Major Vices Read Online Free PDF

which lay before her. “How big are the plastic glasses?”
    Judith gestured with her hands. “Three inches, I’d say.” She wished they were as big as beer steins. “We’ve also brought along plates and forks and napkins. The appetizers are shrimp balls, pickled herring in sour cream, Bavarian ham finger sandwiches, strawberries dipped in dark chocolate, Norwegian sardines, and smoked oysters. I’ve got Brie and Gouda and Havarti for cheeses. Oh, and crackers, of course. Four kinds—sesame, water wafers…”
    Toadie Grover was reeling in Uncle Boo’s chair. “Oh, my God! This is outrageous! What are you trying to do—bankrupt us?”
    Keeping a rein on her temper, Judith lowered her voice.“Aunt Toadie, we talked often and at length this week. You kept saying you wanted a really nice party for Uncle Boo. I mentioned several of the items I would provide. You never contradicted me. What was I to think?”
    Toadie had now assumed a stern air. “The problem with you, Judith, is that you don’t think. You never have. I remember one Christmas Eve when you were a little girl, and after Santa left, they took down the big curtain that hid the tree and the presents. You acted so impulsively, diving right into the living room and smashing the doll bed your parents had given you. Of course, it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t been such a heavy child.”
    Judith bristled. “It wouldn’t have happened at all if Trixie hadn’t pushed me.” Vividly, she remembered her younger cousin leaping among the pretty packages, screaming, “Mine! Mine! I want! Now!” Renie, who was never one to suffer fools gladly even in her youth, had put a headlock on Trixie and carried her off to the coal bin in the basement. Renie had been punished for her temerity but always swore it was worth it.
    Toadie was still looking severe. “Never mind all that petty bickering. We’re in the present, Judith. My estimate of the cost for tonight clearly doesn’t match yours. We’ll have to hammer it out later. Right now, you’ve got work to do. And I must change.”
    Judith was still angry. She’d spent two days and two hundred dollars preparing for Uncle Boo’s party. Aunt Toadie was going to squirm off the hook when she got the bill. Judith should have known. There was no point in arguing until push came to shove. Judith also got to her feet.
    The phone on the desk rang, a sharp, jarring sound. Toadie picked it up, then grimaced. “It’s for you,” she announced.
    Judith’s high forehead creased. She took the old-fashioned black handset receiver from Toadie and heard Joe’s voice on the other end.
    â€œJude-girl,” he began, using the nickname that she’d never liked and he refused to abandon, “I’ve got a problem.”
    â€œWhat? Where are you?” Judith checked her watch. Itwas after five. Joe should be on his way home. A sense of unease crept over her.
    â€œI’m still at work. I knew it was too good to be true when I got off early a couple of days this week. Now I get stuck on a priority missing-persons investigation. I’ll probably work through the weekend.”
    Judith’s heart sank. At the door, Toadie sensed apprehension in the air, and seemed to enjoy it. “But the guests! What shall I do?” Judith wailed.
    Joe’s voice took on a miserable note. “I don’t know, Jude-girl. I feel rotten about this. Believe me, I wouldn’t do it if the marching orders hadn’t come down from the Mayor’s office.”
    Briefly, Judith forgot her own dilemma. “The Mayor? Who’s missing? His campaign manager for reelection?”
    Joe’s chuckle was jagged. “Not quite. It’s his cousin, a city building inspector who disappeared yesterday. Reliable guy, family man, no kinks, no quirks. But he never came home last night. We’re