Agony of the Leaves: Tea Shop Mystery #13 by Laura Childs Read Free Book Online Page A

“Beaudry’s a sleazy guy.”
    Theodosia gazed at ared-and-yellow poster tacked to the wall, thinking about Joe Beaudry, feeling a certain fuzziness. As her mind rambled, she noted that the typeface on the poster said F UND-RAISER in bouncy black letters. Then Theodosia’s mind seemed to snap back into focus and she said, “Perhaps I should pay Beaudry a visit.”
    A quick Google
search revealed that Joe Beaudry’s office was located over on Columbus Street. Theodosia thought for a minute, checked her watch, and decided she had time. After all, right now was always better than later. When you just showed up to ask questions, it gave people little time to prepare.
    Some ten minutes later, Theodosia was standing outside a tall, elegant red brick building with narrow white shutters and a white door flanked by shiny brass sconces. But that was where any class or elegance ended.
    Inside was a small waiting room, filled with ahalf-dozentired-looking people sitting on ragtag pieces of furniture, and a reception desk staffed by atired-looking receptionist.
    “Just sign in,” the receptionist told Theodosia without bothering to look up.
    “I don’t have an appointment,” Theodosia told her. “I’m here on personal business.”
    The receptionist looked up.
    Theodosia offered a wistful smile. “I’m afraid it concerns Parker Scully.”
    The receptionist, afifty-something woman with frizzy red hair, wire-rimmed glasses, and a very kind face, said, “Wasn’t that awful? I was just reading about it in the newspaper.”
    Sensing a kindred spirit, Theodosia said, “I was there at the Neptune Aquarium last night. I can’t tell you how bad it was.”
    “And he was such a nice man, too,” the receptionist said in hushed tones.
    Theodosia glanced across the receptionist’s desk and saw a wooden sign that spelled out BETTY . “Betty,” she said, “I just need a minute with Joe.”
    Betty considered her request for a moment, then held up a finger and said, “Give me a sec.” She stood up, smoothed her tight black skirt, and disappeared into a nearby office with a swish of taffeta. Thirty seconds later, Betty was back at her post. “You can go in, but Mr. Beaudry says he’s only got two minutes. I’m afraid he has a very full afternoon.”
    “Understood,” said Theodosia. “And thank you.”
    Joe Beaudry didn’t
bother to stand up when Theodosia entered his office. Instead, he looked up, creaked back in his chair, and said, “So you were there, huh?” He was aslat-thin man with a long, thin face and piercing dark eyes. He had a shock of unrulysalt-and-pepper hair even though he looked to be in his midforties.
    “That’s right,” said Theodosia. She crossed his office swiftly and seated herself in one of the black leather club chairs that faced his desk. “And it wasn’t a pretty sight.”
    Beaudry studied her for a few moments, then said, “Seeing as how it’s not within my power to bring him back, how is it I can help you?”
    “You can answer a few questions,” said Theodosia.
    Beaudry offered a thin smile. “A lady with questions. What kind of questions?”
    “I’m a friend of the family,” said Theodosia, “and I’m trying to straighten out a few matters.”
    “What matters would those be?”
    “Concerning his restaurant.”
    “Are you in the restaurant business?” Beaudry asked.
    “In a manner of speaking, yes,” said Theodosia. “I own the Indigo Tea Shop over on Church Street.”
    “A
tea
shop,” said Beaudry. He crossed his legs, jiggled his foot.
    Theodosia had the feeling Beaudry might be playing with her. “That’s right,” she said. “But what I’m really interested in is knowing something more about the financing deal you and Parker had kicked around.”
    Beaudry shrugged his narrow shoulders. “There really wasn’t a deal.”
    “But the two of you talked about a deal.”
    “Yeah, we talked,” said Beaudry. “But we never came to any agreement.”
    “You were going