nickname was not spoken with affection. “How the hell did
you get mixed up with another freaking body?”
Judith’s voice came out in a squeak. “I’m just along for the
ride.”
Renie, who been watching and listening with reasonable
attention, yanked the phone out of Judith’s hand. “Listen,
Joe,” she said in a sharp, querulous tone, “don’t blame
your wife. She’s right, this is all my doing, and all she did
was provide the food. We’ll probably be home tomorrow,
so go easy on her. It’s been a long day.” Renie handed the
receiver back to Judith.
Neither husband nor wife spoke immediately, but it was
Joe who broke the strained silence. “Okay, okay. It’s not your
fault. Am I to understand that this dead body met with an
accident?”
“That’s it,” Judith said brightly. “It must have been an accident. A skier, a hiker, a…wandering minstrel. Be sure and
tell Mother I’m okay, and let Arlene know what’s going on.
I trust she’s still in charge?”
“Arlene was in the kitchen when I last looked about an
hour ago,” Joe said in a more normal voice. “If she’s not
there now, I’ll call her.”
“Thanks.” Judith slumped onto the tall stool next to the
counter. “I love you.”
“I love you.” Joe sounded just a trifle weary. “Keep out of
trouble.
“Renie and I are going straight to our room,” Judith assured
Joe.
The cousins didn’t get any further than the door to the
laundry room. Leon Mooney had tiptoed into the kitchen, a
napkin tied around his scrawny neck. “Is there any more
angel food cake?” he asked a bit shyly.
“I’ll look.” Judith removed the cover from the glass cake
plate. “Yes, would you like some?”
“A thin sliver,” Leon replied, seemingly unable to meet
Judith’s gaze. “You needn’t add the strawberries. I’m allergic.”
“Okay.” Judith cut a piece of cake and put it on a dessert
plate. “There you go, Mr. Mooney. How’s the meeting
coming along?”
“Oh!” Leon put a hand to his mouth. “It’s top secret! I
daren’t discuss it!”
Judith smiled indulgently. “Of course you can’t. How
stupid of me. Are all your annual retreats so very secretive?”
“My, yes.” The little man nodded gravely. “But this year,
it’s even more so.”
“I see,” Judith replied, though of course she didn’t. “I suppose you always make a lot of big decisions that determine
how the company will be run in the coming year.”
