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Book: 86 Avenue du Goulet (A Samantha Jamison Mystery Volume 3) by Peggy A. Edelheit
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Authors: Peggy A. Edelheit
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Curat’s villa.
He saw my reaction. “It is only that you know so much about gardening and flowers, I thought I might get …how do you say... your opinion?”
“…Okay.”
Chapter 33
Face-To-Face Innuendo & Inferences
We wandered down to the lower gardens and sat on a shaded cement bench out of earshot of the others. But even at that distance I could still hear a lot of friendly arguing going on. I smiled, and then turned to Luc, giving him my full attention. “What did you really want?”
“You are wondering why I asked to speak privately.”
“That thought had crossed my mind, since I don’t know much about these gardens …yet. ”
“I wanted to tell you I have overheard that some neighbors are suspicious of you and your questions. But you must keep trying to detect what is behind their uneasy words and actions.”
“I was given a somewhat cold reception.”
He laughed. “Do you think a few interviews are enough to give you all your answers?”
I sighed. “I was hoping for more favorable results.”
Luc smiled. “In time they might let slip up something the will help you. Don’t be intimidated by their gruff manner. After all, they have lost a member of their family. Like you Americans, we French also love our pets.”
“I don’t know how to probe further without appearing somewhat rude.” Eyeing Luc, I half smiled. “But then again, I am an American, aren’t I? They’ll expect it.”
“Maybe Jean can help regarding that time when these houses were first built. Once, a long time ago, they were all good friends, until that episode with the brooch. What a shame.”
“Well, Jean is out of town on business right now, but I will do that. It might give me a better perspective.”
“Oh, I am sure in time you will find out many interesting things about all of them. But be skeptical about what they might say regarding each other.” He stood to go. “I must get back to work. If you will excuse me, Madame?”
“Of course. I appreciate your comments and will keep them in mind next time I speak to the neighbors. Merci.”
Luc nodded, gave me another wink and walked away.
Maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention to their subtle body language and should dig deeper like Luc implied. Hey, that’s what worked before, right? Asking the uncomfortable questions others wouldn’t or couldn’t?
I would have to rethink my strategy and revisit all of them, and one way or the other, try to somehow get more details. Playing one off the other wouldn’t work. What would? Could I actually get someone to trust me?
I sat there thinking over Luc’s inferences and innuendo.
Were they meant to be helpful hints or subtle warnings?
Chapter 34
Getting My Money’s Worth
The French ATM machine had become my best friend lately, especially since my three houseguests had more than a healthy appetite. They also loved French wine. So there I was at Géant Supermarket in Fréjus, loading up on enough supplies to get me by for a while.
The place was enormous. I gave up counting at the twentieth cash register. I headed straight for the wine section, figuring I might save a euro or two buying some there instead of going to a smaller store. I grabbed whites, reds and everything in between. The boutique wine shops and their expensive prices were killing me. Maybe I would try a local vineyard or two for their wines when I ran out.
Ten minutes later, I was in the cheese aisle, already salivating in anticipation at the choices that were waiting. I was about to grab some French Brie when someone else grabbed it instead. Put out, I looked to see who had violated my personal cheese space.
“Oh! Madame Toussout. What a pleasant surprise! Please, go right ahead. I will take another one.”
Flustered by my gracious greeting, and startled to see me, she cautiously stepped back, saying, “Oh!” herself.
I didn’t want the moment to escape and decided to take advantage of us
He saw my reaction. “It is only that you know so much about gardening and flowers, I thought I might get …how do you say... your opinion?”
“…Okay.”
Chapter 33
Face-To-Face Innuendo & Inferences
We wandered down to the lower gardens and sat on a shaded cement bench out of earshot of the others. But even at that distance I could still hear a lot of friendly arguing going on. I smiled, and then turned to Luc, giving him my full attention. “What did you really want?”
“You are wondering why I asked to speak privately.”
“That thought had crossed my mind, since I don’t know much about these gardens …yet. ”
“I wanted to tell you I have overheard that some neighbors are suspicious of you and your questions. But you must keep trying to detect what is behind their uneasy words and actions.”
“I was given a somewhat cold reception.”
He laughed. “Do you think a few interviews are enough to give you all your answers?”
I sighed. “I was hoping for more favorable results.”
Luc smiled. “In time they might let slip up something the will help you. Don’t be intimidated by their gruff manner. After all, they have lost a member of their family. Like you Americans, we French also love our pets.”
“I don’t know how to probe further without appearing somewhat rude.” Eyeing Luc, I half smiled. “But then again, I am an American, aren’t I? They’ll expect it.”
“Maybe Jean can help regarding that time when these houses were first built. Once, a long time ago, they were all good friends, until that episode with the brooch. What a shame.”
“Well, Jean is out of town on business right now, but I will do that. It might give me a better perspective.”
“Oh, I am sure in time you will find out many interesting things about all of them. But be skeptical about what they might say regarding each other.” He stood to go. “I must get back to work. If you will excuse me, Madame?”
“Of course. I appreciate your comments and will keep them in mind next time I speak to the neighbors. Merci.”
Luc nodded, gave me another wink and walked away.
Maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention to their subtle body language and should dig deeper like Luc implied. Hey, that’s what worked before, right? Asking the uncomfortable questions others wouldn’t or couldn’t?
I would have to rethink my strategy and revisit all of them, and one way or the other, try to somehow get more details. Playing one off the other wouldn’t work. What would? Could I actually get someone to trust me?
I sat there thinking over Luc’s inferences and innuendo.
Were they meant to be helpful hints or subtle warnings?
Chapter 34
Getting My Money’s Worth
The French ATM machine had become my best friend lately, especially since my three houseguests had more than a healthy appetite. They also loved French wine. So there I was at Géant Supermarket in Fréjus, loading up on enough supplies to get me by for a while.
The place was enormous. I gave up counting at the twentieth cash register. I headed straight for the wine section, figuring I might save a euro or two buying some there instead of going to a smaller store. I grabbed whites, reds and everything in between. The boutique wine shops and their expensive prices were killing me. Maybe I would try a local vineyard or two for their wines when I ran out.
Ten minutes later, I was in the cheese aisle, already salivating in anticipation at the choices that were waiting. I was about to grab some French Brie when someone else grabbed it instead. Put out, I looked to see who had violated my personal cheese space.
“Oh! Madame Toussout. What a pleasant surprise! Please, go right ahead. I will take another one.”
Flustered by my gracious greeting, and startled to see me, she cautiously stepped back, saying, “Oh!” herself.
I didn’t want the moment to escape and decided to take advantage of us
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