Read Online Midas Murders [Book 3 of the Katherine Miller Mysteries] by Janet Lane-Walters - Free Book Online

Verdigras stood. They appeared to be quarreling.
    Rafe rose. “See you later."
    I finished the appetizers and sipped my drink. Carl stopped beside the table. “Where's Lars?"
    "Circulating."
    "Enjoying yourself?"
    "Very much."
    "Have you seen Bonnie?"
    "A few minutes ago. She was near the bar with Dr. Verdigras."
    He turned. His face blanched and he set his drink on the table. “See you.” Like smoke he melted into a cluster of people.
    What had made him bolt? I spotted three new arrivals. An older man with steel gray hair accompanied by two younger muscular specimens. They strode toward Carl's hiding place. Other guests eddied around the trio, but no one spoke to them.
    Who were they?
    I scanned the crowd for Lars but didn't see him. The room seemed stuffy. The door to the inner court was open a crack. A breath of fresh air seemed like a good idea so I slipped outside. I heard voices and retreated toward the door where a large bush shielded me from the brisk breeze and discovery.
    "Have you told him yet?” The man's voice was low.
    "No,” Bonnie said. “There hasn't been the right moment."
    "When? I'm tired of sneaking around. I'll be glad when this is over and you're mine. Why don't we face him together."
    "No. I'll do it tomorrow."
    I retreated to the dining room. Whom had she been speaking to? If I lingered would I learn? Once again I looked for Lars.
    He found me. “Where have you been? I left you with Rafe, but when I came to join you two, you'd both vanished.” I saw anxiety in his eyes.
    "Rafe saw someone he wanted to talk to. I felt warm so I stepped outside for a bit.” Though I wanted to tell him what I'd heard I hesitated.
    He caressed my fingers. “Gave me a bit of a start. Ready for that dance you promised me?"
    "Yes.” The music drifting through the foyer was “Stardust,” one of my favorites.
    The ballroom was dimly lit and the music mellow. Lars drew me into his arms and we moved around the dance floor. “Why did Don call Rafe?” he asked.
    "He thought Rafe would know what to do if you'd been kidnapped."
    Lars nodded. “He was right, but I wish he hadn't. I'd rather not involve outsiders in my problems."
    "What are you hiding from? You were kidnapped. Doesn't that bother you?"
    His lips brushed my ear. “They were inept. One of them made my escape possible. I don't think ransom was part of the deal."
    "Why not?"
    He shook his head. “Just a fancy."
    I stepped closer. “Denying won't change what happened. Maybe you escaped before the note was sent. Maybe your kidnappers had a falling out."
    I wondered what the sadness in his eyes meant. Did he think his daughter was involved? Could I convince him to stay in town and try to discover who and why? The problem was I didn't think he wanted to know.
    When the set ended, Damon strolled over. “May I?” he asked Lars.
    "With great reluctance,” Lars said.
    The set began with “Stormy Weather.” Damon swept me away from Lars. What did he want? Had he been Bonnie's companion in the courtyard?
    As we circled the room, we passed Bonnie and Verdigras dancing cheek to cheek. “Now there's a man who's fooling himself,” Damon said. “He'll get exactly what she thinks he deserves."
    "I take it you're not fond of the doctor."
    "You've got that.” Damon smiled, but his eyes remained cold. “He was telling Bonnie how you challenged his medical expertise. Was there a problem?"
    "Just a disagreement."
    "Did Lars really have a stroke?"
    "I'm not a doctor. Nurses don't diagnose."
    "My mother had a stroke last year. Lars had none of the symptoms she had. You know, like weakness and slurred speech."
    "If there's a small bleed, the symptoms clear rapidly.” His questions made me uneasy.
    "So what do you think happened? Where was he? He won't tell us a thing."
    "He says he doesn't remember. Don't you believe him?” Damon didn't answer. I was tired of his probing. “I've a question for you. Did you see the three men who arrived a while ago? There was an