"A Murder In Milburn", Book 4: Death By Ice Cream Read Online Free PDF Page A

roast-beef ice-cream, we’d be gazillionaires.”
    Nora wrinkled her nose. “Roast beef ice-cream! That sounds like the worst idea I’ve ever heard!”
    “Oh, don’t wrinkle your nose.” Simone smiled. “Savory ice-creams are the next big trend, I’m predicting. It sounds ridiculous, I know, but so did peanut butter before it came out.”
    “You’re the expert! For me, the formula is hot food, cold dessert. It’s simple and, so far, it’s working,” Nora said. “So, I plan to stick with it.”
    Harvey was looking down at his phone. “Guys, would I be a terrible boor if I announced I had to leave?”
    “ Leave? But you just got here!”
    “I know… But there’s something I have to take care of back home,” he said. “It’s rather urgent.”
    “All right,” Nora said, though she felt a little hurt.
    “Why don’t you three carry on?” Harvey said. “I’ll do my best to be back before the hour is up. Don’t bother to keep dinner for me. I’m so sorry.”
    “Do you really have to go?” Nora asked, as he stood up.
    “It’s critical,” he said.
    “Work?” she asked.
    A shadow passed over his face. “Unfinished business.”  

    *****

Chapter 5
    Dinner was a quiet affair with Harvey gone. Simone and Bernard didn’t say anything, but Nora could tell what they were thinking. Was there trouble in paradise?
    Once the appetizers were done and Bernard had served the rosemary potatoes and roast chicken for dinner, conversation moved to the workings of the ice-cream factory. Nora nodded silently as Bernard and Simone began discussing what was obviously a well-worn argument.
    “I know he’s been there for thirty years,” Simone said. “But Joey Gallagher has been harassing a few too many ladies.”
    “He’s an old-fashioned man,” Bernard said. “Likes to call women darling. Thinks it’s ok to wink at one every now and then. He thinks he’s being cute.”
    “What he’s really being is creepy,” Simone said.
    “He’s great at his job, though, and he’s absolutely promised me he’d improve his behavior this time,” Bernard said.
    “Didn’t you have a talk with him twice already?”
    “Well, I guess he didn’t take me very seriously then. But I told him there would be dire consequences. Look, Simone, I know you never liked Joey much, but he’s a good man at heart. The workers all think he’s a great supervisor. He’s been in the company longer than any other man, and he’s about to retire next year. I’d really rather not fire him.”  
    Simone sighed. “What do you think, Nora?”
    “Oh… I couldn’t comment,” she said, wisely choosing to stay out of it. “Do you two often discuss business together?”
    “It’s our worst habit,” Simone said. “That, and discussing little Will at work. There’s no boundary between our work and our private lives. Though we want to build one.”
    They heard a car screech to a stop outside, and the slam of a door.
    “Looks like Harvey’s back already.” Nora sat up straighter, and smiled. “I thought he wouldn’t-”
    But it was Sean’s voice that rang out. “Hello? Anybody home?”
    “Back here,” Bernard called, giving an astonished look to his voice. “Whatever could he want, Simone?”
    Simone looked at her watch. “It’s nearly 11 o’clock.”
    Sean came back around, his face tight. “Nora, thank God you’re here.” He relaxed a little when he saw her.  
    Nora felt frozen. Sean being here could only mean one thing - bad news. He had his uniform on, still, and his face looked crumpled and anxious.
    “What is it?” In her mind was a vision of Harvey, driving as rashly as he usually did. Had something happened? Her stomach clenched. “Is it Harvey?”
    “Isn’t Harvey here with you?” Sean asked, looking confused. “Mrs. Mullally told me he was. I tried calling you, Nora, but you didn’t pick up.”
    “I must not have heard it!” she exclaimed. “Sean, whatever is the matter? You look very