Dead in the Water (Kate Ryan Mysteries Book 10) Read Online Free PDF

tease you, Lady Ryan.”
    “You haven’t called me that in a while.”
    “Well, you haven’t saved fair Maggie since that dreadful Christmas.”
    “Oh, I don’t know. They’re on the verge of saving each other,” Hannah said, sipping her drink. The umbrella did make it look tropical and fun.
    “What does that mean?” Matt looked from me to Hannah, who twirled her umbrella while wriggling her eyebrows. “What does that mean?”
    “Nothing,” I insisted.
    “It does, too. What?”
    “Kate’s going to ask Maggie to marry her,” Hannah blurted out, her blue eyes bugging—the insane woman.
    Matt’s jaw practically hit the table. I could feel the blood seeping from my eardrums when he squealed.
      “Oh, my God!” He put his hand to his heart and practically cried. “You’re going to? You mean you haven’t asked her yet?”
    “Not yet. I just—”
    “Did you get a ring?” he asked.
    “Oy.” I rubbed my forehead. “Again with the ring.”
    Matt gaped at me, then looked to Hannah, who grinned evilly. “Kate wants to…oh, how did you put it? Ah, yes. She wants to cut out the middleman—”
    “What middleman?”
    “And just get a wedding band because, naturally, Margaret is already wearing her college ring from Wossamotta U.”
    Matt blinked in utter confusion. Hannah merely nodded. Matt, his mouth still hanging open, looked at me. “Kate,” he said slowly. “You can’t do that.” He looked at Hannah. “She can’t do that. You have to get Maggie an engagement ring.”
    “I know, I know,” I said, glaring at Hannah. “I will.”
    “Whew, you’d better. You had me worried,” Matt said, slapping my arm. “Not getting an engagement ring. What were you thinking?”
    “I wasn’t,” I said obediently.
    “You nearly gave an old woman a heart attack,” Hannah said, taking another sip.
    “You did! And I bet you scared Hannah half to death, as well,” Matt said, slapping me again.
    Hannah spit up her drink.
    “So…” Matt regarded Hannah and completely ignored me. “Where will you get the ring? I have a friend on Michigan Avenue. But I’m sure you must know someone.”
    “Yes, I do. But I have something in mind. It will be something simple but elegant.”
    “That’s Maggie. Good idea. Platinum?”
    “Naturally.”
    I took a long drink from my pint. “Naturally.”
    “Perhaps a marquise cut.”
    “Has to be a marquise cut,” I said absently.
    “Oh, that’s good,” Matt said thoughtfully. Then he let out a barking laugh. “Wossamotta U. I just got it.” He looked at me, still laughing. “Did you get it?”
    “Yes,” I said, glaring at him. “Rocky and Bullwinkle. I got it.”
    Matt stopped laughing, but his grin had him looking like a little kid. “Have you thought about the reception?”
    “Matt, I haven’t even—”
    “Oh, please, please, have it here. You can rent the whole restaurant. Please…” he begged, holding his hands in prayer.
    “I think I know Maggie pretty well…”
    “I should hope so,” Hannah said, nibbling the orange slice.
    “I think she might want to be included in the planning of her wedding. So let’s all calm down and relax before—”
    “Kate’s having anxiety issues,” Hannah whispered to Matt.
    “Ah, okay,” Matt replied in kind, placing his fingertip against his lips. “So what else is new?”
    “The main reason we came in,” I said.
    “What was that?” he asked.
    “Phil Bledsoe and his partner, Chad Henson?”
    “Oh, right, right. That was so sad,” Matt said. “I hope you don’t mind I gave him your name. He just seemed so upset. He said the police found nothing, so I figured maybe you could help.”
    “I don’t mind at all. But I’m not sure what I can do. He said he knew you.”
    “Yes, but actually, Jerry knows him better. From the navy.”
    “How is your darling beau?” Hannah asked.
    “Darling.” Matt sighed dreamily.
    “You two make such a handsome couple. Kate was right. He looks like Tyrone Power