Death at the Fireside Inn (Veronica Vale Investigates, #1) by Kildare Kitty

Author:Kildare, Kitty
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kitty Kildare
Published: 2024-01-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

I rubbed my eyes, hoping the sharp female voice I’d heard was a walking nightmare. Unfortunately, when my vision cleared sufficiently, Isabella Michaels stood in front of me carrying an unwieldy-looking camera, a smirk on her face, and a notepad sticking out of her oversized jacket pocket.

“Cat got your tongue?” she asked when I didn’t respond. “Or are you figuring out a convenient lie?” Her gaze went to Charles, who looked just as stunned by having his photograph taken. “Hello, Charles.”

He blinked several times. “You’re that gossipy reporter.”

“How do you know each other?” I asked.

“I go to the best parties and get the best stories.” Isabella tucked an errant strand of dark hair behind one ear. “And dear Charles is always lurking around the famous types.”

“You must have to sneak into those parties. You wouldn’t receive an invitation,” Ruby said.

Isabella rolled her eyes. “Interesting fashion choice you’re wearing. Your latest beau must be losing interest if he’s not dressing you in the latest styles. Or any style. And you smell like manure.”

Ruby’s cheeks flamed, and only my hand on her arm stopped her thumping Isabella.

“How’s the scandal sheet treating you?” I asked.

“We’re getting by nicely on all the local scandal,” Isabella said. “Distribution numbers are up. Shame the same can’t be said for the London Drudge. Such a stuffy newspaper.”

“You must be desperate for content if you’re hanging around a respectable venue like the Fireside Inn, stirring up trouble.”

She snorted her derision, but I didn’t miss the flash of anger in her eyes. “It wasn’t so many years ago this place was a watering hole for villains and cads. And rumour has it a few members of the London mob whiled away their time here. Have any comment on that? On the record, naturally.”

“What happened before my family purchased the inn is none of your concern,” I said.

“It’s respectable veneer is masking something,” Isabella said. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“If you’re referring to my late father, he was a hearty, healthy oak who looked after people.”

“I’m sure there was a rotten core in that oak. Like father, like daughter.”

I took a step towards her. “Take that back. You’re always chasing after my family, but you’ll get no dirt on us.”

“Is that so?” A glitter of something unpleasant lit her dark gaze. “I’ve got plenty of dirt. Perhaps you’ll see it on the front page one of these days, and my name will be on the byline.”

“Only if it’s a slow news day,” I said. “There’s nothing of note in my family’s past.”

I despised Isabella digging around in my family’s background. My father had never hidden his dealings with a few less than savoury types, but his heart was always in the right place. Every building he purchased was renovated and helped to bring an area up. And if he found any member of staff had a criminal record, he gave them the benefit of the doubt and ensured they still had employment. Isabella was only grubbing around because she was jealous I had the position she longed for.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.