Read Online Murder Is a Piece of Cake by Elaine Viets - Free Book Online Page B

happened,” Josie said.
    “Josie, please,” her mother said. “We have to hear what she’s saying. That way we’ll
     know how to answer her lies.”
    Brave Molly had switched to another mode—righteous indignation. “Do you know what
     happened next, Your Honor? After Ted left me on our wedding day and my mother-in-law
     tried to shoot me? They both went to lunch at the Ritz with the Other Woman.”
    Josie shrieked so loud that Stuart Little yelped. “The Other Woman! How did I get
     to be the Other Woman?”
    “Sh!” Jane said. “I want to hear this.”
    “You’re lucky you didn’t marry him, Miss Deaver,” the judge said. “I have to send
     the case to trial, since this Dr. Ted Scottsmeyer has pressed charges.” His lip curled
     at Ted’s name. “But I’m releasing you on your own recognizance.”
    “Oh, thank you, Your Honor. You’ve saved me and my baby.”
    “She’s got a baby?” Amelia asked.
    “A dog,” Josie said.
    “Miss Deaver, there’s one more thing you must do,” the judge said.
    “Anything, Your Honor.”
    “Find a man worthy of you!” The judge banged his gavel.
    The camera left Molly smiling bravely through her tears, and moved outside the courtroom
     to a TV reporter with a red suit and a blond bubble of hair. “This is Wendy Lee Chase,
     Channel Seven news, reporting live at the courthouse,” she said. “We just heard Judge
     Fletcher Hornsby. The judge believes that Miss Molly Ann Deaver was left at the altar
     by Rock Road Village veterinarian Dr. Ted Scottsmeyer. Dr. Scottsmeyer claims he was
     attacked by Molly.”
    Claims? Josie’s heart dropped like a rock out of a skyscraper window. The TV station
     had turned on Ted.
    “I have an exclusive interview with Molly, the abandoned bride,” Wendy Lee said.
    A commercial for a floor mop flashed on the screen, but Josie, Ted, and Jane didn’t
     see the woman dancing with delight while cleaning her floors. Ted plopped down next
     to Amelia.
    “This couldn’t get any worse,” he said.
    Josie tried to rub the tension knots out of his shoulders. “It’s a smear,” she said.
    Jane gave him a reassuring hug. Stuart Little licked his hand, and Ted scratched the
     dog’s chin.
    “It’s not so bad,” Amelia said. “It makes Ted look studly.”
    The show returned to Molly, seated on a pale peach couch, wearing a soft blue dress
     with a lace collar. Wendy Lee Chase sat across from her, oozing sympathy. “We’re here
     with Molly Ann Deaver in her home,” Wendy Lee said. “She was left at the altar this
     morning by Rock Road Village veterinarian Dr. Ted Scottsmeyer. Molly expected to be
     Mrs. Scottsmeyer by this time today. Instead, she’s facing felony assault charges.
     Can you tell us what happened, Molly?”
    Molly managed a mournful smile. “About six months ago, I took Bella, my Maltese, to
     Ted’s Rock Road Village clinic to be spayed,” she said.
    The camera focused on the little white dog asleep on Molly’s lap.
    “I spayed her because I am a responsible mommy,” Molly said. “After Bella’s operation,
     I called the clinic and asked Ted to come to my home in the St. Louis Mobo-Pet van
     for her checkup. I didn’t want to stress Bella by taking her out so soon. Ted works
     such long hours, he didn’t have time to eat. I fixed us a little lunch. He was grateful.
     The Other Woman doesn’t cook.”
    Josie stifled another shriek.
    “Ted told me so,” Molly said, her eyes wide. “He also said he wanted to get married.”
    “To you, Josie,” Ted said.
    “I know,” she said. “I can tell she’s twisting your words.”
    “I wanted to get married, Wendy Lee,” Molly said. “I’m an old-fashioned girl who believes
     marriage is the most important career a woman can have. I’m working at Denise’s Dreams,
     a bridal shop, helping other women plan their big days. But I longed for my own wedding.
     And Ted is the perfect man. He loves me, and we have so much in common.”
    “Like what?”