Read Online Bad Reputation, A by Jane Tesh - Free Book Online

Austin to become a pest.”
    â€œHe’s not. He’s a great kid. We both get a kick out of him.”
    She gave me an appraising look. “The two of you are really great with children. Any plans to start your own family?”
    â€œWe’re thinking about it.”
    â€œWell, I really appreciate all you’ve done for Austin. He loves both of you.”
    â€œThank you,” I said. “What’s your take on Wendall Clarke and the gallery? Could the Art Guild handle running it?”
    Samantha glanced back at Flair For Fashion, where the women were still arguing. “This is different from the Garden Club. Anybody can plant flowers or pull weeds, but when it comes to their art, these ladies are very passionate. The problem is some of them aren’t very good.”
    â€œBut art is subjective.”
    â€œAnd I don’t want to be subjected to some of their stuff. Austin’s kindergarten pictures are better than some of that.”
    I figured Samantha might know something about all the major players in this drama. “Is Pamela serious about running the gallery? Could she do it?”
    â€œI think she’d be perfect. She’s the most levelheaded of that bunch.”
    â€œAnd Wendall Clarke?”
    She shrugged. “I never had any problem with him. He was a grade ahead of me in school, and the only thing I remember about him was he was a big guy who talked loud and had lots of friends.”
    â€œLarissa Norton?”
    â€œA very proud girl. Stuck-up, as we used to say. Her family was poor, and I think she was ashamed of that.”
    â€œHow about Flora? Had you met her before?”
    â€œNo. I don’t know a thing about her.” Her cell phone jangled. “Oh, excuse me, Madeline. That’ll be my husband wondering where I am. I’m supposed to meet him for lunch.”
    Time for me to investigate.

Chapter Six
    I took a short walk down the street to the site of the new gallery, which had been vacant ever since Jerry and I moved to town. It was an unremarkable building, one story, smooth and gray, with double glass doors and all glass along the front, one window proclaiming Arrow Insurance in black and gold letters. Workmen were already hammering and painting, moving out leftover shelving and boxes, cleaning the wide front windows, and sweeping up dust. One of the workers was our handywoman, Nell Brenner. She stopped what she was doing and came to the door.
    â€œCome in and have a look, Madeline. See what you think.”
    I admired the space inside, the high ceilings, and smooth wooden floor. “Perfect.”
    Nell wiped her large hands on her ever-present overalls and tucked a stray strand of short blond hair under her baseball cap. “I know it’s causing all kinds of ruckus with the Art Guild, but it’s good business for me. Wendall’s offered a bonus if we get done by Friday.”
    This was Tuesday. “That soon?”
    â€œWell, the place is in great shape. Just needs cleaning, some paint. Turn the water and electricity back on and you can put all the art in you like. And let me show you this.” I followed her to the back of the store. “Here’s an office. The insurance company left all the furniture and filing cabinets. There’s even an intercom system if people want to use it, a two-way mirror to keep an eye on the store, a mini-fridge I guess nobody wanted, even one of those old adding machines. Once everything’s clean, Wendall can move on in.”
    I checked out the mirror, which gave a good view of the main room. “He’s not likely to stay in Celosia, is he?”
    â€œNah. He’s got business elsewhere. And he sure don’t need to hang around here, not with that new wife of his on his arm.”
    â€œI’ve noticed the reaction.”
    â€œI guess it’s to be expected. Everyone knows Wendall left Larissa Norton to marry another woman. But Larissa didn’t do