Take a Dive for Murder Read Free Page B

additional pounds, Joel Wheeler looked the same. He was still a big , strapping fellow, with a gait to match.
    “You made it!” he bellowed, with a big smile and a kiss on the cheek. “I was worried you weren’t going to come, especially when I didn’t see you at the church.”
    “The traffic was much worse than I expected.” Carrie didn’t want to go into details about the car incident.
    “Sometimes I wonder how we can get anywhere. It seems every street is congested with traffic.” Joel accepted her excuse without question. “I’m really glad to see you, although I wish it wasn’t at a funeral.”
    “I wish the circumstances were different , too, but thanks again for calling me.”
    “Funeral or not, we really do have a lot of catching up to do,” Joel said. “As soon as the formalities are over, you and I need to spend some time…”
    Joel’s words were interrupted as Charles Faraday came up behind him. “Joel, excuse me, we need to discuss the Carrie situation. I thought you said she would be here?” Charles’ question was direct but delivered in a very calm even tone.
    “And so she is.” Joel’s body was blocking Carrie, so he moved slightly to the right. “Charles, you remember Carrie Kingsford?” It was obvious Joel was enjoying putting one over on Charles.
    Carrie forgot how tall Charles was as she looked up into his face. Carrie was always pleased with her five-foot-eight height, but next to Charles’s six-foot-two frame, she felt small.
    “Oh, hello, Carrie,” he stammered. After an awkward moment of silence, Charles continued, “I’m sorry if I sounded cranky a moment ago, but I knew you missed the church service, and, well…I didn’t see you at the gravesite.”
    “Hello, Charles.” She extended her hand. “ I was delayed in traffic, so I came straight to the cemetery.” Charles took her hand and held it gently in his.
    “I’m glad you decided to come.”
    “I told you she was coming,” Joel interjected.
    They both ignored Joel as Carrie continued, “I’m sorry about Jamie’s death. I know it must be very difficult for you and your mother.”
    “It’s been difficult, especially for Mother. The natural order expects children to outlive their parents.”
    Carrie realized Charles was still holding her hand, and she gently withdrew it. “You were saying you needed to decide about my situation?”
    “There is no situation, now that you’re here,” Charles said with a warm smile. “We can easily follow Jamie’s instructions.”
    “You mean the reading of the will?”
    “Yes, the will, but my brother also left you a letter.” Charles looked at Joel. “Joel, you did tell Carrie about the letter?”
    “ I did. I told her Simpson is holding a letter for her,” Joel defended.
    Carrie looked from Joel to Charles. “Do you know what’s in the letter?”
    “No idea,” Charles answered, “but since we consider the circumstances of Jamie’s death suspicious, we’re hoping his letter sheds some light on what he was doing.”
    “Hello, my dear. It has been a long time ,” Said a soft genteel voice. Carrie turned and faced Geraldine Faraday as she extended her hand.
    “ Oh, hello, Mrs. Faraday. I’m so sorry about Jamie.”
    Mrs. Faraday had weathered the years well. Her skin was tight, and she looked much younger than a woman in her seventies.
    Carrie barely finished her sentence when Mrs. Faraday turned to the blonde who was walking toward them, holding onto Christopher’s arm. “Suzanne, you and Christopher wait for us in the car.” Suzanne started to protest, but then turned and followed Christopher to the waiting limousine.
    Mrs. Faraday turned back to Carrie. “Carrie, of course you will be staying with us. Jamie asked us to extend every courtesy to you. You remember how to find the house?”
    “Jamie asked you? How did he…?”
    “ We also received a letter from Jamie. He asked us to make sure we reached out to you and have you stay at our