Death in Reel Time by Brynn Bonner Page B

tepid smile. “Tony stepped in. Glad you could make it.”
    â€œGood, that’s good,” she said, settling back in place and unfolding her napkin. She had her head down and her movements were strangely slow and measured. Esme and I exchanged looks. Something wasn’t right.
    The conversation resumed and Daniel went to the kitchen to get Beth’s plate. As he put it in front of her hebent down to whisper in her ear. She squeezed her eyes shut and nodded. I assumed he was asking her if she was okay. I also assumed she was lying through her teeth when she indicated she was.
    In contrast to the rest of us, who did everything but pick up our plates and lick them, Beth pecked at her food, frowning occasionally as if she’d tasted something odd. I wondered if she’d actually been the one who hadn’t wanted to invest in Daniel’s restaurant because she didn’t like his food. If that was the case, she had buckshot for taste buds.
    We lingered for a while over dinner and Beth excused herself from the table twice. She seemed unsteady on her feet and I saw Olivia’s worried gaze follow as she left the room each time.
    Daniel invited us to retire to the living room for dessert and coffee—key lime pie and a chocolate almond torte, which made me sorely regret not planning ahead and saving room for both.
    The doorbell rang as we were filing in. Olivia was already seated and Daniel and Tony were both carrying trays, so Esme went to answer the door.
    I heard her voice take on a particular lilt and I detoured to the front hall.
    â€œCouldn’t stay away, could you?” Esme said to the visitor. “You were invited as my plus-one, you know, and you said you couldn’t make it. You missed a fine, fine dinner, but you can still join us for dessert.”
    The door opened wider and I saw Detective Denton Carlson of the Morningside Police Department standing on the front porch. Denny is a very large African-Americanman and one of the few around who could be a match for Esme, in size and in many other ways as well. They’d been dating for more than a year now, though she still refused to call it that. According to her they were just “passing time” together. Esme’s an independent woman, sometimes to a fault.
    â€œHey,” I called. “I thought you were on duty tonight.”
    â€œI am,” he said with a sigh. “Sorry, Esme, I’m not here to see you, though I’m always happy at the sight of you.” He gave her a half smile. “Is Bethany Branch here?”
    â€œYes, she’s in here,” I said, jerking a thumb back over my shoulder.
    â€œI need to see her,” Denny said, stepping across the threshold, his big body filling the doorway. “It’s official business, I’m sad to say.”
    He walked purposefully to the archway into the living room, Esme and I trailing behind him. Everyone looked up, smiling, and then the smiles faded, one by one, as they took in the look on his face.
    He nodded a general greeting, scanning the room until his eyes lit on Beth and locked. “Beth, could I have a word with you in private?” he asked.
    She looked back at him and seemed to have trouble bringing him into focus.
    â€œWhy would you want to do that?” she asked.
    â€œBad news, I’m afraid,” he said. “I really need to speak with you.”
    She didn’t move and didn’t seem to comprehend what she’d been asked to do.
    I could see he was deciding whether to push further toget her alone. Finally he walked over and pulled a chair in front of her. He sat, his knees almost touching hers, and took her hand.
    â€œIt’s your husband, Beth. There’s been an incident. I’m so sorry to have to tell you this, but Blaine’s dead.”

five
    A SHOCKED SILENCE FELL OVER the room and for the first time I realized what people mean when they say it was as if time stood still. Beth stared at