cut it, Everett. You wait more than a year and suddenly you have to alert the cops? More likely you were waiting for the estate to be settled. Besides, you aren’t famous for tipping off people when you plan to gut them. How many guests have you sucker punched on your show, bringing up some unsavory piece of the past without warning?”

“Nobody puts a gun to their heads to come on my show.” Everett smoothed his pompadour. “I’ve got the best numbers of anybody except for O’Reilly, and I’m gaining on him. Eat my dust, Kim.”

“I hate those programs.” Dana’s round face flushed and her voice was shaky, but she kept on, looking defiantly at her brother-in-law. “Grown people yelling at each other and talking right over each other. It’s disgusting. And stupid. It teaches children the wrong things, that it’s good to be a bully and being rude is cool.”

Everett raised an eyebrow. “What exquisite principles you have, my dear.

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