Читать книгу Murder at the Falls - Arlene Kay - Страница 16

Chapter 8

After neglecting my business for several days, I finally paid the piper. A stack of invoices awaited me, and several customers inquired about pending orders they had yet to receive. No sole proprietor can afford such lapses if she expects to remain solvent. It was crunch time, nose to the grindstone at Creature Comforts. My absorption with leads, collars, and belts caused me to forget Magdalen Melmoth and her problems for a few hours at least. When Pruett called, I realized it was almost five p.m.

“Hey, leather lady,” he said. “Got some time for an update?”

Hearing his sultry tones warmed my soul. “For you, sure. I always have time.”

“Glad to hear it.” Pruett provided a concise summary of Magdalen’s conference with Micah Briggs, minus any specific details that might compromise her privacy.

“I bet she liked him,” I said. Most women did. Micah was a fortyish, sturdy fireplug of a man with curly red hair and twinkling blue eyes that radiated compassion. Sort of a modern-day Perry Mason crossed with Paul Bunyan.

Pruett chuckled. “I can’t say for certain, but Babette sure took a shine to him. It was hard prying her out of his office while he conferred with Magdalen.”

That sounded true to form. My ebullient pal developed instant crushes on any available male, and a few who were already spoken for. If I recalled correctly, Micah was a bachelor, so the field was clear for an all-out Croy assault. Suddenly I sensed a hesitation in Pruett’s voice, one that concerned me.

“Anything go wrong?” I asked.

He sighed. “Not wrong exactly. Micah called Babette and me back into his office to witness Magdalen’s will. Naturally we couldn’t see the provisions, but I did glimpse your name.”

I forced myself to take a deep breath. No sense in panicking or imagining things. “Okay.”

“Wait ’til she tells you herself. She and Babette should be back soon. By the way, I spoke with Aleita and she needs to take a statement from Magdalen. No big deal and no lab findings yet on those chocolates. Autopsy results on Nurse Ross should be finalized tomorrow.”

I wanted to ask where he would stay that evening, but pride and a sense of restraint ruled the day. Like many of us, Pruett needed his space. Besides, with daughter Ella on a European jaunt with her mother, his residence was empty. I closed my eyes, picturing a bacchanalia at the elegant Chez Pruett in Georgetown.

“Perri—you still there?”

“Sure.”

“Call me after you speak with Magdalen. I have things to do here, but I already miss you like crazy. You’ve gotten under my skin, lady.”

To stave off awkwardness, I resorted to flippancy. “They have medication to cure that, you know.”

Pruett had his own brand of medicine. “Nope. I’m a hopeless case. Terminal. Head over heels.” He blew a kiss into the receiver.

As I hung up, a tingling caused me to shiver. Talk about your hopeless cases!