16 Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich Read Free Book Online Page A

day and it smells like crackers. Ive learned from past experience that its best to park on the far perimeter of the lot. At least half the seniors who come for pinochle or bingo are legally blind from macular degeneration, and they park by feeling their way along with their bumpers.

    I left Lula in the Jeep with the doughnuts, and I crossed the lot and went straight to the admin office just inside the Centers front door. An older woman in a turquoise smock was at the desk. She looked up at me and smiled.

    Yes, dear, she said. How can I help you?

    Im looking for my grandmothers friend, Dolly.

    You must mean Dolly Molinski. She isnt here right now. In fact, I havent seen her for some time.

    Do you know where she lives? Do you have a phone number?

    No, Im afraid not. We dont keep any of that information. I know she lives close, because she would walk to bingo when the weather was nice.

    I returned to the Jeep and called Connie. Dolly Molinski, I said. Can you get me an address?

    A couple minutes later, Connie came back on the line. Shes on Stanley Street. Number 401 Stanley.

    I dont know Stanley, I said to her. Im at the Senior Center. Can you give me directions?

    Shes two blocks away. Take Applegate to Stanley.

    I drove two blocks down Applegate, turned at Stanley, and parked in front of 401. It was a tidy little white house with a postage-stamp front lawn presided over by a three-foot-tall ceramic gnome. Lula and I marched up to the front door, and I knocked. The door opened and a lady not much taller than the gnome looked out at me. She had short snow-white hair, a pleasant round face, and she was wearing shocking-pink yoga pants and a matching short-sleeved T-shirt.

    Yes? she asked.

    Im looking for Dirk McCurdle, I told her. Is he here?

    Yes, she said, but hes sleeping. Honestly, I dont know how that man can sleep like he does. Ive already gone to my tai chi class, put a stew in the slow cooker, and fed the cats.

    Its important that I talk to him. Could you wake him?

    I can try, but hes a very sound sleeper.

    She sped off, and Lula and I stepped into the living room. It was filled with overstuffed furniture and cats. There was an orange cat on the couch, a striped cat next to the orange cat, a black cat draped over a chair back, and a second tabby cat sprawled on the floor.

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    Dolly hustled back into the room. Hes still sleeping, she said. Maybe you can come back some other day.

    Dirk! I yelled. Bond enforcement. I need to talk to you.

    Nothing.

    Are you sure hes here? I asked Dolly.

    Of course hes here. Its Tuesday. I dont mean to be rude, but Im real busy. Im behind schedule. Ive got kitty litters to clean, I gotta get the car in for service, and Im meeting the girls for lunch.

    Do you mind if I take a look for myself? I asked her.

    No. Go right ahead. Id get him up for you, but I havent got the time. Hes a wonderful man. He can play bingo with the best of them, but hes slow as molasses in the morning. Bedrooms in the back.

    I moved past Dolly to the back of the house and the master bedroom, pushing cats out of my way as I walked. I could see Lula from the corner of my eye, shooing cats away, holding her nose.

    Lula and I inched into the room and looked at Dirk.

    Uh-oh, Lula said.

    I bit into my lower lip. How long has Dirk been sleeping like this? I yelled to Dolly.

    Since last night. He went to bed early. Said he had indigestion.

    I hauled my cell phone out of my bag and called 911. We need an officer at 401 Stanley Street, I said. And an EMT truck, hold the siren.

    Is there something wrong? Dolly asked.

    Im really sorry, but Im pretty sure Dirks dead, I told her.

    Dolly took a close look at him and poked him. Yep, hes dead all right. Damn. This is the third husband thats died on me in the past year. Ive got to start marrying younger men. Good thing I didnt take his name. The red tape is awful. She smoothed a wisp of hair down on McCurdles head. He was fun, she