Pennies on a Dead Woman's Eyes Read Online Free PDF

such a soft touch where Rae’s concerned. He spoils her rotten. She’s already preempted a third of the attic for her living space; why does she need skylights too?”
    I shrugged. “There’s something about Rae that makes people want to spoil her rotten.”
    â€œGuess so. How come she’s staying with you instead of Willie?”
    â€œHe’s up in Reno this weekend opening a new store, and I don’t think she likes to stay in that big house of his when he’s not there.” Willie Whelan, Rae’s current love, had expanded his chain of cut-rate jewelry stores to Nevada. Soon most of the newlyweds who had tied the knot in the West’s marriage Mecca would be up to their eyeballs in debt to him. “Rae’s promised to help me get my garden in shape for spring planting,” I added.
    â€œA little late, aren’t you? It’s already the end of May.”
    â€œNot as late as last year; I didn’t get so much as a petunia into the ground. Rae and I have a hot weekend planned: hard work in the garden followed by a culinary experiment with Larry’s mushroom enchilada recipe, and then early to bed—alone.”
    â€œHy’s not flying down?”
    Hy is a pilot and owns a Citabria Decathlon, a small aerobatic plane that is a sweet, sometimes scary thrill to fly in. “I haven’t heard from him, so I assume not. But you never know; he’s one of the world’s truly unpredictable souls.” And puzzling ones, I added to myself. “Anyway, the most I’m hoping for from the weekend is that this weather will hold so I can laze on my deck on Sunday and contemplate the fruits of our labors.” I paused. “Do you and Judy have plans for tomorrow night?”
    â€œNo. It’s one of those hot weekends for us, too. Why?”
    â€œI was thinking you might come for mushroom enchiladas. Bring Lis, too. It would be a good chance for all of us to talk, since I intend to go over that transcript tonight.” Even as I spoke, a plan took form; I’d read up on the case, feed everybody, make some provocative comments that would pique Rae’s interest, and turn the case over to her. The easy way out, maybe, but Rae was a good investigator, and I could always help—more effectively because I could maintain a certain objective distance.
    Jack looked skeptical. “Dinner sounds fine, but I don’t know about the enchiladas. Koslowski’s recipes . . .”
    â€œRae’s had them, and she says they’re good. Trying them is part of my campaign to begin eating more healthfully.”
    â€œYou’re just a bundle of good intentions these days, aren’t you?”
    â€œSo far I’m only working on my minor flaws. The major ones would take more effort that I can put forth right now.”
    â€œWell, we’ll be happy to bring some wine—something robust to drown out the peculiar undertaste that all Larry’s recipes have.”
    I smiled. “Tomorrow night at seven, then.”
    After I’d set my empty wineglass in the sink, I went down the hall to Ted’s desk, to see if someone might have taken a call from Tony Neuva and neglected to locate me. Surprisingly, Ted had returned to the foyer, was sitting in his chair staring into space. I hesitate, not wishing to intrude, but he glanced my way and monitored for me to come in.
    â€œDon’t mind me,” he said. “I’m just brooding.”
    â€œAbout something specific or everything in general?”
    â€œOh . . .” he shrugged.
    I waited, but he didn’t go on. During the past six months I’d noticed a worrisome change in Ted. He was as efficient and devoted to his work as ever, but at times I could tell he felt overburdened. He laughed and joked as much as ever, but often his humor had an edge. And more and more I found him staring blankly like this or aimlessly wandering through the house.
    Of course, I