Read Online Splintered Bones by Carolyn Haines - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Carolyn Haines
Tags: Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective, Women Sleuths, Women Private Investigators, Ghost Stories, Single Women, Mississippi, Delaney; Sarah Booth (Fictitious Character), Women Private Investigators - Mississippi, Women Plantation Owners, Delaney; Sarah Booth (Fictitious Charater)
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there have been too many unfortunate incidents in the past where historic homes and beautiful architecture have been razed to make way for progress. I want to assure the people of
Sunflower
County
that Riverbend isn't that kind of company. You could help me get that across."
I saw a flicker of interest pass over Cece's features. "Exactly what are your plans for
Sunflower
County
?" she asked.
"We're very ambitious. We have some major investors. We're thinking of a golf course, a PGA-level course, with a country club and a housing development. Very elite, but preserving the integrity of the original property." He had his hands on his knees and had leaned back, but the flush on his face indicated that he had not lost interest in Cece's nonjournalistic assets. "It would be the economic scoop of the year for this state. This region."
"Have you selected a location?" Cece's tone was slightly bored, but I saw the keen interest in her eyes.
"We're exploring our options, but I'd like, very much, to anchor this development in
Sunflower
County
. I've seen several pieces of property that capture my interest," he said, rising to his feet. "Can we count on your help?"
Cece finally caught sight of me lurking outside the door. "As I said, Mr. Walz, this is a news story. Until you begin development."
He smiled at her. "I'll look forward to working with you, Miss Falcon." He came out of the office, nodding at me as he left.
"Who was that?" I asked, stepping into her office and closing the door.
"Nathaniel Walz," she said, rolling her eyes. "A short man with a persistence problem."
"Have you found out anything for me?" I asked, settling into the chair that Walz had vacated.
Cece's smile grew wide and toothsome. "You will not believe what I found." Her nails, beautifully manicured and painted a glittering shade of metallic fruit, drummed on the small space of her desk that wasn't piled with paper.
"Spill it, Cece."
"Krystal Brook, the country singer, wants to do a benefit for Lee, to raise money for her defense. Her husband, who's also her manager, stopped by to see if I would do some articles if Krystal agreed to sing."
"Terrific." Benefit was good, but I needed leads.
"You'll never guess who Krystal Brook really is." Cece was beside herself.
"Who?" I asked, not wanting to play celebrity guessing games.
"Simpson Maes Fielding!"
I was stunned. Simpson was a Daddy's Girl, not a country music diva. "Simpson?"
Cece nodded, arching one perfectly groomed brow. "Her husband, Mike Rich, is trying to launch her career big time."
"Simpson is now Krystal?" I was still in disbelief. "Krystal Brook? That's her name now?"
"She legally changed her name. It takes a lot of guts to do that--to just abandon the past and become a completely different person."
Cece would know, from firsthand experience. "It takes a little getting used to, but it sounds like a great country music name."
"This benefit could help Lee and Krystal both. Mike said that Krystal is really talented, that she just needs a chance. She'll get total media coverage for doing this."
It was good to know that Simpson hadn't been completely transformed. She could still find the silver lining in another person's cloud. "Great. I hope it works out. But did you find out anything about Kemper that we can use?"
Not bothering to hide her miff at my lack of interest in music stars, Cece picked up a notepad and began to scan it. "I'm still digging. I haven't been able to locate his family, but I did turn up an interesting tidbit. He was expelled from
Louisiana
State
University
. Some form of misconduct. And he owned a club in
New Orleans
for a time." She slid her hand over the varnished surface of her desk. Her Gilded Apricot nails shimmered. "In general, a lot of false starts. Until he hooked up with Lee."
"No criminal charges?"
"None," she said, "but I'm still checking." She shuffled the papers on her desk and selected a sheet. "I have taken care of Kemper's funeral
Sunflower
County
that Riverbend isn't that kind of company. You could help me get that across."
I saw a flicker of interest pass over Cece's features. "Exactly what are your plans for
Sunflower
County
?" she asked.
"We're very ambitious. We have some major investors. We're thinking of a golf course, a PGA-level course, with a country club and a housing development. Very elite, but preserving the integrity of the original property." He had his hands on his knees and had leaned back, but the flush on his face indicated that he had not lost interest in Cece's nonjournalistic assets. "It would be the economic scoop of the year for this state. This region."
"Have you selected a location?" Cece's tone was slightly bored, but I saw the keen interest in her eyes.
"We're exploring our options, but I'd like, very much, to anchor this development in
Sunflower
County
. I've seen several pieces of property that capture my interest," he said, rising to his feet. "Can we count on your help?"
Cece finally caught sight of me lurking outside the door. "As I said, Mr. Walz, this is a news story. Until you begin development."
He smiled at her. "I'll look forward to working with you, Miss Falcon." He came out of the office, nodding at me as he left.
"Who was that?" I asked, stepping into her office and closing the door.
"Nathaniel Walz," she said, rolling her eyes. "A short man with a persistence problem."
"Have you found out anything for me?" I asked, settling into the chair that Walz had vacated.
Cece's smile grew wide and toothsome. "You will not believe what I found." Her nails, beautifully manicured and painted a glittering shade of metallic fruit, drummed on the small space of her desk that wasn't piled with paper.
"Spill it, Cece."
"Krystal Brook, the country singer, wants to do a benefit for Lee, to raise money for her defense. Her husband, who's also her manager, stopped by to see if I would do some articles if Krystal agreed to sing."
"Terrific." Benefit was good, but I needed leads.
"You'll never guess who Krystal Brook really is." Cece was beside herself.
"Who?" I asked, not wanting to play celebrity guessing games.
"Simpson Maes Fielding!"
I was stunned. Simpson was a Daddy's Girl, not a country music diva. "Simpson?"
Cece nodded, arching one perfectly groomed brow. "Her husband, Mike Rich, is trying to launch her career big time."
"Simpson is now Krystal?" I was still in disbelief. "Krystal Brook? That's her name now?"
"She legally changed her name. It takes a lot of guts to do that--to just abandon the past and become a completely different person."
Cece would know, from firsthand experience. "It takes a little getting used to, but it sounds like a great country music name."
"This benefit could help Lee and Krystal both. Mike said that Krystal is really talented, that she just needs a chance. She'll get total media coverage for doing this."
It was good to know that Simpson hadn't been completely transformed. She could still find the silver lining in another person's cloud. "Great. I hope it works out. But did you find out anything about Kemper that we can use?"
Not bothering to hide her miff at my lack of interest in music stars, Cece picked up a notepad and began to scan it. "I'm still digging. I haven't been able to locate his family, but I did turn up an interesting tidbit. He was expelled from
Louisiana
State
University
. Some form of misconduct. And he owned a club in
New Orleans
for a time." She slid her hand over the varnished surface of her desk. Her Gilded Apricot nails shimmered. "In general, a lot of false starts. Until he hooked up with Lee."
"No criminal charges?"
"None," she said, "but I'm still checking." She shuffled the papers on her desk and selected a sheet. "I have taken care of Kemper's funeral
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