Swan Song (Julie O'Hara Mystery Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

remember when we were talking about Dianna’s visit at Christmas? Did you notice how defensive Frank was about that?”
    “Sure. I figured he and Dianna weren’t getting along that well. It probably made him feel guilty. So? What’s that got to do with Betty and him?”
    “He minimized Dianna’s absence, when she clearly only visited them on special occasions, something that hurt and infuriated Betty.”
    “How do figure that?”
    “When she said, ‘She was never too busy to call me , Frank’, there was a slight accent on ‘ me’ , emphasizing that he was the reason Dianna didn’t visit.”
    “Yeah, I heard that. But it didn’t seem like such a big deal.”
    “That’s because she spoke softly, Joe. She controlled her tone. But it was a shade too controlled, as if she might lose it. And there was a clear flash of A.U. nine.” Julie pointed to her nose. “Her levator labii superioris …”
    Joe held up his hand. “Hold it! In English, please.”
    “Sorry. I was referring to her facial expression. An ‘A.U.’ is a distinct movement of facial muscle, an ‘Action Unit’. There are forty-three basic movements that work in combination with each other. In this case, the A.U. was a micro expression, Joe, something a person can’t control. It was fleeting, barely noticeable, but I caught it.
    “Betty scrunched her nose… like this. You know, the way you do when you smell something bad? Your eyebrows automatically lower at the same time, see? That’s number nine, Joe. It’s a universal expression of disgust. But that wasn’t all. Generally, a person also lowers their eyelids. Betty didn’t do that. She looked straight at Frank, open-eyed. That was pure, undiluted anger . ”
    “Hmm, that’s interesting,” said Joe. “She never says much, but, now that you mention it, it fits with something else I thought about in there. Maybe she didn’t want to move to Florida. Maybe she blames him for that. Like maybe Dianna would still be alive if they never moved here. I mean, it doesn’t have to make sense for her to feel like that, right?”
    “I think you’re right. And Frank was clearly disingenuous about the move. I think Betty wasn’t the only one who probably felt uprooted. What was Dianna, seventeen or eighteen? I’d be willing to bet that she didn’t want to move here, either.”
    They were quiet for a few moments, as they each thought about the Wielands.
    The community’s exit gate rose slowly as they approached.
    “Well, it’s only noon, Merlin,” said Joe, pulling over to the curb.
    “Who’s next on your list?”
    * * * * * 
     
    Chapter 6
    “O kay, Linc, thanks. We’ll see you then.”
    Joe slipped the cell phone into its dashboard holster.
    “He can’t meet us until four. He’s tied up at work until then. He works at Pleasure Ride Farm, near Ocala. It’s beautiful, Merlin. You’ll enjoy seeing it.”
    “Good. Let’s see if we can catch Lee Porter at Porter & Brandt. I’d rather not call. I’ve learned from experience that it’s better not to give an attorney a heads-up. Besides, if he’s not there we can still talk to his secretary.”
    Porter & Brandt was one of the largest and oldest law firms in the area, occupying its own building on New York Avenue, one block east of trendy Park Avenue in Winter Park. The handsome Spanish architecture of stucco and tile had aged well, and fit right in with the overall ambiance of older homes and bricked streets.
    As Julie and Joe entered, they could see that major renovations were underway inside. Large, clear plastic sheets were strung across the lobby and workmen were noisily knocking down a wall behind it. A receptionist with headphones was sitting at a circular desk. She removed them as they approached.
    “Hi,” said Joe, his voice raised over the ruckus. “We’re here to see Lee Porter, is he in?”
    “Do you have an appointment?” she said, enunciating carefully.
    “No. Would you tell him it’s Joe Garrett? It’s