Digging Up the Dead by Jill Amadio Read Free Book Online Page B

grimaced and said, “Goodnight, ladies,” as he, too, left.

 
     
     
Chapter Thirteen
     
     
    Tosca looked around the living room. “The least we can do is clean this place up now that everyone’s gone. Thatch, could you make sure the candles in the Chinese lanterns in the yard are out? Thanks. Arlene, perhaps you’d take the glasses and dishes to the kitchen. There’s probably a tray in the kitchen you can use. I guess we’ll leave all that booze on the table. I’ll mop up the mess on the carpet.”
    “Sure, be happy to. The White Russian she was drinking has soaked in real good, looks like. Might be difficult to get the stain out.”
    Arlene picked up the carton of cream, went into the kitchen and placed it next to three similar cartons in the refrigerator. After half an hour the three decided they’d done the best they could to ensure that Karma came home to a semblance of order although, as Tosca confided to Arlene as they bade each other goodnight, Karma might not even notice, given the slovenly state of the house.
    “I agree,” said Arlene, “but her garden center is beautifully neat and organized, and she does a great job with our yards. Another thing I give her credit for is rescuing special needs cats. Oh, here, this must be yours. I found it near the window when we were cleaning the carpet.” She handed Tosca a two-inch black flash drive. “Probably slipped off your keychain. I notice you always have a couple of them on there.”
    “Arlene, I’ve never seen this one before. It’s not mine.”
    “Must belong to one of the guests, then, or to Karma. Hold on to it for now. We can check with her tomorrow. Such a sad ending to the party. Sure hope Sally’s all right. Well, goodnight again.”
    After Arlene left Tosca felt Thatch’s arm around her shoulder.
    “It’s only ten o’clock, Tosca. How about a drink at the tavern? Oh, are you taking the Chandelier with you?” he said.
    “After you told me its value, I don’t feel comfortable leaving it. I don’t see any way to lock the front door. There’s no deadbolt or mechanism to secure it. If this thing is not Karma’s, she won’t know its value and might not take good care of it, judging by the lack of security here. I’ll bring it back tomorrow.”
    “Good plan. How about a drink?”
    “After what we just went through with Sally, poor thing, I’m not in the mood. Come home with me and have a glass of mead. I have a fresh batch ready for sampling. It’s almost as good as the blackcurrant they make at Ninemaidens Mead in Redruth, Cornwall. Aren’t you tempted?”
    By now Tosca was well aware of Thatch’s aversion to her home-brewed wine, and she took every opportunity to tease him about it.
    “Nine maidens?” he said. “Where do you Brits get these wild names?”
    “Thank you for not calling me English now that Cornwall is officially recognized as a cultural minority like Wales, Scotland and Ireland. I’m thrilled. Now, Ninemaidens, Thatch, actually is a real place, a magical area. It’s an ancient monument, a row of nine granite megaliths that legend says were a group of young girls who were turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath. The Ninemaidens meadery itself has beehives all over Cornwall, and probably some are near the monument, though I think they are based in Truro.”
    “Sweetheart, I love all your tales, but right now I know you have some beer in the fridge unless J.J. and her pals have snagged it all. Let’s go.”
    They left Karma’s cottage, closing the door carefully behind them, and walked the few blocks to Tosca’s house.
    “Wonder what’s on this flash drive,” she said, taking it from her bag. “I suppose it must be Karma’s, but perhaps it fell from Sally’s purse.”
    “Oh, no, you’re not about to start nosing around again, are you?” said Thatch. “Nearly got you killed the last time you got curious.”
    “I’ll just take a quick peek, I promise, keresik .”
    “Man, when you call me