Terror in Taffeta by Marla Cooper Read Free Book Online Page B

difference if I go back today or tomorrow or next week, even.”
    I laughed, wiping the tears out of my eyes. “Next week? God, I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
    â€œYou know what I mean. I don’t have anywhere I have to be. That’s the beauty of being self-employed. I can catch up on work stuff here as easily as anywhere else.”
    â€œYou mean it?” I felt about a hundred pounds lighter already.
    â€œI’ve already checked out of my hotel, though, so it would be great if I could move into one of these empty rooms.”
    â€œOh, Brody!” I flung my arms around him. “You’re amazing. I have to call the rental agency to see if we can stay, but we’ll figure something out. Consider me your own private travel agent. And when you find Mr. Right, I’ll plan your wedding for free.”
    â€œWell, that kind of goes without saying.”
    Calling the rental company proved easy enough. The next guests weren’t arriving until Friday, which gave us a few extra days to figure everything out. It was ours—for a price, of course, but I wasn’t the one paying the bills, so what did I care?
    â€œFeel free to charge us double for the inconvenience,” I generously offered the rental agent.
    â€œNo es necesario, señora,” he replied. “It’s no trouble at all.”
    â€œOh, I insist.”
    Next on my list was Evan, who was already at the airport, waiting for us to arrive.
    â€œHi, you on your way?” he asked. “We need to leave, like, now if we’re going to make it to Mexico City in time for your flight.”
    â€œWe have a situation,” I said. “We can’t leave yet.”
    â€œWhat? Why not?”
    â€œBecause it would land us in a Mexican prison,” I replied. “We kind of lost a bridesmaid while we were here.”
    â€œHow do you lose a bridesmaid?”
    â€œWell, not lost like ‘look under the bed’ lost. You remember Dana? The late arrival you picked up the other night?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œShe’s dead.”
    â€œWhat? What happened?”
    â€œWe don’t know yet. They’re looking into it.”
    â€œThat’s horrible! Is there anything I can do?”
    â€œI hope so. I’m not sure when we’re going to be able to leave. Is there any way we can reschedule?”
    â€œOf course. My calendar’s pretty flexible this week. I have some flights to make, but that’s the beauty of being your own boss.”
    â€œThank you, Evan. I really owe you one.” I relaxed a little.
    â€œI do have one condition.”
    â€œWe’ll pay you double—it’s no problem.” I was starting to enjoy running up a tab for Mrs. Abernathy. They could afford it. Perhaps I’d insist on luxury gift baskets for the house staff to make up for the inconvenience of dead bodies and histrionic guests.
    â€œYou’re going out with me tonight.”
    â€œEvan—”
    â€œNo excuses. You can’t possibly be booked up since you weren’t even supposed to be here.”
    â€œI don’t think I’d be very good company.”
    â€œWhat are you going to do, sit home and stew? You need some distraction.”
    â€œNo way. You’re a pilot. They’d probably arrest me for trying to leave the country.”
    â€œI have some friends down at the police department. What if I clear it with them first? Would that make you feel better?”
    â€œEvan…”
    â€œKelsey.”
    â€œOkay, fine.” At least it would give me an excuse to get away from my clients for a bit. Besides, Brody would be thrilled.
    â€œI’ll pick you up at seven.”
    â€œOkay, see you then.”
    Brody looked at me expectantly as I hung up the phone. “Well? What did he say?”
    â€œThat I’m going out with him tonight, apparently.”
    â€œWhat? Get out! That’s great.”
    â€œI thought you’d