A Whisper in the Dark Read Free Page A

fresh.” Unfazed by her younger sibling’s wrath, her mind still on the newest letter she’d received, Julia crossed to the coffeemaker and poured French roast into a tall mug.
    “Black,” Claudia grumbled.
    “What has you in such an uproar this morning?”
    “Mr. Thornbrow is the rudest old codger I’ve ever had the misfortune of dealing with,” Claudia said.
    Julia withheld a smile. The accused Mr. Thornbrow was a fellow antiquarian who ran a bookstore near Tulane, where Claudia attended law school. “He does have a knack for being difficult,” Julia said diplomatically.
    “He tried to charge me twice for these books.”
    Julie winced. She’d already paid fair market value for the books in question. “He’s a little forgetful.”
    Claudia snorted. “He’s a crude little man and uses his age to try and cheat people. I honestly don’t know why you continue to do business with him.”
    “I deal with him because he has one of the most extensive collections in the city.” More interested in the package her sister had brought her than her wily competitor, Julia tugged open the flaps and peered inside the box. “There are beignets next to the coffeemaker if you’d like one.”
    “I am not going to let you appease me with beignets,” Claudia said, but her eyes were already drifting to the pastries. “Next time you can pick up your own books.”
    Anxious to see the gems her sister had brought from Mr. Thornbrow’s shop, Julia pulled out one of the old tomes and her chest clenched with pride. “Oh, my. Victor Hugo,” she whispered in reverence. “A first edition. I can’t believe he parted with this.”
    Claudia grumbled something about grouchy old goats, but Julia wasn’t listening. A flutter of excitement went through her when she slid the first book back into the box and pulled out the second. The redolence of aged leather and dust met her as the ancient volume in her hand came into view. “ Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ,” she murmured. “First English edition. London. 1865. Oh, Claudia, it’s lovely.”
    Rolling her eyes, Claudia took a bite of beignet. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a book I would consider lovely. Especially one as dusty and old as that one. They make me sneeze.”
    Julia felt the burn of tears behind her lids at the thought of all the reading pleasure the book in her hand had brought to so many people in the century and a half since it had been published. Feeling foolish, she blinked rapidly and slid the book back into the box. “In any case, thank you for braving Mr. Thornbrow and picking them up for me. I would have had to open the shop late if you hadn’t volunteered.”
    Claudia poured coffee and took it behind the counter. “Lunch at Arnaud’s would probably make up for it . . .”
    Thinking she might treat her sister to her favorite French Quarter restaurant, Julia hefted the box and started for her desk. “I’d better get these books logged,” she said over her shoulder.
    “Julia?”
    “Hmmm?”
    “You didn’t tell me you received another letter.”
    The words stopped her cold. Putting on her best smile, Julia turned to see her sister brandishing the envelope she’d inadvertently left on the counter. Damn.
    “It was delivered before I arrived this morning,” she said.
    “I’m sure it hadn’t crossed your mind to hide it from me, had it?”
    “Why would I try to hide it?”
    “Because you know I’m going to make you to do something about it.” When Julia didn’t respond, Claudia raised the envelope and rattled it. “How many does this make? Seven? Eight?”
    “Six.” Julia set the box on her desk. “If you’re counting.”
    “I’m counting. And you should be, too.” Claudia put her hands on her hips. “Where’s the letter? I want to read it.”
    Knowing she was busted, Julia slid the letter from her pocket and handed it to her sister. “It’s the same as the others.”
    Claudia read the letter aloud. “Her tainted pen spills