Page 13 of Murder on Charity Lane

“His favorite drink,” CJ explained to me. “Amaretto and Maker’s Mark. Frank, this is Sophie and her boyfriend, Nicholas. She works with the New Vic.”

“And I am Karina DeYoung,” the pink-bedecked woman said, “since CJ didn’t introduce me. I suppose you’re another World of Goods superfan?”

I nodded. “Yes, of course, very much so.”

“Of course,” she repeated, sipping her white wine. “Though if you work in the arts, you must wish that some of that funding trickled your direction?”

“Trickled? Hm…” I pretended to ponder. “Not exactly, no. As long as I’m wishing, I’ll wish for a whole monsoon.”

When Karina laughed, I saw the beauty in her. “Yes, wealth should be enjoyed. You’ll go far with that attitude. Now! Why don’t you grab a glass of wine. If you prefer red, I recommend the Andremily Mourvèdre.”

I didn’t know what either of those words meant, but I said, “I’ll try that, thank you.”

CJ put her hand on Frank’s shoulder. “Another stiff nut?”

“You know he’s had enough,” Karina told her.

That sounded like our cue to retreat, so I pulled Nicholas toward the buffet. I asked the caterer for two glasses of “Andromeda Moorsomething,” and she didn’t bat an eye before uncorking a new bottle and pouring us glasses.

7

OCEAN

Ocean smiled at the inside of the fridge. She smiled at the eggs and the yogurt and the blueberries. Standing there like a lovestruck child, the cool air on her face, thinking about CJ texting to say she’d miss her at the party tonight.

She really liked CJ. Sure, she was too young and bright, but she lightened her world. The older Ocean got, the more she understood why men chased younger women. She still didn’t approve, but she understood.

When a knock sounded at the door, she stopped smiling and turned to find Mrs. B stepping into her cottage.

“There you are!” Mrs. B said, pointing her phone at Ocean.

“Shockingly in my own house?”

“I need you to text CJ for me.”

“She’s at that party you sent Sophie to.”

“Exactly!”

Ocean took Mrs. B’s phone. “Why do you need me to do it? I know you know how to text.”

“Texting is undignified.” Mrs. B sat at the counter wearing a jade-green caftan with layers of gold jewelry she’d collected over the years. “Tap tap tapping away.”

“Oh, so I should do it?”

“Exactly.”

“Have you been in your gummies again?”

“Absolutely not! And I resent the implication.”

“Uh-huh. So can I interest you in a snack?”

“My gummies are a snack! My favorite is boysenberry.” She gave Ocean a loopy smile. “You’d prefer girlsenberry. Speaking of which, how are things with CJ?”

“She’s okay.”

“Ha! Ha-ha! I see that smile in your eyes! Good for you, you should be happy after that woman.”