Elaine Flinn - Molly Doyle 01 - Dealing in Murder by Elaine Flinn

Author:Elaine Flinn [Flinn, Elaine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery: Cozy - Antiques Dealer - California
ISBN: 0060545798
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2003-10-22T05:00:00+00:00

She never thought she’d be so happy to see Randall. Standing at the hostess podium with Daria, the smile on his face froze. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Molly’s hands were shaking as she unbuttoned her raincoat. “Worse.”

Taking hold of Molly’s elbow, he nodded to Daria. “We’re going to the bar. Can you get us a table off the beaten path?”

‘I’ll go you one better, follow me. You can have my private hideaway.“

Following Daria down a plush burgundy-carpeted hallway, Molly couldn’t help but notice the several heavy gilt framed oil paintings filling the walls. Her eyes bounced back and forth until she had to stop. “Who is this artist?”

Randall’s eyebrows hit his hairline. “Whoa… I thought we had a crisis here. Who the hell cares who the artist is? Are we on the same page here, or what?” When he saw Molly hadn’t heard a word, he muttered, “Can’t you turn it off?”

Daria smiled. “Can a swabby ignore a whorehouse?” Turning away from him, she stood next to Molly and folded her arms. “Mackie O’Brien. She’s local and a close friend. I’ll have to get you two together. Great, huh? I’m a sucker for her stuff. There’s more in the dining room.”

‘Truly gifted.“ Molly said.

Passing behind them, Randall said. “I’ll be at the bar. When you two can find some time, drop by.”

Reaching out to stop him, Molly had to grin. “I’m sorry. Occupational hazard. I love antiques, but art is my real passion.”

Shoving his hands in his pockets, he eyed the picture before him. “Okay, so this artist has perfectly captured a soft, foggy morning. You can almost smell the wood fire burning in the storybook house and imagine a small boy in knickers yawning over his morning porridge. Yeah, okay, sweet.” Jerking his head toward the end of the hall, he asked, “Shall we start again? The private room?”

Ushering them into her sanctuary, Daria said, “I’ll get Manuel in here to take your drink order.”

Randall nodded, and, as soon as she left, he looked around, then said, “Okay, let’s get this over with. I don’t want any more distractions. It’s a great room, right? Daria knows her stuff. Giving the table a rap with his knuckles, he muttered, ”Good Brittany piece. I figure the pine dresser to be English… mid 1800s. The majolica on the shelves are probably a mix of Italian and French, some period, some new, and the side chairs…“ Pulling one out and giving it the once over, he shook his head. ”I’d lay odds they’re beech wood. Maybe George IV. The cane panels have been replaced.“ Stepping back, he looked down at the carpet, and hesitated for a moment. ”Possibly Serapi… early twentieth century.“ Giving Molly a glance, he pulled out a cigarette, lit it then said, ”That about do it? Can we get down to what ever the hell had you so spooked now?“

Sinking into one of the chairs, Molly’s eyes narrowed.

‘The carpet is Bakhtiari, Persian… late 1890s. And, yeah, that about covers it.

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