Rules of Murder Read Online Free PDF

you just in time.” He nodded to the gentlemen in the room. “Good evening, sir. And to you, Mr. Rushford. And I don’t believe we’ve met.”
    He offered his hand to the third man, who shook it briefly.
    “Mr. Clarke is my new secretary,” Mason explained. “Clarke, this is my stepson, Mr. Farthering.”
    “Pleased to meet you, sir.”
    “Likewise,” Drew said, and then he turned to Mason once more. “But what happened to old Vickers? He’s been with you just ages.”
    “Vickers suddenly decided to retire, so I’ve taken on Clarke. He’s off to Edmonton, by the way, to see to some things there for me. I haven’t told them he’s coming.” Mason winked. “See you manage a bit of work now and again, Clarke, when you’re not fly-fishing.”
    “Only on the weekends, to be sure,” Clarke told him, turning a bit pink.
    “Ah. Well, best of luck to you, Clarke,” Drew said. “Mind you keep your hand out of the till.”
    The other men chuckled, and the secretary’s face went from pink to scarlet. “See here, Mr. Farthering, I would never—”
    “Now, now, hold steady there, Clarke,” Drew soothed. “Don’t you mind me. Miss Parker will tell you I never say anything meant to be taken seriously.” He gave Madeline a sly grin. “And she doubtless keeps a catalog of my faults close at hand lest any of them be forgotten.”
    “Oh, no,” Madeline replied, all wide-eyed innocence. “I don’t see any reason to keep a personal record of anything so well-documented and widely known.”
    “And that, Miss Parker, is why you’re so desperately needed at the party.” Drew tucked her arm under his. “Do you know, some of our guests, most notably your Miss Brower, are actually starting to believe I’m a charming fellow.”
    “No!”
    “Yes!” Drew assured her, his face all earnest concern. “It’s an absolute scandal, and there’s no one but you to disabuse them of the notion. Now come along. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

Three
    M other, this is Miss Madeline Parker, your niece.”
    Drew presented Madeline to a stylish work of cosmetic art with chignon of platinum blond hair nearly as brilliant as the diamonds at her wrists and throat, a dazzling bird of paradise in black silk with plumes of electric blue.
    “How are you, my dear?” Constance said, kissing the air somewhere near Madeline’s cheek. “Mason’s talked of nothing else since you wrote you were coming. Are you having a pleasant time?”
    “Everything’s wonderful,” Madeline said. “And it’s so nice to finally get to meet you. I’d love to—”
    “You must come and have a chat with me tomorrow afternoon,” Constance said, but Madeline could tell she was distracted, searching for someone in the crowd.
    Drew cleared his throat. “Mother, Miss Parker—”
    “Go get me a stinger, pet.”
    “But, Mother—”
    “Shoo, shoo, shoo,” she said, waving him away, “and tell Nelson to be sparing with the crème de menthe.”
    Drew made a dutiful bow. “Yes, Mother. Pardon me, Miss Parker.”
    Once he had gone, Constance grabbed Madeline’s arm. “I saw you dancing with him.”
    “What?”
    “I saw you dancing with him. David Lincoln.” Constance’s eyes were hard, a little frantic. “You’ll stay away from him if you’re a smart girl.”
    “Y-yes,” Madeline stammered. “Of course. I wouldn’t—”
    “And then of course there’s Mrs. Bennington’s for hats,” Constance said as Uncle Mason came up to them.
    “Ah, I’m glad to see the two of you have met.” He kissed Constance’s cheek. “Would you care to dance, my dear?”
    Constance’s mouth tightened, but she managed a smile. “Not just now, Mason. I met the child only this very moment.”
    Mason chuckled. “And you were discussing hats. I should have known to keep my distance. Ah, there’s Drew. Better warn him off.”
    “No, that’s all right. I’m sure our dear Madeline will come talk to me later if she wants to know more, though