A Quiet Place Read Online Free PDF

really not all that busy here. I only had to draw the curtains at the front for a couple of hours. It didn’t have that much effect on business at all.”
    It suddenly seemed to occur to her that she wasn’t being polite.
    â€œI’m so sorry to keep you standing all this time. My shop’s only small, but you’re more than welcome to come and sit back here.”
    She directed them to the back of the boutique. Miyako picked up the money envelope from the counter and took it with her.
    There were several showcases filled with cosmetics, which acted as a kind of divider, blocking the view of the back from the main part of the shop. Tucked away behind them was a small table with four chairs. It was dark back there with the display cases blocking the light from the front of the store, but the shopkeeper turned on an overhead light.
    It would have been proper for Asai to leave after exchanging greetings with the shopkeeper, but he was anxious to hear more details of how Eiko had ended up in that boutique, and about the moment she’d drawn her very last breath, so he went ahead and took a seat next to Miyako. He’d heard the whole story from his sister-in-law, more or less, but now he wanted to hear a first-hand account. That, and he needed to pay his respects to the woman who had helped his wife in her final moments.
    The shopkeeper disappeared for a few minutes, most likely preparing some tea for her guests. There was no sign of any other family members around. Nor did the boutique seem to have any employees besides the owner; the business was probably too small to be able to afford any sales staff. However, thanks to its location it was offering some very expensive designer items. Asai ponderedthis as his eye was caught by a poster advertising a famous line of cosmetics.
    The proprietor, still in her white coat, returned with three cups of black tea on a silver tray.
    â€œThank you. You needn’t have gone to so much trouble,” murmured Miyako, rising slightly from her chair to bow.
    â€œNo, no trouble at all. I’m sorry it’s not much,” replied the shopkeeper, placing a cup of tea in front of Asai. Then she produced her name card. In the top right-hand corner were the names of two famous cosmetics companies with whom she evidently had a special contract. The middle line read TAKAHASHI COSMETICS , and on the left her name, Chiyoko Takahashi, followed by her address and telephone number in fine print. There was no mention of other family members.
    Ms Takahashi politely read Asai’s name card before placing it on the table in front of her. She must have noted the title “Second Section Chief” in the Department of Staple Foods at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, but she said nothing, and her face betrayed no emotion. Asai added some sugar to his tea and used the back of his teaspoon to squeeze the floating lemon slice against the bottom of his teacup. He took a sip and began to speak.
    â€œI’ve heard the basic version from my sister-in-law here, but I’d really appreciate it if you could tell me more about how my wife ended up in your shop and what you did for her.”
    â€œOf course. It wouldn’t be respectful to your late wife if I didn’t tell her husband the whole story.”
    Chiyoko Takahashi leaned her head back slightly and began. Asai noticed her mouth. Her lips were extremelyprominent, but her make-up was so adeptly applied that it was hardly noticeable; in fact, they even added to her attractiveness.
    â€œIt was the seventh of March, a Friday, around four in the afternoon. I was here in the back when your wife suddenly appeared in the shop. I assumed she was a customer, so I called out ‘ Irrashaimase – welcome!’ I walked over – she was standing in front of the glass showcase, right about where you were standing earlier, not speaking. I asked her if there was something she’d like me to show her,