Free THE DEEP END by Julie Mulhern

don’t suppose she was murdering Madeline?”
    “No.” I shook my head. “Not during a club party.” I hadn’t learned much. If Henry and Madeline had been at Club K with Prudence then Kitty might have arrived late.
    We fell silent as Frank put our food in front of us.
    “I’m a suspect in Madeline’s murder.”
    “How thrilling,” said Jinx. “Quit kicking me!”
    Daisy raised a brow and Libba looked guilty.
    “It’s not thrilling. It’s terrifying. I need to find out if Kitty or Prudence had anything to do with it.”
    “Well…” Jinx paused for effect. “I heard Prudence has been having some financial troubles.”
    We all stared at her. Prudence’s divorce settlement was legendary. Jinx examined her manicure.
    “Spill,” Libba demanded.
    Jinx held her hand out and tilted it until the light caught the sheen on her nails then her lips curled into a smile. “Sally Watkins asked her to go to Vail in August and she said she couldn’t afford it.”
    More likely she couldn’t afford to leave Henry alone with Madeline and Kitty. But now—
    Madeleine was dead and Kitty wasn’t real competition for my husband’s undivided attention.
    “I love Vail,” said Daisy.
    “Focus.” Libba tapped the edge of the table with the tip of her finger. “We’re not talking about vacations we’re talking about—Ouch!”
    “Prudence,” Jinx said, her voice was unnaturally loud, “I was just telling the girls how disappointed Sally was that you couldn’t go to Vail with her.” She offered up a polite smile.
    Prudence’s smile was less cordial. Narrowed eyes, a curled lip, and a laser beam glare don’t make for polite. “Really? Perhaps you should go. I’m sure Alan wouldn’t miss you.”
    It was a weak jab. Alan would miss Jinx like crazy.
    “What brings you to the club, Prudence?” I asked. It sounded so much nicer than what I was thinking— What do you want, you bony-assed harpy?
    “Just lunch,” she replied then she caught the tip of her finger between her teeth and tilted her head to the side. “Ellison, I’m trying to get hold of Henry. The bank says he’s not in today.” She removed the finger from her mouth and attempted a smile. “Do you know where I might reach him?” I’d believe vinegar. Honey, especially honey from Prudence, made me nervous.
    “What do you want with Ellison’s husband?” Libba asked.
    Prudence’s smile disappeared. “I’m buying an apartment in New York. Henry’s handling the loan.”
    As lies went, it wasn’t half bad. But Henry’s bank didn’t loan outside its footprint.
    “He told Grace he was going to New York. Maybe he’s working on your loan from there.”
    “Really?” She looked as if she’d just swallowed a whole bottle of cod liver oil. “New York? If you talk to him, would you have him call me? Please?”
    Across the table, Libba choked on a sip of wine.
    Prudence really was unbelievable. I shook my head. “Your best bet is to leave a message at the bank.”
    She opened her mouth as if she meant to speak but Frank appeared with a large tray of food. “Who has the club sandwich?” he asked.
    “Me.” Libba waved at him.
    Prudence attempted another smile. Did she honestly think she was fooling any of us? We were more likely to believe she’d shot a twenty-seven on the back nine than that she’d suddenly become pleasant.
    “Please, Ellison. If you hear from him?”
    I gave her a smile as sincere as the one she’d offered me then nodded.
    “Thank you.” She turned and marched out of the dining room.
    We waited until luncheon was served and Frank disappeared back into the kitchen before saying a word.
    “She did it,” said Jinx. “I feel it in my bones. She killed Madeline. You should tell the police about her and Henry.”
    “And Kitty,” Libba offered.
    “And Madeline,” Daisy added.
    I brought my wine glass to my lips. Telling Detective Jones about Prudence and Kitty meant telling him all about Henry’s preferences—that he