Read Online A Clue in the Stew (A Soup Lover's Mystery) by Connie Archer - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Connie Archer
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Miss . . .”
“Jamieson.”
“Miss Jamieson, your restaurant is very quaint, but I would never have approved of holding this book signing in a soup shop. Did you book this, Phoebe?”
The woman’s jaw clenched. “Yes, I did. And we were fortunate to get it. It was literally the only available place we could find.”
“What happened to the meeting hall at the church?”
“Their roof has been leaking and they have construction going on there. It was impossible,” she replied sharply. “This was the only other option.”
Derek shook his head. “Ridiculous.” He sighed. “Well, we’ll just have to make the best of it. I’ll try to explain to Mother.”
“At least the flowers were delivered on time,” the tall blonde remarked. A large manila envelope was tucked under her arm. She strode to the counter and examined the vases, then turned to Lucky. “Don’t mind Derek. He likes to think he has a say in things.”
Lucky glanced quickly at the short man. His face flushed a deep red. “I’ll have you know . . .” he began.
“Oh, can it, Derek. Just stay out of our way tonight, okay? And can you make yourself useful? This was delivered to the office this morning. It’s for your mother.” She handed the large envelope to him. “Just make sure Hilary gets to see this as soon as possible.” She turned to Lucky. “I’m Audra Klemack. I’m Ms. Stone’s publicist.” She didn’t offer her hand.
“Very nice to meet you.”
Audra spotted Sage, who hadn’t said a word during their exchange. “You. You look like you work here. Help me get these vases placed around the room.” She turned back to Lucky. “And let’s turn off the bright lights and turn on some of these lamps. We want to create a little
atmosphere
, do you understand?”
Lucky bit her tongue. The sooner these people got what they wanted, the sooner they’d be out of her hair. “Completely.”
“Well, hurry up then. We don’t have much time.” She heaved a big sigh. “Phoebe, get those two men busy hanging the banner outside, will you?”
Phoebe nodded and stepped out the door.
Lucky spoke. “Why don’t you all leave your purses and laptops in the office. It’s just down the hall through that door.” She pointed.
“Good idea. Thanks,” the blonde woman said. “Come on, everyone. Look sharp. The photographer and the crowds will be arriving any minute.” Her eyes rested on Marjorie, who sat speechless on a stool at the counter. “Why don’t you make yourself useful, dear, and start lining up chairs for people to sit in.”
Marjorie’s eyebrows rose to her hairline.
Lucky sighed. Why had she ever agreed to this?
Chapter 16
B Y THE TIME the room was prepared—the lights dimmed, the photographer waiting and a long table stacked with books had been set up at the far end of the room—Derek Stone had disappeared and reappeared fifteen minutes later, escorting a glamorous, silver-haired woman also dressed all in black to the long table. A heavy necklace of sapphires and diamonds hung around her neck. Hilary Stone had arrived and must have entered through the back door. Lucky had peeked out the window and noticed that Broadway was now lined with cars, some drivers anxious and leaning on their horns. A crowd of perhaps fifty people milled around outside the Spoonful. She spotted more groups down the street also heading their way. She hoped the pastries she had ordered would last the evening.
To Marjorie’s credit, she was more than willing to help out and Lucky was grateful for her presence. Marjorie had managed to find a moment to approach Hilary Stone and introduce herself. She gushed when Hilary autographed her book. So far, the author herself seemed the most down-to-earth person of the lot.
Before she knew it, the room was filled to capacity. It was standing room only and the line to get in stretched down the block. Lucky marveled at the turnout. Their restaurant was popular and busy, but had never hosted a
“Jamieson.”
“Miss Jamieson, your restaurant is very quaint, but I would never have approved of holding this book signing in a soup shop. Did you book this, Phoebe?”
The woman’s jaw clenched. “Yes, I did. And we were fortunate to get it. It was literally the only available place we could find.”
“What happened to the meeting hall at the church?”
“Their roof has been leaking and they have construction going on there. It was impossible,” she replied sharply. “This was the only other option.”
Derek shook his head. “Ridiculous.” He sighed. “Well, we’ll just have to make the best of it. I’ll try to explain to Mother.”
“At least the flowers were delivered on time,” the tall blonde remarked. A large manila envelope was tucked under her arm. She strode to the counter and examined the vases, then turned to Lucky. “Don’t mind Derek. He likes to think he has a say in things.”
Lucky glanced quickly at the short man. His face flushed a deep red. “I’ll have you know . . .” he began.
“Oh, can it, Derek. Just stay out of our way tonight, okay? And can you make yourself useful? This was delivered to the office this morning. It’s for your mother.” She handed the large envelope to him. “Just make sure Hilary gets to see this as soon as possible.” She turned to Lucky. “I’m Audra Klemack. I’m Ms. Stone’s publicist.” She didn’t offer her hand.
“Very nice to meet you.”
Audra spotted Sage, who hadn’t said a word during their exchange. “You. You look like you work here. Help me get these vases placed around the room.” She turned back to Lucky. “And let’s turn off the bright lights and turn on some of these lamps. We want to create a little
atmosphere
, do you understand?”
Lucky bit her tongue. The sooner these people got what they wanted, the sooner they’d be out of her hair. “Completely.”
“Well, hurry up then. We don’t have much time.” She heaved a big sigh. “Phoebe, get those two men busy hanging the banner outside, will you?”
Phoebe nodded and stepped out the door.
Lucky spoke. “Why don’t you all leave your purses and laptops in the office. It’s just down the hall through that door.” She pointed.
“Good idea. Thanks,” the blonde woman said. “Come on, everyone. Look sharp. The photographer and the crowds will be arriving any minute.” Her eyes rested on Marjorie, who sat speechless on a stool at the counter. “Why don’t you make yourself useful, dear, and start lining up chairs for people to sit in.”
Marjorie’s eyebrows rose to her hairline.
Lucky sighed. Why had she ever agreed to this?
Chapter 16
B Y THE TIME the room was prepared—the lights dimmed, the photographer waiting and a long table stacked with books had been set up at the far end of the room—Derek Stone had disappeared and reappeared fifteen minutes later, escorting a glamorous, silver-haired woman also dressed all in black to the long table. A heavy necklace of sapphires and diamonds hung around her neck. Hilary Stone had arrived and must have entered through the back door. Lucky had peeked out the window and noticed that Broadway was now lined with cars, some drivers anxious and leaning on their horns. A crowd of perhaps fifty people milled around outside the Spoonful. She spotted more groups down the street also heading their way. She hoped the pastries she had ordered would last the evening.
To Marjorie’s credit, she was more than willing to help out and Lucky was grateful for her presence. Marjorie had managed to find a moment to approach Hilary Stone and introduce herself. She gushed when Hilary autographed her book. So far, the author herself seemed the most down-to-earth person of the lot.
Before she knew it, the room was filled to capacity. It was standing room only and the line to get in stretched down the block. Lucky marveled at the turnout. Their restaurant was popular and busy, but had never hosted a
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