Read Online Bones to Pick by Carolyn Haines - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Carolyn Haines
Tags: Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective, Women Sleuths, Mystery Fiction, Women Private Investigators, Murder, Inheritance and succession, Detective and Mystery Stories; American, Mississippi, Delaney; Sarah Booth (Fictitious Character), Women Private Investigators - Mississippi, Murder - Investigation - Mississippi
Ads: Link
with me, I would have given her a few of your more interesting biographical details. I think your romance with Hamilton Garrett V would have made fascinating reading."
The memory of those few days with
Hamilton
made me blush, but I wasn't worried. Tinkie would never do a single thing to hurt me. "My point is that almost everyone we know could be a suspect."
"I haven't had a chance to read the whole book yet, but whatever else you say about Quentin, she was a damn good detective. She dug up the dirt on everyone."
"She hurt a lot of people."
Tinkie stood up. "Enough procrastinating. We need to get to work." She took the list and tore it in half. "Sound fair?"
"More than." The McGee family was at the top of my half of the list.
"I'm going to stop by and talk to Cece before I tackle my names," Tinkie said. "Want me to return that little nightie to Humphrey?"
"Be my guest." I was amused. Tinkie was more interested in Humphrey's sex games than I was. "It might be a little big on you, Tink, but--"
"Oscar would never approve," she said drolly. "He doesn't share his money or his wife."
"A good motto to live by." I pulled a map of
Mississippi
out of the kitchen drawer. "Let's check in with each other around eight."
"Fine by me." She whistled up Chablis and left with the dog under one arm and the gift box under the other.
Before Jitty could cinch herself into another gorgeous French outfit, I darted out of the house. Reveler seemed eager for a ride, and we set off at a brisk trot, paralleling the road in front of Dahlia House. It had occurred to me more than once how lucky I was that cotton farmers didn't feel the need to fence. I had vast expanses of land to ride without the worry of wire and gates.
A car slowed behind me, and I signaled Reveler to walk as Harold eased closer. The Porsche was a beautiful machine, but he was right. It didn't really suit him. He was too dapper for a racing convertible.
"I was looking for you," he said.
I checked my watch. The bank was open; therefore, Harold should have been at his desk. "What's wrong?"
"Gordon stopped by the bank first thing this morning."
I eased Reveler to a stop. "For what purpose?"
"To ask a few more questions about my argument with Quentin. It would seem there was another witness to my death threat to Quentin at The Club."
"I'llstop by and talk to Gordon today," I said. "He has to question you, Harold, but it doesn't mean he suspects you."
"I want to help clear Allison's name."
Now that was a surprising twist. "Okay. But why?"
"I was thinking about it this morning, after Gordon left. It's a terrible feeling to be accused of something. For Allison, it has to be a million times worse. This was someone she loved, someone she planned to marry. I don't believe she did it, and I want to help."
"Without violating any of your banker ethics, could you find out the financial status of the Tatum family?"
"They don't bank with us, so I can make a few discreet calls."
"That would be a big help."
"Anything else?"
I shook my head.
"Sarah Booth, you should know that Humphrey Tatum was at Playin' the Bones last night, telling folks that he was smitten by you."
Gossip is the lifeblood of a small town. "He can say whatever he wants, but it doesn't make it true."
"He's a little peculiar, but he's smart." He hesitated. "I've heard he can be very seductive."
"Once he finds out I don't have any money, he'll move his interest elsewhere."
He studied me for a moment, and I wondered what he was thinking. "Just keep your guard up."
He eased the Porsche past me and waited until he was far ahead to press hard on the gas. The little car shot forward in a blur of power.
After a shower and a change of clothes, I picked up my purse and keys and headed to the courthouse. There were a few things I wanted to check with Gordon.
There is little cold weather in
Sunflower
County
, and none in November. Brisk days can happen, but not often. Thanksgiving, which was just around the bend,
The memory of those few days with
Hamilton
made me blush, but I wasn't worried. Tinkie would never do a single thing to hurt me. "My point is that almost everyone we know could be a suspect."
"I haven't had a chance to read the whole book yet, but whatever else you say about Quentin, she was a damn good detective. She dug up the dirt on everyone."
"She hurt a lot of people."
Tinkie stood up. "Enough procrastinating. We need to get to work." She took the list and tore it in half. "Sound fair?"
"More than." The McGee family was at the top of my half of the list.
"I'm going to stop by and talk to Cece before I tackle my names," Tinkie said. "Want me to return that little nightie to Humphrey?"
"Be my guest." I was amused. Tinkie was more interested in Humphrey's sex games than I was. "It might be a little big on you, Tink, but--"
"Oscar would never approve," she said drolly. "He doesn't share his money or his wife."
"A good motto to live by." I pulled a map of
Mississippi
out of the kitchen drawer. "Let's check in with each other around eight."
"Fine by me." She whistled up Chablis and left with the dog under one arm and the gift box under the other.
Before Jitty could cinch herself into another gorgeous French outfit, I darted out of the house. Reveler seemed eager for a ride, and we set off at a brisk trot, paralleling the road in front of Dahlia House. It had occurred to me more than once how lucky I was that cotton farmers didn't feel the need to fence. I had vast expanses of land to ride without the worry of wire and gates.
A car slowed behind me, and I signaled Reveler to walk as Harold eased closer. The Porsche was a beautiful machine, but he was right. It didn't really suit him. He was too dapper for a racing convertible.
"I was looking for you," he said.
I checked my watch. The bank was open; therefore, Harold should have been at his desk. "What's wrong?"
"Gordon stopped by the bank first thing this morning."
I eased Reveler to a stop. "For what purpose?"
"To ask a few more questions about my argument with Quentin. It would seem there was another witness to my death threat to Quentin at The Club."
"I'llstop by and talk to Gordon today," I said. "He has to question you, Harold, but it doesn't mean he suspects you."
"I want to help clear Allison's name."
Now that was a surprising twist. "Okay. But why?"
"I was thinking about it this morning, after Gordon left. It's a terrible feeling to be accused of something. For Allison, it has to be a million times worse. This was someone she loved, someone she planned to marry. I don't believe she did it, and I want to help."
"Without violating any of your banker ethics, could you find out the financial status of the Tatum family?"
"They don't bank with us, so I can make a few discreet calls."
"That would be a big help."
"Anything else?"
I shook my head.
"Sarah Booth, you should know that Humphrey Tatum was at Playin' the Bones last night, telling folks that he was smitten by you."
Gossip is the lifeblood of a small town. "He can say whatever he wants, but it doesn't make it true."
"He's a little peculiar, but he's smart." He hesitated. "I've heard he can be very seductive."
"Once he finds out I don't have any money, he'll move his interest elsewhere."
He studied me for a moment, and I wondered what he was thinking. "Just keep your guard up."
He eased the Porsche past me and waited until he was far ahead to press hard on the gas. The little car shot forward in a blur of power.
After a shower and a change of clothes, I picked up my purse and keys and headed to the courthouse. There were a few things I wanted to check with Gordon.
There is little cold weather in
Sunflower
County
, and none in November. Brisk days can happen, but not often. Thanksgiving, which was just around the bend,
Similar Books
