Shear Murder Read Online Free PDF Page B

started.” He elbowed Dalton. “If you want a real vintage, you should see my wine cellar.”
    “Thanks, but I'm not a connoisseur.” Dalton stepped back a pace.
    “Kevin appreciates a good bottle, don't you?” Eddy drew over a long-faced man with short tobacco hair and sallow skin. “Kevin is my brother Luke's kid. Tall fellow, isn't he?”
    Kevin's ears turned red. “Hi, Uncle Eddy, Aunt Alexis. Jill, allow me to congratulate the bride.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I hope you'll be happy. Arnie seems like a nice guy, even if he is Jewish.”
    “So am I, cousin,” Jill reminded him. “I hope you respect my choice. Where is Dana?” Her blond head twisted to regard the company. Arnie waved to her, and she gathered her skirt prior to hastening over.
    “My wife is chatting with Torrie and Scott,” Kevin said. “Yo, Jill, before you go, we have to talk. I drove by your property on the way here and—”
    “Not now, please. I think it's almost time to go in to dinner.” She moved off, and Marla trailed along to offer her congratulations to the groom.
    Events followed in a whirl. Guests paraded into the magnificent reception hall decorated in dark lilac, lavender, and cream, with tiny white lights strung throughout lavish floral centerpieces. Tea candles on the tables and chiffon ceiling drapes added to the romantic ambience.
    Marla and Dalton didn't make the head table, reserved for the bride and groom, Arnie's parents, and Jill's sister and brother-in-law. Instead, they found their places among the other attendants, mostly recent acquaintances.
    “I'd rather seat people at our affair with their friends and family,” Marla whispered to Dalton.
    “Later,” he rasped back as Arnie and Jill marched in to a round of applause before starting the dancing with their special song. Marla recalled the elaborate reception she'd had with Stan. Too bad she hadn't saved her dream wedding for Dalton.
    “Come on,” she yelled to him when the band started playing a lively tune. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the circle being formed, kicking her legs and sidestepping with the rest of the laughing crowd dancing the hora.
    Meal courses intermingled with the music. When it was Arnie's turn to be lifted in a chair in joyful celebration, she pushed Dalton onto the dance floor to assist. At first reserved, he'd mellowed after several drinks, and he gamely joined Arnie's friends in hoisting the wedding couple to shouts of cheer and rousing music.
    Hours later, after the entrée had been cleared, Jill approached their table. “Have you seen my sister?” she asked Marla. “I want to do the bouquet toss before people leave.”
    Marla glanced at Torrie's husband, whom she'd met earlier. The man stood alone, staring morosely at his drink. His face reminded her of Edward G. Robinson when the actor played Dathan in
The Ten Commandments,
one of her favorite films. He wore round eyeglasses, a mustache and goatee, and a permanent hunch.
    “Maybe she's gone to the ladies' room. You haven't cut the cake yet. Don't you want to do that first?” Marla glanced at the alcove where the tiered wedding cake was displayed on a decorated table. “I can get a waitress to wheel it over.”
    She looked for the young woman she'd seen earlier, who had appeared fascinated by the bride. The girl's creamy complexion didn't match her severe black hair, making her stand out to Marla's expert eye. Something wasn't quite right about her appearance, but she didn't see the girl anywhere now.
    “Where's the photographer?” The bride craned her neck to survey the room. “I'll have to drag Arnie over.”
    Marla spotted Dalton talking to one of Arnie's relatives and signaled that she'd be occupied. “Go look for them. I can take care of the cake.”
    “Torrie shouldn't just disappear like that.” Jill shook her head. “I hope she isn't talking to Kevin about our property without me. He's not here, either.”
    Marla left her friend muttering to