Read Online Wiped Out by Barbara Colley - Free Book Online

before the meeting adjourned.
    After putting the linens in to dry, she headed back toward the kitchen.
    When Charlotte entered the kitchen, she caught sight of Rita, just before she disappeared around the hall doorway. Thinking that Rita must have come back to retrieve something she’d left earlier, Charlotte walked over to the sink to rinse her hands. As she reached for the hot-water spigot, her hand froze in midair. Sitting in the dish drainer on top of the cabinet were the four wine glasses that the women had used, four sparkling clean wine glasses.
    Charlotte frowned. Had Rita returned to the kitchen just to wash up the wine glasses? Surely not, especially since she knew good and well that there was a maid on the premises. But then again, maybe she had; maybe she was trying to be helpful, yet another apologetic gesture.
    With an oh-well shrug, Charlotte rinsed her hands and dried them. As she gathered up the wine glasses to return them to the buffet in the dining room and contemplated what to do with the half-empty wine bottle that Mimi had left on the cabinet, she heard the back door open and then close. She turned just in time to see June enter.
    â€œIt’s just me,” June said and laughed as she hurried through the kitchen. “As usual, I’m late,” she called over her shoulder.
    Didn’t the woman ever use the front door? Charlotte wondered.
    Charlotte decided against adding the wine that Rita had brought to the other three bottles on the buffet. Rita had said it was Mimi’s favorite, so Charlotte figured Mimi would want to save it for herself.
    In the dining room, as Charlotte placed the glasses on the buffet, she heard the sharp rap of Mimi’s gavel in the parlor.
    â€œThe meeting is now called to order.” She banged it again. “Ladies, please, we have a lot of business to take care of today.”
    When the buzzing died down, Mimi said, “Yes, Rita? Did you want to say something?”
    â€œFirst, I’d like to apologize to the members for my outburst on Friday. I really have no good excuse, and I am sorry.” A low murmur broke out, then Rita said, “And, second, I want to make a motion that we have more discussion about the charity that will benefit from the funds we raise at our annual fall sale.” The murmurs grew louder.
    â€œAnd I second the motion,” a voice chimed in.
    The buzz grew, and Mimi rapped her gavel. “But-but, we’ve already decided that issue,” she cried. The room abruptly grew quiet.
    â€œIn that case,” Rita said, “I make a motion that we donate the proceeds of the plant sale to the new women’s shelter instead of the Hebert plantation.”
    â€œAnd I second the motion.” The voice belonged to Karen.
    â€œAll in favor?” Rita asked. “One, two, three…” Charlotte could hear Rita counting the votes out loud. “Ten for and six against,” Rita said. “The women’s shelter wins.”
    Charlotte shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Talk about your Judas,” she whispered. Beware of a Greek bearing gifts. With another shake of her head, she decided that now would be a good time to check on the linens in the dryer.
    In the laundry room, Charlotte folded the sheets and pillowcases as she took them out of the dryer. She could tell from the noise that the women were taking their refreshment break. She placed the items in the laundry basket, picked up the basket, and carried it into the kitchen.
    When she entered the kitchen, she was surprised to see Mimi standing by the sink, one hand gripping the edge of the cabinet, the other hand holding a full glass of water.
    â€œAre you looking for me?” Charlotte asked.
    With one hand still gripping the cabinet, Mimi turned to face her and shook her head. “Just thirsty.”
    One look at Mimi’s pale face and dilated pupils set off alarm bells, and Charlotte immediately dropped the laundry basket and