Murder by Arrangement (Edna Davies mysteries Book 5) by Suzanne Young Read Free Book Online Page A

“What’s the latest
forecast?”
    “’Bout four
inches, they’re sayin’,” Mary answered before Starling could reply. “Rain
first, turning to sleet, then snow, so the roads will be nice and slippery.”
    “Brrr,” Starling
grumbled. “I’m ready for spring.” She gently ruffled Amanda’s hair. “What’s the
news from Poppy and Matt?” she asked, using the name that Dean, the youngest
grandchild, had dubbed Albert during the family’s Christmas visit. “How’s the
fishing trip going?”
    “Let’s call
‘em,” Amanda said, tilting her head again to study her aunt’s face.
    “After supper,”
Edna said. Correctly reading the restlessness in her neighbor, she went on,
“Right now, I think Mary has something to tell you.”
    The redhead’s
face lit up with her chance to tell about the ghost, while Amanda’s eyes grew
wide and Starling refrained from laughing at the idea. Edna guessed her
daughter didn’t want to spoil Mary’s story by announcing that there was no such
thing as ghosts. Also, the rebel theory probably delighted Starling who was an
avid student of New England history.
    Who am I to
naysay , Edna thought as Mary was describing the unusual sounds she heard.
    “Can you come
over tonight and help me investigate?” Mary concluded.
    Before her
daughter or granddaughter got carried away with the idea, Edna spoke up. “Maybe
another time, Mary. I don’t want Amanda to be up all night if she’s expecting
her friend to visit tomorrow.” Before too many groans of protest could emanate
from the others, Edna stood. “Ready to make pizzas?”
    The evening
passed quickly. After supper, Mary took Hank and Spot home to see what mischief
her house cats had “gotten themselves into,” as she put it. Edna took Amanda
and Starling into her office where they used the speaker phone to reach Albert,
Matthew, Roger and Ken in Florida. After much joking and laughing and tall
tales, the call ended, and Edna thought a mug of hot cider with a cinnamon
stick stirrer would help quiet Amanda and allow her to sleep.
    When the
youngster had finally been tucked into bed, Edna and Starling sat for a while
longer before the dying embers of the fire.
    Starling was
stretched out on the sofa with Benjamin curled in her lap. “Amanda’s having a
friend over tomorrow?” she asked, breaking the easy silence.
    Edna nodded as
she continued to gaze at the fire, her mind occupied with the earlier events of
the day.
    “I didn’t know
she had friends in this area.” Starling seemed intent on grabbing Edna’s
attention.
    Edna mentally
shook herself back into the room and turned to her daughter. “She hasn’t. This
is a new friend who happens to be visiting her own grandmother this week.”
    “So who is she,
this new friend of Manda-Panda’s?”
    Realizing it
would be good to voice her recent thoughts, Edna gave Starling the long version
of Amanda’s unplanned visit, beginning with Irene’s call the previous morning.
In explaining Irene’s concerns about Rosie Beck, Edna reminded Starling about
the scandal that had been front-page news.
    “So, are you
talking about Rosie Haverstrum ?” Starling suddenly showed more interest.
“Wow. That was quite a story. Knocked this town on its ear, at the time.” She
pushed herself up straighter, causing Benjamin to jump down and head for his
bed next to the warm hearth. “You know her mother?”
    Edna nodded.
“Lily Beck. She’s a long-time member of the garden club. By the way, Rosie took
her maiden name back. She goes by Rosie Beck now.” Edna looked thoughtful for a
few seconds. “I don’t know what surname Lettie goes by. I wonder if Irene would
know. I don’t want to assume and cause the child any embarrassment if she
hasn’t kept her father’s name.”
    “Speaking of the
dead, have you ever mentioned your sleuthing escapades to Dad?” Starling’s eyes
twinkled. Edna guessed that, as they say of a good lawyer, Starling wasn’t
asking a question to which