Deadly Reunion Read Online Free PDF Page B

could have pretended you had just been promoted head doll maker, or whatever it is that you do.”
    “Just exactly how is my being a detective b eyond the realm of possibility? Besides, I didn’t tell them I was a detective. Beth got the idea into her head and ran with it.”
    “Al l right, I’ll go along with you on this. Just tone it down. Try to make the story a bit more believable,” Hope whispered as she stood up.
    “There’s no reas on to go along with me on this. As soon as everyone gets back to the table, I’m going to explain to them that it’s all a big misunderstanding.”
    “Oh, pleas e, don’t embarrass me tonight,” Hope whined. “You’ll just look foolish if you go back on your lie now. Besides, what harm is it going to do? You’re not the only one embellishing their life here tonight. Sabrina Matthews has been running around, telling everyone she is a doctor, but I have it on good authority she dropped out of med school and is working at a restaurant somewhere in Virginia. Just stick with the story for a little longer.”
    Grace groaned. “Fine. Are you going to get something to eat?”
    “No, I've lost my appetite. ” Hope stood up and looked around the room. “I see some of my cheerleading squad. I think I’ll go visit with them for a while.”
    “I'll go with you.”
    “No, you stay here. I want to know everything that Crystal and Tom say.”
    “I'm a fake detective, not a fake spy, Hope. Get someone else,” Grace whispered as Hope turned and walked to the other side of the room.
    Grace debated between following her sister anyway, or going to the buffet. The reunion was in full swing now. Couples were swaying to the music. Almost every table was full, and people were just starting to line up at the buffet table. The food did look excellent, and smelled even better. Melodie spared no expense on tonight: stuffed mushrooms, beef wellington, herb roasted chicken, and garlic-mashed potatoes lined the tables. Grace took a deep breath, and felt one of her back buttons pop off.
    Well , this is just great, she thought. Grace carefully turned around in her seat. With one hand, she felt around her back. Please don't be a top button. Her hand reached the middle of her back and continued down. There, near the ribbon. Good. Hopefully, it's not too noticeable. She twisted around and looked on the floor behind her. With any luck, the button can be reattached. Where is it? Grace turned back around, and carefully looked under the table. Spotting the button a few inches away, Grace leaned under the table and reached out a hand.
    “Grace , what are you doing?” Adam asked from somewhere above her.
    Startled , Grace banged her head on the table. Seconds later, she felt Adam’s hand wrap around her arm and pull her up.
    “Clearly living up to her name.” Grace heard Crystal say.
    Everyone was slowly returning to the table, plates full of food in hand.
    “I’m sorry , Grace. I was just having some fun earlier.” Steve said, appropriately conciliatory. He must have gotten an earful from one of the others. “Who knows maybe we can work together in the future.”
    Beth sat down , holding a drink with a plate balanced on top with one hand, and the video camera in the other. Well, at least this time the video camera was pointed at Beth and away from everyone else, Grace thought happily.
    Beth placed the camera on the table, taking care to point it directly at Grace. “Grace, you still haven’t told me about what happened with your case? Was Mr. Bankcroft Moneypenny really murdered while skydiving and was it his wife or his nephew who killed him? And which one had the gambling problem?”
    “ Moneypenny?” Grace chuckled. So, it wasn’t Lily Straker’s death Jeff had been discussing with his friends; it was the mystery board game Grace had been developing. She shook her head. None of the board game suspects had a gambling problem. Now, Louisa Straker had a gambling problem, she thought, becoming