pageboy had wilted during the past few hours. “I don’t think

so,” she answered cautiously. “In fact, I recall him asking

several questions about Barry today. As far as I know, Russell

probably never met Barry until he drove us up to the lodge

last January. Why do you ask?” Her blue eyes hardened like

sapphires.

Judith shrugged. “It’s not important.” The coffee was almost ready and she didn’t want to waste time bringing

Russell his cup. “You knew Barry, of course.”

“Oh, yes,” Nadia replied, her expression softening. “Such

a well-mannered young man. I’d worked with him before

when he’d catered some of the other company events. He

was very good at it, even if he tended to…become distracted.”

She lowered her eyes.

Judith and Nadia both returned to the lobby where Russell

Craven was now in a half-sitting position on the sofa.

72 / Mary Daheim

He seemed reasonably alert, and grateful for the coffee. Judith

offered to pour a cup for the others, but only Andrea and

Ward accepted.

“I’ll get it,” Andrea volunteered, taking Russell’s hand and

placing it on the ice bag she’d been holding to his head.

“Easy does it,” she said in a soothing voice.

Frank Killegrew had resumed his place of dominance in

front of the fireplace. His shrewd gaze traveled from Renie

to Judith. “We’re going to get back down to business now,”

he said, hands clasped behind his back. “It’s been a terrific

session this evening, right up until the…” He glanced at

Russell, then at Max. “…the controversy. So this train has

to make up for lost time. It’s just about nine o’clock, and we

can keep the old locomotive running until say, ten-thirty. If

you’ll excuse us, Ms. Jones, Ms.…” His voice trailed off.

“Flynn,” Judith said, barely above a whisper.

“We’re gone.” Renie waved one hand, then trotted out of

the lobby.

Judith followed. In the dining room, they met Andrea,

who was carrying two cups of coffee. “I checked Russell’s

eyes,” she said. “They seem normal. Pay no attention to his

mention of Barry. Russell didn’t know him.”

“So I’ve heard,” Judith replied, ignoring Renie’s puzzled

look.

Andrea’s pretty face flushed slightly, an attractive combination with her silver hair. “I understand why he said what

he did. Russell is terribly sensitive. I’m sure the news of

Barry’s death upset him. You know how creative types tend

to overreact.” She bustled off to the lobby.

“I’m creative,” Renie said in an ingenuous voice. “Do I

overreact?”

“It depends,” Judith said, continuing on into the kitchen.

“I don’t think I’ve ever described you as sensitive.”

Добавить отзыв
ВСЕ ОТЗЫВЫ О КНИГЕ В ИЗБРАННОЕ

0

Вы можете отметить интересные вам фрагменты текста, которые будут доступны по уникальной ссылке в адресной строке браузера.

Отметить Добавить цитату