Read Online The Maestro (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 3) by Emilie J. Howard - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Emilie J. Howard
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pitchfork right through the head. Who wouldn’t love that?”
Maurice slapped Adam’s hand. He shook his head. “Please forgive Adam. He means well and has a dark sense of humor.”
Tom cleared his throat and said, “Father, speaking of a dark sense of humor, please do not tell Liam any nursery rhymes.” He watched his father frown in sadness. “I only say this because Liam was traumatized in the past, and it would only upset him. He’s far too young.”
Maurice acquiesced. “You’ve already informed me of what happened to the poor child. It was a terrible loss he endured, and I’m pleased he has settled in here with the two of you. I promise, I will not utter one rhyme.”
“Or story, Father. Add that you will not read him one story.”
Maurice chuckled and nodded. “You have my word.”
Tom turned to Myrna. “You have to hear one of his twisted tales. If you did, you’d agree with me.”
Myrna squeezed his hand. “I trust you, Tom.” She glanced at her wristwatch and back at Tom. “We should go now, or we’ll be late.”
Tom smiled at his father. “Myrna made reservations for our meal at Carla’s Fine Cuisine on Main Street. You are going to love it.”
Myrna smiled as well. “You’ll also be able to see the banquet hall where the wedding will take place.”
Maurice shot up from the couch and said, “Very well, then. Lead the way. It sounds divine. Following our meal, we will have a full-disclosure meeting.”
Myrna took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She could only imagine what the “full-disclosure meeting” was about. She was not in the mood for a weekly therapy session of Killers Anonymous. She slowly rose from the couch and went to gather Delilah and Liam. Liam turned when she called out and smiled as he raced to her with his arms extended. She hefted him to her hip and kissed him. He was babbling, “Delilah said she’s taking me to the nursery tomorrow after school so we can get more gnomes. We have to get one for Adam, Grandpa Maurice, and Aunt Delilah. Isn’t that great? Is it okay?”
She saw how happy he was and agreed. “It’s perfectly fine. Perhaps we can make an afternoon of it and see how Becky is coming along with the flower arrangements for the wedding too! I like the idea, Liam.” He kissed her cheek in thanks, and Delilah came up the steps and asked where they were going.
When Myrna told her, Delilah whispered to herself as she entered the house: “I have to tell Father not to forget my special glass.”
***
When they arrived at the restaurant, Liam rushed to the kitchen door and shouted to Robert what he wanted. Myrna could hear Robert’s chuckle and his reply, “Aye-aye, captain.” She imagined he saluted Liam as well because Liam returned to their table giggling. Delilah had told her father to order for her because she was running to the pharmacy to develop the photos she had taken. She wanted to show them to Tom. Maurice briefly excused himself and sauntered over to the open window between the dining room and kitchen. He called out to Robert, introduced himself, and leaned toward him, whispering, “I have a special request, and this request stands if we return here for another meal.”
Robert’s eyebrows rose, and he asked, “What is it?” He watched Maurice dig into his jacket pocket and remove something wrapped in a pressed, monogrammed handkerchief. He unrolled it and displayed a delicate aperitif glass. Robert’s eyes widened. “What am I supposed to put in it?”
“I would like some warm butcher’s blood poured into it.” He indicated with his finger. “Fill it to this level and not beyond. It is for my daughter, who has yet to arrive.”
“Does she suffer from anemia or something?”
Maurice displayed a cunning smile. “Yes, something like that.”
Robert agreed and relayed the message to their waiter, who was already plating appetizers and gathering the drink orders. He then leaned to the side to see a big man
Maurice slapped Adam’s hand. He shook his head. “Please forgive Adam. He means well and has a dark sense of humor.”
Tom cleared his throat and said, “Father, speaking of a dark sense of humor, please do not tell Liam any nursery rhymes.” He watched his father frown in sadness. “I only say this because Liam was traumatized in the past, and it would only upset him. He’s far too young.”
Maurice acquiesced. “You’ve already informed me of what happened to the poor child. It was a terrible loss he endured, and I’m pleased he has settled in here with the two of you. I promise, I will not utter one rhyme.”
“Or story, Father. Add that you will not read him one story.”
Maurice chuckled and nodded. “You have my word.”
Tom turned to Myrna. “You have to hear one of his twisted tales. If you did, you’d agree with me.”
Myrna squeezed his hand. “I trust you, Tom.” She glanced at her wristwatch and back at Tom. “We should go now, or we’ll be late.”
Tom smiled at his father. “Myrna made reservations for our meal at Carla’s Fine Cuisine on Main Street. You are going to love it.”
Myrna smiled as well. “You’ll also be able to see the banquet hall where the wedding will take place.”
Maurice shot up from the couch and said, “Very well, then. Lead the way. It sounds divine. Following our meal, we will have a full-disclosure meeting.”
Myrna took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She could only imagine what the “full-disclosure meeting” was about. She was not in the mood for a weekly therapy session of Killers Anonymous. She slowly rose from the couch and went to gather Delilah and Liam. Liam turned when she called out and smiled as he raced to her with his arms extended. She hefted him to her hip and kissed him. He was babbling, “Delilah said she’s taking me to the nursery tomorrow after school so we can get more gnomes. We have to get one for Adam, Grandpa Maurice, and Aunt Delilah. Isn’t that great? Is it okay?”
She saw how happy he was and agreed. “It’s perfectly fine. Perhaps we can make an afternoon of it and see how Becky is coming along with the flower arrangements for the wedding too! I like the idea, Liam.” He kissed her cheek in thanks, and Delilah came up the steps and asked where they were going.
When Myrna told her, Delilah whispered to herself as she entered the house: “I have to tell Father not to forget my special glass.”
***
When they arrived at the restaurant, Liam rushed to the kitchen door and shouted to Robert what he wanted. Myrna could hear Robert’s chuckle and his reply, “Aye-aye, captain.” She imagined he saluted Liam as well because Liam returned to their table giggling. Delilah had told her father to order for her because she was running to the pharmacy to develop the photos she had taken. She wanted to show them to Tom. Maurice briefly excused himself and sauntered over to the open window between the dining room and kitchen. He called out to Robert, introduced himself, and leaned toward him, whispering, “I have a special request, and this request stands if we return here for another meal.”
Robert’s eyebrows rose, and he asked, “What is it?” He watched Maurice dig into his jacket pocket and remove something wrapped in a pressed, monogrammed handkerchief. He unrolled it and displayed a delicate aperitif glass. Robert’s eyes widened. “What am I supposed to put in it?”
“I would like some warm butcher’s blood poured into it.” He indicated with his finger. “Fill it to this level and not beyond. It is for my daughter, who has yet to arrive.”
“Does she suffer from anemia or something?”
Maurice displayed a cunning smile. “Yes, something like that.”
Robert agreed and relayed the message to their waiter, who was already plating appetizers and gathering the drink orders. He then leaned to the side to see a big man
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