Read Online Ellen McKenzie 03-And Murder for Desser by Kathleen Delaney - Free Book Online Page B

you think that’s a good idea?” Carlton was back to his pompous self.
    “No.” Dan didn’t bother to soften the single word. “Whatever happened is between Mark and Ian Applby. If he’s satisfied with Mark’s explanation, then you should be, also.”
    Carlton flushed a little. Embarrassment? Frustration? Anger? I didn’t care. The man irritated me in the best of circumstances, and irritation was about to give way to plain mad.
    “Well!” Carlton glared at both of us. We glanced at each other before looking blandly back at him. He repeated, “Well! Then I will take this matter up with my partner.” He turned on his heel and walked back to the group, many of whom were starting up the stairs.
    “What a jerk,” I said.
    “He gets first prize,” Dan agreed.
    “Mr. Applby seems like a reasonable man. I wonder how he feels about Carlton as a partner.”
    “If the expression he’s worn all night is any indication, he’s less than thrilled. I think he’s already discovered that Carlton’s a not-too-bright, name-dropping leech.”
    I burst out laughing. “No one can ever accuse you of not calling them as you see them.” But my amusement didn’t last long. I watched Carlton disappear into a small group of people and watched a couple of them fade off into other groups who had started back up the stairs into the dining room. “Poor Mark. Poor Sabrina. First Otto, now Carlton.”
    “I wonder,” Dan said, “what do you suppose that whole wine stealing thing was all about?”
    “What? Is this the policeman in you showing through? Mark wouldn’t do anything like that and you know it.”
    Dan slipped my arm through his and said, “I’m sure you’re right. Shall we go upstairs and partake of lamb?”
    We, too, climbed the stairs, laughing as we reentered the dining room, but tucked away in the back of my head was a little thought: What had happened at Mark’s last job?

Chapter Six
     
    Aunt Mary was the only one at the table.
    “Where’s Frank?” I asked her. “He hasn’t had his hands off you since we arrived.”
    “Really, Ellen.” Her tone was reproving, but there was a little self-satisfaction in those blue eyes. We never outgrow flattery, and if it comes by way of a handsome man, or woman, so much the better.
    “Where is Frank?” asked Dan. “And everyone else? Don’t tell me they’re not coming back for the second act.”
    “We should be so lucky,” I said.
    We seated ourselves, and Dan started to count the new wineglasses on the table, shaking his head, and mumbling a little.
    “For heavens sake,” I told him. “There are two more courses and then dessert, and there are eight people. Makes for a lot of glasses.”
    I looked around the room, wondering if I should excuse myself and check on Sabrina, when I spotted Carlton boring a small group that contained our state senator and the newly elected mayor, who looked longingly at his chair. Ah, the trials of public office.
    “Where is everybody?” I asked again.
    “Jolene was in the ladies’ earlier. Trying to put on fresh lipstick.” Aunt Mary’s own lips pursed a little.
    “Let’s hope she hasn’t passed out in one of the stalls,” Dan said. “Sabrina wouldn’t be pleased.”
    “Really, Dan,” said Aunt Mary.
    He grinned. So did I. “It will be interesting to read her review of this dinner,” I said, “since she hasn’t had more than three bites of it.”
    “You can tell a lot from three bites,” Dan said, laughing.
    “Where is everybody?” It was Ian Applby’s turn to ask as he sat down, nodding to each of us. “Ah, yes, there’s Carpenter. And Miss Bixby? Has anyone, ah—?”
    “Last spotted in the ladies’,” I said irreverently. I heard a soft “meow” from Dan’s direction. I ignored it.
    “Good, good. And Frank? Where is he?” Ian Applby addressed this to Aunt Mary, who flushed faintly.
    “I lost track of Frank right after Mark’s wonderful talk. I met the Jensens. I had no idea they came to