Major Vices Read Online Free PDF Page A

the masters. Toadie didn’t seem to notice that Judith’s attention was straying. “Boo keeps all his important papers in here,” she announced in a smug tone that brought Judith toheel. “Of course, I have access to everything since Rosie passed away. Boo needs a woman to lean on.”
    Judith refrained from saying that it looked as if Boo could also lean on a telephone pole, a maple tree, or a lamppost. “It’s nice of you to keep tabs on him,” she remarked cautiously. She wasn’t exactly sure what Toadie had meant.
    The older woman had seated herself behind a large, uncluttered desk made of Philippine mahogany. Judith observed that it was the wood of choice for Major Manor. The paneling in the den, along with that of the other rooms she’d just seen, was done in the same rich brown wood.
    Judith pulled up a side chair, noting that the original radiators still stood in the den. A pair of leaded windows flanked the bookcase behind the desk. Unlike the old leather-bound volumes that were crammed into the shelves along the other walls, the books on these shelves—which were not fronted by glass—appeared to be popular reading. They were mainly best-sellers that spanned some fifty years, with a few biographies and pop culture volumes thrown in. A large cardboard carton at least six feet tall and four feet wide filled a corner of the room. Judith regarded it with curiosity.
    Aunt Toadie followed Judith’s gaze. “Boo got a new, big-screen TV set for his birthday from Vivvie and her son, Derek.” She spoke their names with distaste. “Boo was going to put it in here, but I said it would overwhelm the den. I had it moved upstairs to the master bedroom. So much more convenient, though such a large screen is quite unnecessary. Boo’s vision is exceptional for his age.”
    â€œAmazing,” Judith remarked, marveling not at Boo’s eyesight so much as at the generosity of Toadie’s sister and nephew. Derek Rush, however, had always been close to Boo, or so Uncle Corky had once revealed.
    Aunt Toadie had put on her half-glasses, which she wore on a gold chain. Charm bracelets a-jangle, she opened the desk drawer and took out a single sheet of paper. “The guests from Major Mush are local employees of the company’s branch office here. And their families, of course. Some are retired, some are active. We want to treatthese people generously. However, we don’t want them to gorge.” Her voice had changed, from the usual high-pitched gush to a deeper, brisker tone. “Don’t pass the food and drink trays more than twice. They’re due to stay approximately one hour. If anyone lingers after seven o’clock, Mr. Wakefield will take care of them.”
    Judith blinked. She had visions of Mr. Wakefield picking up any laggards by the scruffs of their necks and hurling them out into the frosty night.
    â€œBoo is receiving them in the entry hall,” Toadie continued, removing her glasses and allowing them to dangle against a black cashmere sweater which sported tiny silver rivets. “Then they’ll be ushered into the living room to enjoy themselves with food and beverage.” She leaned forward, fixing Judith with her cold blue eyes. “How many jugs did you bring?”
    â€œJugs?” Judith looked startled. “I didn’t bring the wine in jugs. I never do. I brought two cases of Chablis, one of rosé, one Riesling, and one Burgundy. Sparkling cider, too. Nobody said anything about jugs .”
    Aunt Toadie’s gaze was reproachful. “Judith! I know we discussed the wine. How on earth could you bring so much? I hope you don’t intend to bill us for it!”
    Judith’s strong chin jutted. “When it comes to beverages, I bill for what’s consumed. With food, I charge for all of it, because leftovers usually won’t keep.”
    Frowning, Toadie drew circles on the sheet of paper