A Dyeing Shame by Elizabeth Spann Craig Read Free Book Online

words alone gave Myrtle a thrill. She loved uncovering secrets. Particularly from goody-goodies like Prissy. “Tammy was real vague again, as far as her gossip went. Said something about us not knowing the real Prissy. It sure got a reaction out of Prissy. She must have known something.”
    “So, Bootsie and Prissy. Anybody else get smeared during their weekly pilgrimage to the Beauty Box? I’m starting to be glad I go to the barber. Bill just cuts my hair. He hums sometimes, but that’s it.”
    “It sounds dead boring to me,” said Myrtle with a sniff. “At least the Beauty Box has entertainment included in the price of services. Let’s see. Tammy was ugly to Kat because Kat was obviously completely embarrassed by the way her aunt was acting. So she sort of insulted her. And, of course, the brilliant Puddin thought that Kat might have a financial motive.”
    “That’s just naturally the type of angle that Puddin would consider, though. She’s in challenging financial circumstances, after all,” said Miles, sounding reproachful.
    “Only because her back gets thrown at the thought of work! Much as I hate to admit it, though, Puddin might possibly have something. Kat would get the shop and Tammy probably had a little bit put away somewhere. And she wouldn’t have to be bossed around by anybody—money would bring her some independence, which is probably what she wants most. She’s had no control over her future and money would give her a little security.”
    Miles pushed his glasses up his nose, a reflexive motion when he was thinking. “Wasn’t there somebody else who lived there with Tammy, too?”
    “Ohhh yes. Dina. She’s Tammy’s project, back from when Tammy was sober enough to take on projects. She was escaping a bad marriage and Tammy took her in and gave her a job. But she was acting ugly to Dina yesterday, too.”
    “Maybe Dina got fed up with it?” said Miles. “The final straw kind of thing? Maybe she snapped?”
    Myrtle considered this. “ Maybe . I hear her husband was abusive, so it could be that Tammy triggered some pent-up anger. I don’t know, though—I just can’t see it. Although Tammy was threatening to write Dina and Kat out of her will. That could have provided motive enough to kill her—before she could make any changes.”
    Myrtle pushed herself off the sofa. “Okay! You can go to the gym now, Miles. I just wanted to give you the low-down. We’ve got another case to solve.”
    “Don’t you mean you do?” asked Miles dryly. “As I recall, you like to be in charge of your cases.”
    “Yes, but sleuths need sidekicks, Miles. Sounding boards. Sherlock had Watson, Poirot had Hastings. And I have you. But sidekicks do their best work in the background, you know. They’re the behind the scenes guys.” Myrtle watched him carefully for signs of insurrection, but saw nothing in his placid expression. She smiled.
    “And now it really is time for me to go to the gym,” said Miles, standing up and motioning to Myrtle.
    “Of course. But could you give me a glass of water real quick, Miles? My house was warmer than I realized. I’m feeling pretty dry.”
    As he slipped into the kitchen, she reached out Miles’ front door and grabbed the shopping bag she’d left there. The painting was settled nicely behind an armchair before he got back with the water.

“A RE YOU SURE Mama’s air conditioner isn’t working?” Red asked. “Why do I feel like this is some mastermind plot to squeeze information about this murder out of me?”
    “Well, I couldn’t exactly ask your mother for proof.” said Elaine. “She told me the air was broken and that the guy wouldn’t be able to come out for a couple of days. July isn’t the best month to live in an un-air conditioned house in the deep South.”
    Red rubbed his eyes. “I just hope she won’t start being nosy. You know how she is. Always putting herself in the middle of the action.”
    “She’s only trying to stay cool, Red. You