Silver Scream: A Bed-And-Breakfast Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page A

limo doors were opened by their drivers, a third car pulled up and stopped in front of the Steins’ house at the corner.
    “Hey,” called one of the other drivers as a diverse group of people began to emerge from the chauffeur-driven cars, “will somebody move this crate?” The young man gestured at what Judith assumed was the Izards’ rental.
    Both Meg and Walt froze momentarily on the threshold. “Big-shot bastards,” Walt muttered. “To hell with ’em.”
    But Meg had already started for the car. With an annoyed shrug, Walt followed his wife. The couple drove away as Arlene Rankers appeared from the other side of the hedge and the first of the celebrities made their way toward Hillside Manor.
    Although at least a half-dozen people were approaching the front porch in styles ranging from a brisk trot to a languid lope, Judith’s gaze was fixated on just one man, who held a cell phone to his ear: He was almost bald, with a short grizzled beard and a fire-plug build. What little hair he had left had grown out and was tied with a black ribbon into a thin, foot-long ponytail. His cheeks were pitted with old acne scars, and while his movements were controlled, energy exuded from him like sparks from a faulty toaster. Judith realized that she recognized him from casually glimpsed photographs. He was Bruno Zepf, megaproducer and Hollywood legend-in-the-making.
    “Mr. Zepf,” Judith said, putting out her hand.
    “Mr. Zepf,” echoed Renie and Arlene, who had joined Judith on the porch. Renie looked as if she were trying very hard not to be impressed; Arlene appeared close to bursting with unbridled gush.
    Zepf clicked off the cell phone and zeroed in on Judith, his shrewd blue eyes narrowing a bit. “You’re Mrs…. Flynn?”
    “I am.” To her horror, Judith dropped a slight curtsy.
    “Welcome to Hillside Manor,” Arlene burbled, grabbing the hand that Judith had just released. “This is a wonderful B&B. This is a wonderful neighborhood. This is a wonderful city.” She lowered her voice only a jot. “That’s why we’re thinking of moving.”
    Judith and Renie were used to Arlene’s contradictions. Judith flinched, but Bruno apparently hadn’t heard Arlene. He had already moved on to shake Renie’s hand without ever looking right at her, and was now in the entry hall, surveying his new surroundings. Such was his air of possession that Judith felt as if she’d not only rented Bruno a room but sold him the entire house.
    Judith had to force herself to take her eyes off the great man and greet the other guests. She immediately recognized Dirk Farrar and Angela La Belle, whose famous faces had appeared in a series of hit movies. Judith had actually seen two of their films, on video. Just as the pair reached the porch, Judith noticed that Naomi Stein had come out of her house on the corner and Ted Ericson was pulling into his driveway across the street.
    As Ted got out of his car, Dirk Farrar also saw the newcomers. “Beat it, scumbags!” he yelled. “No paparazzi!” Pushing past Angela La Belle and the three-woman welcoming team, he disappeared into the living room.
    With a faint sneer on her face, Angela La Belle ignored the gawking neighbors along with her fellow actor and proceeded up the front steps.
    “Ms. La Belle,” Judith said, gathering her aplomb, “I so enjoyed your performance in”—her mind went blank—“your last movie.”
    Angela’s face, which seemed so angelic on the screen, wore a chilly smile. “Thanks. Where’s the john?”
    “Straight ahead,” Renie said, pointing to the new door that Skjoval Tolvang had recently installed.
    Judith was left to confront a somewhat less familiar face. She racked her brain to recall who else was on Bruno’s guest list.
    “Hi, Mr. Carmody,” Renie said, coming to the rescue. “My husband and I were sorry you didn’t win Best Supporting Actor this year. You were a really great villain in To Die in Davenport .”
    “Thanks,” Ben Carmody