Read Online Angel's Flight (A Mercy Allcutt Mystery) by Alice Duncan - Free Book Online Page A

figured Ernie’s police background explained his odd comment. Not that it mattered, and I did have a job to do down the hall. “Well, I’d best be going. I’m so glad you’ve joined us here in the Figueroa Building.”
          “Pleased to meet you,” said Miss Dunstable.
          “ Very pleased to meet you, Miss Allcutt,” said Mr. Carstairs.
          I almost floated back to my office. My elevated mood suffered a quick puncture when I opened the door and saw Ernie glowering at my empty desk.
          “Where the devil have you been?”
          Stiffening, offended, I said, “I went down the hall to welcome our new neighbors. In case it’s escaped your notice, a new tenant has joined us here in the Figueroa Building.”
          Ernie said, “Huh. Yeah, I saw. Carstairs, of all people.”
          “He seems very nice,” I said, regretting that I sounded slightly defensive.
          Sneering, Ernie said, “He’s slick. I’ll give him that.”
          “If being well groomed is considered ‘slick,’ I suppose he is,” said I, going to my desk chair and seating myself with something of a flounce.
          “Just watch out for him, is all I have to say.”
          “And exactly what does that mean?” I asked.
          “He’s a devil with the ladies,” said Ernie, twirling an imaginary mustache like the villain in an episode of The Perils of Pauline .
          “Don’t be ridiculous, Ernest Templeton. I’m sure Mr. Carstairs has absolutely no interest in me.” Which was moderately depressing, actually. I mean, I’m not ugly or anything. In fact, I’m rather nice looking. However, I didn’t doubt for a second that if a man could choose between, say, Jacqueline Lloyd and Mercedes Louise Allcutt, he’d select the former. Miss Lloyd, at least on screen, was perfectly stunning, which beat “nice looking” all hollow.
          “Well, just watch out, is all I have to say.”
          I said, “Hmm,” and pretended to be looking for something in my desk drawer.
          It was Lulu LaBelle and her brother Rupert Mullins who rescued me. I’d asked them to visit my office, and they were early for the appointment we’d set for two-thirty that day. I smiled at them both, though, considering them in the light of salvation from Ernie’s too-penetrating gaze and snippy commentary.
          “’Lo, Ernie,” said Lulu, taking one of the chairs in front of my desk.
          “Afternoon, Lulu,” said Ernie, friendly again. “This your brother?” He smiled at the nervous young man who’d accompanied Lulu and who now stood beside her chair fidgeting.
          “Yes. Ernie Templeton, please say hello to my brother Rupert Mullins.”
          The two men shook hands, Ernie at ease, as ever, Rupert looking as though he might faint. I hoped he wouldn’t act like a frightened rabbit when Mr. Easthope arrived. If Ernie scared him this much, how much more might he be affected by the smashingly handsome Mr. Francis Easthope?
          I found out a second later when Mr. Easthope entered the office. Ernie nodded at him before retiring to his own office. Mr. Easthope stood at the door, smiling upon Lulu and Rupert. For a second, it looked as if brother and sister both might swoon, but Rupert, who had just seated himself, sprang to his feet once more and Lulu, putting a hand to her no-doubt palpitating bosom, only gazed soulfully at the vision of graceful masculinity lingering by the door.
          Since this was my party, sort of, I got up, too, and made introductions. Mr. Easthope was suavity itself as he shook the hands of the Mullinses. Lulu recovered from her semi-swoon enough to say, “Pleased to meetcha.” Rupert nodded and gulped.
          I waved to the chair beside my desk. “Please, Mr. Easthope, won’t you be seated? I’m hoping that Mr. Mullins will be able to be of use to you, both in doing