Terror in Taffeta Read Online Free PDF Page B

came back a few minutes later. “Do my pores look smaller?” he asked.
    â€œMicroscopic,” I said. “Now, you take that pile over there, and I’ll take this pile over here. Anything that’s not clothes, shoes, or makeup needs to be boxed up so we can ship it back home.”
    He scooped up a bag filled with custom-embroidered napkins. “What about these?”
    â€œWell, they’re not shoes or clothing, so what do you think?”
    â€œIn the box?”
    â€œYep, in the box they go.”
    Brody stuffed the napkins into the box and began rummaging through the things on the dresser. Approximately twenty seconds passed before he interrupted again. “What about this guest book?”
    â€œFocus, Brody, or no more beauty products for you.”
    â€œOkay, okay, in the box.” Ten seconds elapsed. “But what about—”
    â€œBrody,” I moaned, “if it’s not mine, pack it.”
    â€œBut I don’t know whether it’s yours or not.”
    I looked at the exquisitely wrapped package he was holding up in the air. “Actually, no. Sorry, that’s for Nicole.”
    â€œCan we open it?” he asked, shaking it next to his head and listening for clues as to what might be inside.
    â€œNo, I told you, it’s for Nicole.”
    â€œWhat’d you get her? Is it silverware?”
    â€œIt’s not from me, silly. I found it in the rectory and brought it back with me last night.”
    â€œWho’s it from?” he asked, turning it over and examining the bottom of the box.
    â€œI don’t know,” I said. “Throw it here.”
    Brody tossed me the box, and I carefully removed the gift card from its tiny ecru envelope. “‘With love, from Dana.’”
    An awkward moment passed as we stared at the gift. “Well, that sucks,” Brody said at last. “You going to give it to her?”
    â€œYeah, but not right now. It’ll only upset her more,” I said, shoving the package into a nearby tote bag.
    After we finished packing, Brody and I headed down the breezeway toward Dana’s room.
    â€œWhy do we have to pack her stuff anyway?” Brody asked. “It’s not like she’s going to need it.”
    â€œTrue, but I’m sure her family will want it back. Besides, the rental agency will expect us to clear everything out before we leave.”
    We paused outside the last door on the left. I stared at the knob for a second. This felt wrong.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, are you chicken?” Brody asked.
    â€œNo, it’s creepy, that’s all.”
    â€œOh, come on.” Brody reached past me and grabbed the wrought-iron doorknob. “I’ll do it.”
    The heavy door swung open. The room was a total mess.
    â€œJeez,” Brody said. “How embarrassing for her.”
    Her clothes were all over the floor, belongings strewn everywhere. As we stared at the mess with our mouths agape, something occurred to me. This wasn’t just a failure to tidy up while on vacation. Someone had been looking for something. And considering the enthusiasm with which they’d gutted the chair cushions and dumped the contents of the dresser drawers, they’d been none too happy.
    We backed out of the room, pulling the heavy door closed behind us, and I looked at Brody, who for once was speechless.
    â€œI think we’d better call the police.”

 
    CHAPTER 4
    As a wedding planner, you never know what you might be called upon to do. One day you’re an A/V specialist; the next day you’re a dove wrangler. My list of services was now growing to include “sneak police officers past unsuspecting brunch guests.”
    Luckily, Officers Antonio Ortiz and Frank Nolasco hadn’t eaten breakfast yet, so the promise of huevos rancheros was enough to divert them discreetly through the kitchen. That was about all my bribe got me, though. They took their plates