Dying to Retire Read Online Free PDF

here are pretty healthy, and they want to stay that way. That’s why I stock so many supplements. They’re a bright bunch, read a lot, do research, and over the years I’ve brought in what they said they wanted. Law of supply and demand. That’s how business runs.”
    “But I can see you’re careful with them. You stopped selling the ephedra.”
    “Got to know your customers. That’s the key. But you also have to protect yourself from lawsuits. You’d be amazed how many people are ready to go to court at the drop of a hat.”
    “So when did you stop carrying the diet pill, Harry? Was it recently?”
    “It was right after I heard about those football players. Probably about a couple of months ago.”
    “And up until then, did you keep records of who bought it?”
    “Well, if they charged it to their account, I did. But if they paid cash, I wouldn’t have kept a record of that.”
    “But if someone asked you who might have bought the diet drug, could you tell them? For instance, do you recall if Mrs. Shelby purchased the pills?”
    “I don’t remember her buying them.”
    “But if she had an account here, you could look it up, couldn’t you?”
    “Oh, I couldn’t do that. Breach of ethics to reveal private information about clients. No, I’m sorry, Mrs. Fletcher. I couldn’t do that.”
    “Of course. I would never ask you to go against your principles.”
    “We sold a fair amount, I can tell you that. Just because people get older doesn’t mean they don’t want to look their best. You can ask Donna when she comes in. She runs our cosmetics counter. Lipsticks, eye shadow, face powder. Perfumes, too. Big business, cosmetics, second only to the supplements. Yes, ma’am.” Harry laughed. “They’re a lively lot over at Foreverglades.”
    Seth was halfway through his iced tea when I joined him, and from the crumbs on the plate in front of him, I’d say Harry’s faux pas hadn’t had an impact on my friend’s dietary habits.
    The coffee shop was busy, and I recognized several people I’d seen at Portia’s apartment the night before. It was only ten-thirty in the morning, late for breakfast and early for lunch, at least by Maine standards. But every table was taken. Customers could help themselves to sections from the local newspaper, which hung from wooden dowels on a rack next to the cash register. Those who wanted the paper all to themselves could buy one from a stack on the counter. Reading the news and drinking coffee seemed to be a major activity.
    “Did you buy the candle for Charlene?” Seth asked, eyeing my empty hands.
    “No. I completely forgot. But I can go back another time.”
    “Find out what you wanted to know?”
    “Well, he stopped selling the diet pills a few months ago, but he wouldn’t tell me who had bought them.”
    “I would have said Portia was too smart a woman to take a such a chance with her health. Obviously I would have been wrong.”
    “I don’t think you’re wrong. And, anyway, Portia didn’t need to lose weight. I think we should have a talk with her husband.”
    A shadow fell over the table. “You’re Jessica Fletcher, aren’t you?”
    I looked up into the face of a lady in her midsixties who was evidently one of Sandy’s customers at the cosmetics counter in Weinstein’s. Vivid blue eye shadow and black mascara framed large brown eyes. Bright red lipstick matched her fingernails. On her left wrist was a stack of gold bangle bracelets. Tucked in her right arm was a little dog with white curly fur and black button eyes, its red leash wrapped around her hand. “I’m Monica Kotansky. My sister Carrie and I live in Foreverglades around the corner from the Shelbys. I recognized you right away from the picture on your books. I’m a great fan. Is this your husband?”
    Seth struggled to his feet. “Dr. Seth Hazlitt at your service. Mrs. Fletcher—Jessica—is an old friend. Would you care to join us?” He was holding in his stomach again.
    “A doctor!