Read Online Death at the Door by Carolyn Hart - Free Book Online

Frankie and Annie left, he’d texted Annie what he overheard in the men’s grill at the country club. David Corley was lunching with a friend who loudly groused about an upcoming family reunion and a cousin who always had something unpleasant to say to everyone. David responded he should count himself lucky, at least he was dealing with a cousin and not a sister who could double as a vampire. Max remembered David’s exasperated words, “It’s my birthday, for God’s sake, and Jane is busy sharpening a stake for the heart of this cute kid who had to be there to show off some of Tom’s paintings. Sure, I’ve heard the gossip. Tom has the hots for her but, still, couldn’t Jane have picked a different time?” And, Max pointed out in his text, that conversation occurred after the birthday party and before Jane was murdered. He knew Annie would scan her phone before she and Frankie settled down to talk. Annie should know the word was out on the island that there was more between Frankie and Tom than interest in his art.
    He spoke firmly to the smiling picture. “That cute kid with the gorgeous hair had a motive as well as Tom if the rumors David heard are true. I know,” he answered her imagined response, “Tom was in Atlanta the night Paul Martin died.” Max was thoughtful. He agreed that Paul Martin blowing out his brains for his sister to find didn’t sound like the man and doctor he’d known. “Okay, Annie. I’ll root around like a hungry hog. But I’m checking out everybody, including the lovebirds.”
    He turned to his computer. Everything had a beginning. If Lucy Ransome was right, the beginning of the end for Paul Martin started at the October 6 open house at Wyler Art Gallery. He began to type.
    RUN-UP TO MURDER
    Sunday, October 6—Dr. Paul Martin and sister Lucy Ransome attended an open house in honor of Tom Edmonds at Wyler Art Gallery.
    Tuesday, October 8—Paul sketched the horse at the entrance to Jane Corley’s estate. Protect Jane
underlined twice. Also, An open house, a hard heart. Evil in a look. I saw it. I’ll deal with it at the party
.
    Wednesday, October 9—Paul and Lucy attended a birthday party for David Corley, Jane’s brother, at David and Madeleine’s home.
    Wednesday, October 9—Lucy said good night to Paul, leaving him in his study.
    Thursday, October 10—Lucy found Paul at his desk in his study, dead of a gunshot wound to the head. Circumstances compatible with suicide. Lucy had no knowledge that he possessed a gun.
    Monday, October 14—Jane Corley bludgeoned to death at her home during the afternoon. Weapon a sculptor’s mallet belonging to her husband. Tom Edmonds discovered her body and called police at approximately a quarter to five.
    Monday, October 21—Tom Edmonds taken into custody.
    Tuesday, October 22—Lucy Ransome finds sketch.
    Max tapped the first paragraph. He and Annie had attended the open house at Wyler Art Gallery. Guests wandered from the wide entry hall where wine and hors d’oeuvres were served into the long gallery to stroll through a display of Tom’s paintings. Max methodically re-created his own movements that night, recalling glimpses of particular faces.
    Jane Corley dominated the evening. She greeted guests with a flourish of her champagne flute. In an off-shoulder ruby dress, she’d appeared glamorous despite her too-strong features. Her ebullient laughter could be heard in every corner. She’d led the way into the gallery, sweeping guests before her like so many obedient children, and it was she who pulled the cord to unveil the central painting. She’d presented her usual commanding aura that evening.
    Another memory slid into his mind. As he’d turned away from the unveiling—Annie was across the room talking to Henny Brawley—he’d noticed Paul Martin a few feet away from the oil painting of Jane