Free Buried Bones by Carolyn Haines Page A

her name. He saw it as an opportunity to help her."
    "Why?" The question popped out. Brianna Rathbone wasn't a woman who elicited my sympathy. She was a very wealthy woman, if not in her own right, then by inheritance. Layton Rathbone was a millionaire many times over.
    Madame went to the decanter and tipped a splash of liquor into her glass. "I tried to tell him that she wasn't to be trusted. Now, if she has the manuscript, she'll publish it. I know she will. She'll ruin anyone who gets in her way. We have to get it back."
    We were back at the original point. Madame had grown short of breath as she talked. I went to her and eased her down into a chair. What she said made just enough sense to trigger my neck-crepe reaction. The flesh at the back of my neck was prickling and drawing, a very unladylike behavior.
    The doorbell chimed and I knew it was Harold. I started to the door as Madame's small hand caught my wrist in a grip that would have done Charles Atlas proud.
    "You have to get the manuscript back," she said, "and then prove that Brianna Rathbone is a killer."
    Staring into her black eyes, I could only swallow. Madame had always been demanding, rigid, passionate, and suffered no fools. But I'd never seen such iron as I did in her gaze.
    The bell chimed again and she released me, but her eyes held me firmly in place.
    "There's a lot at stake, Sarah Booth. Whatever you do, don't mention this to another living soul. Promise me.
    "Not a word." I turned to go to the door, shaken by Madame's naked determination. Sweetie Pie almost bowled me over as she hurried forward. This time there were no growls, only a metronome tail that was as dangerous as a swinging blackjack. She whined fetchingly at the door.
    "Harold," I said, opening the door, trying hard to sidestep Sweetie's baton tail. No matter how many times I greeted him, I was surprised by his handsomeness. His gray wool suit was perfectly tailored, offset with a red Christmas tie that sported a blinking tree. Odd that the foolish tie clip only made him look more distinguished. And desirable.
    "Sweetie." He swept the dog into a big bear hug. "And nice to see you, too, Sarah Booth," he added as he stood and took my hand. His ice-blue eyes danced.
    We hadn't made it past the doorway when Madame entered the foyer, her hood back in place, her face partially concealed.
    "Good evening, Harold," she said before she turned to me. "Remember, Sarah Booth, I'm counting on you." She swept past us into the night, leaving a palpable void of silence.
    "She's upset," I said, opting for the Daddy's Girl tactic of obvious understatement. This would, hopefully, put Harold in the position of assuming the tower-of-strength pose, which would then make him forget to wonder about Madame's presence in my home and her strange remark.
    "
Lawrence
's death is a tragedy," Harold said as he stepped inside. "I'm certain she's devastated. They were best friends."
    I cast a keen glance at Harold. He sounded downright emotional. "How about a drink?" I led the way into the parlor.
    Harold stopped at the threshold, an abrupt movement that sent Sweetie Pie crashing into the backs of his knees. Red and green neon pulsed, washing him in rhythmic light. "Very nice," he said. "Very Elvis."
    It was the perfect description. "Thanks." It hadn't occurred to me, but music was what I needed. I pulled out Mother's 45 of "Blue Christmas."
    "Ah, Sarah Booth," Harold said with a grin. "Let's dance."
    Though I'd never admit it to Jitty, Harold's stock rose once again in my eyes as he settled a firm hand on my back. He held me tight and slipped into movement with the music. It was exactly what I needed. By the time we left Dahlia House half an hour later, I'd forgotten Madame and her demands. It was Christmas Day, or the last few hours of it. A tiny bit of celebration wasn't unwarranted.
    We carried our festive mood into the car and along for the drive. Harold's Christmas decorations were unexpected. Candles in red and green