Sweet Somethings (Samantha Sweet Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page B

doing well in
the current drought. The back windows of each apartment faced the parking area,
while the front doors were accessed by walkways at each of the four corners of
the square. Sam found Carinda’s place by following the sounds of loud chatter.
    “We should wait until Sam arrives
before we get into all this,” came Riki’s voice through the screen of the open
front door.
    “Sam is here,” she announced,
holding out the box of cookies.
    She stepped into a tiny living
room where Carinda had placed dining chairs and two plastic ones from her front
porch in order to accommodate everyone. So far, in addition to their hostess,
the group consisted of Riki and Kelly, Harvey Byron, and herself. Sam gave a
quick version of the reason Sarah would not be attending, an unsubtle way of
letting them know they would each need to absorb a few extra duties.
    Rupert arrived with apologies for
being late, giving the tiny apartment and its rental-grade furnishings a
critical eye. Sam shot him a look and hoped Carinda didn’t notice. Not everyone
lived on the scale that Rupert indulged in.
    “Okay, everyone, let’s get started
so we can all get home at a reasonable hour,” Sam began. “I understand that the
advertising materials have been sent to the printer?”
    Carinda nodded. “I’ll have them
tomorrow. I can use some help to get them put up around town.” Without waiting
for volunteers she called upon Riki, with a withering look which hinted that the
groomer had done precious little so far.
    Sam spoke up. “All of us have
businesses to run and our time is limited.” Except
for you, Carinda . She didn’t say it. “Let’s divide the posters equally and
each of us can be responsible for a few. Put them up in your own shops and
whatever other public places where they’re allowed.”
    Riki sent Carinda a triumphant
little look. Sam went to the next item on her agenda.
    “Harvey? Anything new with the
judges?”
    “I’m happy to say that I’ve
confirmed two—the police chief’s sister and the mayor’s wife. They both seem
very excited about it, but I’m afraid I’m stumped for a third. But worst case,
I know I could get my brother to do it.” He blushed deeply. “Sorry, I didn’t
mean that would be the worst case at all—”
    “It’s okay, Harvey. None of us
took it that way.” Sam glanced toward Rupert. “We actually have a lead on
someone—something of a nationally known face—that we might be able to get.
Rupert? Do we know anything more about that yet?”
    “We’re all set.” He stood up to
make the announcement, having never forgotten his roots in theatre. “We, dear
committee members, will be graced by the presence of none other than Bentley
Day, star of Killer Chef .”
    A couple of gasps went up, but Sam
was pleased to see Harv’s blank expression too. At least she wasn’t the only
person in town out of touch with reality TV.
    Naturally, Kelly was one who
reacted. “Oh my gosh, Bentley Day! I wonder if he’ll bring that huge chef knife
he always carries around.”
    Riki spoke up. “Oh, can’t you just
see him whacking into the cakes and pies with that thing—cutting out slices for
the judges to taste?”
    “Oh, man, this will be great!”
Kelly said.
    Riki, Rupert and Kelly, all fans
of the show, began trading best episode quips. Carinda, no longer the center of
attention, sat with her mouth clamped firmly shut, while Harvey and Sam seemed
to be the outsiders. Sam gave them a minute and then called everyone back to
attention.
    “I need someone to contact Sarah’s
friends who were making decorations and find out how that’s coming along. The
deadline is next Thursday, and there should be a place where one of us can pick
up everything. I can use my bakery van for that, but I won’t have time to run
around to a dozen different women’s homes.”
    Kelly looked up from her notepad.
“I’ll do it. Somewhere in my notes I think I jotted the names of those ladies.”
She flipped pages