Sweat Tea Revenge by Laura Childs Read Free Book Online

jitneys lumbered past laden with tourists, and late-morning traffic was forced to blip around St. Phillip’s Church where it stuck solidly out into the middle of Church Street. Hence the name Church Street.
    Seated across from Delaine was a woman Theodosia didn’t recognize. She was fairly young, maybe late twenties, with a pleasant expression, cool-looking narrow silver-blue glasses, and a cap of attractive brown curls. She wore a crisp khaki business suit that had a bit of a military snap to it.
    Theodosia slipped past the velvet celadon green curtain that separated the tea shop from the back of the shop and threaded her way to Delaine’s table.
    “Delaine?” Theodosia’s voice conveyed the fact that she was surprised to see her. “How are you doing?”
    Delaine offered a sad smile. “Hanging in there.”
    “I’m surprised to see you here,” said Theodosia.
    “Where else would I go?” said Delaine.
    Gee, I don’t know
, Theodosia thought.
Maybe a meeting with a funeral director? Or a minister?
    Delaine flipped a hand toward the woman sitting across from her. “Theo, I’d like you to meet Millie. Millie Grant.”
    Millie threw Theodosia a warm smile. “I’m Mr. Granville’s secretary,” she explained.
    “Oh,” said Theodosia. “How very nice to meet you. Considering the, um, circumstances.”
    Millie nodded and seemed to blink back tears. “It’s been hard on all of us.”
    Theodosia glanced around and saw that Drayton had things under control for the moment, so she sat down with them.
    “Where’s Nadine . . . is she still in town?” Theodosia asked Delaine. Nadine was a divorcée from New York. But, to Delaine’s great consternation, she seemed to be spending more and more time in Charleston. Theodosia figured Nadine was biding her time until she could move in permanently with Delaine, and thus be a permanent source of discord.
    “Some help she’s been in all of this,” said Delaine, making a dismissive gesture. “She’s either crying herself silly or dashing out the door.”
    “Well, if you need help with anything, I’ll do whatever I can,” said Theodosia. “Please don’t hesitate to ask.”
    Delaine’s eyes suddenly shone brightly with tears. “Thank you, Theo. I
do
need your help. After being interrogated and browbeaten by Detective Tidwell, I’m extremely upset!”
    “If you’d like me to speak to him,” said Theodosia, “just say the word.”
    Delaine reached across the table and gripped Theodosia’s hand. “Theo, I need more than
talk
. I need action!”
    “What did you have in mind?” asked Theodosia. “You need some help planning a memorial service or . . . ?”
    Delaine did a double take, popping her eyes wide open and dropping her lower jaw. “Are you serious?” she screeched. “I want you to do what you
always
do. Snoop around, ask questions, figure things out! Help clear my good name!”
    “You’re saying you want me to investigate?” said Theodosia.
    “Yes! Of course!” Delaine gave a quick glance around. “Did I just walk into a parallel universe or something? That’s what you’re
good
at!”
    “Not really,” said Theodosia.
    “You are!” said Delaine. “You’ve figured out crimes before!” She tapped an index finger against her head. “So we need to put your smarts to work on this!”
    “But who exactly would I investigate?” asked Theodosia, knowing she was treading on eggshells.
    “Simone, of course!” spat out Delaine. “Dougan’s skanky ex-girlfriend. Really, Theo, the woman hates me. No, let me rephrase that, she
despises
me!”
    “I somehow doubt that,” said Theodosia.
    But Delaine thought otherwise. “It
had
to be Simone who gave Dougan the drugs. She knew he’d had a minor flirtation with them a couple of years ago.”
    Theodosia tried to get a word in. “But why would she . . . ?”
    “Simone was obviously trying to appeal to Dougan at a weak moment,” said Delaine. “She was trying to get him high and