Janet McNulty - Mellow Summers 07 - Two Ghosts Haunt a Grove by Janet McNulty Read Free Book Online Page B

notably of the Joseph Bourtonson Estate. “My father promised me half of that property,” said Stacy when questioned, “He was on his way to get his will changed when he died.”
    Conspiracy theorists are already buzzing about how Philip Kellmore must have been murdered. Many ghost hunters claim Smiley’s Ghost did it. Rest assured, it was nothing more than a heart attack.
    The court date for the property dispute is set for September 26. Mrs. Kellmore, Philip Kellmore’s widow, denied comment through her sister-in-law about this latest rift between her children—she hasn’t been seen for the last three years. I’m sure we are all interested in how this will turn out.
     
    I folded the paper and put it down. So Kyle inherited his father’s company and all of the property that his father had purchased. But Stacy Kellmore insisted that the Bourtonson place was to be hers. All was not well in paradise. Something was up and the old man’s death still bothered me. And once again, the abandoned inn/house was in the middle of it all.
    I dug into my veal savoring every ounce of it. The veal was tender and the pasta delicious. Investigations would have to wait, but Kyle was definitely on my radar.
    Laughter from Kyle’s mistress echoed throughout the restaurant. I got an idea.
    “Where are you going?” Greg asked as I stood up.
    “I’ll be right back,” I said.
    Straightening my outfit, I moseyed over to Kyle. His laughter and enjoyment stopped the moment I reached his table.
    “May I help you?” he asked.
    “Mr. Kyle Kellmore, I presume,” I said.
    “Yes.” His agitated manner told me that he did not appreciate being noticed with his girlfriend.
    “My name is Mellow Summers. I just wanted to extend my condolences about your father,” I said, extending my hand.
    Cautiously, Kyle took it.
    “I was there when he died. Tragic—tragic business.”
    “Oh, you’re that clerk from that store,” said Kyle, becoming a bit more friendly.
    “Yes, he came in to speak with me about something. Poor guy was really scared.”
    “What did he want to speak to you about?” asked Kyle. His tone was too interested.
    “I don’t really know,” I replied, which was true enough. “He stammered most of the time and spoke gibberish. Only moments afterward he collapsed to the ground.”
    Disappointment swept across Kyle’s face. Does it really matter what his father wanted to say to me?
    “Anyway,” I said, “I won’t take up too much of your time. I know things must be difficult now, but I just wanted to let you and your wife—” the woman chuckled when I said that telling me my suspicions were correct, “—know that people are thinking of you in this troubled time.”
    “Thank you,” said Kyle, “I am at the office most days. You are welcome to stop by anytime you wish to discuss my father.”
    “Thank you,” I said. “Evening.”
    That invitation was odd. Why would he invite me over to his office. One short glance behind me told me why as Kyle’s eyes roamed every inch of my figure. Scumbag.
    I went back to my table.
    “What was that about?” demanded Greg.
    “I just wanted to see how he would react,” I replied,
    “What do you mean?”
    “Don’t you think it’s odd that he is at a fancy restaurant with that tramp on his arm at a time when he should be with his family?”
    Greg mused over my statement. “Come to think of it, it does seem strange.”
    “Yeah, and he’s a horny little bastard too,” I muttered.
    “Excuse me?” Greg gawked at me.
    “He invited me over to his office while picturing me without my clothes.”
    Greg slammed his fork down and started to stand up. “Why that dirty—”
    “Sit,” I said yanking him back down. “There is no point in causing a scene. Besides, you can’t stop people from thinking it.”
    “You’re not going down there,” said Greg.
    “Well—”
    “Mel, I mean it. I don’t want you around that guy.”
    “But there might be important information