Read Online Ellipsis by Stephen Greenleaf - Free Book Online

keep on?” I asked.
    â€œMoney,” Amber Adams said gruffly. “Ten percent of a ten-million-dollar advance is hard to turn down.”
    â€œIt’s more than that, Amber,” Lark insisted. “Chandelier is gigantic. She’s one of the most successful women in the world. You just keep hoping that someday she will focus her energy and ambition on something larger than herself. Because when that happens, she’ll do major things with her life.”
    â€œWhen pigs fly is when Chandelier will think of someone other than herself,” Amber Adams muttered in the echo of Lark’s encomium. Her bile was so obvious I decided to ask Lark about it the next time we were alone.
    â€œShe’s not that bad,” Lark protested. “She gives tons of money to charity.”
    â€œTax dodge,” Amber countered.
    â€œShe buys hundreds of books for the libraries.”
    â€œ Her books, mostly. Which has the fully anticipated result of pushing her higher on the bestseller list.”
    â€œShe’s a good mom.”
    â€œWhen she’s home.”
    â€œShe’s a good speller,” Sally said, blushing.
    I laughed. “I’ve known serial killers with fewer enemies.”
    â€œWe’re pretty sure the guy who wrote the notes is here in San Francisco,” Lark McLaren said. “Aren’t we?”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œThe notes were hand-delivered, for one thing.”
    â€œIf you can hire people to commit murder, you can certainly pay them to deliver an envelope.”
    â€œBut this is where she lives. This is where most of her …”
    â€œVictims live?” I offered.
    â€œI suppose so.”
    â€œBesides,” Sally interrupted, “I thought we were sure it’s the ex-husband.”
    Lark shook her head. “I can’t see Mickey going that far. I mean, if Chandelier died, what would he do for money?”
    â€œWhat would any of us?” Amber added morosely.
    I sighed and finished my beer. “That covers the bases, I guess. I’ll see you all at the big party.”
    â€œThat reminds me,” Lark said. “Chandelier wants to make sure you scout out the place beforehand.”
    â€œScout for what?”
    â€œBombs. Booby traps. Assassins. You’d know better than I would, I’m sure.”
    â€œDo you really think this is that serious?” I asked.
    â€œChandelier does,” they said in unison.
    I shrugged. “Okay. I’ll take a look. Where is it again?”
    â€œJimbo’s. She’s had all her launch parties there for the past twelve years.”
    â€œHow many people do you expect to show up?”
    â€œThree to four hundred. And they’ll be lining up by three at the latest, so you’d better get there early.”

Chapter 7
    I went home to change clothes for the party, which meant switching from corduroy slacks to twills and replacing the old tweed jacket with the one that still had all the buttons. As I fixed a cup of coffee to help me stay awake through the festivities, I got an idea.
    â€œHey, Ruthie,” I said when she answered the phone.
    â€œHey, yourself, Sugar Bear. How’s life in the fast lane?”
    â€œI’m still looking for the on-ramp and you know it.”
    Ruthie’s laugh was a wheezy growl that a grizzly would envy. “Still loving up that assistant DA?”
    â€œWhenever I get the chance.”
    â€œTime you tied the knot, is what I think, baby doll.”
    â€œI’ll keep that in mind in case the issue comes up for a vote.”
    â€œThis one’s the one; I can feel it.”
    â€œCould be,” I said, wondering how much Ruthie’s judgment could be relied on. And if it would help to have someone to blame if I made the plunge, then things fell apart.
    â€œWhat can I do you for, Sugar Bear?” Ruthie was asking as I was estimating eventualities.
    â€œWhat’re you doing at four