Read Online Sugarplum Dead by Carolyn Hart - Free Book Online Page A

truffles.
    A little book with quotes from Jane Austen’s novels.
    A handwritten promise…
    â€œMax, Pudge Laurance.” The speaker phone magnified the despair in Pudge’s voice. “I’ve blown it. I should have waited and let you talk to her. Now, God, I don’t think she’ll ever listen to me. But I was just trying to tell her about that guy your mom’s involved with.”
    Max pushed back the list, sat up straight. “My mother?”
    â€œYeah. Listen…”
    Max listened. When Pudge finished, Max chuckled. “Sounds like Laurel, all right. Listen, Pudge, I guess every family has some”—Max paused, drew a huge question mark, festooned it with headstones—“unusual members.” Max knew that was not very explicit, but if Pudge hung around long enough, he would surely get used to Laurel. Although it was odd that Annie, who had coped with enthusiasms ranging from wedding customs to old-fashioned hand fans adorned with quotes from Shakespeare, should be so concerned about Laurel’s efforts to communicate with Buddy. “I’ll talk to Annie about it,” Max said reassuringly. “Maybe she’s overreacting because she’s upset about seeing you.” Sure, that could be the case. Max drew a cat with its fur standing on end. Annie reacted to her father like a cat sighting a Doberman. And good old Pudge was a cocker spaniel if he’d ever met one. “You know, Pudge, you shouldn’t have sprung it on Annie that you’d married again. At least not at this point.”
    â€œBut she asked me…” Pudge’s voice trailed away. “I was trying to explain because I thought Annie should know about this Swanson guy. But she didn’t give me a chance to finish. And Max, I’m afraid it’s more serious than you think. Everybody’s furious over here.” There was a thoughtful pause. “Except Happy. Of course, she can’t ever act mad, it’s not in her job description.” His tone was dry.
    â€œJob description?” Max added a bow to the cat’s collar. Not that anyone would ever collar Annie.
    â€œOh, Happy’s such a—well, I shouldn’t be critical. She means well. God, does she mean well! But being around her is like existing in an alternative universe. Happy absolutely refuses to admit that it isn’t the best of all possible worlds even when something’s really bugging her. And something is driving her nuts or she wouldn’t have asked me to come here. But that isn’t the reason I came. I came because I thought old Ambrose might finally tell me where Judy and Annie were living. I didn’t knowabout Judy. Dammit”—now he was indignant—“if Judy hadn’t written me off, I could have kept in touch with Annie. And I would have. Max, do you think Annie will ever believe me?”
    Max didn’t have an answer. Annie was hurt and she’d been hurt for a long, long time. “Let’s take it one step at a time, Pudge.”
    â€œI’m almost ready to get the hell out. This mess over here is enough to push everybody over the edge. Then they’ll all be nuts like Marguerite. She’s convinced this Swanson dude has a pipeline to Eternity and she’s been shoveling money at him. Happy moans about it, but something more is worrying her. I can’t put my finger on it, but she acts damn odd when we start talking about her sister and the rest of the family. As for Marguerite, everybody glares at her and the old hag is having the time of her life. She’s planning a dinner in Swanson’s honor. Even Happy looks glum. If it weren’t for Annie, I wouldn’t spend another night here. Well, Annie and Rachel. Rachel’s a good kid.”
    â€œWho’s Rachel?” But Max’s tone was absent. An idea began to form.
    â€œRachel Van Meer, Happy’s daughter by her second marriage.” Pudge’s