Murder in the Latin Quarter

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

Book: Murder in the Latin Quarter by Susan Kiernan-Lewis Read Free Book Online
Authors: Susan Kiernan-Lewis
and she glanced in the direction of her bedroom as if remembering the phone conversation.
    â€œI spoke with her parents,” she said, looking away.
    â€œThat must have been terrible for you.”
    â€œThey were bereft,” Delphine said, looking down at her hands and then up at Maggie’s face. Tears gathered in Delphine’s eyes. “I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child.”

9
    T he sun was dipping behind the Musée de Cluny as Maggie pushed her stroller down the Boulevard Saint-Germain. She hung a left on the Boulevard Saint-Michel at the McDonald’s restaurant. She knew her new-found friendship with Delphine would probably take a quick nosedive if she were to bring dinner back from there. She remembered there was a decent Thai restaurant a block from Grace’s that did takeout.
    â€œWell! Fancy meeting you here.”
    She turned to see Grace striding toward her from the direction of her apartment.
    â€œHey,” Maggie said. “You didn’t need to send a posse out. Haven’t you been getting my texts?”
    â€œSorry, darling. I left my cell at André’s. Did you have an interesting day? Beatrice told me about the poor dead woman at your aunt’s. I couldn’t believe it.”
    â€œI was hoping to tell you all about it over a glass of wine,” Maggie said with a frown.
    â€œOh, worst timing ever, darling! I promised André I’d meet him and a few of his friends. They’re children’s clothing buyers,” she added hastily. “You know how it is. There is no nine to five for startups.”
    Maggie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Grace was totally bullshitting her. She’d eat her shoe if Grace was meeting anyone except André. She bit her lip from saying something she’d regret.
    â€œI’m moving out for a few days,” she said tersely.
    Grace stopped walking. She was well past Maggie and heading in the direction of the Sorbonne when she turned around.
    â€œOh, Maggie, no! I know I’ve been a little unavailable lately—”
    â€œIt’s not that,” Maggie said. “Laurent’s aunt needs some live-in help until she can replace her nurse.”
    Grace frowned. “In that case, I’m sure Beatrice would be happy to take Mila while you’re gone.”
    â€œBut I wouldn’t be happy,” Maggie said with impatience. “Listen, I’ll catch up with you later, okay? I need to get back before it’s too late. And keep your phone on you, will you?”
    â€œI promise, darling,” Grace said with a wide smile.
    â€œOh!” Maggie said, turning back again. “Delphine mentioned she’s having a birthday party at her house in a couple of days. She said I could invite you if you wanted to come.”
    â€œCan André come?”
    â€œI suppose so. But I haven’t even met him yet.”
    â€œI know, darling! I hate that. How about tomorrow evening, six o’clock at Les Deux Magots? Can you make it? Sans the little darling?” Grace waggled her fingers in the direction of the stroller.
    Maggie’s phone began to ring.
    â€œTomorrow night!” Grace called before turning and hurrying down the sidewalk.
    Maggie felt a stiffness develop in her jaw and she fought back a creeping bad mood.
    â€œHello?” she said into her phone without looking at the screen first.
    â€œWhere are you?” Laurent asked.
    Maggie turned and wedged the phone between her shoulder and her chin to put both hands back on the stroller handle and begin walking again.
    â€œAbout four minutes from Grace’s apartment. How’s Jemmy?”
    â€œHe is fine. Your phone was off today?”
    â€œOkay, Laurent, no, it wasn’t off. I had it on vibrate. I was at your aunt’s today.”
    â€œI knew it!”
    â€œYes, and it’s a good thing, too. She’s very upset about the murder that took place practically in her living

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