Murder Is a Piece of Cake by Elaine Viets Read Free Book Online Page A

said.
    “Were you engaged to Molly Ann Deaver?” she asked Ted.
    “No! Never,” Ted said. “I went to her home to check up on her dog, Bella. I’d spayed
     her Maltese. Miss Deaver misunderstood my visits. She thought I was calling on her.
     She began to make excuses so I’d see her—I mean, her dog—more often.
    “There was nothing wrong with Bella. I even sent her to a specialist who confirmed
     my diagnosis. It seemed wrong to take Miss Deaver’s money and subject Bella to blood
     tests, X-rays, and other procedures when the dog wasn’t sick. I discussed the situation
     with my partner, Dr. Chris, and we decided that she would handle any future appointments
     for Bella and we’d treat the dog only if Miss Deaver brought her to the clinic. After
     she ambushed me in the hall and gave me an expensive watch, we declined to treat her
     dog at all.”
    Ted was sweating. Big drops ran down his forehead and splashed on his bloodstained
     shirt. He kept running his fingers through his hair and it was standing up again.
     Josie longed to give him a fresh shirt.
    “So you never planned to marry Molly Deaver today?” Rona asked.
    “Not today or any other day,” Ted said. “I’ve never dated her. I’ve never met her
     family. I am engaged to Josie Marcus and we’re getting married in a month, the day
     after Thanksgiving. Josie—not Molly. She’s my bride, my real bride.”
    Ted had seemed so sure of himself when he talked about how to trim a cat’s nails.
     Now he was tongue-tied. It was painful to watch him stumble over his words. Festus
     seemed to notice his distress. The black Lab bumped his big head against Ted’s leg,
     and the vet absently scratched the dog’s ear.
    A worried Festus jumped up on the table next to Ted and licked his neck. The vet tried
     to calm his dog with reassuring pats. Festus was not fooled. He leaned protectively
     against Ted.
    “Dr. Ted,” Rona said, “you didn’t answer my question. Where did Miss Deaver get the
     idea that you wanted to marry her?”
    “I don’t know,” Ted said, his voice sad. He scratched his head.
    Festus threw back his head and howled.
    Josie wanted to join him.

Chapter 5
    Tuesday, October 23
    “I’m so sorry your mother couldn’t make our little luncheon,” Lenore said.
    Josie knew she wasn’t. Lenore and Jane had met once and disliked each other instantly.
    “I am, too,” Josie said. “Unfortunately, Mother had a previous engagement. But she’s
     looking forward to seeing you at the Blue Rose Tearoom tomorrow.”
    Jane had a church committee meeting today—and no idea she’d been invited to this lunch
     at the Ritz-Carlton. Josie didn’t dare bring her fierce little mother. She knew when
     Lenore started hinting that her son could have found a better bride, Jane would leave
     blood on the white tablecloth.
    When the polite lies were out of the way, the server took their orders and delivered
     their drinks—white wine for the women and a beer for Ted.
    “Well,” Lenore said, “this morning was interesting, wasn’t it? I’m glad that woman
     is locked up.”
    Ted’s mother was fresh and prettily flushed after her television triumph. She glowed
     in the sunlit softness of the restaurant.
    Ted still looked bedraggled, even after he’d stopped at home to change into a fresh
     shirt. He refused to wear his white doctor’s coat, even after Lenore begged him.
    “She’ll be out on bond soon, Mom,” Ted said.
    “And then the judge will put her away,” Lenore said. “That nice policeman said her
     attack on you is a second-degree felony assault. She’s looking at five to fifteen
     years in prison.”
    “I don’t think so,” Ted said. “Pretty blue-eyed blondes don’t get maximum sentences.”
    “It doesn’t matter,” Lenore said. “She’s out of the way.” She dismissed mad Molly
     with a wave of her hand.
    “Josie, you already received my wedding guest list weeks ago,” Lenore said. “We’re
     expecting some