Read Online Trimmed With Murder by Sally Goldenbaum - Free Book Online Page A

Harbor.”
    â€œThere’s something very sad about it all,” Nell said. “This is such a small town and the Cummings family is so well known. And yet Amber appears almost as a ghost, an outsider.” She thought about the woman with the angry eyes, but someone who softened almost immediately by simple acts of kindness, a cup of coffee. Birdie’s gentle touch on her shoulder.
    â€œWhat about Barbara and Stuart?” Ben asked. “Are they involved in Amber’s life at all?”
    â€œI don’t know anything about that. Amber was already gone when I met Lydia and got to know the family. And as I said, she wasn’t talked about much. I’m finally meeting with all of them tomorrow to go over that part of Lydia’s will, including Amber. Lydia insisted on that, even though this kind of dramatic ‘reading of the will’ is usually only done in the movies. She also wanted Father Northcutt involved. Maybe to calm any ill will. Keep peace. Though I don’t think any of them will have a problem with it.”
    The arrival of quail and lobster risotto, monkfish and duck breast silenced them while they breathed in the intoxicating aromas.
    The candlelight flickering on the table, the succulent fish and meat, and the warm ambience of the small room brought peace and contentment to the couples, and the next two hours went by in a comfortable haze of friendship. It was only after pushing out his chair, declaring that the homemade banana cake had made the added space physically necessary, that Don Wooten suggested they call it a night. “It’s that or I have to get rid of this belt,” he said. “Besides, Rachel has a full day tomorrow. Not a restful Sunday, for sure.”
    Don and Ben went to retrieve coats and scarves, pay the check, and bring the car around, while Rachel excused herself to use the ladies’ room. Momentarily alone, Nell let the pleasantness of the evening settle around her. She looked through the bay window into the black night, savoring the quiet. Passersby were infrequent, and she watched a couple coming toward her, their shoulders touching as if to share bodily warmth. Their heads were close together, hands shoved in pockets.
    The couple was almost beyond the windows before Nell realized whom she was watching. She half stood, lifting a hand to catch their attention, but before she could wave, they had moved on and only the backs of Amber Harper and Charlie Chambers were visible through the last pane of windows, her nephew’s hand now out of his pocket, his arm wrapped protectively around his companion’s hooded jacket.
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    â€œThey looked chummy,” Nell said to Ben as they prepared for bed.
    â€œHmm,” Ben responded, his eyes already drooping as he sat on the side of the bed and slipped off his watch.
    Nell plumped the pillows. “And where do you think he’s been all day?” Charlie hadn’t come back to the Endicott’s guesthouse since walking out that morning, following Amber through the door. The space in the driveway where they had suggested he park, noticeably vacant.
    â€œMaybe he’s meeting with Lily Virgilio. Finding out what he’s supposed to be doing at the clinic. The fellow has a job that probably starts Monday. It’d be a wise move to find out exactly where and when.”
    â€œOf course,” Nell murmured. She had vowed, with Ben’s enthusiastic encouragement, not to hover. Charlie was in his mid-thirties, certainly able to plan his day without her help.
    But she was hovering; she knew it, and Ben knew it, too.
    â€œYou’re right,” she said, forcing conviction into her voice as she crawled in beside Ben, wrapping one arm across his chest. “Of course you’re right.”
    â€œHmm,” he said, reaching up with one hand and clicking off the light.
    But what had Charlie been doing in Gloucester? With a woman he