Free To Love and To Perish by Laura Durham Page A

connects both of the deaths is you.”

Chapter 13
    â€œWhat about the rest of us?” Richard’s voice crackled through my cell phone.
    â€œYou’re upset that two murders aren’t linked to you as well?” I rubbed my temples and ducked behind a mannequin wearing a pink cocktail-length bridesmaid’s dress.
    Kate and I were meeting a bride and her mother at Promise bridal salon for the final fitting, and we’d arrived early. The bright and cheery salon had glass walls on two sides overlooking busy Wisconsin Avenue, one of the arteries that ran straight through the city. A wall of white billowing wedding gowns lined a back wall, and some of the most dramatic dresses stood on mannequins in the windows. Glass display cases held an impressive array of jeweled tiaras, feathered combs, and designer bridal shoes. There was even a display of trendy bridesmaids’ gifts ranging from monogrammed makeup bags to preppy totes.
    â€œDon’t be absurd,” Richard said. “I just don’tknow why they think the only common element in both deaths is you. You didn’t find the bodies alone.”
    â€œI’m not the only link. They warned Kate, too. She was there both times as well.” I sighed. “I promise never to stumble onto another corpse without you.”
    â€œAt least you could have called me immediately. I had to hear it from our secretary who heard it from Gail’s assistant.”
    â€œGail has an assistant? I thought she used Byron as her assistant.”
    â€œYou’re missing my point, Annabelle.”
    â€œFine. I’m sorry I didn’t let you know right away. It won’t happen again.”
    Richard sniffed. “Apology accepted. I’m only concerned about your well-being, you know.”
    â€œYou hate getting scooped.”
    â€œYou wound me, darling. After all the sacrifices I’ve made for you.”
    I rolled my eyes. I could imagine the manufactured tears welling up in his eyes. “Oh, jeez.”
    â€œDid you roll your eyes at me?”
    â€œHere they come,” Kate called from across the salon. I looked out the glassed front of the salon and saw a pair of petite blondes approaching in long caramel-colored fur coats.
    â€œI have to go, Richard. Are we still on for dinner tonight?”
    â€œWell, I suppose so. But if you stumble onto another violent crime and get so busy that you forget to call me, don’t worry. I’ll understand.” If he got any more dramatic he’d have to get a slot on late night TV.
    â€œI’ll see you then.” I flipped my phone shut and dropped it in my purse as the glass doors opened and Lady Margaret and Kitty Winchester made their entrance.
    Lady Margaret Winchester and her mother, Kitty, were from Dallas and looked every bit the part. They had matching blond, bouffant hairdos that a wind tunnel wouldn’t budge and perfectly applied makeup. They were the only people I knew who would dare to wear real fur in such a politically correct city.
    Kate rushed forward to greet them, and I prayed that she wouldn’t curtsy. It had taken a bit of convincing for Kate to believe that “Lady” wasn’t a title but a first name not uncommon in the South. I had to agree, though, if there was American royalty, the Dallas born and bred Winchesters would be it.
    â€œDo forgive us for being late.” Kitty’s voice dripped slow and thick like molasses as she handed her coat to Kate. She wore a stunning blue suit that probably cost more than I made in a month, and her ears glittered with enormous sapphire and diamond earrings. “I hope you weren’t waiting too long.”
    â€œNot at all,” I said. I stepped forward to help Kate with the mound of fur draped over her. I took one of the coats and hung it on the coatrack by the door as Jessica, the stylish young salon owner, appeared. Jessica wore a fuchsia dress with a narrow belt and a knee-length bell