Read Online Copy Cap Murder by Jenn McKinlay - Free Book Online Page A

Andre?”
    â€œNope never,” he said.
    I looked at the two of them. “But you have heard of her.”
    They looked at each other with mild expressions of panic. “Maybe once or twice in passing,” Andre said.
    â€œPassing what?” I asked.
    â€œHarrison might have mentioned her on one of our boys’ nights out,” Nick said. He was studying the inside of his cup as if reading the tea leaves.
    â€œOh, really?” I asked.
    â€œHarrison was bevvied,” Andre said. “So we didn’t take what he said too seriously.”
    â€œWhat did he say?” I asked.
    â€œNothing much,” Nick said. “Just that he really thought hewasgoingtomarryher.”
    I stared at him for a full minute. It took me that long to untangle his word jumble. “Marry her?” I whipped around to look at Viv. “Is that true?”
    She gave me the sympathetic look a person gives when they’re about to tell you something you don’t want to hear like your dog died, you lost your job, or the man you’re crushing on almost married the vilest woman in existence. I am not exaggerating.
    â€œHe was smitten with her,” Viv said. She sighed. She looked like she didn’t want to say any more but was forcing herself because she knew I would keep badgering her. “Hedid tell me he was going to ask her to marry him, but a few days later she moved out of their flat and he never mentioned her again.”
    â€œThey lived together?” I asked. There was no other way to interpret Viv’s words, but I was still trying to find a different angle. I’m tenacious like that.
    â€œYes,” Viv said. “It seemed quite serious at the time.”
    I was reeling. It was one thing for Tuesday to announce that they had been a thing and that she planned to get him back. I had assumed they had just dated. But they had lived together, cohabited, shared a bathroom, and Harrison had almost proposed to her! I felt like I was going to have a seizure.
    â€œHe never said,” I stammered.
    â€œThat’s a male heartbreak for you, they don’t talk about it,” Fee said. I scowled at her and she shrugged. “Sorry but I’ve seen it with my older brothers. It’s not pretty.”
    â€œOn that happy note, I think it’s time for us to go,” Nick said to Andre. “I have an early morning.”
    They both finished their tea and I walked them to the front door while Viv and Fee headed upstairs. We exchanged hugs and I promised to let them know as soon as I heard anything from Harrison or Alistair.
    They stepped out into the cold night, but before I closed the door, Andre grabbed my hand and said, “He’s going to be all right.”
    â€œOh, I know,” I lied.
    He gave me a look that told me he knew I was bluffing and then he said, “This might be a good time to let him know you care about him, a fellow facing an arrest for murder could probably use the lift.”
    â€œBut I don’t—” I began but Nick interrupted me.
    â€œOh, please, Scarlett,” he said. “This is us, your first mates upon arriving in Notting Hill. We know you, pet, and you fancy the pants off Harrison Wentworth.”
    â€œIt just seems that way because I haven’t been dating anyone,” I said. “Really, we’re just friends.”
    Nick and Andre exchanged a look and then shook their heads.
    â€œDeny, deny, deny,” Nick said. “It still won’t make it not so.”
    â€œUgh.” I banged my head on the door frame, yes, intentionally. “Good night, you two, I’ll call you tomorrow if there’s any news.”
    Andre blew me an air kiss and the two of them walked down the street to the flat above their studio.
    I watched them walk arm in arm and I envied their relationship. The love and affection that they shared were certainly inspiring. It made me long for, well, that special sort of closeness.