Swann Songs (The Boston Uncommon Mysteries Book 4) by Arlene Kay Page A
Authors: Arlene Kay
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appeared in the Globe. Duff deserved better.
“Did you get anything from Sonia?” I asked. “Information, that is. The way she clung to you, it looked like she`d give a lot more.”
Deming brightened. “Really? I didn`t notice. Besides, you`re too suspicious. Tell her, Mom.”
Anika laughed. “Some women are like that around men. Almost a reflex action. She tried the same thing with your father, you know. That poor Mr. Yeagan. It must be hard for him.”
“Besides, I didn`t stick around long enough to hear anything,” Deming said. “Keegan was chomping at the bit. Once I bowed out, he sent me packing.”
My feelings about Sonia were decidedly mixed. At the very least, she was a study in contrasts. For an outspoken feminist she wasn`t above flirting with any presentable male or capitalizing on her appearance. Talk about lookism!
“Sonia has enough cosmetics to open her own store,” I said. “Poor Duff scuttled around in that dank outfit while Sonia played the queen. No wonder things were rough between them.”
Anika nodded. “I noticed the same thing. The girl obviously adored Sonia, but the feeling was not mutual. Very empress to scullery maid. Maybe that explains everything.”
“Wait a minute,” Deming said. “What are you talking about?”
“The big question, of course. How did Duff ingest that throat rinse? It wasn`t hers, but somehow she used it.” I rapped him on the knuckles. “Keep up, or your mom and I will solve the damn thing while you stumble around in the dark.”
Deming used the cover of darkness to prove how wide-awake he really was. When we reached home, Anika blew both of us a kiss and promised to call later in the day.
“Come along, Mrs. Swann,” Deming said. “Time to get some rest.”
I was tired—exhausted—but still sleep eluded me. Deming slipped into slumber land almost immediately, but I could not. The image of Duff Ryder, splayed across the floor, haunted me. The white powdery foam on her mouth popped up every time I closed my eyes. That had to mean poison. The police would test the residue of course, but I needed closure. I had to confirm my suspicions. My iPad was equipped with an enhanced version of The Book of Poisons , something I should have consulted straight away. I slipped out of the covers and slid toward the edge of the mattress. Before I escaped a pair of strong arms trapped me.
“Going somewhere?” asked a husky voice.
“Just insomnia. Go to sleep.”
“Nope. Get back under the covers, close your eyes, and let me hold you. You`ll sleep then. Guaranteed.”
I weighed my options. Deming would insist on getting up if I did, and there was the further danger of awakening Cato. The last thing I wanted was a forced march to the Common for a 2 a.m. potty break. All in all, surrender, sweet surrender, was the only smart play.
ONCE AGAIN, HE was right. After Deming administered his version of sleep therapy, I dozed off until blinding sunlight and the urgent cries of Cato awakened me. I blinked once then once again at the time display. Nine o’clock! I found my robe and staggered toward the door.
The scent of espresso wafted into the room, followed by my husband carrying a cup of the precious brew on a silver tray. He had slicked his shiny black hair behind his ears and applied Royal Oud, my favorite fragrance. No Trojan horse ever looked that good. Be wary of a gorgeous man bearing gifts.
“What`s all this?”
“At your service, m`lady.” Deming dodged Cato’s teeth and sat beside me. “Consider this a bribe.”
My need for caffeine outweighed my suspicions. I took a sip and sighed. “What`s the deal?”
“Stay out of this murder, Eja. No good can come from it.”
“Duff Ryder proved that already. Besides, I may accept Sonia’s job offer. Why not? It might be interesting.”
I knew that Deming was working himself into a major snit. He folded his arms and narrowed those hazel eyes, looking very much the affronted hapa prince. We had
“Did you get anything from Sonia?” I asked. “Information, that is. The way she clung to you, it looked like she`d give a lot more.”
Deming brightened. “Really? I didn`t notice. Besides, you`re too suspicious. Tell her, Mom.”
Anika laughed. “Some women are like that around men. Almost a reflex action. She tried the same thing with your father, you know. That poor Mr. Yeagan. It must be hard for him.”
“Besides, I didn`t stick around long enough to hear anything,” Deming said. “Keegan was chomping at the bit. Once I bowed out, he sent me packing.”
My feelings about Sonia were decidedly mixed. At the very least, she was a study in contrasts. For an outspoken feminist she wasn`t above flirting with any presentable male or capitalizing on her appearance. Talk about lookism!
“Sonia has enough cosmetics to open her own store,” I said. “Poor Duff scuttled around in that dank outfit while Sonia played the queen. No wonder things were rough between them.”
Anika nodded. “I noticed the same thing. The girl obviously adored Sonia, but the feeling was not mutual. Very empress to scullery maid. Maybe that explains everything.”
“Wait a minute,” Deming said. “What are you talking about?”
“The big question, of course. How did Duff ingest that throat rinse? It wasn`t hers, but somehow she used it.” I rapped him on the knuckles. “Keep up, or your mom and I will solve the damn thing while you stumble around in the dark.”
Deming used the cover of darkness to prove how wide-awake he really was. When we reached home, Anika blew both of us a kiss and promised to call later in the day.
“Come along, Mrs. Swann,” Deming said. “Time to get some rest.”
I was tired—exhausted—but still sleep eluded me. Deming slipped into slumber land almost immediately, but I could not. The image of Duff Ryder, splayed across the floor, haunted me. The white powdery foam on her mouth popped up every time I closed my eyes. That had to mean poison. The police would test the residue of course, but I needed closure. I had to confirm my suspicions. My iPad was equipped with an enhanced version of The Book of Poisons , something I should have consulted straight away. I slipped out of the covers and slid toward the edge of the mattress. Before I escaped a pair of strong arms trapped me.
“Going somewhere?” asked a husky voice.
“Just insomnia. Go to sleep.”
“Nope. Get back under the covers, close your eyes, and let me hold you. You`ll sleep then. Guaranteed.”
I weighed my options. Deming would insist on getting up if I did, and there was the further danger of awakening Cato. The last thing I wanted was a forced march to the Common for a 2 a.m. potty break. All in all, surrender, sweet surrender, was the only smart play.
ONCE AGAIN, HE was right. After Deming administered his version of sleep therapy, I dozed off until blinding sunlight and the urgent cries of Cato awakened me. I blinked once then once again at the time display. Nine o’clock! I found my robe and staggered toward the door.
The scent of espresso wafted into the room, followed by my husband carrying a cup of the precious brew on a silver tray. He had slicked his shiny black hair behind his ears and applied Royal Oud, my favorite fragrance. No Trojan horse ever looked that good. Be wary of a gorgeous man bearing gifts.
“What`s all this?”
“At your service, m`lady.” Deming dodged Cato’s teeth and sat beside me. “Consider this a bribe.”
My need for caffeine outweighed my suspicions. I took a sip and sighed. “What`s the deal?”
“Stay out of this murder, Eja. No good can come from it.”
“Duff Ryder proved that already. Besides, I may accept Sonia’s job offer. Why not? It might be interesting.”
I knew that Deming was working himself into a major snit. He folded his arms and narrowed those hazel eyes, looking very much the affronted hapa prince. We had
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