A.R. Winters - Valerie Inkerman 01 - Don't Be a Stranger

A.R. Winters - Valerie Inkerman 01 - Don't Be a Stranger Read Online Free PDF Page B

Book: A.R. Winters - Valerie Inkerman 01 - Don't Be a Stranger Read Online Free PDF
Author: A.R. Winters
Tags: Mystery: Cozy - Amateur Sleuth - Hamptons
seemed that there were quite a few things about Jerry that I didn’t really know.

Chapter Nine
     
    I woke up the next morning at seven and, for three hours, I plumped up cushions, vacuumed and mopped, all while keeping an ear out for the door.
    There was a knock at ten o’clock. I jumped up immediately and opened it.
    Jerry looked a little tired, and his hair was a bit messier than usual, but he gave me his normal, goofy grin. I, on the other hand, crossed my arms and raised my eyebrows. I felt like the crotchety old wife who, after an extremely late night, catches her alcoholic husband coming in.
    True to crotchety-wife form, I heard myself saying, “You smell like booze.”
    Jerry looked apologetic. “There were two drunks in the cell.”
    I felt sorry for him immediately. “I’m glad you’re out.”
    “Yeah, and I’m glad I can take a proper shower.”
    He headed off toward the bathroom, and I headed into the kitchen. I made us two quick coffees, and I poured juice into two small glasses. I’d had some cereal earlier, and I wasn’t sure how hungry Jerry was.
    Because we were often both home during the day, and because he’s a good cook and a sweet guy, Jerry sometimes makes me breakfast. He’s made me pancakes, and bacon and eggs, and French toast, and scrambled eggs. I figured it was time to return the favor.
    When Jerry stepped out of the shower, the table was all laid out.
    “Oooh, fancy,” he said, sitting down.
    “Well, I tried. The coffee’s gone a bit cold, I think.”
    “The bread and jam makes up for it.”
    “It’s the thought that counts,” I said defensively.
    Ok, so the best I’d come up with was bread, a jar of strawberry jam that seemed only a year old, some milk, and two packets of cereal. I could’ve boiled an egg or two but, like I said, I wasn’t sure how hungry Jerry would be.
    “It’s good to see you again,” he said. “And I do appreciate the thought.”
    I let him eat quietly for a few seconds. Well, relatively quietly, considering that I’ve never seen him have any table manners at home. When he dug up a big tablespoon of jam and began licking it straight, I said, “You’ve had enough food. Now spill.”
    “Not much to spill.”
    “ You have a lawyer ? Like, a lawyer who just sits around all day doing nothing, just waiting to hear from you?”
    Jerry sighed. “He’s not my lawyer. He’s my dad’s.”
    “So your dad has a lawyer just sitting around?”
    Jerry shrugged. “I guess. I mean, I’m sure he’s got work. I suppose he does contracts and liens and all those lawyer-y kind of stuff.”
    “But essentially, he’s at your beck and call.”
    “We-ell. I wouldn’t put it like that.”
    “And why does your dad have a lawyer?”
    “He’s kind of got a, he’s uh….” Jerry’s words trailed off into incoherent mutters.
    I put one hand behind my ear and pushed it forward like a trumpet. “Can’t hear you.”
    “Uh.” Jerry took a deep breath. “My dad’s got this… media company.”
    I frowned. “I thought your dad lived down in Florida. That’s what you told me.”
    He put on an earnest, placating face. “Sure, sure. And he does. He’s retired. But, um, someone else runs the business and sometimes Dad Skypes and sometimes he flies down and, um…” He stared at my expression. “You think I should’ve told you this earlier?”
    “Of course you should’ve told me this earlier! So, not only am I totally broke, but my roommate is a secret millionaire!”
    “Hey, that’s not true! I’m not a millionaire! I’ve got no money!”
    “Just your dad.”
    “Exactly. And he doesn’t even want to give me any.” Jerry’s face clouded over. “He’s all disappointed in me and stuff. Thinks being an actor is superficial. Do I seem superficial to you?”
    I looked at Jerry and wondered what he thought superficial meant.
    I said diplomatically, “You seem like a nice guy.”
    “Exactly! Thank you!”
    I didn’t say anything for a few moments,
Read Online Free Pdf

Similar Books

The Forfeit

Ridgwell Cullum

Poached

Stuart Gibbs

Hell

Hilary Norman

Remembering Babylon

David Malouf

Clandestine

Nichole van