Murder in the Latin Quarter Read Online Free PDF Page B

idea,” Laurent said, kissing Jemmy on the forehead.
    â€œWon’t you miss us?”
    â€œThat is a ridiculous question.”
    â€œWow, you old sweet talker,” Maggie said. “Hey, did I tell you the dead woman was your aunt’s home health nurse?”
    Laurent gave a grunt of frustration. “I would like to know why these things always happen when you are around.”
    â€œDelphine has to make an inventory of anything she thinks is missing.”
    â€œAre you not at Grace’s yet? Next time you must take a taxi.”
    â€œAre you staying on the phone with me until I’m safely at Grace’s place?”
    â€œYou are a lone woman in a major metropolitan city with a six month old baby. Why must I explain this to you?”
    â€œIt’s not even dark yet. There are lots of people everywhere. I’m perfectly safe.”
    â€œThat is what you always say just before I am calling the police or pulling you out of car trunks.”
    â€œYour aunt told me you were a very quiet boy.”
    â€œ Non ,” Laurent said, settling Jemmy down on the chair by his dinner plate.
    â€œ Non you weren’t a quiet boy?”
    â€œ Non you are not to interrogate a ninety-two year old woman to satisfy your own curiosities.”
    â€œWell, I suppose I could go through all her letters and photo albums but I thought this way was less invasive.”
    â€œYou have no need to see my aunt again.”
    â€œThat’s where you’re wrong, Laurent. We’re going shopping tomorrow.”
    â€œI do not believe you.”
    â€œYou don’t need to,” Maggie said cheerfully. “And after that she says she’ll dig up every single photograph of you there is in existence. Baby pictures, grade school report cards. The works.”
    â€œI forbid you to do this, Maggie.”
    Maggie laughed. “Oh, darling, I love you so much! When will you learn that that’s not a thing in marriage these days?”
    â€œThis is not funny, chérie ,” he said firmly.
    â€œMaybe not. But it’s absolutely necessary. Kiss my baby boy for me, and save one for yourself. I’m at Grace’s safe and sound. Good night, Laurent.”
    â€œMaggie…”
    But she’d hung up. Laurent tossed the cellphone on the counter and saw Jemmy was watching him with questioning eyes while holding a fork of Laurent’s boeuf en Daube poised in midair.
    â€œ Ça ne fait rien ,” Laurent said to him, his face relaxing as he reassured his son. “All is well.”
    Jemmy attacked his plate while the little poodle sat in position by his chair ready for whatever came next.
----

    M aggie slid the phone into her jacket pocket and gave the baby a kiss.
    â€œYour papa doesn’t need to know every detail of what we do. Remember that, Mila. On the other hand, you must never keep secrets from your maman , ever…” She kissed the baby again. “But you already know that.”
    It had been a long walk from Delphine’s to Grace’s and Maggie felt the exertion in her legs.
    What a wild afternoon. Not just discovering the body of that poor woman but the actual meeting with Laurent’s aunt too.
    Maggie cringed at the memory. No, Great Aunt Delphine had not been pleased to clap eyes on Maggie. She looked tired and every minute her ninety-two years. Laurent needn’t worry about girl talk and bistro outings with his aunt, that was for sure.
    She looked up at the front of Grace’s building. Maggie hadn’t had a moment to think of Grace all day, let alone text her to see what her plans were.
    She unlocked the front door and the aroma of cassoulet wafted out from the kitchen.
    That can’t be Grace . Maybe her boyfriend cooks?
    â€œHello, Madame Dernier,” Beatrice sang out from the kitchen. Zouzou stuck her head out and smiled shyly at Maggie.
    â€œHey, Beatrice,” Maggie said as she unwrapped Mila from the sling. Maggie