Read But He Was Already Dead When I Got There for Free Online Page A

chair back from the desk a little, feeling well satisfied with the evening’s work. “Now do you see why I refuse to pour any more money into Lionel’s little jewelry business?”
    Gretchen erupted from her chair and whirled on her husband. “You son of a bitch! That’s why you wanted me to be nice to Nicole tonight!”
    â€œOh, Gretchen,” Lionel sighed. “It was over long ago. It meant nothing to either of us.”
    Nicole was appalled. “You told her to be nice to me?”
    â€œâ€˜It meant nothing’,” Gretchen mimicked. “Isn’t that what philandering husbands always say when they’re found out?”
    â€œ You told her … to be nice to me ?” Nicole repeated incredulously.
    â€œEasy,” Malcolm cautioned.
    â€œI always thought it was Dorrie!” Gretchen shouted. “I thought you were having a thing with Dorrie!”
    Dorrie’s eyes grew wide. “With me ! Oh, no! Gretchen, how could you?” She drew closer to Simon, who wrapped a protective arm about her shoulders.
    â€œI’m not having a thing with anybody!” Lionel shouted back at his wife. “With Nicole—that wasn’t even a real affair. It was just something we both quickly agreed was a mistake.”
    â€œThat’s the truth, Gretchen,” Nicole said earnestly. “In fact, we were both a little embarrassed by what had happened. We put an end to it pretty fast.”
    Gretchen ignored her, still intent on Lionel. “So you got tired of Nicole and turned to Dorrie!”
    â€œNo, I didn’t turn to Dorrie! Dorrie, tell her!”
    But it was Simon who answered. “Gretchen, don’t you think I’d know if Dorrie were having an affair? A man would have to be pretty obtuse not to know when something like that was going on.”
    â€œMeaning I was obtuse because I didn’t guess about Lionel and Nicole? Thank you very much! Simon, hasn’t it ever occurred to you that all that fawning she does over you would make a pretty good cover?”
    â€œI don’t fawn !” Dorrie exclaimed indignantly. “You’re only saying that because you want Simon for yourself!”
    At that point everyone started shouting at everyone else. Uncle Vincent wheeled his chair out from behind the desk, cackling in delight. “Aren’t friends wonderful!” The shouting increased.
    â€œ Stop it! ” Malcolm suddenly roared. “Stop it this instant!” Startled, the others responded to the authority in his voice. “Don’t you see,” he said more quietly, “we’re doing exactly what he wants us to do. He’s got us all at each other’s throats.” He walked over and stood before the man in the wheelchair. “Uncle Vincent, you’re a malicious old man whose sole remaining pleasure in life is stirring up trouble. You don’t care how much you hurt Gretchen or anybody else.”
    â€œLeeches!” Uncle Vincent spat out. “You’re all after my blood—Lionel isn’t the only one who wants something from me. Malcolm, you’ve wanted to handle my legal affairs for years—don’t deny it! The rest of you are dependent upon my loan to keep yourselves going. Dorrie’s found herself a warm spot and doesn’t want anything to change. Nicole’s an ambitious woman who wants a piece of the Ellandy pie. And Simon, Ellandy’s is one of your best customers. If they go out of business, how will you raise the cash to pay for the new condo?”
    â€œCondo?” said Dorrie. “What new condo?”
    Simon raised an eyebrow. “Good lord—how did you know about that?”
    â€œBernstein,” Malcolm muttered.
    â€œYou had me investigated too?” Simon’s half-smile didn’t waver. “I must say, Uncle Vincent, you have been thorough.”
    Dorrie asked, “What new condo, Simon?”
    Her husband sighed.