Doggone Dead by Dane McCaslin

Author:Dane McCaslin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2020-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

It was difficult to focus on the day’s tasks after Brent’s verbal bombshell. Nora appeared shaken as well, and I had to remind her several times to check her voicemail for additional clients.

“Sorry, Sis.” She broke off staring into space and looked at me. Shadows were gathering under her eyes, a sure sign of an impending storm. “I just can’t get my head around this whole debacle. Not that I don’t think Linda’s death wasn’t a tragedy. It certainly was. But now I’m beginning to wonder which of my ex-steps wants me dead badly enough to poison me?”

“You weren’t the one who was poisoned,” I pointed out helpfully.

Nora glared in return. “You know exactly what I mean, smarty pants.”

We fell into silence, each one wrapped in our own thoughts. Mine were beginning to smooth out somewhat, now that the first shock was over. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to get the keeper of the gate on our side, instead of antagonizing her.

“I think I’m going to run down and have a word with Patsy.” I stood up and headed toward the door. “I’ll be back in a few.”

“Whatever floats your boat.”

I looked over my shoulder and saw Nora give a slight shrug before turning her attention to her cell phone.

I paused, staring at her in concern. A halfhearted reply was definitely not her style. If anything, the very name “Patsy” should have been the proverbial red flag waving in front of the bull. Instead, Nora was acting like a reluctant matador who preferred to stay out of the ring.

With a little sigh, I left the apartment and headed downstairs. Patsy lived on the premises, one of the perks of dealing with the inmates of the building, and was usually the first to make an appearance in the reception area. I practiced my I-am-a-competent-woman face in the elevator, the one I used whenever I wanted to appear large and in charge. It usually worked, but, after the first glimpse of my target, I wasn’t so sure.

Patsy stood behind her desk, talking rapidly into a cell phone and frowning at the floor. Great. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. Before I could retreat, however, she raised her face and caught sight of me. I smiled tentatively, waggling my fingers at her in a hesitant greeting. She responded by turning her back.

Definitely not a good idea then. I was halfway back to the elevator when I heard rapid footsteps behind me. Turning, I saw Patsy was following me with such a determined expression on her face that I almost made a dash for the elevator’s open door.

“Hang on a sec, all right?”

I stopped, mentally preparing myself for a confrontation. Nora should’ve been here with me, especially since she had been the one to fire the first volley across Patsy’s bow.

Straightening my shoulders and willing my stomach to tuck itself toward my spine, I plastered a smile on my face and waited for the barrage of angry words.

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