The Most Glittery Crime of the Year: The Jewel Heist by Lucci Judith

Author:Lucci, Judith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bluestone Valley Publishing, LLC Harrisonburg, VA
Published: 2019-08-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

“Boy, do I have a story for you, LauraLea,” I said as I walked into the gallery after lunch, “and you’re not gonna believe it.”

“From that smirk on your face, it better be good,” LauraLea said as she rolled her eyes toward a bunch of folks signed up to taste wine. I saw her motion for help, so I decided to wash my hands. I hated dirty hands and probably washed mine far too often. One of my many foibles.

When I returned, the Diva was sitting at the table by the fireplace. I pulled out a chair, sat next to her, and was about to tell her about the jewel heist when Mabel Pointer came in. She was a wreck and looked a like a fruit cake. She spied LauraLea, jumped in her face and hollered, “I came to see the scene of the crime. Where did it happen?”

I was stunned, and LauraLea was speechless. Neither of us answered right away. Mabel was in general disarray. Her gray hair was untidy and had fallen out of her bun, her eyes were red and puffy, and her face was red, most likely from anger. Her clothes looked like she’d slept in them, and she smelled like whiskey. I wondered if she was just drunk or dangerous or drunk and dangerous.

I stared at her and said stupidly, “I’m sorry, Mabel. What did you say?”

Mabel glared at me and took a step forward. Her voice was bitter, hostile. “I want to see the crime scene where somebody beat that little harlot, Sally Sue, to death. Now, get up and show me,” she hissed as she took another giant step and stood right over us. A couple of drops of alcohol-infused spittle dropped on my shoulder and on the table. I saw LauraLea reach for a tissue and wipe off the table. Mabel Pointer was a tall woman, and we were sitting down. At that point, I knew she was drunk.

As I think back, LauraLea and I were dumbstruck. I know I was hastily gathering my thoughts when she took a step closer and yelled at us.

“Are the two of you deaf? I said TAKE ME NOW.” Mable stood directly over us now, and her pores oozed alcohol. I looked over at LauraLea. Her pupils were fixed and dilated, and her mouth hung open. She was as shocked as I was. I heard a sharp intake of air as LauraLea pulled oxygen into her lungs and started to stand.

I’d have given thousands of dollars for the look on LauraLea’s face. But, as always, the Diva recovered quickly. ”I don’t really know, Mabel. Somewhere down there in Arboretum Park. And, the park is pretty big so…”

Mabel crashed her fist on the table. It rattled the table, and my Diet Pepsi fell to the floor. Mabel stooped down and got in LauraLea’s face. A big mistake. For a couple of seconds, I thought Massanutten Mountain might have its second murder in as many days. I

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.