Pink Balloons and Other Deadly Things (Mystery Series - Book One) by Nancy Tesler Read Free Book Online

“You can't change other people, Ruth-Ann. Only how you react to them. Come on, the others are waiting.” As I opened the door, I asked casually. “Did anyone else hear that?”
    “No. I was walking up. Getting exercise. They all take the elevator.”
    “Don't say anything, okay?”
    She pressed my hand. “I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
    TWO HOURS LATER I nearly put a dent in a black Camry that was straddling two spaces as I parked in the lot outside Rich’s building. The executive offices overlook the Hudson River. The view from Rich’s window of the city skyline could be used for an “I Love New York” ad.
    Erica had redecorated his suite of offices in modern antiseptic, using humongous amounts of glass and marble and white paint, with only occasional splashes of color in the geometric paintings on the walls. It has received much oohing and aahing from her yuppie friends, but I miss the warm wood tones of his old office.
    Speaking of warmth, I was greeted decidedly without any by Rich’s gal Friday-and-every-other-day, Dot Shea. Old Faithful. Several years earlier she'd seen the light and was “born again.” In my opinion once was enough, but if you were Dot, I suppose you’d feel you deserved another shot. Since the advent of Erica, she’s tucked her tummy, tightened her tits, de-cellulited her thighs, and bleached her hair; the “born again” conversion clearly more physical than religious.
    Dot had detested me on sight. It took me three years to figure out why; once I did the feeling became mutual. She’s been with Rich since he started the business. Probably knows more about it than he does, but in her eyes he’s God, or at least Billy Graham, and she’s made it her mission to protect him from all of life’s annoyances. Enter “number one fly” in Rich’s ointment: me.
    “He isn’t here,” she snapped without glancing up from her computer.
    My heart sank. Rich was my only hope. A place to start. I tried to keep my voice casual so Dot wouldn't suspect how desperate I was, wouldn't guess that I had come for anything other than my monthly check. “When will he be back? I need my check.”
    “He hasn’t been in today. He is in mourning, you know.”
    Rich hasn't missed a day of work since I’ve known him. That includes the day Matt was born and the day his father died.
    “Probably left it on his desk,” I mumbled as I walked nonchalantly toward his office. I don’t know what I thought I’d find there, maybe his appointment book or Erica’s employee evaluation sheets—-some clue to give me something to go on.
    Dot’s voice stopped me. “It's not the first. Your check's not due.”
    I looked at the smirk on her face and something clicked. Could she possibly imagine she would have a chance with Rich if Erica were out of the way? Could her jealousy finally have driven her to murder?
    “Terrible about Erica,” I mumbled insincerely, watching her from the corner of my eye.
    She hit the print button and turned to me as the printer hummed into action. “I’d say it’ll be a boon to business.”
    Dot’s an equal opportunity hater.
    “I can't believe you're hanging any flags at half mast either,” she added.
    “I never wished her dead.” That was a lie, and we both knew it. I felt the stirrings of guilt again. “Anyway, wishing is one thing. Acting on it is something quite different.”
    Dot laughed, a rasping unpleasant sound. “Whatever you say.” She swiveled around to her desk, her fingers flying over the keyboard like a tornado over dry land. Dot’s a very capable secretary. I was beginning to wonder just what else she was capable of.
    My heartbeat began to outpace her machine as I considered that I might be chatting with a killer. I looked for a place to sit before my knees gave out, perched on the edge of a chair that reminded me of a banana with a shovel on top. “Weekend sure was a scorcher, wasn’t it? You manage to get out of town?”
    Dot didn't break her