Laurel came out of the storeroom with a crystal vase holding a single fresh iris and set it on one side of the table.
Annie walked to the coffee bar, picked up Agatha, and buried her face in sweet-smelling fur. So much had happened in such a short amount of time. It was already the last day in April. There had been the funerals for Iris and Darlene, and, finally, for Fran, whose body was found in the water two days after she fled into darkness to jump from Fish Haul pier and drown. Though they’d called 911 and Billy was there in only minutes, Fran was gone.
Annie touched Iris’s poster. So much heartbreak for so many. Buck and Terry had moved to Charleston. Annie had heard he planned to open a woodworking shop. Would Cara someday, not too soon, not too late, move to Charleston and offer friendship to a damaged family? Cara understood loss and pain and melancholy memories.
Henny came around the table, gave Annie’s shoulders a squeeze. “We’d better check the coffee bar. It will soon be time for tai chi.” She chattered brightly all the way down the central aisle.
Annie was grateful for her kindness. Every happy day that passed helped push away dark memories. At the coffee bar, Annie slid onto a seat. Laurel sat beside her.
Henny expertly brewed cappuccino, topped three cups with whipping cream and maraschino cherries.
Annie glanced up at the paintings over the mantel. No winner as yet. “I believe I’ll carry the contest over into May.” She shot a quick glance at Henny.
Henny grinned, a devil-may-care, saucy grin. “I have generously refrained from announcing the winners because I understand there is a wish for others to prevail. However, I think our customers would be distressed if new paintings weren’t hung for May.”
“Hear, hear,” Laurel chirruped, lifting her mug in affirmation.
Henny pointed at each watercolor in turn and announced the titles in a clarion tone. “Thistle and Twigg by Mary Saums, Death of a Musketeer by Sarah D’Almeida, Bring Your Own Poison by Jimmie Ruth Evans, My Heart May Be Broken, but My Hair Still Looks Great by Dixie Cash, and Handbags and Homicide by Dorothy Howell.”
Annie laughed aloud. “Henny, I love you.” She looked at Laurel. “And you.” Swept by happiness, Annie lifted her mug. “To Henny and Laurel and Death on Demand.”
About the Author
An accomplished master of mystery, CAROLYN HART is the author of eighteen previous Death on Demand novels. Her books have won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. She is also the creator of the Henrie O series, featuring a retired reporter, and the Bailey Ruth series, starring an impetuous, redheaded ghost. One of the founders of Sisters in Crime, Hart lives in Oklahoma City.
www.carolynhart.com
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Also by Carolyn Hart
Death on Demand
Death on Demand
Design for Murder
Something Wicked
Honeymoon with Murder
A Little Class on Murder
Deadly Valentine
The Christie Caper
Southern Ghost
Mint Julep Murder
Yankee Doodle Dead
White Elephant Dead
Sugarplum Dead
April Fool Dead
Engaged to Die
Murder Walks the Plank
Death of the Party
Dead Days of Summer
Death Walked In
Henrie O
Dead Man’s Island
Scandal in Fair Haven
Death in Lovers’ Lane
Death in Paradise
Death on the River Walk
Resort to Murder
Set Sail for Murder
Bailey Ruth
Ghost at Work
Credits
Jacket design by James L. Iacobelli
Jacket photograph by Mark Bauer/Trevillion Images
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DARE TO DIE. Copyright © 2009 by Carolyn Hart. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
Adobe Digital Edition February 2009 ISBN 978-0-06-185361-6
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