Murder the Tey Way: A Golden Age of Mystery Book Club Mystery (The Golden Age of Mystery Book Club Mysteries 2) by Marilyn Levinson Read Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Marilyn Levinson
had to leave her friend’s place. I should have been supportive and kind, instead of logical and sarcastic. She was my baby sister. She was terrified and alone, and I’d done nothing to protect her.
The sound of two men going at it hammer and tongs jarred me from my musings. They faced off in the shadows beside a pickup truck. The younger of the two –almost seven feet tall and built like a bull—loomed over the paunchy older man, who, though no match for The Giant, stood his ground.
His midwestern accent caught my attention. “My wife and I paid you what you asked! We expect you to keep your end of the bargain!”
“Like I said, expenses cropped up we didn’t figure on. Bring me another ten grand by next week, or the deal’s off.”
“How do I know next week you won’t ask for more? So far, you’re not a man of your word.”
The Giant roared with laughter. “Man of my word? Who do you think you’re dealing with—the clergy? I’m the only hope you have of ever seeing that kid. Meet me here next week with the money.”
They lowered their voices and I couldn’t make out their final exchange. The older man stomped off to his car in the second row of parked vehicles. When the light caught his face, I covered my mouth to keep from gasping.
Evan Billings, of all people! What was he mixed up in?
I hurried inside, and felt a great sense of relief when I caught sight of Rosie. I wasn’t up to bowling a second game, but I didn’t want to disappoint her, so I said nothing.
“What’s wrong with you?” she demanded after I’d thrown my fifth gutter ball.
I told her about Gayle’s phone call and Evan Billings’ conversation.
“Time to call it a night.” She gathered up her belongings. I did the same, and followed her to the shoe rental room.
In the parking lot, she gave me a fierce hug. “Lexie, Lexie. Always involved in intrigue and drama. Try to get a good night’s sleep.”
“I will.”
“Are you coming to dinner Friday night? Hal said to tell you he misses you.”
“Sure” I smiled. “Tell him I miss him, too.”
I backed out of my parking space, still smiling. Most people would find it odd that Hal, who’d been devastated when I’d broken up with him in college, ended up happily married to my best friend and on the best of terms with me. However, it suited the three of us just fine. I drove home worrying about my sister, and wondering why the Billingses were paying money to a thug.
To do what? I had difficulty imagining they’d break the law, much less arrange a contract killing.
Then again, I couldn’t cast any of my book club members in the role of murderer, though one of them might have murdered Len.
At home, I was too restless to settle down. I opened the refrigerator and, though I wasn’t hungry, made myself a toasted cheese sandwich. My mom used to make them for Gayle and me on rainy days and when one of us was too sick to go to school. Puss stood by my chair and meowed, not something he usually did. Though I didn’t want to start a bad habit, I pulled off a tiny bit of my sandwich and gave it to him. He devoured it in record time.
The phone rang as I was undressing for bed. I picked it up and heard a click as someone hung up.
Damn! This was getting annoying. And scary. Gayle’s fear was affecting me. I wondered if Shawn was at the other end of the phone, trying to find out if she was here in my house. Would he break down the door and kill me?
I jumped when the phone rang again. I answered after the third ring. “Yes?” I demanded, my voice sharp and staccato.
“Lexie, it’s me. Mike.”
I heard his mellow laugh and wanted to slap his face—for scaring me and for deceiving Joy.
“What is it?”
“I want to talk to you.”
“Did you call five minutes ago?”
“Yep.” He lowered his voice. “Sorry I hung up. Joy walked by. I didn’t want her to hear me talking to you.”
“What’s this about?” I asked.
“A surprise birthday party. At The
The sound of two men going at it hammer and tongs jarred me from my musings. They faced off in the shadows beside a pickup truck. The younger of the two –almost seven feet tall and built like a bull—loomed over the paunchy older man, who, though no match for The Giant, stood his ground.
His midwestern accent caught my attention. “My wife and I paid you what you asked! We expect you to keep your end of the bargain!”
“Like I said, expenses cropped up we didn’t figure on. Bring me another ten grand by next week, or the deal’s off.”
“How do I know next week you won’t ask for more? So far, you’re not a man of your word.”
The Giant roared with laughter. “Man of my word? Who do you think you’re dealing with—the clergy? I’m the only hope you have of ever seeing that kid. Meet me here next week with the money.”
They lowered their voices and I couldn’t make out their final exchange. The older man stomped off to his car in the second row of parked vehicles. When the light caught his face, I covered my mouth to keep from gasping.
Evan Billings, of all people! What was he mixed up in?
I hurried inside, and felt a great sense of relief when I caught sight of Rosie. I wasn’t up to bowling a second game, but I didn’t want to disappoint her, so I said nothing.
“What’s wrong with you?” she demanded after I’d thrown my fifth gutter ball.
I told her about Gayle’s phone call and Evan Billings’ conversation.
“Time to call it a night.” She gathered up her belongings. I did the same, and followed her to the shoe rental room.
In the parking lot, she gave me a fierce hug. “Lexie, Lexie. Always involved in intrigue and drama. Try to get a good night’s sleep.”
“I will.”
“Are you coming to dinner Friday night? Hal said to tell you he misses you.”
“Sure” I smiled. “Tell him I miss him, too.”
I backed out of my parking space, still smiling. Most people would find it odd that Hal, who’d been devastated when I’d broken up with him in college, ended up happily married to my best friend and on the best of terms with me. However, it suited the three of us just fine. I drove home worrying about my sister, and wondering why the Billingses were paying money to a thug.
To do what? I had difficulty imagining they’d break the law, much less arrange a contract killing.
Then again, I couldn’t cast any of my book club members in the role of murderer, though one of them might have murdered Len.
At home, I was too restless to settle down. I opened the refrigerator and, though I wasn’t hungry, made myself a toasted cheese sandwich. My mom used to make them for Gayle and me on rainy days and when one of us was too sick to go to school. Puss stood by my chair and meowed, not something he usually did. Though I didn’t want to start a bad habit, I pulled off a tiny bit of my sandwich and gave it to him. He devoured it in record time.
The phone rang as I was undressing for bed. I picked it up and heard a click as someone hung up.
Damn! This was getting annoying. And scary. Gayle’s fear was affecting me. I wondered if Shawn was at the other end of the phone, trying to find out if she was here in my house. Would he break down the door and kill me?
I jumped when the phone rang again. I answered after the third ring. “Yes?” I demanded, my voice sharp and staccato.
“Lexie, it’s me. Mike.”
I heard his mellow laugh and wanted to slap his face—for scaring me and for deceiving Joy.
“What is it?”
“I want to talk to you.”
“Did you call five minutes ago?”
“Yep.” He lowered his voice. “Sorry I hung up. Joy walked by. I didn’t want her to hear me talking to you.”
“What’s this about?” I asked.
“A surprise birthday party. At The
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