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

herself any favors. Wendall’s always been very ambitious. Larissa didn’t understand that. He wanted to give her everything, and for some reason, she didn’t want him to.”
    â€œThat sounds odd.”
    â€œOnly thing I can figure is since Larissa was so poor growing up, she felt like he was wasting his money.” One of the workmen came up to ask her a question about the color of the walls. “Yeah, everything along that wall is cream,” she told him. “The ones up here are pale willow and off-white.” She turned back to me. “You might have a case pretty soon. I hear the ladies of the Art Guild are ready to kill each other.”
    Nell manages to hear everything that’s happening in town. “The big issue is dead wood versus ping-pong balls. I’m keeping out of it.”
    â€œJust put everybody’s stuff in here. Plenty of room.”
    â€œThat was my suggestion, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.” Saying that reminded me of Wendall telling Bea “That’s not going to happen.”
    â€œNell, what’s the deal with Wendall and Bea Ricter? She tore into him at his reception and told him he needed to do the right thing.”
    â€œCan’t say as I recall anything in particular. Bea was always one of those intense social climbers, always jealous of anyone’s success. Married some rich fella from Raleigh and moved there for a while, but the marriage didn’t work out, so she and her son came back here.”
    â€œShe has a son?” I envisioned a round, angry little boy.
    â€œYeah, but he’s grown, lives somewhere else. Visits her every now and then. From what I hear, Bea didn’t get much out of the divorce. That could make her cranky.” Nell picked up her can of paint and paintbrush. “Gotta get back to work. Whenever the Guild declares a truce, the walls will be ready.”
    ***
    While Nell returned to supervising the remodeling, I walked back to my car and called Jerry to see if he had any leads on Honor Perkins.
    â€œNo,” he said. “I called that number several times and got the same recording. I also called my pal who’s a real lawyer, and he said we would’ve received more than just a plain letter. I promise you this is a scam, Mac. When you get home, let’s drive to Millersberg and find this Denby Forest.”
    Something I definitely wanted to do. “All right. You’re on your own for lunch. I’ve been invited to the Clarkes’.”
    â€œTell Baby Flo hello from me.”
    ***
    The house Wendall and Flora were renting in River Ridge was huge and modern with an oddly slanted roof that made the house look as if it might take off and fly away. Inside, the rooms looked cold and formal, but there was nothing cold or formal about Flora Clarke’s welcome when she answered the door.
    â€œI’m so glad you could come! Wendall has business in Parkland, so it’s just the two of us. I thought we’d eat out on the deck, if you don’t mind. It’s such a beautiful fall afternoon.”
    The deck overlooked a wooded area filled with bright yellow trees. A lunch of fruit salad, chicken salad croissants, and iced tea had been set on an elegant wrought-iron table. “This looks delicious.”
    â€œPlease, sit down. I hope you like everything.”
    I slipped into one of the floral-patterned chairs. “I’m sure I will.”
    Flora was wearing a dress in soft fall colors and a light gold sweater. A distinctive bracelet made of gold and bright yellow leaves dangled from her wrist. She sat across from me and spread her napkin in her lap. This was my first chance to have a good look at her. She was a beautiful woman, her face further enhanced by an expertly applied layer of makeup, including subtle pink rouge and matching lip gloss. A soft gray eye shadow complemented her blue eyes, which appeared to be larger, thanks to eyeliner