Murder in the Latin Quarter by Susan Kiernan-Lewis Read Free Book Online

money, Delphine,” Michelle said, feeling the vein in her forehead begin to throb. “Money that you know he intended for me!”
    â€œIt is my money, Michelle, whatever your father intended. You must accept this.”
    Michelle sputtered. “I know your secret, Delphine! You confided in my father and he told me. I will tell the world.”
    The silence that stretched between them shot hope into Michelle’s chest.
    She’d gotten to her!
    â€œI don’t want to be ugly about this,” Michelle said as she watched the poor woman playing her violin as people passed her by to throw coins in the dog man’s plastic bowl. “But there are still people to be hurt by the truth and you should know that better than anyone.”
    â€œLeave me alone, you horrid creature,” Delphine said, her voice shaking now and weak.
    She hung up and Michelle stared at the phone. Her hands were tingling and she felt a lightness in her arms.
    It worked, Michelle thought with satisfaction. Delphine understands now what is at stake .
    Michelle looked out at the busy swirl of people rushing by her in the train station. She turned to climb the stairs to the streets, swinging her arms as she walked.
    It appeared she wouldn’t need to find a cat just yet after all.

8
    M aggie tucked Mila’s blanket up to her chin as the baby slept. She could hear Delphine in the other room on the phone. The door was closed but she heard her voice rise and fall. Maggie frowned. She hoped everything was okay. Perhaps the phone call was with the relatives of the murdered home health nurse?
    She and Delphine had carefully not mentioned the death—although they had talked of many things. Amazingly, Delphine had encouraged Maggie to stay for lunch and they had spent a pleasant morning talking.
    So far Maggie had learned precisely nothing about Laurent.
    Exotic artifacts from around the world graced every tabletop in the main living room giving the apartment a warm homey feel. Nearly every blank space of wall was covered with oil paintings.
    South-facing French windows opened to a standing balcony with wrought iron railings that overlooked a green park across the street. Maggie didn’t know what park it was or how long it had been there. Everything about the décor of Delphine’s apartment said elegance but it also said history.
    Paris is old. You don’t need to walk down two streets to be reminded of that , Maggie thought wryly. The Latin Quarter especially felt steeped in the past. History had happened here. Y ou felt it in your bones when you walked down the cobblestone streets. Or when you sat in a beautiful Parisian salon like this one .
    When Delphine went to her bedroom to take the phone call Maggie texted Laurent to tell him she was with his aunt. He hadn’t responded yet but that didn’t mean anything. When Laurent was out in the vineyards, he often didn’t bring his phone with him. Plus, he misplaced it more than she would’ve expected from someone as careful as Laurent.
    She suspected it had to do with him not wanting to always be on a tether. Except now that he had children, she might encourage him to rethink that particular habit.
    Delphine returned to the room and instantly Maggie saw she was upset. Her face was white and there was a noticeable tremor in her hands.
    â€œDelphine?” Maggie said, standing up. “Are you all right?”
    Delphine staggered to the couch where she sat down heavily. “I am well,” she said unconvincingly.
    Before Maggie could say more, Amelie came into the room. She had a raincoat on and her handbag. “I’m leaving now,” she said, her eyes on the sleeping baby as if annoyed it was still there.
    â€œFine, Amelie,” Delphine said.
    Maggie watched Amelie leave, heard the sound of the door shut loudly behind her, and then it struck her: Delphine doesn’t want to be alone .
    â€œWhen will you be able to hire another