Killer Cocktail Read Online Free PDF Page A

you from staying too mad at him for too long. It remained to be seen whether his matrimonial track record would be anything like hers.
    Lisbet is a lithe, sloe-eyed vamp with annoyingly good legs. Her neckline plunged, as usual, its openness emphasized by an emerald necklace that commanded the eye even from the other side of the tent.
    “Amazing necklace,” I noted.
    “What’s amazing is, she’s wearing it. It’s a family piece of Dad’s. Richard wanted Rebecca to wear it to some premiere early on and Mother and Dad said no. I got to wear it for my debut and haven’t asked since.” Tricia looked from Lisbet to her parents. “They’re trying so hard, they’re going to hurt themselves.”
    The trio did their shots, then Aunt Cynthia handed the bottle back to the bartender and strode to the platform where a jazz combo was quietly playing “Moonlight in Vermont.” Aunt Cynthia yanked at one of the tiers of her silk tornado of a dress and grabbed the microphone from the keyboard player’s stand. “Good evening and thank you all for coming.”
    The combo and conversation stopped immediately. Aunt Cynthia gestured to where the Vincents were seated. “On behalf of my brother, Paul, and his lovely wife, I’d like to welcome you to this gathering. We’re going to have a lot of fun this weekend, celebrating the engagement of two fabulous young people, my nephew David and his marvelous Lisbet.”

    The guests applauded and a few people whooped, Arsenio Hall’s enduring contribution to Western civilization. David and Lisbet waved to everyone while they made their way over to join Mr. and Mrs. Vincent at their table. Lisbet already had the slow blink that comes with a good buzz, and dinner hadn’t even been served.
    “But before we eat, we must hear from the man himself. Paul?”
    Mr. Vincent, smooth and practiced, was already making his way up to the bandstand. He took the microphone from his sister. “My sister’s generosity is legendary, but she’s outdone herself. Thank you, Cynthia.”
    Aunt Cynthia flapped her hands in mock annoyance at the applause, sending her armful of gold bangles bouncing up and down, but the smile she gave Mr. Vincent seemed genuine. They were very different, but they were still brother and sister.
    “This weekend, we celebrate the addition of a glowing jewel to the Vincent family crown,” Mr. Vincent continued. “David and Lisbet honor us by sharing their happiness with us. Congratulations and best wishes to them and bon appétit to us all.”
    Tricia seemed surprised. “That’s actually sentimental, coming from my father.”
    Mr. Vincent handed the microphone back to Aunt Cynthia. She tossed it to the startled keyboard player and stepped off the bandstand with her brother. But as he returned to his table, she made a beeline for ours.
    “Incoming. Brace yourselves for impact,” Tricia warned, but Cassady and I weren’t in any danger. Tricia was the one enveloped in the silk tornado and crushed to the bony bosom. I worried for a moment that Tricia might be squeezed into the rib cage and be entrapped there forever,
but after a moment, Aunt Cynthia released her and parked herself in the next chair.
    “Well.” Aunt Cynthia thumped the table, her bangles jangling noisily. The impact was enough to separate the kissing couple and get the young turk off the phone, but Aunt Cynthia didn’t seem to notice. She was too busy frowning at Tricia.
    “Aunt Cynthia. You remember Cassady and Molly,” Tricia said.
    “Nice to see you, girls. Is my niece behaving herself?”
    “A lady never tells,” Tricia answered for herself.
    “Except in a deposition. Have you spoken to either of your brothers? I’m not sure which one of them is demonstrating the greater lack of character.”
    “Whose idea was the necklace?” Tricia asked.
    Aunt Cynthia flipped her hands skyward in dismissal. “I’m sure David was trying to make a point to Richard. They’ll never outgrow that. Have a nice meal and