Progressive Dinner Deadly by Elizabeth Spann Craig Read Free Book Online

the building.”
    Tippy walked up. “And Willow,” she added with a sigh. “She got doused with wine and decided to change. I guess it doesn’t matter if she’s still changing when we get there as long as we can all get inside. Her house is next on the list.”
    “At this point,” said Miles as he delicately held the shard of glass, “anyone who wants to evacuate is welcome to do so.” He looked around him at the pandemonium. “Have you seen Sherry Angevine anywhere? I was going to ask her something about her flower garden.”
    “Actually, no. I haven’t seen her since early in the party. And I only really noticed her then because she had so much eye makeup on. She looks like one of those zombies from Night of the Living Dead ,” said Myrtle.
    Tippy took the break from the earring search and smashed glass recovery to make an announcement. “Okay, everyone! For us to keep on track this evening, we need to move on to the next house. I’m sure Erma’s earring hasn’t walked out the door, so we’ll leave Miles to look for it later tonight. Remember, we’re going to Willow Pearce’s house next for soups and salads, then to Jill’s, before ending up at Myrtle’s house for dessert. We’re running a little bit behind,” this with a reproving look at the careless Erma, who seemed completely unaware that she was being reproached, “so we’ll probably spend just thirty minutes at Willow’s.”
    They all tramped over to Willow’s house, looking a bit like a well-sauced tour group with Tippy striding ahead as leader. Willow lived down the street from Miles in a smallish brick ranch on the non-lakefront side of the road. The road was lined with old sidewalks and shielded from the sun by ancient, massive trees on both sides. On Myrtle’s side of the street, the houses backed up to the lake, and the other side, including Red’s house, backed up to woods. The road curved to follow the line of the lake so Myrtle couldn’t see the houses on the other side of the bend, including Willow’s, Sherry’s, and Jill’s.
    Willow hadn’t left her front lights on, so Tippy called a group halt. “I’ll go ahead and ask her to turn on the porch lights. I don’t want our older ladies tripping.”
    Myrtle felt a little huffy about being classified as an “older lady,” considering that Tippy was fairly old herself, just well-preserved. Tippy swept down the front walk, silks floating along behind her. A cat leapt out of a shadow, hissing, and Tippy gave a short shriek before a quick recovery. She rapped at the door, then cautiously opened it. Reaching inside, Tippy turned on the outdoor lights, revealing a tidy yard and an herb garden. “Willow?” called Tippy. She shrugged and motioned everyone to come in. “She is expecting us,” she said.
    It was clear when they walked in that Willow had been expecting them. She had bowls of covered tossed and pasta salads set out on the tables. Clearly, she was, at some level, anticipating their arrival. “Where is she?” asked Myrtle grumpily to Miles. “Really, this is carrying things too far. I know Willow is really New-Agey and everything, but not to be hostessing your own party is really too much. She could at least be asking us if we need tongs for the salad. Because, for heaven’s sake, we need some tongs for the salad!”
    Miles was about to answer her back when Willow finally drifted into the room, carrying yet another feline. She wore another flowing garment to replace the one that the wine had spilled on. Myrtle was sure that if she ventured into Willow’s bedroom, that she would find an entire closet full of flowing, hippyesque garments. This one, at least, wasn’t as bright as the one she’d been wearing at Miles’ house.
    Willow waved a vague hand. “Help yourselves, everyone.”
    The phone rang and Willow picked up a cordless receiver. “Oh hi Paul. Now? Where is the van? How many cats is it? No, that’s fine, I’ll be there in a few minutes.” She hung