Death in Reel Time Read Online Free PDF Page B

work.” He shot the ball of wrapper toward the wastebasket and fist-pumped when he hit the target. “I’ll see you later, Mom,” he said, leaning down to busk her on the cheek. “See, this is what happens when you bring in the pros.” He tilted his head toward Esme and me and smiled, but his eyes kept flicking back to his sister.
    After Daniel left, Esme and I looked through the boxes again, deciding which to take with us this trip.
    â€œSophreena, would you and Esme stay for coffee?” Beth asked.
    I was absorbed in the contents of the box and opened my mouth to decline, but Esme nudged me and I looked up. Beth had her back to her mother and the look on her face was almost pleading. Clearly she had an agenda.
    â€œLove to,” I said, “if it’s not too much trouble.”
    We had a nice chat over coffee and some truly superior banana bread—Daniel’s talents again, we were told. We even managed to work in a few more questions for Olivia while we were at it. When she went up to rest Beth checked to make sure her mother was out of earshot before she turned back to us.
    â€œThanks for staying,” she said, her voice low. “I wanted the chance to talk to you. I can’t imagine what you must think of us.”
    â€œWe’re not thinking anything, Beth,” I lied.
    â€œThen there’s something wrong with your tension receptors, Sophreena,” she said with a rueful laugh. “Listen, you know us. It’s not always like this. This has been a hard year. We had a horrible scare with Mom’s health. Blaine didn’t like the idea of me taking the year off, so that’s created problems. Then there’s an issue with Daniel. He’s decided he hates being a lawyer. All that school and all that work, and now he hates it. He’s discovered this real passion for food. He wants to open a restaurant. He’s trying to get backers and he asked Blaine and me to come in on it. Blaine flatly refused, so there are some hard feelings on that score.”
    â€œWell,” I said, “since you’re being so frank here, do you mind me asking what that little kerfuffle with Peyton yesterday was all about?”
    Beth puckered her lips. “I know it’s no secret in this town that the Branch family is practically at war. Sterling and Madeline are wonderful parents and they are not about to turn their backs on their only daughter. They’ve not only allowed Madison to come back home to live, but they’ve welcomed her as a prodigal daughter. She’s Blaine’s sisterand he loves her, in his own way. But he thinks she’s taking advantage. She hurt her parents very badly with the way she left and he can’t forgive her for it. But Sterling and Madeline have forgiven her and they’re doing everything they can to help get her back on her feet. I mean, that’s what loving parents do, right? But Blaine is dead set against them giving her a penny, or even taking her in. Peyton sides with Madison and their parents and I’m caught in the middle.”
    â€œNot a good place to be,” Esme said.
    â€œYou have no idea,” Beth said softly. “Anyway, Mom doesn’t know much about any of this and we’re trying our best to keep stressful things away from her. But you’re going to be around us a lot as we’re working together on this project and I didn’t want you to think we’re this dysfunctional all the time.”
    â€œFamily matters,” Esme said.
    â€œPardon?” Beth said.
    â€œFamily matters can be complicated,” Esme said with a sigh.
    â€œOh, I thought you were reminding me of how much family matters,” Beth said, the wan smile back again.
    â€œThat, too,” Esme said, patting her knee.

three
    T HE TEMPTATION TO BLOW OFF genealogy work for the afternoon was strong. Leaves needed raking, books needed reading, bikes needed riding. But Esme and I both wanted