Death as a Last Resort Read Online Free PDF Page B

death.”
    â€œAre you the police?”
    â€œNo,” Maggie answered. “Private investigators. Look, I’ve a list that Mr. Schaefer gave me. Would it be possible for you to help me match up some names with the people here?”
    â€œI’m not sure . . . perhaps you should ask Robert.”
    â€œAnd your name is . . . ?” Maggie said as she whipped the list out of her handbag.
    â€œStella, Stella Edgeworthy.” Reluctantly, she took the list from Maggie’s hands and looked around her. “Well, for a start, that couple standing over by that ugly stone angel are Jerrell Bakhash and his wife, Sharifa. He’s Lebanese and I think she’s Egyptian. Funny mix, eh?”
    â€œWell, it’s the same part of the world, I guess. What line of business is he in?”
    â€œHe’s got some kind of ready-made garment factory. The couple next to them own an Italian restaurant . . . Romeo’s Palace or something like that . . . and his name is Dario Grosso, and that’s his wife, Hadeya, next to him. She’s Sharifa Bakhash’s sister.” She stopped and gave a slight nod toward the open grave. “You said that Arnold Schaefer gave you this list, so you already know him, and that’s Thelma, his wife, in the wheelchair next to Jacquelyn Dubois.”
    â€œDo you know Maurice’s former wives?”
    â€œNot really. I heard that Maurice and Annette were very young when they were married and they broke up soon after moving to Vancouver.”
    â€œWhat about his second wife?”
    â€œEdith? He was married to her for quite a long time—maybe fifteen years. Then, of course, Jacquelyn happened.” She stopped talking as her husband started toward them, and she thrust the list back into Maggie’s hands. “Here, you’d better take this.”
    â€œWould you please call me?” Maggie said as she quickly pushed one of the agency’s cards into Stella’s hands. “You’ve been such a help.”
    â€œCome along, Stella.” Robert Edgeworthy took his wife firmly by the elbow and hurried her down the path.
    â€œWho’s the woman you were talking to?” Nat asked as they walked toward their car.
    â€œStella Edgeworthy, and she and her husband were on that fishing trip. She gave me quite a bit of information on the other guests, too,” she added as she got into the passenger seat. “Then her husband turned up and hustled her off. I’ve asked her to call me but I don’t expect she will. Why’s George here?” she asked as she stowed her handbag on the floor. “Don’t tell me he’s working on this case, too?”
    â€œNot exactly. The West Van cops have the murder in hand, but George says the Vancouver police have an interest in the late Maurice and his friends.”
    â€œThat’s going to make things interesting.”
    â€œYou can say that again,” Nat said grimly. “Especially if Inspector Mark Farthing gets a whiff we’re on the case, too.” Nat and the inspector didn’t exactly see eye to eye. When Nat retired from the Vancouver police force, Farthing had taken over his old job. Since that time, the man had been promoted several ranks and really felt his position.
    â€¢ • •
    TO MAGGIE’S SURPRISE, STELA Edgeworthy did phone just after ten the next morning. “Robert said I should call you.”
    â€œThat’s great!” Maggie said, but she was a little puzzled. Stella’s husband hadn’t appeared too happy to see them talking together. “You could be a great help in the investigation. After all, you were probably one of the last people to see Maurice alive.”
    â€œI suppose so,” Stella answered. “If you really think I could help . . .”
    â€œWhat about two this afternoon?” Maggie said. “You have our address?”
    â€œTwo’s fine.”
    â€¢ •