Read Online Murder Actually by Stephanie McCarthy - Free Book Online

posing for a painting, and I gingerly pushed aside the thickest part of the weeds to expose the face. Violet Ambler’s large brown eyes bulged from the force of the silk scarf twisted tightly around her neck, and she stared up at me with an expression of disbelief.
    I knelt down next to the body and felt for a pulse. Nothing.
    I fumbled for my cell phone and made the call to 911 and then called Julia. I could hear her phone ringing from the front porch and her voice when she answered was frazzled.
    â€œWhy are you calling me from the studio?”
    â€œI never made it to the studio. Violet Ambler is lying back here in the bushes, she’s been strangled.” I heard a sudden intake of breath from Julia as I continued. “Stay cool, ask Nora if we can have some tea and then meet me back here behind the house.”
    A few minutes later I heard the sound of feet crunching on gravel and watched as Julia approached.
    I pointed towards the body and she sucked in her breath. “Crap, not again!”
    â€œI’ve already called the police. They should be here in a few minutes.”
    We stood in the driveway as far from the body as we could comfortably go without leaving her alone in the hot sun.
    â€œThis doesn’t look good for Nora, does it?”
    I shook my head. “I’m afraid not. Her husband was leaving her and both he and his paramour wind up dead. If I had a suspicious mind I might suspect the wife as well.”
    â€œUntil you met her,” Julia pointed out. “No one who talked to Nora for more than five minutes could think she was a murderer.”
    â€œI just can’t believe this is happening. I mean, I’ve never found a dead body before and now I’ve found two in two days! What are the odds of that? Why can’t I win the lottery or find twenty bucks in a parking lot or something?”
    â€œDon’t worry, Betts, we’re going to get to the bottom of this.” Julia wore a look of such mulish determination I almost felt sorry for the murderer.
    â€œDid you recognize that scarf?” I asked. “She wasn’t wearing it at the book reading.”
    â€œNo, but I would bet money it’s a Hermès, and there are only a few people in All Hallows who could afford something like that.”
    Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of two squad cars, and we watched as Chief Liddell pulled up in his black SUV. The expression on his face when he saw us wasn’t flattering.
    â€œNow what did you do?”
    As many times as it happens, you never get used to being accused of murder. As we sought the words to vindicate ourselves the door to Black Birches opened and Nora appeared carrying a tray of iced tea and glasses. She set down her tray and walked towards us.
    â€œWhat is it, Chief Liddell? Did you forget something?”
    She turned and saw the officers swarming around the body in the bushes and her expression turned ashen.
    â€œCatch her!”
    Nora crumpled just as Liddell reached her. He picked her up and carried her back to the porch.
    â€œGet some water,” he commanded roughly.
    Nora opened her eyes and stared up at us. “Please tell me this is all a bad dream.”
“I wish I could, Mrs. Ware,” Liddell said grimly. “It would make my life a whole lot easier as well.”
    Nora’s reply was forestalled by the arrival of the medical examiner, Dr. Lewis, who approached with his usual mournful expression. “What are you girls up to now?”
    This time it was Julia who came to our defense. “Nothing! We just came to talk to Mrs. Ware and found the body in the bushes.”
    Officer Liddell stood and helped Nora to her feet. “I’ll need to ask you some questions. I assume you don’t mind if we use your house?”
    Nora Ware shook her head dumbly and we followed her into Black Birches.
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    The first thing I noticed was the smell. The air inside was filled