The Icing on the Corpse by Liz Mugavero Read Free Book Online

cat. So next, I have a pork-based meal, a venison meal, and a salmon one I’m going to package for the cats. That should give me enough for the grand opening. And I’m making one of the pork ones tonight. I thought about trying some kidney beans or chick peas, but that’s an experiment.”
    The doorbell rang. Maybe Jake was back? Scruffy bolted toward the front door, always eager to be the welcoming committee. “Want to brew some hot water for the tea?” she asked Brenna. “I’ll get the door.”
    Henry trotted behind her down the hall. It wasn’t Jake. Stan pulled open the door. “Mom. Hi.”
    Patricia was alone at least. That was a plus. But she didn’t look happy. She frowned at Stan. “I need to talk to you.”

Chapter 6
    Patricia Connor swept into the hallway the way only a woman of her social status could sweep, but her practiced movement stumbled when Scruffy bounced up and pawed her knee. Stan immediately pulled the dog back—it wouldn’t do to get dog hairs on her mother’s outfit. Patricia wore a long, impeccably cut black wool coat and matching hat. She looked like she was about to go out on the town. Manhattan, not Frog Ledge.
    Stan so needed to get used to this. Before a few months ago, she saw her mother maybe twice a year, even though she lived only an hour away. Frog Ledge was not a place her mother, a Rhode Island socialite of the highest order, would have touched with a ten-foot pole in other circumstances. Now, thanks to her new love, she practically lived here. Stan had been trying extremely hard to look at her mother differently and improve their relationship. Her low opinion of Mayor Falco didn’t help.
    â€œSure.” Stan stifled a sigh. She nudged the dogs back and closed the door behind her mother. “Come on in. I was just making tea.”
    Patricia eyed Henry with suspicion. Henry lumbered over and sniffed her, his tail wagging hopefully.
    â€œQuit giving Henry that look, Mom. You know the drill. He’s the nicest dog you’ll ever meet.” She hated when people—especially her own mother—showed bias to her dog because of his breed. Henry was a sweetie.
    â€œI know you tell me that, sweetheart. It’s just that you read so many terrible things about pit bulls—I know, I know.” Patricia held up a hand as Stan opened her mouth. “You’re going to be angry at me.”
    â€œNot angry, just disappointed. Nikki would give you an earful if she was here. I’ve told you a million times, Henry’s an awesome dog. Think of his breed as ‘rescue’ instead of pit bull. That goes for both the dogs.” Stan’s best friend, Nikki Manning, ran a dog transport group that saved animals from death row down South. She was also the fiercest animal advocate Stan knew—and she wasn’t afraid to get into fistfights if that’s what it took. Defending pit bulls was one of her favorite pastimes. Nikki was responsible for both Stan’s dogs, and Stan wouldn’t trade them for anything.
    â€œYes, I know. Fine, you’re right, I’m sorry.” Patricia took her coat off and held it high in the air as Nutty appeared, twining his way around her heels. Stan bit her lip to keep a giggle back. Her animals had an innate ability to aggravate her mother. She loved it.
    â€œI’ll take your coat,” she offered.
    Patricia hesitated. Stan rolled her eyes. “I’ll put it somewhere it won’t get furry.”
    â€œThank you.” She handed it over after tucking her hat into the sleeve, then smoothed her sleek, silvery blond hair back into place. “Now. Shall we?”
    Stan led the way down the hall, feeling like the Pied Piper—the pets followed single file and her mother brought up the rear. She paused to tuck her mother’s coat safely into the coat closet she hardly ever bothered to use, then continued into the kitchen. Brenna