Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 04 - Death by Dumplings Read Online Free PDF Page B

Ray , Gloria thought. 
    Gloria pressed the doorbell.  She waited for several long seconds before she pressed it a second time.  She could’ve sworn the front curtain moved.  “Dot, it’s me, Gloria.  Are you in there?” she hollered through the crack in the door. 
    When she heard a small thump, she knew Dot was inside.  She pounded on the metal frame.  “Dot!  I know you’re in there!”  Gloria crossed her arms, determined to wait her out.
    She stood there a good five minutes before the front door opened a fraction of an inch.  Gloria stuck her nose in the crack, her eyeball pressed close to the metal door jamb.  “Let me in, Dot.  Please…” she pleaded.
    The door swung open.  Gloria gasped at the sight of her friend.  She’d never seen her in such a state of disarray.  The thing that shocked Gloria the most was the expression on her face.  A look of utter despair. 
    Before Dot could change her mind, Gloria squeezed inside.  She decided the best approach was to act as if everything were perfectly normal.  That there was nothing unusual about her friend wearing her bathrobe in the middle of the afternoon.  With no makeup on.  And her hair matted to the side of her head. 
    “We’re having a Garden Girls meeting tomorrow at noon.  You need to come,” she said. 
    Dot shook her head.  “I can’t.” She waved her arm towards the kitchen.  “Follow me.”
    Gloria trailed her into the kitchen.  Dot flipped on the light switch just inside the door.  Gloria’s jaw fell open.  The kitchen was a disaster. 
    Dirty dishes were piled high in the sink.  The trash can was overflowing.  A moldy, half-eaten sandwich was on the table, along with a jug of milk. 
    Gloria reached over and touched the carton.  It was warm.  She unscrewed the cap and took a whiff.  Her nose curled at the overpowering stench of sour milk.  She pushed the carton from her face.  “This milk’s sour!” 
    Gloria covered her nose as she poured the semi-solid substance down the drain. 
    Dot plopped down at the table.  She acted as if she hadn’t heard a word of what Gloria had said as she stared off into the distance, a blank look on her face. 
    Gloria pulled out a chair and slid it close Dot’s.  She waved a hand in front of her friend’s face.  “Earth to Dot.  Are you in there?”
    Still no response.  Gloria snapped her fingers.  “Dot!” she yelled.
    That seemed to do the trick.  Dot shook her head, as if in a daze.  “I’m sorry Gloria.  I was a million miles away.”
    Gloria leaned forward, her face just inches from Dot’s.  “We’re having a Garden Girls meeting tomorrow at noon at my place.  You have to come.”
    Dot shook her head. Her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t.  I’m too depressed.”
    “That’s exactly why you have to come,” Gloria argued.  “You need to snap out of this.  You’re not helping yourself or your restaurant by hiding out in your house!”
    “I-I give up,” Dot whispered.  “My life is over.”
    “Dot Jenkins, your life is NOT over!  You’re a fighter!  We’re going to figure out how that man got poisoned at your restaurant and you’re going to help us,” Gloria said.
    Dot clutched her robe in her fist.  “You really think we can?”
    Gloria reached over and squeezed her friend’s arm.  “Without a doubt and we’re starting tomorrow.”  She jumped to her feet.  “I’ll be here at 11:30 to pick you up.”  Before Dot could change her mind, Gloria headed to the front door.
     

     
    Gloria woke early the next morning.  Since the Garden Girls meeting was at her place, she needed to whip up some tasty treats for her guests.  A light lunch was in order, she decided.  She made a large tray of finger sandwiches.  Tuna, roast beef and chicken salad, along with some chips and homemade salsa she’d made some time ago and had stored in the freezer.  For dessert, it would be Butterscotch Parfaits and frosted sugar cookies. 
    She