Read Online Lie Catchers by Rolynn Anderson - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Rolynn Anderson
Ads: Link
the bustle of preparing a meal and the pride of sharing food with guests. Harriet pushed her hair behind her ears in a gesture that reminded Parker of Liv, who sat across from him. Same delicate noses and high cheekbones. Warm complexions that contrasted to blonde, shoulder-length hair and deep blue eyes. Beautiful women, mother and daughter. Similar laugh. Both gracious to guests.
Parker chewed his last bit of lefse, a Norwegian flat bread, and patted his stomach. “I think I’ve gained ten pounds in two days. You too, Dad?”
Raising his thumb and wiggling his bushy eyebrows was Chet’s answer.
With a glance at Ivor and Liv, Parker said, “Much as we’ve enjoyed your incredible meal, it’s time to talk about Everett Olson.”
“Dessert,” said Harriet Hanson, rising from her chair and collecting plates. “Over there.”
In unison, Parker and his father turned to look at a table set up in the living room, complete with lace tablecloth, plates, utensils and a squatty arrangement of roses as a centerpiece.
“Dessert?” Parker asked.
Liv laughed. “Sorry we didn’t warn you. On special occasions, Norwegians eat dinner in the formal dining room, then move to another table for dessert.”
Chet said, “Dessert is important, all right.” He elbowed Parker to agree with him, then rose and walked to the living room.
Parker said, “We’re in for a late night, I’m guessing.”
Ivor chuckled as he jumped up and snagged two serving platters. “Business after dessert. We should have warned you.”
Parker held up both palms. “I abide by all Norwegian customs.” He slid a glance to Liv. “Does the aquavit come before or with business?”
Liv reached for Parker’s plate and utensils. “We call it akevitt . We drink it with business.”
He took her hand, rose, and said quietly, “I’ve got your number, Liv.”
Eyes widening, she said, “You do?”
“You Norwegians stretch out your meals.” He squeezed her hand. “Like the eagle feathers and halibut ear bones, another distraction.”
Her expression turned coy. “Feeling stonewalled, are you?”
Parker thought better of starting an argument and patted his stomach again. “I’m feeling stuffed .”
With a smile, she grabbed a stack of plates, gave the swinging door to the kitchen her hip, and left him alone at the table. When he heard her laughter from inside the kitchen, he wanted to join her, stand close to her, and share the light moment. Surprised by the strength of his need, he shook his head. He felt unprepared by every single person he’d met in Petersburg, but mostly by Liv.
For dessert, they ate lacy deep-fried rosettes topped with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate, along with Liv’s crisp, rich krumcake . Strong coffee came with more talk about Ivor’s job, Chet’s fishing adventures, and the salmon industry. Parker noticed no one spoke of Liv’s writing.
Finally, when they were all seated around the living room coffee table with akevitt in hand, Parker said, “I thought you should know that my father spent a lifetime working security for the Port of Seattle. If you don’t mind, I’d like him to help us figure out where to go next with the investigation of Ev’s death. Is that all right?”
When Parker got nods all around, he asked the hardest question first, addressing Ivor, who sat across from him. “You learned that Liv was assaulted by Everett Olson when she was in high school?”
Ivor set his drink on the table. “She told me about it for the first time today, after she talked to you.” With a sympathetic glance at Liv, he said, “I’ve always been aware Liv didn’t like Ev. She stayed out of his social circle, but I figured that was because he was such a player.” He made fists. “I wish I’d known.”
Parker reached to his right where Liv sat and touched the back of her hand. “It was a traumatic event.” He turned to Harriet, sitting on the edge of her chair to Parker’s right. “I’m glad
Parker chewed his last bit of lefse, a Norwegian flat bread, and patted his stomach. “I think I’ve gained ten pounds in two days. You too, Dad?”
Raising his thumb and wiggling his bushy eyebrows was Chet’s answer.
With a glance at Ivor and Liv, Parker said, “Much as we’ve enjoyed your incredible meal, it’s time to talk about Everett Olson.”
“Dessert,” said Harriet Hanson, rising from her chair and collecting plates. “Over there.”
In unison, Parker and his father turned to look at a table set up in the living room, complete with lace tablecloth, plates, utensils and a squatty arrangement of roses as a centerpiece.
“Dessert?” Parker asked.
Liv laughed. “Sorry we didn’t warn you. On special occasions, Norwegians eat dinner in the formal dining room, then move to another table for dessert.”
Chet said, “Dessert is important, all right.” He elbowed Parker to agree with him, then rose and walked to the living room.
Parker said, “We’re in for a late night, I’m guessing.”
Ivor chuckled as he jumped up and snagged two serving platters. “Business after dessert. We should have warned you.”
Parker held up both palms. “I abide by all Norwegian customs.” He slid a glance to Liv. “Does the aquavit come before or with business?”
Liv reached for Parker’s plate and utensils. “We call it akevitt . We drink it with business.”
He took her hand, rose, and said quietly, “I’ve got your number, Liv.”
Eyes widening, she said, “You do?”
“You Norwegians stretch out your meals.” He squeezed her hand. “Like the eagle feathers and halibut ear bones, another distraction.”
Her expression turned coy. “Feeling stonewalled, are you?”
Parker thought better of starting an argument and patted his stomach again. “I’m feeling stuffed .”
With a smile, she grabbed a stack of plates, gave the swinging door to the kitchen her hip, and left him alone at the table. When he heard her laughter from inside the kitchen, he wanted to join her, stand close to her, and share the light moment. Surprised by the strength of his need, he shook his head. He felt unprepared by every single person he’d met in Petersburg, but mostly by Liv.
For dessert, they ate lacy deep-fried rosettes topped with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate, along with Liv’s crisp, rich krumcake . Strong coffee came with more talk about Ivor’s job, Chet’s fishing adventures, and the salmon industry. Parker noticed no one spoke of Liv’s writing.
Finally, when they were all seated around the living room coffee table with akevitt in hand, Parker said, “I thought you should know that my father spent a lifetime working security for the Port of Seattle. If you don’t mind, I’d like him to help us figure out where to go next with the investigation of Ev’s death. Is that all right?”
When Parker got nods all around, he asked the hardest question first, addressing Ivor, who sat across from him. “You learned that Liv was assaulted by Everett Olson when she was in high school?”
Ivor set his drink on the table. “She told me about it for the first time today, after she talked to you.” With a sympathetic glance at Liv, he said, “I’ve always been aware Liv didn’t like Ev. She stayed out of his social circle, but I figured that was because he was such a player.” He made fists. “I wish I’d known.”
Parker reached to his right where Liv sat and touched the back of her hand. “It was a traumatic event.” He turned to Harriet, sitting on the edge of her chair to Parker’s right. “I’m glad
Similar Books
