Killer Knots Read Online Free PDF Page B

could take the time off.” Betsy giggled. “I’ve got my own cabin, even though I understand normally you have to pay extra for a single. Hello, there’s Kent. I suppose he’s in the same boat as I am. See, he isn’t wearing a wedding ring. Not that I care; I don’t think my parents would be happy if I hooked up with an exterminator.”
    “He must be interested in art to attend the preview.”
    Betsy poked her. “Maybe he came for the free champagne.”
    “It looks as though the rest of your colleagues had the same idea,” Marla noted, observing the familiar faces of their table-mates among the guests. She felt a vibration underfoot as the vessel steadied itself from a large swell.
    The doors burst open, and Kate and John strode inside. They spotted Marla at once and headed over. Dalton reached her at the same time as his parents.
    “Mom, I thought you were going to the casino. And where’s Brie?” He handed Marla a glass of champagne. She took a sip, enjoying the fizz as the cool liquid slid down her throat.
    “Brie went to the teen mixer in the disco. I read about this event in the newsletter and decided to stop by. We’ve been looking for a new picture for our family room. Hi, Marla. Do you have an interest in art?”
    “I don’t know much about it, so I’m here to learn. I’m sorry about the mix-up with our seats at dinner.”
    Kate patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll work things out. I hope your cabin is comfortable.”
    “Yes, it’s great, thanks.”
    Recognition dawned in Kate’s eyes as she glanced beyond Marla. “Oh, look. Some of the people we met in the dining room are here. I’ll introduce you.”
    She dragged over a young woman with a slender build and shoulder-length brown hair. “Marla and Dalton, I’d like you to meet one of my dinner companions. You won’t believe this, but her name is Martha Shore.”

CHAPTER 3
    Martha Shore? What a coincidence. We even look a like.” Marla studied the woman, who could have stood in for a carbon copy of herself. Glossy mahogany hair, dark brown eyes, and a long neck above a well-endowed chest. Martha’s hair was even the same length as hers, tumbling onto her shoulders instead of curving inward at chin length. Was it a coincidence that Martha was seated at the same dining-room table as her prospective in-laws?
    “Your mother-in-law was telling me about you,” Martha said in a low contralto voice. “I gather there was a mix-up at dinner, but there’re too many of us to switch.” Martha twisted one of her dangling earrings.
    “What do you mean?”
    “We have three people from the museum at my table, and you’d only have two seats available at yours.”
    “You work at the same art museum in Tampa as the people at my table?” Marla said, blinking.
    “Sure do. I’m the gift shop manager.”
    No wonder the people at Marla’s table had given a start of recognition at her name. Someone at the cruise line must have confused her with Martha Shore and exchanged their dining-room assignments.
    “Hey, Martha,” said Betsy while Marla digested this notion, “you guys all got your cruise tickets as freebies too, right?”
    “Yep. I don’t know why everyone’s come to the art preview, though. Like the bug man over there. How can he afford to buy any of this stuff?”
    “Maybe he came to check out the chicks,” Vail cracked before moving off with his parents and leaving Marla with her newfound friends. “I’ll save you a seat,” he called over his shoulder.
    “Kent may have gotten the same invitation on his door as I did,” Marla suggested. “After all, who can pass up the chance to win a free raffle?”
    Betsy jabbed her. “You got a separate note? So did I. I wonder if the others in our group found one on their doors, too.”
    “What about the rest of these people? They’re not with the museum,” Marla replied.
    “Hello, probably everyone got that flyer on their bed. Plus the preview is listed in the newsletter. The