Read Online Death Tidies Up by Barbara Colley - Free Book Online

came to mind, and she did her best to ignore his chauvinistic remark, but only because she was curious and much more interested in what he’d done in the way of decorating his half of the double than in chastising him.
    It was the first time she’d been in the half he was renting since he’d moved. Though she’d rented it to him furnished, she noted that he’d added several pieces of his own furniture—a well-worn recliner, a bookshelf, and a gun cabinet—along with some paintings and sculptures. And it was hard to miss the large-screen television and state-of-the-art stereo system that took up almost a complete wall.
    But the paintings were what really interested her. All but one, which was a portrait of a young girl, were magnificent wildlife scenes. Though the identity of the angelic child certainly stirred her curiosity, she was equally fascinated by the wildlifes.
    She walked over to one in particular that depicted a Louisiana swamp scene. The artist had used various shades of grays, greens, and browns to capture just the right mood and essence of the murky, still waters of the swamp and the cypress trees dripping with lacy gray moss.
    â€œThese are breathtaking,” she told him. “And so realistic,” she added. Then she noticed the signature in the lower left-hand corner, and she frowned. “S. Thibodeaux. Any relation?” she asked.
    Louis nodded. “My son.”
    â€œYour son painted these? I didn’t realize you had children.” Or even a wife, for that matter, she silently added.
    â€œI don’t,” he retorted. “Not anymore.”
    Charlotte frowned. “You don’t?” What on earth did that mean? she wondered as a sinking feeling of dread filled her. Was his son dead?
    â€œWhat happened? An accident?” The second she asked, she immediately wished she hadn’t. For a fleeting moment, so fleeting that she almost missed it, his dark eyes radiated pain and something else she could only describe as torment. Then, as if she’d dreamed it, the look was gone, replaced by a mask that was devoid of emotion.
    â€œSorry,” she quickly added. “It’s really none of my business.” Though she’d often wondered if he’d ever been married or had a family, she’d never felt comfortable enough around him to just come right out and ask…until now. Of course it didn’t necessarily follow that just because he had a child, he had to have a wife. After all, she’d never been married, but she had a son.
    â€œNo, it’s not any of your business,” he told her bluntly. “And I don’t like to talk about it,” he added, glaring at her as if daring her to contradict him.
    â€œSometimes talking helps,” she suggested softly.
    â€œNot this time—and not to you. If I want to talk, I’ll go to a shrink—a professional. Last time I checked, you don’t qualify.” He stared hard at her for several heartbeats. Then, abruptly, he sliced the air with his hand, motioning toward the kitchen. “The bread should be ready by now, so we can eat. What would you like to drink?”
    Well, I guess he told you, Miss Busybody. Charlotte’s cheeks burned with embarrassment and his rude comments stung. If he’d thrown cold water in her face, he couldn’t have stunned her more, and suddenly, just the thought of having to sit through a meal with him was intolerable.

Chapter Six
    T he next few moments were the most awkward that Charlotte had experienced in a long time. She desperately wanted to leave, and she would have, in a heartbeat, but pain and loss were things she understood all too well. She too had lost people she’d loved. She too had lashed out at those around her because of her losses. And even now, so many years later, at times, the pain was still unbearable.
    She drew in a deep breath and lifted her chin. “I’ll just have water, please.”