Red Julie (An Olivia Miller Mystery Book 2) by J A Whiting Read Free Book Online

shaking, typed the victim’s name and the word “obituary” into Google. She hit enter.
    She clicked on the listing that came up in the search. When the page opened, the man’s picture was in the upper left corner of the write-up and his smiling face made Olivia jump. She pored over the words. Martin Andersen. Age 52. Lived in Boston. Educated at Dartmouth. MBA Yale Business School. Relatives deceased. Owner of Andersen Financial. Long time environmental activist. Leaves his partner, S. Rodney Hannigan of Boston. Funeral would be Wednesday at 2pm.
    Olivia re-read it. She leaned back in her chair. Why was my picture and address in your wallet, Martin? Who are you? Who were you? Her eyes scanned the write-up again. She made a note. Rodney Hannigan. Looks like I’m going to a funeral, Olivia thought.
    ***
    Joe stood next to Olivia’s Jeep as she opened the driver’s side door.
    “I wish you’d let me go along,” Joe pouted.
    “It would be a waste of your time. I’m just going to talk to him. It’ll be fine. No sense in you losing time on your project,” Olivia said. “I’ll be ok, Joe. Nothing’s going to happen to me at a funeral.”
    “If the guy seems unreceptive then just leave. Don’t push.”
    “I won’t push.”
    Joe took a deep breath. “I’m uneasy, Liv.”
    “I know. Me, too. I’ll be careful.” Olivia hugged him. “I promise.”
    Olivia got into the Jeep, buckled the seat belt and started the engine.
    “Call me when you’re on your way back,” Joe said.
    Olivia rolled her eyes at him.
    “I mean it,” Joe told her. “Humor an old man.”
    Olivia smiled. “Okay, okay.”
    She waved as she pulled away.
    ***
    It took an hour and a half for Olivia to make it to Boston. She used her GPS to find the church and pulled into the parking area in the back. The lot was nearly full. Groups of people were congregating on the sidewalk and in front of the church. Olivia climbed the granite steps and took a seat in the back pew. She wanted to scan the crowd as they entered, but she wasn’t sure what she expected to see.
    People took their seats and music began to play. The priest and attendants led the coffin procession down the aisle. A slender, well-groomed man followed behind. His face was drawn and pale. His eyes were red.
    Near the end of the service, the funeral director made an announcement inviting attendees to join Mr. Hannigan at a nearby restaurant for luncheon immediately following the ceremony. Burial would be private.
    Olivia rose and quietly left the church. She walked to the restaurant and waited outside on the sidewalk. People began to arrive from the church. Two men were about to enter the restaurant when Olivia stepped forward.
    “Mr. Hannigan?”
    One of the men turned to Olivia.
    “May I have a moment?” she asked.
    The well-dressed man nodded and his companion went in alone.
    “I’m sorry for your loss and I’m sorry to bother you at this time. But I wondered if I could ask you some questions? My name is Olivia Miller.”
    “Questions?” Hannigan asked.
    “I sat with Mr. Andersen after the accident. Until the ambulance arrived. I was the first one on the scene.”
    Hannigan’s eyes misted over. “I see,” he managed. He swallowed and cleared his throat. “Thank you for staying with him. I’m grateful that he wasn’t alone.”
    “Mr. Hannigan, my aunt passed away in early May. Under what I think…well, what I think are strange circumstances. These two deaths, so close together, they seem…suspicious.” Olivia paused and went on. “Being at the scene with Mr. Andersen, the police took my statement and questioned me.”
    Mr. Hannigan nodded.
    “The police said that Mr. Andersen had my name and address and picture in his wallet.”
    Mr. Hannigan’s eyes widened. “You knew each other?” Hannigan asked.
    “No. That’s what’s so puzzling. We never met. Do you have any idea why he had my name? Did he ever mention me to you?”
    “No. Never.”
    “Did either