Read Online Bodice of Evidence by Nancy J. Parra - Free Book Online

Orworse, what if he expected me to jump out of the plane with them?
    That made me wonder, would Cesar, my videographer, be willing to jump and record the entire drop? I’d have to call him and see.
    I had reached for the phone when I got another call. The caller ID came up with the number of a current client, Mary Ketchum. I picked up on the second ring. “Perfect Proposals, this is Pepper Pomeroy, how can I help you?”
    â€œHi, Pepper, its Mary, how are you?” She sounded chipper.
    I leaned back in my seat and the chair creaked.
    â€œI’m doing well, Mary. What’s up?”
    â€œI saw in the paper that you found another body yesterday.”
    My chair creaked again as I sat up straight and lifted my chin high in the air. “Wait, I’m in the paper?”
    â€œIt’s in the
Daily Herald
,” Mary said. The
Daily Herald
was the daily newspaper for the Chicago Northwest suburbs, and it concentrated on local news. “On page two. They don’t list you by name, but they have a shot of the crime scene. You know, one of those vague shots that shows police activity and a general area without showing any details? Anyway, I noticed you in the background. There is only one reason you would be in the shot.”
    â€œMaybe because I was in the area?” I suggested. Really, murder did not enhance the proposal event business; quite the opposite, actually. “I was with my sister who was wedding dress shopping.”
    â€œOh, sorry,” Mary said, and I heard the crinkle of the newspaper closing. “I thought you should know you were in the paper. I hope it doesn’t take away any of your business. Anyway, people who know you know what good work you do.”
    â€œThanks, Mary. I appreciate it,” I said sincerely. “How are you? Do you have any more specific ideas for your event?” Mary had contacted me last week. She wanted to show the world that gender roles meant nothing when it came to a marriage proposal. She wanted to ask her boyfriend, Joe, to marry her on video in the hopes that it would go viral.
    I worried about going into something with the intention for it to go viral. It was always best to simply record the moment and let it be organic and real. I’d counseled her on that point right from the start. She agreed but had been insistent that I help her plan a big proposal. She wanted to do something crazy cool and just knew in her heart it would get lots of views.
    Not that I would mind. A viral video would really help my bottom line. But as far as I could tell, no one really knew how to make something go viral. It either took off or it didn’t. I had promised to give her the best proposal she could think of that worked for her and her relationship with Joe, and that was what I was going to do.
    â€œI’ve been thinking about your advice, you know, going with something that Joe likes and that reflects our relationship.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œWe love black-and-white movies. Joe is a huge film buff. Maybe we could do something with that.”
    â€œOh, that’s great!” I said. My thoughts grabbed onto the idea and rolled with it. “Do you go to the Music Box Theatre?”
    â€œYes, it’s his favorite special night out.”
    â€œPerfect.” I whirled my office chair in the sunlight. “I once did a corporate event there, so I know a few people. Do you have a favorite movie?”
    â€œSomething romantic?” She sounded unsure. “Or an old spaghetti western.” That made us both laugh. “Well, men aren’t into romantic movies so much, are they?”
    â€œTrue,” I agreed. “I suppose we could riff off
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
.” I brainstormed. “It is sort of the theme of life, isn’t it?” We both laughed again.
    â€œHe would certainly never see a proposal coming,” she joined in.
    â€œI’m so glad you have a sense of humor,” I