A Crouton Murder Read Online Free PDF Page B

about them to make assumptions.”
    “Who would have control over his medical? Corinda, that’s who. She runs that entire department at the bank. She alone decides who gets what. Dad mentioned it weeks ago. He said he had confidence in her, that she handled everything with aplomb.” BettyJo shrugged. “I didn’t take offense like I would have before we talked out our differences. She’s hot for him, or his money. I can tell and the cards say so, too. I didn’t want to cause trouble, so I didn’t mention that Corinda might be skimming money from employee medical accounts.”
    While I processed the information she’d been holding in, I looked everywhere but at BettyJo. When I did, I found her staring at me. “You didn’t share this last night, but all that was on your mind while I was making bread, wasn’t it?”
    She gave me a nod. “The memory of her ambition came back as I paced these rooms. Corinda has been my father’s escort to dinners, parties, and all that business crap, for years. For her to consider she’d take a seat as his wife would be natural. It probably wouldn’t ever happen, but she might have thought it would. If he brushed her off when an overture to that effect was made, then she could have been vengeful and sought retribution for having given up so many years of her life to his every whim. I don’t think she’d take kindly to being rejected.”
    Astounded over how well she’d thought the probability out, I sat speechless. I didn’t utter a sound.
    BettyJo asked, “Do you think I’m off the mark, or what?”
    “Gosh, I’m not sure what to think. What would be the reason for her meddling in his benefits package? While what you’ve said seems plausible, ask yourself if she’d resort to murder as revenge for your father’s rejection of her? We aren’t even sure he’s done so or that there’s a romance between them. I didn’t see any sign of it at your get together,” I answered.
    A thought bloomed like the proverbial light bulb flashing on. “Why don’t you two have a chat and mention how lovely a couple he and Corinda would make. Watch his reaction and listen carefully to the way in he speaks of her. Oftentimes, the sound of a voice conveys so much more than words will.”
    “That shouldn’t be too hard to accomplish. We’re having coffee in about an hour or so, and then I have to get back here.” BettyJo stepped away from the table. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
    While BettyJo set off, I considered her words and my wardrobe, but not necessarily in that order. I more or less mulled over both my clothing status and Corinda’s romantic status. With a grimace, I figured BettyJo would take care of the Corinda issue. Even though BettyJo wasn’t keen about Vinnie, I’d call her anyway about the handling of a stalker. Right now, I had a more pressing concern—what to wear for my dinner date with Aidan.
    I’d dropped outfits on the bed after I draped each one across my body and evaluated their possibilities in the full-length mirror attached to the inside of my closet door. Navy blue, raisin brown, and full-on black made up my final choices. Raisin brown won the vote. I slid the other clothes back onto the closet pole. When BettyJo had so kindly pointed out I was curvaceous, she’d undoubtedly meant that I had a bit of fluff going on where my shape was concerned. I’d never be rail thin and didn’t strive for it, but I struggled to maintain my weight. Eating the bread I baked certainly wasn’t helpful in the weight department. I refused to wear clothing that didn’t fit correctly. Instead, I made sure they hugged my body without being tight and uncomfortable. Too often I’d seen women dress in clothes two sizes too small or too big.
    I tried on the outfit, chose accessories, and whirled in front of the mirror. Happy with the look, I disrobed and headed for the shower.

Chapter 4
    Butterflies danced in my stomach while I waited for Aidan. He slowed the Mercedes