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

to finance his expansion,” said Theodosia. She gazed about Beaudry’s office, saw a few framed photos, antique golf clubs crossed and mounted on the wall, some kind of citation from the Rotarians.
    “Again,” said Beaudry, “we talked about it.”
    “So he never expanded,” said Theodosia.
    “Mainly because Parker wasn’t able to obtain financing.”
    “From you or the bank,” said Theodosia. “Why was that exactly?”
    Beaudry shrugged. “He hadn’t done all that well in the past year.”
    “A bad economy, an economic slowdown,” Theodosia prompted.
    Beaudry nodded. “All the restaurants got hit. You should know that.”
    Theodosia smiled. In all honesty, and knock on wood, the Indigo Tea Shop hadn’t suffered much in this tough economy. Whether it was loyal customers, an uptick in catering jobs, or people who came tumbling in because the cozy tea shop offered a momentary respite from hard times, the Indigo Tea Shop was more than holding its own.
    “Tell me,” said Theodosia, “just what kind of restaurant did Parker want to open?” She knew the answer; she just wanted to hear Beaudry’s answer.
    “Seafood,” he said. “Parker wanted to pattern it after a little seafood restaurant he used to frequent on Johns Island.”
    Theodosia knew the place exactly. Houlihans. Great fresh oysters and cracked crab, with a killercilantro-flavored hot sauce made fresh in-house. Parker had taken her there once when they’d driven over to Oak Point to play golf.
    “But you two could never agree on terms,” she said.
    “No, we couldn’t,” said Beaudry. “And now…” Beaudry sighed deeply and shook his head. “Now he’s gone.”
    “It must have come as quite a shock to you,” said Theodosia. She decided Beaudry didn’t look a bit sad. Just casual and relaxed. Was he too relaxed? Good question.
    “Yeah, the whole grisly story’s been played out in the news,” said Beaudry, still leaning back in his chair.
    Theodosia glanced at his desk and noticed the
Post and Courier
sitting there, folded to thefront-page story about the drowning at the aquarium.
    Except, right now, Theodosia was pretty sure it hadn’t been a drowning.

6

    When Theodosia arrived
back at the Indigo Tea Shop, afternoon tea was well under way. Ahalf-dozen or so tables were occupied and Drayton was buzzing about, teapots clutched in both hands. She smiled, feeling comforted and grateful that her little shop was in such good hands. But when she saw Detective Burt Tidwell’s bulk hunkered at the small table by the stone fireplace, Theodosia’s smile slipped from her face.
    “Tidwell,” she murmured.
    Drayton nodded. “He’s been waiting for you.”
    Theodosia hustled over and stared down at Tidwell with marked disapproval.
    Burt Tidwell was sprawled at his table looking carefree and casual, like the lord of the manor who didn’t have a care in the world. His bright eyes roved hungrily across the basket of cream scones and peach-pecan bread that sat in front of him as he methodically stirred his cup of tea. In his giantpaw, the tiny silver spoon looked like something from a doll’s tea set.
    “How nice that you’ve shown up to enjoy a tasty afternoon repast,” Theodosia told Tidwell, biting off each word sharply. “Instead of investigating Parker’s death.”
    Tidwell ignored her until he’d finally finished his annoying stirring. Then he set down his spoon and gazed at her with beady bright eyes that revealed nothing. “You were right,” he said, finally, in a conversational tone of voice.
    Theodosia blinked and stared back at him. What was he being elusive about now? “Right about what?”
    “Sit, please,” said Tidwell.
    Theodosia pursed her lips and slid stiffly into the chair across from Tidwell.
    “Parker didn’t drown,” said Tidwell, lasering dark eyes on her. “In fact, I just received a preliminary report from the coroner and…”
    “Oh, dear Lord.” Theodosia put one hand to her chest, as if to still