5 Murder by Syllabub Read Free

lost its neutrality, but not long enough to be read. What had I seen, surprise, annoyance? Impatience, definitely.
    “Yes. Do you know her?”
    The man’s eyes darted around the terminal then settled back on Aunt Mary. “I hope you enjoy your stay,” he said. Suitcase trailing behind him, he headed for the terminal door, paused and headed for a side door. A sign above it proclaimed, “Rental Cars.”
    “Friendly sort.” I parked my suitcase next to hers and gave the place a once-over. I was beginning to feel concerned. The terminal was almost empty. The fading light said it was getting late and so did my growling stomach. What would we do if Elizabeth didn’t show up?
    A tall , angular-looking woman rushed into the building, clutching a straw hat onto her head. A long gray braid hung down her back and a full denim skirt swirled around her legs, which were covered with bright red stockings. Her face had a sculptured look—high cheekbones, straight, strong nose, large gray eyes that seemed to take in the whole room, and a very determined chin. Elizabeth.
    She came toward Aunt Mary at a gallop. “Mary.”
    Aunt Mary beamed. “We made it.” She gave Elizabeth a hug then held her at arm’s length. “You look great.”
    She didn’t look great to me. Elizabeth was too thin. There were bruise-like smudges under her eyes and hollows under her cheekbones. The rigidity in the way she held herself screamed tension. Elizabeth smiled at Aunt Mary, though, and shook her head slightly. “If it was only so.” She enveloped her in another hug, almost lifting her off her feet. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here. Both of you.” She turned to me and grinned. “Did you have a good trip? Where’s your luggage? Is that it? You didn’t bring much. Oh, well. We can always go shopping.”
    “We can also wash ,” Aunt Mary said. “I assume you have a washing machine?”
    Elizabeth nodded and laughed. “Mary, you never change. Of course I do, but if my sister-in-law has anything to say about it, you’ll go shopping. Come on. The car’s right outside so we won’t have to walk. No. I’ll get that.”
    Elizabeth, towing Aunt Mary by one arm and her suitcase by the other, headed for the terminal door. I trailed behind. A silver blue Toyota Prius waited in the loading zone.
    A tall black man in a police uniform stood beside it. “Miss Elizabeth, if you don’t quit parking like this, you’re going to get a ticket.” His voice had the soft accents of a native Virginian.
    “I know, Noah, but I was late and I had to rush. What are you doing here anyway?” Pulling open the back door, she shoved Mary forward and added, “This is Mary McGill, my oldest friend. We went to college together.” She picked up Mary’s suitcase and tried to shove it through the opening. “This is her niece, Ellen McKenzie. Dunham. I almost forgot. She got married right about the time William died.” She gestured at me as her introduction ground to a halt.
    Noah sighed. “I know. Get in and pop the trunk.”
    Aunt Mary and I were equally surprised when Elizabeth meekly did as she was told.
    Noah took Aunt Mary’s suitcase, then mine, and heaved them in. He reached for my carry-on bag. “You want this in here or in the backseat?”
    “Back there is fine.” Who was this man who was obviously so well acquainted with Elizabeth and shouldn’t—if his uniform was any clue—be handling luggage. He shouldn’t even be here, in Newport News. His arm patch clearly read “Williamsburg Police Department” and the stripes, “sergeant.”
    He held out his hand to Aunt Mary who, though confused, extended hers. He took it and helped her into the car. “Glad you’re here safe and sound. Ever since she heard you were coming, Miss Elizabeth has been fretting something would happen to you. Only thing that got her through was knowing you’d be with her.” He grinned at me and opened the back door. I climbed in. He smiled, closed my door and poked his head in