Did You Declare the Corpse? Read Online Free PDF Page B

musical program on Skye with some local performers, and folks were invited to bring any instruments they play.”

    “I missed that part. I could have brought my comb and tissue paper.”

    Joyce still wasn’t paying a speck of attention. Her eyes never left the limousine as the tall man opened the rear door nearest us. A black spike heel emerged, followed by long slender legs in black hose and a gorgeous plaid skirt in green and blue.

    I couldn’t have told you the difference between that plaid and the one Kenny was wearing, or the blue-and-green MacDonald tartan that decorated Laura’s apartment, but Laura recognized it at once. “That’s the Gordon plaid,” she informed me.

    I scarcely heard her. I was staring at a sleek combination of stunning figure and bright red hair that fell loosely to the shoulders of a hunter green velvet jacket, then curled at the ends. As the man moved aside, I saw that the woman had a face to match the rest—the kind of face that causes old men to launch ships, start wars, or desert their wives and children.

    Joyce said a word I’d never have expected from those prim lips. Then she caught me looking at her, put on a tight, professional smile, and started toward the door.

    I leaned over to Laura and asked softly, “What are those folks doing on a bus tour? Her outfit cost more than my entire wardrobe. And look at those diamonds!”

    “I can’t. I forgot my sunglasses.”

    The woman fluffed her hair, then headed for the lobby with a long, confident stride that made the curls bounce on her shoulders. She flung open the door and stood looking around, her lips curved in that smile models and movie stars cultivate, the kind that shows a lot more teeth than the rest of us have. It was unfair that somebody so beautiful should also have gorgeous eyes, but there they were, a light, clear gray under impossibly long lashes.

    “Mrs. Gordon?” I’d known Joyce just long enough to know she was angry about something, but holding her temper on a short rein. “I’m Joyce Underwood, your tour guide.”

    “Call me Brandi. Everybody does. I’m so glad to meet you.” Sounding as friendly as she was glamorous, she stuck out a hand. “Jimmy will be here in a minute. I’m really lookin’ forward to this trip. We’re gonna have so much fun!” Her voice was pure Georgia honey.

    “We certainly are.” Joyce looked like she was having trouble keeping her smile pinned to her face. “Let me introduce you to the rest of the group.”

    A wave of delicious perfume preceded her as Brandi came toward us. She gave me a smile that said she’d been waiting all day to meet me, and I felt real special—until I saw it was the same look she gave Laura, then Kenny and Sherry as they joined us. I wondered if it came natural or if she practiced it.

    Brandi looked around again and bestowed approval on us all. “I’m so glad you all got here early too. Maybe we can get a bite of supper or something before we go to the plane.”

    “I asked you to be here by four-thirty.” Joyce sounded like her jaw had frozen.

    “Oh, really? I thought you said eight-thirty.”

    “That’s when we have to be at the airport.”

    “Oh, dear!” Brandi gave everybody a look of contrition. “I am so sorry. Jimmy told me it was four-thirty, but I erased the e-mail and remembered eight-thirty. Well, here we are now!”

    “Yes, here we are now,” Joyce repeated. “As soon as Jim joins us, I’ll make a few housekeeping announcements, then we can eat.”

    Brandi called to her husband, who was following the chauffeur and the bags. “Oh, Jimmy, you were right. Joyce says we were supposed to be here by four-thirty.”

    “That’s what I told you.” He sounded more indulgent than anything. “Sorry, Josie.”

    “It’s Joyce,” she said firmly.

    He nodded. “Right. Joyce. Sorry.” His voice was brusque, almost dismissive.

    I looked at Kenny and Sherry conferring to one side, at Mr. Gordon turning to give