Wed and Buried by Mary Daheim Read Free Book Online Page B

somewhat reluctantly exchanged her cotton T-shirt and slacks for a navy summer suit. It was going to be too warm for long sleeves, but she didn’t want to look like a bum next to Renie.
    â€œIf we eat at the Naples, we can get free parking,” Judith pointed out as they drove through the neighborhood that boasted not only a few hotels, but most of the city’s hospitals and a number of older, elegant apartment houses. As Judith drove south through traffic, she could glimpse the downtown towers and the sparkling bay. A century ago. the city’s most affluent residents had lived in mansions on this hill. Only a handful remained, inexorably replaced by more modern, commercial enterprises. As the city swept upward from the harbor, the number of skyscrapers diminished, but this adjunct to the heart of town was an intriguing blend of old and new and somewhere in between. To Judith, it was a neighborhood that visibly marked time, from the late Victorian era to the high-tech glitz of the waning twentieth century.
    The courtyard of the Naples was one of the landmarks that hadn’t changed over the years. Indeed, the circular, narrow driveway had been built not for cars but to accommodate horse-drawn carriages. Judith gingerly eased the Subaru past the Italian fountain. As the valet parking attendant opened the door for her, she noticed that his nametag identified him as “Kobe.”
    â€œYou parked our car Friday night,” Judith said with a friendly smile. “It was a very old, very well kept red MG.”
    Kobe, who was young, outgoing, and a second- or third-generation Japanese-American, grinned in recollection. “That’s one sweet set of wheels. You don’t see too many like that any more.”
    â€œMy husband came down later to ask if you’d heard or seen anything odd,” Judith said. “He told me you hadn’t, but I was wondering if since then, you might have remembered at least some small detail that was unusual.”
    Kobe laughed. “I see lots of unusual stuff this time of year. First come the proms, then the weddings, next all the tourists. I’ve only worked here since the end of April, but every time I turn around, a limo pulls up or a bride and groom arrive or a bunch of people want me to help them spring a surprise party on their friends or relatives. It’s kind of a fun job, and it helps pay my tuition.”
    â€œYes, it sounds very nice,” Judith said resignedly. Apparently, Joe was right—Kobe hadn’t noticed anything peculiar. Judith explained that she and Renie would be lunching in the hotel, but had an errand to run first. Carefully walking downhill in their high heels, the cousinspassed the Naples, then turned towards the Belmont. To their astonishment, the old hostelry was a beehive of activity.
    Workmen were piling trash into two big dumpsters, a huge truck blocked the side street and was being loaded with furnishings, and a foreman was on a bullhorn, shouting orders to his men. Near the hotel entrance, a sign was being put up. Judith and Renie moved closer, to read the black-on-white lettering:
    DANGER—DEMOLITION SITE!!!
This structure will be demolished Friday, June 30.
    The notice went on to quote city codes and other details of the project. Apparently, the hotel site was going to be used for an addition to St. Fabiola’s Hospital, which was located on the opposite corner from the Naples. Judith took a deep breath and approached the foreman.
    â€œWhen was the hotel officially closed?” she asked.
    The man was wearing a nametag that said “Hector Pasqual.” His black eyes regarded Judith with vexation. “January first. The place was a fleabag.” He put the bullhorn to his mouth and shouted another order.
    The cousins tried to get out of the way, but it wasn’t easy with all the activity going on. Under the warm sun, clouds of dust swirled around the sidewalk. The noise was deafening, and