Read Online Murder Has Nine Lives by Laura Levine - Free Book Online Page B

wrong?” Ian finally managed to ask.
    â€œI’ve been poisoned, you idiot,” Dean gasped, in what turned out to be his genial last words.
    â€œSomeone call 911!” Linda cried.
    Zeke dug out his cell phone and made the call as Linda raced to Dean’s side.
    â€œHang in there, honey,” she crooned, cradling him in her arms. “You’re going to be okay.”
    But for once Linda couldn’t make things right.
    Dean was dead and gone long before the paramedics showed up.
    â€œAnd that,” Ian said, as they carted Dean’s body out the door, “is a wrap.”

    YOU’VE GOT MAIL!
    Â 
    Â 
    To: Jausten
From: Shoptillyoudrop
Subject: Scrabble Central
    Â 
    I can’t wait till this dratted Scrabble tournament is over. Daddy has commandeered the dining room (now known as Scrabble Central), where he sits in his Lucky Thinking Cap, memorizing words with x ’s and q ’s, playing Scrabble on his iPhone, and taking Power Naps every seven and a half minutes.
    Â 
    The other day he came home from the market with a jumbo jar of gherkin pickles. Apparently he read on some wacky Web site that pickles help boost brainpower, and he’s been stuffing his face with gherkins ever since.
    Â 
    What with all that acid, I’m afraid he’s going to give himself an ulcer. I’ve told him he’s asking for trouble, but does he listen? Of course not! He just sits there, trying to figure out how he can work “oxyphenbutazone” into a game for 1,778 points.
    Â 
    Oh, dear. Someone’s at the door. Must run. More later—
    Â 
    XOXO,
Mom
    Â 
    Â 
    To: Jausten
From: Shoptillyoudrop
Subject: The Most Exciting News!
    Â 
    Jaine, sweetheart, I’ve got the most exciting news. Guess who’s going to be the special guest presenter at the Scrabble Championship Awards Luncheon? World-renowned game show host (and silver fox) Alex Trebek!
    Â 
    Lydia Pinkus just stopped by with the news. It turns out her old college roommate is a friend of Alex’s fourth cousin once removed. At any rate, Lydia wrote him one of her persuasive letters, told him how much we all adore Jeopardy , and that darling man agreed to come to Tampa Vistas!
    Â 
    I absolutely must order a new dress for the luncheon. Which reminds me, honey. Did you ever get that Outrageous Orange tankini I sent you? Isn’t it the cutest thing ever?
    Â 
    Love you oodles.
    Â 
    XOXO,
Mom
    Â 
    Â 
    To: Jausten
From: DaddyO
Subject: Last Days of the Scrabble Queen
    Â 
    I suppose Mom has told you the good news, Lambchop.
    Â 
    Alex Trebek is going to be giving me my championship ring at the Scrabble awards luncheon. Pretty darn exciting, huh?
    Â 
    You know, I’ve always wanted to be on Jeopardy . When this Scrabble thing is over and I get back from Hawaii, I just may give it a try.
    Â 
    Lydia was so full of herself when she was here just now, bragging about how she’d convinced Alex to come to Tampa Vistas. But I could tell, deep down she was scared. She saw me in my Lucky Thinking Cap and knew she didn’t stand a chance in the tournament. I could see the fear in her beady little eyes. Her days as Scrabble Queen are coming to an end, and she knows it.
    Â 
    Well, I’m off to the market to buy some gherkin pickles. Did you know pickles are brain food, Lambchop? It’s true. I read it on the Internet!
    Â 
    Love ’n’ snuggles from
Your Scrabble-tastic
DaddyO
    Â 
    Â 
    To: Jausten
From: Shoptillyoudrop
Subject: Peace & Quiet
    Â 
    Daddy’s at the market, getting more gherkins, and I must admit I’m enjoying the peace and quiet. No pop spelling quizzes. No cursing at the iPhone Scrabble game. Just blissful silence. I took advantage of the lull to order the most adorable dress for the Scrabble awards luncheon. Navy blue, scoop neck, three-quarter sleeves, with a flouncy skirt and tasteful smattering of bugle beads at the neck. (Just $69.95, plus