Elizabeth C. Main - Jane Serrano 01 - Murder of the Month Read Free Page B

rational people could come up with at least one mutually agreeable choice in a couple of months? Well, forget it. There are no rational people in this book club—present company excepted, of course.”
    “ Of course.”
    “ Everybody else is passionate about one category and detests all the others. Aren’t you going to ask about ‘hard-boiled,’ too?”
    “ I’m still assimilating ‘cozy.’ Well, Jane, I appreciate your problem, but surely, eventually—”
    “ Alix and Bianca are still scuffling over Alix’s cigarettes.” I sniffed and grimaced. “And as you can plainly tell, even from here, Bianca has now mounted a rather intense and … pungent counter-offensive.”
    “ You might even say Bianca was ‘incensed,’” Laurence offered with a smile.
    “ I get it … ‘incensed.’ Very funny.” I came back down the stairs and ostentatiously lifted the portable fan off the counter. “Well, Laurence, since you find this situation so humorous, maybe you’d care to join us.” I mimicked his tone of voice, “Tonight’s meeting will be fine. You’ll see.”
    At his horrified look, I relented. Besides, I didn’t want any extra witnesses to whatever Bianca was going to say. “Oh, all right. Maybe not tonight, but one of these evenings. You owe me.”
    “ I know, Jane.” His faded blue eyes grew sad. “And don’t think I’m not appreciative of your efforts to help me out with … everything.”
    Oops. “Everything” was code for Tyler, and Tyler’s troubled mother, who was Laurence’s only child. I didn’t want Laurence to retreat once more into the misery that had so dominated his thoughts when Tyler first arrived, and I could have kicked myself for letting the conversation stray to that painful situation. I switched into theatrical mode, left over from my career in college melodramas. Coupling an evil expression with a maniacal cackle, I said, “I know, I know … and I’m contemplating many devious ways to get even. Will it be the rack? The iron maiden? Hah! Only time will tell.” I leaned across the counter to pat his wrinkled cheek and was relieved to see the beginnings of a smile. “I’ll let you worry while I take care of … that.” I pointed dramatically up the stairs. “Should I take a whip and chair?”
    “ Not necessary. You need go armed with only your charming personality, my dear. That should conquer even the most beastly members of your … er, delightful group, though the fan might prove to be of some immediate assistance as well.”
    The front door swung open to admit what at first appeared to be a freestanding scarf collection topped by a floppy black hat. The colorful scarves swirled into the bookstore and from their midst came a cheery voice. “Hello, hello, Jane. Why, Laurence, there you are. I didn’t see you.”
    I avoided meeting Laurence’s eye. How Minnie could see anything from under her omnipresent hat was something of a mystery, and what the hat didn’t cover, one of the scarves would surely obscure.
    “ Am I late? I hope I’m not late, but I was filling the church box that’s going to … let’s see, I think it’s Sri Lanka. So many places need help … I already collected the books you were donating, didn’t I? Yes, I thought so. Anyway, I looked up and it was already after seven, so I just scooted right over. Don’t know what Fred’s going to do for dinner tonight, but I’m sure he can manage. There’s plenty in the fridge. Of course, everyone at church was just in shock about poor Vanessa. Well, ‘in the midst of life we are in death,’ as they say. You just never know, do you? How long you have, I mean. Dreadful, dreadful.” She contemplated the idea for a moment, head bowed, before switching gears. “Now, what have I missed? Has the meeting already started?”
    “ Not yet, Minnie. Go on up. I’ll be there in a minute.”
    “ Wonderful. I’ll just …” Minnie swept by us both, then turned in a flurry of bright material. “Laurence,