Free The Language of Death (A Darcy Sweet Coy Mystery) by K.J. Emrick

bedroom doors all closed, the hallway full of things all neatly arranged.  A stack of books in one corner momentarily drew her attention and she went over to read the titles on their hardcover spines.
    One of the doors opened suddenly in front of her and Sami stepped out, her makeup streaked on her face behind her glasses.  Her black dress was cut a little too low to be proper for the occasion, Darcy thought, but it wasn't her place to judge.
    "Oh," Sami said, hastily shutting the door behind her.  Darcy caught a quick glimpse of a bed with a fluffy purple comforter similar to the one from her vision.  That had been Chloe's room when she had lived at home.  Darcy fondly remembered that purple had been Chloe’s favorite color.  "Sorry, I was looking for a place to be alone."
    "Not a problem," Darcy said, totally understanding.  "It's an emotional day for everyone."
    Sami nodded, another tear spilling over her cheek.  "Especially for Lorne.  I can't imagine what he's going through.  I told him earlier that I was around if he needed me."
    Darcy heard the extra meaning in those words.  Apparently Chloe hadn't been the only one carrying a torch for Lorne.  Sami fiddled with her fingers, then smoothed down the front of her dress, looking nervous.  "Darcy, could you do me a favor?" she finally asked.
    "Um.   Sure, if I can."  Darcy reminded herself that Sami was still a suspect, still a potential murderer, but the woman seemed so vulnerable right now it was hard to imagine she had done anything except hold a secret crush on a guy who was already spoken for.  Besides, this was a great opportunity to find out any information she could.  "Tell me what you need.  We were all Chloe’s friends.  We should help each other out any way we can, right?"
    Sami seemed to brighten when she heard that.  "Right.  That's right.  Veronica didn't seem to think so, but we were all friends of Chloe's.  She didn't seem to think anyone else had any right to Chloe but her.  I always felt like I was intruding on their girl's night out, like Veronica wanted to keep Chloe all to herself…" 
    She caught herself, her mouth in a little round circle.  "Oh.  Um.  That's not what I meant to say.  You knew Lorne back in college.  Could you…I mean, if you think the timing is right could you…"  She stopped, then started again in a rush.  "Could you let him know that he doesn't have to give up on life?  He doesn't need to be alone.  Let him know that Chloe wasn't the only one willing to share her life with him."
    Darcy didn't know what to say, so she just nodded her head, not really committing to anything, not saying yes or no.  Sami took it as a yes, though, and gave Darcy a quick hug before scurrying off down the stairs.
    ***
    Darcy considered whether she should tell Lorne about her encounter with Sami.  She had to find him, first, and sharing what she'd found out about Chloe's death had to come before anything else.  Taking a small plate of crackers and cheese she mingled around from living room to kitchen and then down to the room where the washer and dryer stood silently amid a group of chatting people.  Where was he?  On her way back she finally spotted him talking with Betsy and Kevin.  Catching his eye, she motioned for him to come outside with her.
    Two steps towards the door, she stopped.  She still had the stupid plate of snack foods in her hand.  The living room was packed with people, and she didn't see anywhere to put the plate, so she brought it with her out to the kitchen while Lorne slipped outside.  He nodded as he left, letting her know that he'd wait for her.
    In the kitchen, she dumped her untouched food into the garbage bin and went to leave her plate in the sink.  For the moment, everyone had drifted away from this room to join conversations elsewhere.  She almost ran into Danson, standing by the sink, pouring himself a cup of water from the tap.  He'd put on a gray suitcoat for the service,