Practice to Deceive by Janet L. Smith

Author:Janet L. Smith [Smith, Janet L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths
ISBN: 9781941890103
Publisher: Epicenter Press
Published: 2018-04-15T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Annie struggled to open the letter, but it was difficult with her right arm in the sling. Ellen took it and tore open the envelope, then handed it back. Annie searched for a signature. There was none.

“What is it?” Ellen asked.

Annie shook her head. “It’s bizarre. Here, take a look.”

They took the letter into the living room where the light was better. It was a piece of office stationery, with only a few lines of type:

You’re sticking your nose where it

doesn’t belong. People get hurt that way,

sometimes even innocent bystanders.

STOP NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.

“Creepy. When was it sent?”

“Let me see,” Annie said, examining the envelope. “It was postmarked on Saturday. Looks like five p.m. I probably should have gotten this Monday or Tuesday.”

“Saturday. That’s the day you and I had lunch at the Copa. Wasn’t that also the day you went to the office and got caught in the crossfire between Barclay and Suzy Gulliver? Someone doesn’t want you sticking your nose into Nancy’s death.”

Annie shook her head. “That doesn’t make sense. Suzy and Barclay both knew I was involved that day almost by accident. I’ve been doing my level best to stay uninvolved.”

“Then what about this business deal? Do you think someone knew Barclay was going to make you an offer and wanted to warn you off?”

Annie walked to the kitchen and grabbed the bottle of wine to refill their glasses. As careful as she tried to be, the bottle wobbled in her left hand, spilling a few drops onto the table. Frustrated, she wiped them up with her sling. Ellen was still talking. “Think. Is there anyone who would be upset if you joined Barclay’s firm?”

“Upset?” Annie laughed. “That’s hardly the word.” Annie ran the list through her mind. Deborah Silver had hinted about Barclay running his own firm. She clearly would have wanted the offer herself. Fred Duff, of course, would be devastated. He was convinced that if Barclay pulled out, the firm he’d devoted his life to would collapse. Looking back on her conversations, it now seemed as if both knew more about the situation than they’d let on. Jed Delacourt? He hated Barclay. Maybe the letter could be interpreted as a warning not to get mixed up with Barclay rather than a threat. And then there was Alex Guiterrez, Barclay’s right-hand man. Barclay had said he told Alex everything. And for whatever reason, Alex didn’t like Annie. Just thinking about him gave her a chill.

“I think that’s got to be it, Ellen. This letter was supposed to reach me before my lunch with Barclay today. It would seem that someone doesn’t want me associating with him.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

Annie sipped her wine and stared out the window. She suddenly felt overcome with weariness and pain from the day’s events. “Who knows? But whatever I’m going to do, it’s got to be tomorrow. Right now, I think I need some sleep.”

***

Sirens blared all around her. Running down a dark alley littered with broken glass and debris, Annie realized she was hopelessly lost.

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