The Puzzle Lady vs. the Sudoku Lady Read Online Free PDF Page B

his psyche.”
    â€œOh, please,” Cora said. “If I woke up married to a used-car salesman, would you say I had those tendencies?”
    Aaron found himself very busy cutting his veal.
    Cora’s face darkened. “For God’s sake. It’s bad enough when you kid about my men. When you get embarrassed by them, it’s ten times worse. Is it just because you’re married? It never bothered you when you were single. See why I have to move out? I’m corrupting the morals of your husband.”
    â€œYou’re moving out?” Aaron said.
    â€œWhere have you been? Never mind. I know where you’ve been. This is not a honeymoon cottage. You need your own space. And I need mine.”
    â€œI didn’t know you felt that way.”
    â€œOf course not. You’re young; you’re in love. You’re not cynical yet. I’d like to help you stay that way. You got enough problems with Dennis.”
    â€œCora,” Sherry warned.

    Aaron frowned. “Dennis? What about Dennis?”
    â€œDidn’t she mention it? He’s been calling. You wouldn’t even know if I hadn’t been here spoiling the party.”
    â€œWhat did Dennis want?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Sherry said. “He called. I hung up.”
    â€œDidn’t he say anything?”
    â€œI didn’t let him say anything. I hung up the phone.”
    â€œHow’d you know it was him?”
    â€œI recognized his voice.”
    â€œThen he must have said something.”
    Cora smiled, spread her hands. “My work here is done.”
    â€œLook at that,” Sherry said. “See how neatly she changed the subject. You wouldn’t know we were talking about her moving out.”
    â€œActually, we were talking about a murder,” Cora said. “I was just digressing from the digression.”
    â€œExactly,” Aaron said. “If it’s a murder, why didn’t I get the story?”
    â€œThere’s no story. It’s not a murder.”
    â€œBut Chief Harper thinks it is?”
    â€œNo, he doesn’t.”
    â€œBut the husband’s in jail?”
    â€œOn a drunk and disorderly charge.”
    â€œWhy isn’t he out?”
    â€œBecause his lawyer won’t let him talk.”
    â€œHe hired Becky Baldwin?”
    â€œDoesn’t everyone?”
    â€œHe must think he’ll be suspected.”
    â€œHe doesn’t think anything. He’s drunk and barely conscious. Becky thrust herself on him, and the poor guy never had a chance.”

    â€œHe didn’t call her?”
    â€œObviously.”
    â€œWho tipped her off?”
    â€œDon’t look at me. I don’t go making trouble.”
    â€œYou worked for Becky in the past.”
    â€œWhen she hired me. I don’t go soliciting employment.”
    â€œBut you have a relationship. Times are tough. You might throw her a bone.”
    â€œKids,” Sherry said. “This is not a debate. Cora’s not going to lie about it. Cora, did you tip Becky off? Yes or no?”
    â€œNo. If you want my opinion—”
    â€œI do,” Aaron said.
    â€œI’d lean on Dan Finley. I know he tips the TV people off.”
    â€œThat’s different. The cops always want to get in good with the media. Lawyers are on the other side.”
    â€œYeah, but Becky’s a pretty girl.”
    Aaron’s eyes widened. “Do you mean—?”
    â€œDan’s young, male, single, and he’s not blind. Just because he acts like a boy doesn’t mean he doesn’t think like a man.”
    â€œCora, you can’t go,” Sherry said. “We’d be lost without these insights.”
    The phone rang. Sherry got up to answer it.
    â€œIf that’s Dennis, I want to talk to him,” Aaron said.
    â€œIt isn’t Dennis.”
    â€œIf it is, give me the phone.”
    â€œI can take care of myself.”
    â€œI know you can. Just give