Death Wears a Beauty Mask and Other Stories Read Online Free PDF

some nut was stalking her. Leaving messages on her phone. Pasting notes on her front door. They never caught him. Was she afraid that he was shadowing her again? And if so, why in hell didn’t she turn to me for help?”
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    Emma was just getting ready to leave when they arrived back at Alexandra’s apartment. She looked at them and said, “You don’t know where Miss Alexandra is.” It was a statement of fact. After a brief hello to her, Janice headed to the bedroom. Mike suspected she was close to tears.
    â€œSeems sort of foolish to come in every day when Miss Alexandra isn’t here.” Emma sighed. “But that’s the way she wants it. Today I did all the windows and took the brass fixtures off all those tables and the desk and shined them up. They look real nice. Place always looks good. Then she has a party and some of those friends of hers . . . I’ll tell you. Cigarette ashes all over and spilled drinks.”
    Mike studied the woman carefully. She’d obviously been trying to pass the working hours by doing unnecessary housework. He made his tone conversational. “I guess Alexandra has lots of friends,” he said.
    â€œSome might call it lots of friends. I call it a lot of leeches.”
    â€œWell, surely there are some close friends. . . . Grant Wilson?”
    â€œHe’s a mean one.”
    â€œMean?”
    â€œTreats a person like dirt under the feet. Heard him tell Miss Alexandra she should have a bell to ring for me to come running. A bell. Bet the only bell he’s used to is a cowbell. Comes from some hick town . . . so does Miss Alexandra. But at least she don’t act like she was born in the White House. He’s a phony.”
    â€œWho would you consider a close friend? Maybe someone she would turn to if she was upset?”
    â€œOh, let’s see. She’s got dozens of friends. The kind you read about in the gossip columns. But she wouldn’t go to any of them, I don’t think, with a problem. They’re not the kind you tell your secrets to.”
    â€œEmma, think. There has to be someone,” Mike insisted.
    â€œOh, sure, she has women friends—real friends. Why shouldn’t she? But the one she was really close to . . . That would be Nina Harmon, and she got married last year and lives in London,” Emma responded.
    â€œThere’s no one else in particular?” Mike pressed.
    â€œLet me think about it,” she replied.
    â€œWho else is here often?” Mike asked.
    â€œMark Ambrose. He owns that plane they chartered for all these Beauty Mask commercials they done this year. Fact he owns a bunch of planes. Has one of those charter airlines, it’s called Executair. Miss Alexandra said he could probably buy and sell the lot of them. He’s sweet on her, that’s for sure. But she’s not interested. At least if she is, I haven’t noticed it. But on the other hand, you never know. Miss Alexandra is very private.”
    â€œHow about Larry Thompson? Does he come here much?”
    â€œOh, he’s around. They go out to dinner. What a good-looking guy! He used to be a child actor, you know. He’s a funny one. Not a big talker but takes everything in. Looks bored when he comes to parties. Did a beautiful sketch of Miss Alexandra last year. Gave it to her. She started to rave about it. Then he said that he wanted to capture her before the wrinkles got too deep. She started to cry and threw it at him. Then he started making apologies. Said he was just teasing. That she had to realize he was just joking. He said, ‘Just look in the mirror, for God’s sake, Alexandra!’ ”
    Emma shook her head. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow. You didn’t say nothing about dinner. But if you want, I’ll stay and fix you something.”
    Mike shook his head. “No. We’ll be going out.