Plantation Shudders by Ellen Byron Read Free Book Online Page A

loved.”
    “Lia, you must make a plate of your incomparable delicacies for Kyle,” said Gran’. “Oh Maggie, look, there’s Renee Harper.” Gran’ practically yanked Maggie away from Lia and Kyle, who were already so deep in conversation that they didn’t notice.
    “Subtle, Gran’,” Maggie said. She started toward Renee, but Gran’ pulled her back.
    “Stop, Renee will see you.”
    “I thought you wanted to say hello.”
    “Oh Lord, no. I just wanted to get us out of the way so that whatever was sparking between Lia and Kyle could catch fire. That Renee Harper is a Glossy if there ever was one.” Gran’ had coined the term Glossy as a sarcastic loose acronym for Gracious Ladies of the South. “I notice that Jim Harper isn’t with her. Too bad. That’s one man who could use a little church-bred humility. But no, as usual, God has to play second fiddle to Jim’s ‘busy schedule.’”
    “That’s not very Christian of you,” Maggie teased her grandmother.
    “We’re not Christians, we’re Catholics, and we can say whatever we want because we get to confess. Now, let’s find your parents, I’m ready to go.”
    Maggie and Gran’ located Ninette and Tug next to the punch bowl, where they were being peppered with questions from locals eager for gossip about the recent deaths at Crozat.
    “Honestly, that’s all we know right now,” Tug told the group, which dispersed disappointed at the lack of news.
    Ninette downed her glass of punch. “I’ve never wished this was hard punch more than I do today,” she said as she dabbed the slight sheen on her face with a tissue.
    “I happen to know where there’s a full bar,” Gran’ said. “Home again, home again, jiggity jig.” She blew an air kiss to Maggie and led the others to their car.
    Maggie snacked a bit more and then made her way to the Falcon, where she was less than thrilled to find Ru Durand, dressed in uniform, waiting.
    “Hey, Ru. I didn’t see you at Mass.”
    “I couldn’t make it. The Lord chose to make it a work day for me instead.”
    Jan and the Cuties, who were heading for their van, interrupted the perfunctory conversation. “I swear, every time I think I’ve had the best meal in Louisiana, I have another one,” Angela said.
    “Oh, that is so true,” Suzy echoed.
    “Suze, see if you can pry Kyle away from that pretty baker,” Jan instructed. “We need to get going.”
    “Where y’all off to?” Ru asked affably.
    “Plantation tour,” Jan responded gruffly. Maggie liked Jan all the more for her obvious dislike of Rufus.
    “They got some beauties in Natchez, but I wouldn’t advise crossing the state line into Mississippi.”
    “Why not?” Debbie asked, confused.
    “Because you’re all suspects in a murder investigation,” Ru responded, his tone suddenly harsh.
    The others stared at him in shock. Maggie felt her stomach start to roil and prayed she wouldn’t throw up.
    “The Clabbers were murdered?” Ninette gasped.
    “Not both of them,” Rufus said. “Mr. Clabber died of natural causes—a stroke. But Mrs. Clabber was poisoned.”

Chapter Six
    “Mrs. Clabber was poisoned?” Maggie repeated. “That makes no sense. He was the jerk, not her.”
    “Yes, she seemed lovely,” Debbie interjected. “I don’t think I ever saw her without a big smile on her face.”
    “Well, even people who smile a lot get offed,” Ru shrugged and then faced Maggie. “Two people dying at the same time pushes a button for us law enforcement folk, and the coroner agreed to rush the autopsies so we could rule out any funny business. Well, what do you know, we found funny business. My men are on the way to your place to take statements and collect evidence. And thanks to you Crozats, since it’s Sunday, I gotta pay overtime.”
    “What do you mean, ‘thanks to us Crozats’?” Maggie snapped. “Trust me, Rufus, when you’re running a B and B, having guests murdered pretty much falls last on the list of ‘fun local