Murder Actually Read Online Free PDF Page A

caught my attention, and I peered through the crowd to try to pinpoint the speaker. I didn’t see anyone in my vicinity but noticed Julia beckoning from the other side of the room. I was on my way to join her when Jasper stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
    â€œWhat is the ultimate goal of a writer, Elspeth?” His voice was slurred and I took a step back from the onslaught of whiskey on his breath.
    â€œI don’t know; I guess it depends on the writer.”
    He laughed and slipped an arm across my shoulders. “No, no, no…you’re not thinking about it. C’mon. What’s the ultimate goal of a writer?”
    â€œTruth,” I said finally.
    â€œAhhhh, so there is more to you than cupcakes and sunsets,” he leaned towards me and forced me up against a stack of shelves. “I thought so. You know, Elspeth, I’ve had my eye on you for quite awhile. You might understand me if you let yourself.”
    â€œDoesn’t Nora understand you?”
    He adopted a mournful pose; putting one hand to his brow. “I’m afraid she doesn’t. As a fellow artist, you know how we suffer for our work. Nora is a wonderful person but she isn’t the least bit creative.”
    I arched my brows in surprise. Nora taught autistic children, an endeavor I thought required more creative energy than Jasper and I had combined. Jasper must’ve realized my expression was less than flattered, and his arm fell away as he drew himself up to his full height and wavered uncertainly on his feet.
    â€œAs I was saying, the ultimate goal of a mystery writer is to solve a real-life mystery,” his grand pronouncement was a bit tempered by a slur that turned the word ‘mystery’ into ‘myshtery’. “That’s what I’m doing, Elspeth. I’m solving a real-life mystery.”
    â€œGood for you. I’m sure you’re uniquely qualified.”
    He peered at me blurrily, and I was glad when Violet Ambler approached and slipped one of her shoulders under his arm.
    â€œIsn’t it time to go, Jasper?”
    He scowled down at her. “The revisions you did this morning weren’t right. I left the corrected proofs on your desk. You better get back to the studio and finish up so we can go over the changes later.”
    Violet moved away reluctantly as Alex approached Jasper. Jasper looked at him a moment and then smiled. “Hello there, little brother. I’m looking forward to our meeting in the morning. I’ll be at Ware Realty around ten.”
    Alex flushed and I could hear him exhorting Jasper in low, angry tones.
    â€œDon’t give me that crap,” Jasper said loudly. “Of course you have time! You have those account books ready for me or I’ll get the law involved. I don’t think either of us want that, do we, brother?”
    Jasper stormed away and grabbed a glass of champagne, and I watched Coco Ware approach him and say something in an urgent tone. Their eyes locked briefly before he shook off her restraining hand and stalked towards the dance floor.
    I was so absorbed in the scene I didn’t notice Violet Ambler approach me.
    â€œDo you have a minute, Elspeth?”
    I looked at her curiously. Her brown eyes were surprisingly shrewd behind her horn-rim glasses, and her grey suit was a bit too dressy for the occasion. Violet struck me as the type of person who was desperate to be taken seriously.
    â€œDo you want me to sign your book?”
    â€œNo, thanks. I didn’t buy a copy.”
    I guess that would teach me to think too much of my writing prowess. “What can I do for you?” I asked.
    â€œI just wanted to let you know you shouldn’t take Jasper too seriously,” she lowered her voice and tugged on my arm. “I know he’s a horrible flirt, and a lot of girls have gotten their hopes up, especially since he and Nora are getting divorced,” she tittered and adjusted her