Free Murder in the Pearl District (Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Series Book 5) by Dianne Harman Page B

been a pleasure to
meet you. I look forward to seeing your show and Mitch, it was nice to see you
again,” Kelly said as she struggled to keep from sounding sarcastic. Willing
herself to smile and appear happy, she walked back to the kitchen.
    I better tell Sophie about
the TV show before she hears it from someone else. With her quick temper, I
also better be prepared to keep her from going out to Mitch and Chef DuBois’
table and telling them what she thinks of them once she hears the news.
    “Sophie, can you come into
the office for a moment? I need to talk to you.”
    A few minutes later Kelly
and Sophie were sitting in the office while Kelly took several slow and
deliberate sips of water from the glass on the desk. She reached down and
petted Rebel, who had decided the carpeted office floor was much more inviting
than the concrete slab by the back door. After pausing for a few more moments
she related her recent conversation with Mitch and Chef DuBois. Sophie’s
reaction was exactly what she predicted - instantaneous and explosive with
anger. Her hands flew to her heart and her eyes narrowed as she said in a voice
filled with anger, “ Mon Dieu!   How dare Mitch besmirch Donatella’s name
by hiring that sleazy chef. I don’t think he’s even French. I’ve noticed his
accent is completely wrong when he pronounces certain words.”
    “Look Sophie, there’s
nothing we can do except hope his show is a big flop, but from what Mitch’s
ex-wife told me this afternoon, Mitch needs the show to be a big success, or he
might have to declare bankruptcy and lose the television station. Did Donatella
ever mention that to you?”
    “No, but she was a very
private woman. What are you thinking?”
    “I’m thinking that maybe
Mitch’s attentiveness to Donatella was based less on his attraction to her and
more on his need to save his television station. Maybe he saw her as the way to
do it.”
    “ Non . That can’t
be. If it’s true, I’m certain that Donatella didn’t know that’s how he felt.
She was a very high-minded woman, and if she even suspected the only reason for
Mitch’s attentiveness was because he needed her to help him financially, she
wouldn’t have allowed their relationship to continue. She really didn’t need to
do it for the money. I think George Mitchell made that perfectly clear today.
Remember, he told us she had numerous assets. No, I’m sure she never suspected
that he possibly didn’t really love her.”
    “I need to put the
receipts from the bar and the reception desk in the floor safe. Thankfully, we
only have a couple more hours, and we can go to your house and get some rest. I
honestly don’t remember ever being this tired.”
    “Nico and I have a few
more things to discuss about tomorrow. I also need to make some notes on things
I need to do tomorrow like alert the newspapers about the change in ownership,
and then I’ll be ready to go home. Carlotta and Nico can probably handle
anything that comes up, and they’re used to locking up.” She looked at her
watch. “Let’s plan on leaving in half an hour.”
    “Fine. I’ll meet you in
the office.” As she made her way towards the front of the restaurant to collect
the day’s receipts, she had a sinking feeling in her stomach knowing she would
have to call Mike as soon as she and Sophie returned to her home.
    Today has been a day of
putting out one fire after another and the biggest fire of all is yet to come.
I promised Mike I wouldn’t get involved in trying to solve Donatella’s murder,
but I don’t think I have a choice. I’ve already discovered a number of people
who have motives for killing her, and I’d like to run them by him. After all,
he’s a sheriff and knows a lot more about solving crimes than I do. Mike isn’t
going to like it, but he’ll probably understand. At least I sure hope so, and
if he doesn’t, then I’ll just have to cross my fingers behind my back and tell
him a little white lie.

CHAPTER