Read Online Bones to Pick by Carolyn Haines - Free Book Online

anything. Algebra, literature, languages. She was fluent in Spanish, French, Italian, and German. She had the ability to read something once and to own it. She had such potential."
    "Did she always want to write?"
    Her laughter this time was without humor. "Writing was the tool of revenge for Quentin. She didn't intend to make her mark in the literary world. She intended to settle some scores."
    "But why?"
    "Can't you guess? Once she let it be known that she wasn't interested in men, the other girls were merciless."
    "Was she outed?" Tinkie asked.
    Virgie shook her head. "That's one thing I never understood. Quentin told the girls herself. It was as if she defied them. She announced one day that she was a lesbian and that she thought they were all stupid cows--her words-- headed for the butcher block of marriage. She told them she was going to inherit a considerable fortune, and she'd never be saddled with a man to please. In essence, she rubbed their noses in it. In return, the girls ganged up on her and tormented her. And Allison."
    The picture she painted was unpleasant. "Do you think any of the other girls were capable of hurting Quentin?" I asked.
    Virgie put her teacup on the coffee table. "Have you read her book?"
    "Only a few chapters."
    "Read on. Though my girls are well trained, they're human. Quentin attacked numerous families with malice. Those who live by the sword, die by the sword, Tinkie dear. It's a Biblical prediction that's true today."
    "And Allison?" I asked.
    "Allison couldn't harm a fly," Virgie said. "Whatever I can do to help her, I will."
    "She wanted some say in planning Quentin's funeral," Tinkie said.
    "I'll stop by the jail today and speak with her." Virgie rose. "Now, ladies, I have an appointment with the funeral director. I have much to do today."
    We rose and shook hands. As we walked out of the B&B and into the November sunshine, I could only think about getting out of the clothes Tinkie had forced on me.
    6
    Tinkie sat at my kitchen table as I made chicken salad sandwiches on wheat bread and poured two glasses of iced tea. To avoid another brown meal, I added a sprig of parsley to her plate.
    "Virgie gave us some good leads." She bent to pick up a square of paper from beneath the table. "What's this?"
    I hesitated. "A card from Humphrey Tatum."
    She opened and scanned it, her eyes widening as she read. "Are you going to play Scarlett to his Rhett?" she asked. "I'll bet the two of you could make
Atlanta
burn for the second time."
    "Absolutely not." I pulled the gift box out from the cabinet and tossed it onto the table. "Subtlety isn't Humphrey's strong suit."
    Tinkie dove into the package like a kid at Christmas. Her squeal was one of wicked pleasure. "Sarah Booth, he realizes that red is your color." She held up the teddy and matching slippers. "You could bring a man to his knees in this outfit."
    I took it from her hands and put it back in the box. "It's going right back to him."
    "We could have delivered it ourselves this morning," she said, with a sly grin. "He's staying at The Gardens. Were you afraid you might be tempted?"
    "It seems everyone is staying at Gertrude's place. She must be making a fortune off Quentin's murder."
    "It's not like Zinnia has a Paradise Resort," Tinkie said, tapping the gift box with her Classic Red fingernails. "Why don't you at least go to dinner with Humphrey?"
    "I think he's made it plain that he isn't interested in food or conversation."
    "A little liaison with Humphrey might help your heart heal. Sometimes, a bit of uncomplicated fun is the ticket." There was sincere concern in her voice.
    "Did you take a look at the outfit? I wouldn't call that uncomplicated. I'd never figure out the straps, hooks, and laces. I'd need a maid to help me get into it."
    Tinkie bit into her sandwich. "Very funny, Sarah Booth. So what do you have planned for the rest of the day?"
    "A horseback ride and then set up some appointments with the women who were at Booking