St. Patrick's Day Murder Read Online Free PDF Page B

close to his brother?”
    “Not really,” she said, replacing her cup in its saucer. “I was a bit surprised when Dylan said he wanted to take this directing job because it would give him a chance to get reacquainted with his brother. It’s a bit of a busman’s holiday, really. Combining work with a family reunion.” She gave a little tinkly laugh. “A very small family reunion to be sure, since there are only the four of us.” Her hand fluttered to her mouth. “Ah, me, now it’s only three.”
    “I know Dylan is supposed to direct Finian’s Rainbow at the church,” said Lucy, helping herself to a second little triangle of chicken salad on white bread. “Do you think he’ll still do it?”
    Moira seemed shocked at the question. “Of course. The show must go on!”
    “Not really,” said Lucy. “I mean, I’m sure the church could find someone else if your husband finds it too difficult to carry on.”
    Moira shook her head emphatically, making her long, curly locks bounce. “He’s a professional. It wouldn’t cross his mind to quit.” She took another sip of tea. “Besides, there will be business to attend to. Daniel had a pub, and a house, too? I believe he was doing quite well. At least that’s what we were given to think back in Ireland.”
    “I don’t really know,” confessed Lucy. “The Bilge was popular, and he did a good business, but I don’t know if he owned the building or not. As for the house, I don’t have any idea of its value.”
    Moira tilted her head back and ran her fingers through her hair. “Tinker’s Cove seems like quite a prosperous place. All the houses are well kept. Business seems to be thriving. I suppose property values have risen considerably over the last few years?”
    Lucy was a bit taken aback. Was she already calculating her husband’s likely inheritance? “Like everywhere, I guess,” said Lucy. “There is still quite a bit of poverty here.”
    “Really? I wouldn’t have thought so.”
    “A lot of traditional industries, like fishing, are disappearing, and people have a hard time finding jobs that pay well. And then there are immigrants. Brazilians, Haitians, Somalians, all sorts of people are turning up. There’s plenty of work for them in the summer, what with the tourists and all, but it all disappears come winter. It’s a real problem, and there doesn’t seem to be an easy solution.”
    Moira’s expression made it clear she really wasn’t interested in other people’s problems. “I really ought to check on Deirdre,” she said, standing up.
    “She’s a lovely little girl,” said Lucy. “I have a daughter about her age. Zoe’s ten. Perhaps she’d like to come and play with her?”
    “That’s very kind of you,” said Moira, with a little smile. “She’s already saying that she misses her friends from home.”
    “We’d love to have her visit…anytime at all,” said Lucy. “Here. Let me write my home number on my card. Most of the time you can reach me at the paper, though.”
    Moira took the card and studied it. “Do you have a mobile?” she asked, pen in hand.
    Lucy recited the number, wondering exactly where the pen had materialized from. Was it in her pocket? Lying on a side table? Was it summoned out of thin air? It was beginning to seem like a very long and confusing day. She needed some time to herself to sort things out.
    “I’ve got to go,” said Lucy. “I hope you’ll be comfortable here, and let me know if I can do anything for you.”
    “You’re too kind,” boomed a hearty voice behind her, and she turned to see Dylan coming through the door. He stopped in the middle of the room and looked around appreciatively. “And a fine place you’ve found for us.” He took a deep breath and placed his hands on his wife’s shoulders. “Ah, Moira me darling, you’ll find people here are very kind and welcoming. We got off to a bit of a rough start, I’ll admit, but things are going to be fine. You’ll see.”
    “Of