The Big Chili by Julia Buckley Read Free Book Online Page B

repair my hairdo in front of the mirror. I patted it into place and reclipped it, then smiled at myself for encouragement. Two more hours.
    Back in the kitchen I handed out a couple more brochures and placed the cookies that had been cooling on the stove on a serving platter, which I set on the kitchen island. You can always tell the sugar lovers, because no matter where they are, they seem to sense that chocolate is available nearby. A few of them drifted into the kitchen now, pretending to be examining the cabinetry.
    â€œPlease, help yourself to a cookie,” I said. They all did, and then they disappeared, validating my theory.
    I smiled, and the bell jangled, and there was Jay Parker,tall and dark, his blue eyes shining under the foyer skylight. My mouth opened in surprise, and I walked toward him.
    â€œUh—hello,” I said.
    He looked surprised, too. “Oh—Lilah. You did say you worked in real estate, didn’t you?” His eyes were distracted, scanning the room before they came back to me.
    â€œYes, I did. What a surprise to find you here.”
    A little smile escaped him. “You look good in that outfit. Sort of like a stewardess from the seventies.”
    I ignored this, although the heat in my face meant that I was blushing, which made me sort of angry at Jay Parker. “Did you want a brochure?”
    His face turned cop-like again. “I want Hank Dixon. Is he here?”
    â€œOh yes—he and Tammy. He went to look at the circuit board and the finished basement.”
    â€œPoint me to the basement, please?”
    I pointed, and Parker went, leaving a trace of his scent—soap and sandalwood.
    By the time Tammy wandered back downstairs, Jay Parker was leading Hank Dixon toward the door. Dixon called up to her. “Tam—take the keys. I need you to drive the car home, okay? They want to ask me some questions at the station.”
    Tammy stomped down the stairs and marched up to Parker, her eyes sparking. “What is this all about? If you have questions for Hank, you can ask them with our attorney present. And I do not believe he has to go with you—unless you are, in fact, charging him with a crime?”
    Parker raised his eyebrows at her, as did many of the people milling around the room. “No, ma’am, we are not charging him with a crime. But we would like to speak with himat the station, and you can certainly have your lawyer there if you wish.”
    Tammy’s hands trembled with anger—or some other emotion—as she retrieved her wallet from her purse and selected a white business card. “I will be calling her right now. And you can bet your sweet bippy that she will be furious with the way you have conducted yourself here.”
    Hank Dixon, to my surprise, was laughing. “Okay, Tam, calm down.” He turned to Parker. “She’s a little spitfire.”
    â€œIt would seem so,” said Jay Parker. “I’ll go start the car.” He sent an intense blue gaze in my direction and then walked out.
    Tammy kissed Dixon as though he were being taken to the electric chair, and the moment he was out of the house she burst into tears. I went to her and patted her arm. “Tammy, it’s okay. I’m pretty sure they just want to talk to him. I mean, they have to eliminate all of the obvious suspects, and he’s the ex-husband.”
    I kept my voice calm, and she nodded, wiping at her nose with one well-manicured hand. “I know. I’m sorry I made a scene.” She glared around at the people who were still staring, then sighed raggedly. “I guess I’d better get home. I’ll—I’ll see you around, Lilah.”
    â€œOkay.”
    I watched her walk forlornly to her car, a cell phone pressed against her ear. She certainly seemed devoted to her fiancé. I wondered if that meant that she would kill for him.
    Where had that thought come from? How silly to suspect a girl like