Free Dead Hot Shot (Loon Lake Fishing Mysteries) by Victoria Houston Page B

guess they grew up together.” Karen gave a sudden snort. “If you ask me, there’s a reason it’s always the same crowd — these are the only people I know who can get along with the woman.”
    “And what does that mean?” said Lew, looking up from her notepad.
    “Nolan Reece is not easy to be around. Sure she’s smart and wealthy and all that but she’s — she’s difficult.”
    “A bully? A know-it-all?” Osborne prodded. “‘Difficult’ can mean a lot of things, Karen.”
    “Well.,” Karen pursed her lips as she considered the question, “not sure quite how to put this, but she is — I mean was — always watching with this critical eye. And, brother, you do something the least bit wrong and she was in your face. She about ripped the head off their caretaker yesterday morning just ‘cause he was blowing leaves and a few landed on one of those expensive cars of theirs. You’d of thought he’d shot one of the dogs or something.
    Poor guy. And he thought he was doing her a favor.
    “Then she went off on me because I wasn’t washing the lettuce right. That kind of behavior wasn’t unusual either. Frankly, if I didn’t need the business — ” Karen rolled her eyes.
    “She sounds insufferable,” said Osborne. The “critical eye” comment had resonated with him. Why hadn’t he seen that in Mary Lee before he married her? Thirty years of walking on eggshells — thank goodness those days were over.
    “Yes and no — some people get along with her just fine. They know how to handle her. Sorry, guess I should say they knew how to handle her.” Karen wrinkled her forehead in apology. “Hard to believe she’s not here anymore.”
    “You said her lawyer, her stockbroker, her best friend,” said Lew. “What about Mr. Reece? Aren’t these people also his friends?”
    “I’d say they’re friends of the family. But he’s odd.”
    “Now that you really have to define, Karen,” said Osborne with a light chuckle. “Living here in the northwoods, you and I both know many folks who might be described as ‘odd.’”
    Karen gave a quick glance towards the side door before answering.
    “It’s okay,” he reassured her. “I’m keeping an eye out.”
    “Andy Reece — and I think it’s weird how he insists you call him by his first name even if you don’t really know him — is s-o-o-o quiet. He’s like a ghost in the house. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that man smile and he’s always on his computer or watching ESPN2 in the den with the door closed — at least as far as I can tell.
    “The few times he’s come into the kitchen when Nolan is there, she stops what she’s doing and stares at him until he leaves. Once she told me she hated him. The way she said it, she wasn’t kidding.” Karen threw her hands up. “How’s that for a happy family?”
    “Did she say this recently — about hating her husband?”
    “When I was here on the Fourth of July. Not that long ago.”
    “Let’s go back to the people at the party last night. You made the comment these people are the only ones who knew how to get along with — ”
    “Please,” said Karen, one hand up as if to stop the conversation, “keep in mind I’m only telling you what I’ve observed during cocktails and dinner on a few occasions. I’m a small town girl, my opinion is hardly expert.”
    “I realize that,” said Lew. “But you’re helping Dr. Osborne and myself understand the dynamics here. And we’ll be talking to other people — so, go on, tell us what you think.”
    “I told you she was critical. The other thing is you cannot disagree with her. That’s just asking for trouble. So, like last night? She was the center of attention and everyone seemed happy to sit back and let her run the show. That’s how it always is. And why shouldn’t they do things her way? I’m sure she pays them well.
    “Of course, if you’re the hired help and not a lawyer or a stockbroker then it’s a different story.