Page 14 of Murder on Charity Lane

“You can say my ex-wife’s name.”

“Yes, but why bother? Now, then. I’m Golda Bakofsky’s daughter.”

Ocean blinked at her. “What’re you babbling about, you mad old woman?”

“I mean text that to CJ! Text her the words ‘I’m Golda Bakofsky’s daughter.’”

“Why?”

“So she knows who you are.”

Ocean gave Mrs. B a look, then sat beside her and tapped at her phone.

Mrs. B

Hello! I’m Golda Bakofsky’s daughter.

You may also know me as Ocean.

Mrs. B is dictating this to me while stoned,

for some reason

I can only apologize for whatever happens next.

“Good! Now ask if she met Nicholas at the party.”

Ocean did as instructed, and a minute later, CJ responded.

CJ

Hello! I am CJ. I believe I remember you from such occasions as our first kiss.

Yes, I met Nicholas. Nice guy.

“Text her ‘And handsome.’ Oh, wait, no, she’s already dating! I wonder how she stumbled into romance? We will never know! Surely, no angel of loving insight introduced her to the perfect girl!”

“Girl?” Ocean said.

“Crabby woman,” Mrs. B amended. “Let’s see, what do I want to say? Well, you know Nicholas is absolutely determined to get Sophie’s play produced? Ask CJ if anyone at the party likes to fund the dramatic arts?”

Mrs. B

The interfering old woman wants to know if anyone at the party ever funds local playwrights

Mrs. B

She’s looking over my shoulder and saying she is not interfering she is

Nurturing

She is a back-door texter

Now she’s saying she is not

A back-door texter

CJ