Read A Murder in Mohair for Free Online Page B

the last category said in a definite tone.
    The psychic’s soft smile melted to a more serious look. She gently shook her head. “I’m sorry . . . that’s all I can tell you right now. The energy in here isn’t right. Too much tension and negativity flying around.”
    â€œOh, sure.” Lucy nodded, as if she knew all about the type of energy that made spirits kick back and get all chatty. Thinking about it, she doubted the menu at Edie’s diner would encourage clear communications with the spirit world. It was enough to cause indigestion on any plane of reality.
    â€œI often do group readings. Some people prefer that. Especially a group of good friends,” Cassandra added, smiling again, as if she had easily sensed their close bond.
    â€œThanks. We’ll think about it.” Dana also held a card and glanced at Lucy across the table. Lucy wondered if she was serious after all. Maybe just curious? Or deciding to unmask a faker, since Dana did seem to know a great deal about how psychics operated.
    Cassandra continued to smile with warm confidence. Their doubts and suspicions seemed to roll off her back, Lucy noticed. Or, perhaps more accurately, off her aura?
    Cassandra stepped back from the table as Nora began to say goodbye. “Nice to see you all. Tell Maggie I said hello. I really have to get back to knitting again,” she added.
    â€œWe meet on Thursday nights,” Lucy added, “if you’d ever like to join us.”
    Lucy knew that all her friends liked Nora and none would mind her extending the invitation.
    â€œThanks. I might take you up on that sometime.” Nora smiled. “I’ll let you know.”
    A busboy came over to the table and offered the group more water. Nora reached out and ruffled his hair. “Hey, Dale, too busy to say hello to your mom?”
    The boy acknowledged Nora with an embarrassed smile. “Sorry, Mom . . . I wasn’t covering your table and I didn’t have time to talk. Aunt Edie doesn’t like that,” he added, glancing at his great-aunt.
    â€œThat’s right,” Edie agreed. “You two can catch up at home. He’s got tables to clear—nine and three. The dirty dishes are just sitting there, honey.”
    â€œGot it covered, Auntie.”
    As Dale dutifully ran off, Lucy couldn’t help noticing how Nora’s gaze followed him. She could only imagine what Nora was thinking each time she set eyes on her only boy. Of course, she had to be thinking of Kyle, the child she’d lost.
    At least the two didn’t bear much resemblance. Dale was on the fair side, with light brown hair and a broad-shouldered, athletic build. He looked about seventeen, a junior in high school, Lucy guessed. One who played a lot of sports: football or basketball? Maybe even lacrosse?
    She remembered Kyle with his dark hair and slim build. More intellectual looking. He’d been a senior in high school when he passed away, and was headed for a prestigious college. His unexpected death had been a real tragedy. It was surprising that, even now, two years later, Nora was able to emerge somewhat from her mourning—which she credited to her sessions with Cassandra Waters.
    Nora did seem back to normal, if you didn’t look too deeply. But Lucy also sensed a lingering sorrow and a certain fragile quality. She suspected that just beyond the surface, Nora’s healing had a long way to go. Certainly this was the kind of loss that one never truly recovers from, and which made people like Nora even easier prey for people like Cassandra Waters?
    As Nora and Cassandra left, Suzanne checked her phone and began tapping out text messages.
    â€œGood—my first appointment is held up in traffic. They’re coming out from Boston to look at a waterfront listing. Just came on the market, sort of a faux French chateau with solar panels? Mine is not to judge. Just to sell. Sell, sell,