Read Online Killer Listing by Vicki Doudera - Free Book Online

“Chellie Howe. She’s got her eye on the governor’s mansion, if you ask me.” She gave a weary sigh. “I heard her on the radio pounding home her tough-on-crime routine, using Kyle’s death as the prime example of why we need new state leadership.” She shrugged. “If a real estate agent can get butchered just for holding an open house, maybe Chellie is right.”
    Their beverages arrived and both took a long drink. “How are the Camerons holding up?” Darby asked.
    “Mitzi is exhausted. I’m worried about her. Alexandra stayed at the house to keep an eye on Jack, who seems to be coming to grips with the whole thing. Poor Jack. He’s a mess, but he’s planning Kyle’s service for tomorrow afternoon.” She lowered her voice. “Tell you the truth, I’m kind of surprised that this place is open for business. Maybe there was some reason Jack couldn’t close.”
    Helen took a quick sip of beer, then gave a quick intake of breath. “Shoot! What time did I make that appointment with the golfer?”
    “You said ‘nine,’” reminded Darby. “You also said you’d bring your partner.” She raised her eyebrows expectantly.
    Helen gave Darby a sheepish grin. “Yeah, I was going to bring that up.” She looked up as the waitress delivered their sandwiches. “First, taste your lunch. You’re going to love it.”
    Darby lifted the sandwich. Lettuce poked out of a soft, sesame-seed sprinkled bun, and Darby could see a slice of tomato and a white sauce slathered on a generous wedge of broiled fish. She inhaled. “Smells delicious.” Taking a bite of the delicately seasoned fish, she nodded. “Yum.”
    “Your Aunt Jane is up in heaven smiling,” Helen said. “She loved a good grouper sandwich. She told me once that the lobster rolls up in Maine were pretty darn good, but that nothing could beat this.”
    They ate in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the simple but satisfying flavors. After wiping her mouth with her napkin, Helen gave Darby a frank look.
    “Okay, now I’ve got to come clean. I really need your help tomorrow. Let me tell you the situation, and then I hope you’ll agree to stay in Florida a few more days.”
    Darby regarded the older woman over the table. “I’m listening.”
    “Kyle Cameron told me she was going to be signing up a new listing. She wanted to wait until we’d finalized our partnership and she was no longer an agent with Barnaby’s. She was thrilled about the property, said it would be quite an achievement to sell it, never mind the commission. I didn’t know where or what it was, but I knew it was big.”
    “When we set up our appointment for Monday, Kyle mentioned that she was going for cocktails somewhere that evening. She hinted that it had to do with her big listing. She laughed and said, “You’ll never believe this, Helen, but I may already have it sold!” Again, I didn’t press her for details. That’s not my way, and I trusted her. Heck, I’ve known the Camerons for years.”
    “This morning, Tag Gunnerson’s assistant, a fellow named Bernie Shultz, called. He said he was sorry to hear of Kyle’s death. He said that her passing hadn’t influenced Tag’s decision to list with Near & Farr Realty. He said that from everything Kyle had said, Tag knew Near & Farr was the right agency.”
    “Darby, he was talking to me as if I knew all about Kyle’s business, and I confess that I played along. He set up a meeting for tomorrow at nine, and asked for my business partner to come along.”
    “I don’t see why you need me, Helen. You’re perfectly capable of landing all kinds of listings without me around. How could I possibly help you?”
    “Tag Gunnerson will be there.”
    “So? You’ll charm the pants off the guy.”
    Helen smiled. “Thanks. Can’t say that I wouldn’t mind doing that.” She paused. “Darby, aside from the fact that two agents always look more powerful than one, there’s another reason your presence would help.”
    “And