Read Online Swann Songs (The Boston Uncommon Mysteries Book 4) by Arlene Kay - Free Book Online Page A

three years, but her memory was as vivid as the day she was taken from us.
    Bolin began the feast with our usual toast. “To absent friends and those we love.” We clinked flutes, savored the crisp, fruity taste of Perrier-Jouet, and paused for just a second. This man who dined with presidents and dealt with moguls nodded toward his daughter’s empty chair and squeezed his wife’s hand. His silence was eloquent.
    Po had arranged an astonishing array of hot and cold dishes on the sideboard. The international spread included Anika’s smorgas, muesli, and smoked salmon plus several Chinese additions that celebrated Bolin’s heritage. Deming piled everything on his plate, but despite my hunger pains, I settled for congee, a type of rice porridge, and fresh fruit.
    “Melanie Hunt verged on hysteria,” I said. “She really believes that Keegan has her in his sights. Not to mention her vendetta against me.”
    Anika put down her fork. “You? Whatever for?”
    Deming thought the entire incident was hilarious. He took pains to describe Melanie’s rant and Gabriel’s boneheaded assessment of Keegan.
    “I always knew that guy was a dolt,” he sniped. “Zero self-awareness. Melanie leads him around like a toy poodle.”
    “That`s strange,” Bolin said. “Keegan gave Sonia a thorough going over too. For a moment I thought she might really need a lawyer. It was very preliminary of course, but he was fixated on those death threats.”
    “Why didn`t they report them to the cops?” I asked. “Duff told us that they had.”
    Anika nodded. “Could be a bureaucratic snafu. The police have so many demands on them these days. Or maybe, Sonia didn`t take them seriously.”
    One question continued to plague me: why Duff? Was she the unintended victim or the actual target? Until we knew more about her, the puzzle would never be solved. On the face of it, Duff Ryder wasn`t important enough to murder. No wonder Keegan zeroed in on Melanie and Gabriel. His spies probably told him about their situation.
    “One thing just occurred to me,” Deming said. “Did you see how easily Melanie Hunt slipped into our powder room this morning?”
    Bolin raised his eyebrows. “You`ll have to explain that one, Son.”
    Deming’s point was genius. Anyone could ask to use the restroom and easily gain access to Sonia’s throat spray. She complained to everyone about her ailment, drama queen that she was. It was too routine to attract notice. That expanded the suspect list to anyone who had ventured into Sonia’s suite. The list was long and loaded with possibilities.
    “I may accept Sonia’s job offer,” I said. “At least for the time being. Sonia is the type who invites controversy—thrives on it. Duff was a true believer. Maybe she found out something damaging and had to be eliminated.” Even as I said the words, I remained unconvinced. Poisoned throat spray was an elaborate murder method, way over the top for dispatching a simple soul like Duff.
    By the time I zoned back in, Deming was in mid-rant. “I warned Eja about getting involved. Reason with her, Dad. Please.”
    Deming pointedly excluded his mother because he knew where she stood on such schemes.
    Bolin spread out his hands. “Sorry, Son. This is Eja’s decision.”
    “Quite right,” said Anika. “Besides, I`ll hang around as much as possible. Two heads et cetera.”
    “What`s your angle going to be?” Bolin asked.
    She exchanged glances with her husband. “Universities always need donors, right? I`m sure Dr. Paskert would appreciate the Swann Foundation’s interest.”
    Bolin grinned. “No doubt.”
    Deming pushed away his plate. “Now, wait a minute. You plan to dangle some financial incentive at that English professor? He`s a total letch. We saw him in action last night.”
    “Your mother can handle herself, Dem. She`s had plenty of practice fending off
    men.”
    “Besotted swains,” I offered. “I love that phrase. It`s so Victorian. Otherwise, the idea is