Smoked (The Alex Harris Mystery Series)

Smoked (The Alex Harris Mystery Series) Read Free Page B

Book: Smoked (The Alex Harris Mystery Series) Read Free
Author: Elaine Macko
Tags: An Alex Harris Mystery
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so I guess it brought back memories.”
    Ellery continued her intake of food while I thought about Maria Kravec’s allergies. There was help right there in the kitchen. I felt horrible. If I had only known I could have grabbed one and plunged it into the woman in time to save her. From what Ellery just said, it must have been a bee. I hadn’t seen too many lately and it was getting cold, but what else could it have been? Maybe a bunch of bees had been hiding in the leaves and the fire brought them out, ready to attack the first thing they saw. I was so caught up in my thoughts I hadn’t noticed Ellery had become quiet, the fork finally set on the table next to a not quite empty plate.
    “Ellery, are you okay?”
    Tear were streaming down her face. “My mom is gone. I can’t bear it.” She dabbed at her eyes with the napkin and looked across the table at me. “Does any of this make any sense to you, Alex?”
    I shook my head. “No. It doesn’t. I guess we’ll just have to wait to see what the police say.”
    “Why did my mom have to die now just when we were becoming better friends?”
    I was saved from having to come up with an answer by the sound of a car door slamming. Ellery ran into the living room and looked out the window.
    “It’s my dad. I better go see what’s going on. And Alex, would it be okay if I took my plate with me?”

 
     
     
Chapter Five
     
     
    By the time I got to work the next morning, Marla Scottsman was already in and working away on her computer. Marla came in a couple times a week and we were able to set up an area for her in a little alcove by where Millie held reign.
    Marla had worked in accounting all her life. Her husband, Greg, had worked for the Connecticut Department of Transportation and decided to take early retirement. Once he retired he suddenly found a ton of energy and wanted his sidekick, Marla, by his side to be able to get up and go at a moment’s notice. She was also able to retire and enjoyed taking day trips with Greg, but she needed an escape as well and that was when she had come to us. Over the years she had used our services when her firm had needed temporary help. So it was only natural when she was in need of some temporary work, she showed up on our door step.
    Sam and I had been toying with the idea of bringing on some additional help and it turned out Marla was more than happy to take us on. She fit in perfectly with our team and I couldn’t be happier to have her here.
    “I just finished up the October final reporting for Bronsky and Williams. Do you want to see it before I put it on Sam’s desk?” Marla had come up behind me in our little kitchen and scared me half to death.
    “Marla! Sorry, I didn’t hear you.” I grabbed a dish towel and wiped up the tea I’d sloshed on the counter. “No, that’s fine. Just give it all to Sam.”
    Marla put the papers on the table and grabbed another towel. “Here. Let me rinse that cup out for you and I’ll get you another one.”
    It wasn’t like me to feel helpless but I accepted her offer and sat down on one of the chairs surrounding the small table. “Thanks, Marla. I don’t know what’s wrong with me this morning.”
    “Didn’t sleep well?” Marla asked while she put more water in the kettle and returned it to the stove.
    I’m not much of a micro-manager, but I have pounded the fact that boiled water makes a better cup than a microwave-zapped cup of water does into everyone who works at Always Prepared. “I guess I didn’t. A neighbor stopped by last night and, well, her mother just died. We talked a while and it left me feeling sad.”
    Marla took the seat next to me and reached over and patted my hand. Marla Scottsman was a black woman with the loveliest skin I had ever seen. It was totally devoid of lines despite the fact she was in her fifties and her hand against mine was very soft. I would have to find out what kind of lotion she used. Today she wore a rich orange cardigan twin set

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