Murder Is Private by Diane Weiner Read Free Book Online

good to hear your voice. How are your exams going?”
    “Getting through them. Dad says you’re in Florida.”
    “Yes. Remember I told you how I was going to meet my birth mother? Well, I’ve not only met her, but we’re staying here at her home. What are you doing about spring break?”
    “I was thinking of coming for a visit. Dad’s working up in New York, and I hear you’re right by the beach.”
    “Yes. And Lynette and Annalise are here with me. We’d love to see you.”
    “I’ll buy a ticket. Love you.”
    Susan practically squealed with delight. She ran down the steps to tell Lynette her brother was coming to visit.
    Lynette smiled. “That’s great. He won’t recognize Annalise. She wasn’t even walking the last time he saw her.” Audrey stirred in the sofa. “We’ll have to make him a hotel reservation,” continued Lynette, “With spring break, I bet hotels fill up fast.”
    “Hotels?” asked Audrey. “We’re talking about my grandson here, am I right?” She sat up.
    “Yes,” said Susan. “Evan’s in medical school in St. Louis. He’s coming here for spring break.”
    “I can’t wait to meet him,” said Audrey, “but what’s this nonsense about hotels? I have plenty of space. He can sleep in the den.”
    “Thanks! I’ll let him know,” said Susan. It was strange. Evan had a new grandma. He and her Mom had been inseparable when Evan was growing up. She was his real Grandma. Susan’s eyes stung with tears. Audrey could be a friend to Evan, but she’d never take the place of her mother.

Chapter 10

    Susan walked around the neighborhood before work. It was delightful being able to take her walks outside rather than on the treadmill. When she’d left New York, there was still snow on the ground. She showered, dressed, and enjoyed a slice of Audrey’s banana bread before leaving for work. Starr, Bibi, and Manolito were waiting outside the classroom door when she got to her classroom.
    “I really enjoyed the concert last night. The strings played so well in tune,” she said to them, in greeting.
    “Thanks. Mr. Benitez is a drill sergeant in rehearsals. Our concerts are always well prepared. I’m glad you came,” said Starr.
    “Starr, who was the black violin student with the dreads?” Susan asked.
    “That’s Kymani. He’s a senior. Keeps to himself.” But why did he sneak out of the hall only to re-enter through another door? And what did he say to that nurse? Back to work! she ordered herself . She had a class to teach.
    Susan was pleased with the ability of her students. At least Audrey didn’t have to worry about them falling behind. Susan was adjusting to the schedule and not getting quite as exhausted by day’s end as she had at first.
    At lunchtime, she ate outside on a wrought iron bench. It was a gorgeous day. She’d packed a turkey sandwich and an apple. And a brownie she’d picked up at Starbuck’s this morning on the way to work. After all, she had gotten her exercise today and even with the brownie, her brownbag lunch had to be way healthier than the cafeteria food.
    “Mind if I join you?” Gabby Ramirez, the school librarian, sat next to her. She had flawless olive skin and silky black hair which flowed down her back. “How are things going?”
    “I must say I’m enjoying myself. The students are really sweet and they pick up on things so much faster than my elementary kids ever did. Not surprising, I know.”
    “Celia is smiling down from heaven at you,” said Gabby sweetly. “She must be at peace knowing her students are in good hands. She loved those kids. Used to sit right there on the bench across the path and talk with them all the time. They were her family. With no children of her own, and that sorry excuse for a husband, it’s no wonder she was never in a hurry to get home.”
    “Celia and her husband were having problems?” Lynette would tell her to stop nosing into business that didn’t concern her. Sorry, Lynette, she said in her