Scrapbooking 04- Motif for murder by Laura Childs

Author:Laura Childs [Childs, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Women detectives, Separated people, Kidnapping victims, Scrapbooks
Publisher: New York : Berkley Prime Crime
Published: 2006-02-14T23:00:00+00:00

"Good," said Mrs. Purdy, snapping her notebook shut, happy to have bullied Carmela into compliance. "Excellent."

Of course, the solution was a long way from excellent, but it was the best Carmela could manage for now.

CARMELA WAS HUDDLING WITH MR. PETERS, THE

locksmith, at the back doot when Shamus called.

"I'll pick you up promptly at seven," he told her.

"I'm only doing this for you," she replied. "Not because Glory has demanded I be present tonight as some sort of familial prop."

"God, you're an angel," said Shamus. "You've never let me down, Carmela. I can always count on you."

Carmela didn't say a word. She wondered if she could count on him for rent money.

"Be sure to dress real fancy," Shamus added. "This shindig tonight is a very big deal. Crescent City Bank has pretty much bankrolled this new casino, so we're all kind of like guests of honor. There'll be lots of champagne and caviar and stuff." He let loose a forced laugh, obviously cognizant that Carmela was barely tolerating this conversation. "Fish eggs," he added gamely, hoping for a reaction. Any reaction.

"I'll be ready," said Carmela, not the least bit impressed by the idea of imported caviar or Shamus's feeble attempt at humor.

"I'm wearing my Armani tux," said Shamus. "Still fits like a dream, of course." He paused. "Do you by any chance know where my red cummerbund is?"

"You could try looking in your closet," advised Carmela.

"Right," said Shamus. "I'll do that. Okay, watch for me tonight, babe, I'll be the good-looking guy in the James Bond tuxedo."

"Are you bringing your gun along, Mr. Double-O-Seven?"

"You bet I am," said Shamus emphatically. "Who knows,

those assholes could try to kidnap me again!"

Chapter 20

LIGHTS blinked and flashed in a dizzying array of colors. Slot machines clanked and thunked loudly with silver dollar payoffs. And men and women in black-tie dress, their faces flushed with excitement, hoisted flutes of champagne to toast the opening of New Orleans's brand-new Le Rive Casino.

Carmela had been on board the super-sized riverboat for all of five minutes and already had the beginnings of a tension headache. And why not? The minute the motorized skiff had deposited them on deck, Shamus had dashed off somewhere, probably to be feted as the heir apparent for Crescent City Bank. And now she was left standing in the middle of a casino that was utter bedlam. Guests rushed from clattering slot machines to pinging poker machines to green-felt blackjack tables. All were eager to enjoy casino gaming and anxiously hoping for a serendipitous visit from Lady Luck.

And everyone, except her, seemed bowled over by this super luxe casino with its plush red carpeting, cascading chandeliers, and riverboat atmosphere. Carmela wondered how long she had to politely endure this spectacle before she could be ferried back to shore again.

"Carmela!" shrilled Ava. She came galloping up in her red mermaid dress, fish tail churning, and wildly threw her arms around her friend. "You made it!"

"Just barely," said Carmela, tugging at her dress. The designer creation that had seemed so perfect the night before now felt a trifle short on her.

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