Free Take Stock in Murder by Millie Mack Page B

and pieces and give us the scoop, the whole scoop,” Pat demanded as Carrie nodded in agreement.
    “It was about two months ago. Just before the start of our Investment Club meeting. I was early, and I didn’t want a drink, and it was too cold to sit on the terrace. So I decided to go into the boardroom where we hold our meetings, to wait. I opened the door just a crack and peeked in, afraid I might be disturbing another meeting. Over in the corner, Todd and Marilyn were kissing.”
    “How do you know it wasn’t just a hello kiss?” Pat asked.
    “Because it wasn’t just one kiss. I’d describe what they were doing as…Well, in high school we called it ‘making out.’ You know, like two dogs in heat. They were all over each other.”
    Both women giggled at Delores’s description.
    “What happened when they saw you?” asked Carrie.
    “Actually, nothing. They never saw me. They were too involved with each other, so I quietly shut the door and retreated. I waited outside in the hallway until several of the other gals arrived. When we entered the boardroom, Todd and Marilyn were seated at opposite ends of the table as though nothing had happened.”
    Interesting
, Carrie thought. “What about Terry?” she asked.
    “I never actually saw Todd and Terry together, but I overheard a fight between Terry and Marilyn, discussing Todd. Marilyn found out that Todd broke a meeting with her to keep one with Terry.” She lowered her voice, as if someone might hear. “You know, Marilyn does have a bit of a temper when things don’t go her way.”
    “They seem to be best friends now,” Carrie said as she saw the women from team one laughing and enjoying each other’s company.
    “Yes, they do. But revenge can appear in other ways, you know.”
    “How so, Delores?” Pat asked.
    “My husband and Terry’s husband, Bill, were bidding on a very lucrative job from Marilyn’s husband. Both men submitted designs for Frank’s new office building for his law practice. Both men are excellent architects, but everyone thought Bill would get the job because of his personal friendship with Frank. I can tell you both John and I were surprised when he was awarded the contract.”
    “You think Marilyn influenced who got the job?”
    “Perhaps I’m supposing too much. But I know wives have tremendous influence on these types of decisions, especially when both firms are equal in design ability. After that incident, Terry decided for the sake of her marriage and her husband’s career to be nice to Marilyn. Or perhaps hers was an afternoon fling with Todd and not worth losing Marilyn’s friendship. Or perhaps it was nothing at all, and Frank liked my John’s design better.”
    “Fore!”
    All three turned to see the approach of a golf ball from the group behind them.
    “We better get going,” said Delores.

id anyone attend Todd’s funeral?” Pat Sloane asked the group when both teams were enjoying snacks and drinks back at the Clubhouse.
    “Jim and I went. I mean, aside from being personal friends of the Barringtons, Jim is the current president of the Club,” Judy said with pride as she brushed her sandy-colored hair from her eyes. “We felt it was our duty to represent the Club.”
    “Frank and I went,” Marilyn added.
    “We weren’t able to get to the funeral, but we sent flowers,” Delores said.
    “Us too,” chimed in all the other women at the table, including Carrie.
    “I guess it was difficult for the Barringtons to lose their youngest son,” Judy said. “Yes, it was sad. Mr. Barrington put on a strong showing, but Mrs. Barrington was visibly affected and heavily supported by Linda and Brad. The middle son, Kent, flew in from the West Coast. I think that helped her,and I understand he’ll be staying for a while. But she’s a strong woman, so she’ll come through just fine.”
    “Were there a lot of people attending?” Terry asked in a quiet voice as she took a long sip of her iced tea.
    “Oh, yes,