Set the Stage for Murder by Brent Peterson

Author:Brent Peterson [Peterson, Brent]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B007YUVW24
Published: 2012-04-28T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Vicki and Teddy often entertained on the Cottage’s back veranda. It was almost as big as any room in the house and offered stunning views of the river and the mountains, perfectly framed by the porch’s original gingerbread trim. Also, at this time of year, they were able to leave the French doors open, so that their guests could simply wander into the dining room when dinner was to be served.

It was Friday evening, a little past 6:00, and the weekend guests at Lenore’s Folly, with the exception of Rosamund Whiting and Meg Pierce, had gathered on the veranda and were mingling in a rather half-hearted fashion. Dame Caroline and Phoebe sat on one of the wicker sofas and chatted about mutual acquaintances. Sally Crandall had commandeered a nearby chair and was feigning interest in their conversation, all the while watching her son and husband intently. Connor was standing by the railing, holding a sparkling water and shaking his head violently in response to whatever his father had just asked him. On another sofa, Vicki watched this same scene out of the corner of her eye, while listening to a story Sir Tony was telling her and Teddy about John Gielgud, Judith Anderson, and a drunken sailor from Yorkshire. Billy Putnam had picked up an entire platter of spring rolls and was making his way toward Juliet, who stood by the railing at the far end of the porch, just steps from where Harold Fiske slumped and snored in the chair nearest the bar that Ethan was manning. Vincent circulated through the group, refilling wine glasses and eavesdropping on conversations.

Marc Denby had always been lucky and apparently, tonight was no exception. He was walking through the kitchen doorway and into the dining room, carrying a new platter of spring rolls to replace the one Billy had swiped, when Roz and Meg arrived at the party. Therefore, he had the perfect vantage point from which to witness one of the most awkward social moments in the history of Lenore’s Folly. It was a scene he was destined to describe over and over again, for many years to come. It always started the same way: “As Roz and Meg walked onto the porch, everyone, and I mean everyone stopped talking, turned, and stared at them as if on cue. You could have heard a dagger drop … ”

A better detective and lesser hostess would have stayed put and kept silent, allowing the inherent possibilities in such an awkward moment time to surface and room to grow. Vicki, however, couldn’t be that cruel to a guest in her home, no matter what clue she never got to see or which lead she never got to follow. She rose to her feet and crossed to the two women.

“Roz, Meg, how lovely to see you both. I’m so sorry I was unavailable when you arrived. I hope you were able to entertain yourselves?” She kissed each of them on the cheek.

“Don’t worry about it, darling.

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