Read Deadly Décor (A Caprice De Luca Mystery) for Free Online Page B

paint and jewel-toned wallpaper could work wonders. The wallpaper had already been there, as had the ornate lighting fixture. Caprice had changed the hardware on the cabinets to a scrolled metallic design and hung window treatments that picked up the deepest emerald in the wallpaper. Shiny, ruby-red canisters hand-painted with intricate flower designs decorated the counter.
    After consulting with Caprice, Nikki had decided to use sapphire-blue serving china and napkins. They were a dramatic contrast against the white linens spread on the table and sideboard, which held an array of warm buffet dishes, all with delicious aromas wafting from them. Nikki had prepared coq au vin; beef bourguignon; chips de citrouille (fried pumpkin slices), based on a recipe originating in the Perigord region of France; and chou rouge (braised red cabbage) from the Lorraine region. Nikki knew her foods, no doubt about that, as well as how to present them in the most pleasing way.
    In the kitchen, a waiter served everything from baked apple Brie to marinated artichokes to cheese puffed pastry to crudités. Glancing around, Caprice found Nikki in an alcove near the pantry closet. She’d just stowed a few of her serving trays inside.
    “You’ve outdone yourself again. The guests are gobbling down your food as if they can’t get enough.”
    Nikki’s brown brows drew together. “I just hope I don’t run out of anything. This seems to be a bigger crowd than usual.”
    “Denise said she had tons of inquiries this time.” Denise Langford was the luxury broker who often handled the houses Caprice staged. “Have you seen Denise?”
    “I think she had some questions for Eliza, but I don’t know if she found her.” Nikki closed the pantry door.
    “Eliza was headed for her home office. I’ll tell her Denise wants to see her. Have you heard from Bella in the last couple of days?”
    “No, have you?”
    “No, but there’s a reason I haven’t,” Caprice said.
    “Do I even want to know?” Nikki rolled her eyes.
    “I don’t approve of what she’s planning to do.”
    “Is she thinking about leaving Joe?”
    “I don’t think so. Not quite that serious.”
    “So, spill. Tell me.”
    Nikki didn’t have to wheedle much. Caprice asked, “Remember Bob?”
    “Of course, I remember Bob. He broke Bella’s heart. You hire him for jobs.”
    “Bella met him for coffee, and she’s planning on seeing him again this evening.”
    Nikki gave a low whistle. “Old fires could reignite. Are they having coffee again . . . like in a public place?”
    “I don’t know. She said he had a board meeting at the community center. They’re going to connect there afterward. Then I don’t know what they’ll do.”
    “You’re worried she’ll do something stupid.”
    “She’s upset enough to do something rebellious. That’s just as bad. And the more I think about it . . .”
    “You want to stop her.”
    “I don’t know about stopping her, but I feel I should do something. I think I might just go to the community center after we’re done here and barge in on their rendezvous.”
    “She’s going to hate you for that.”
    Would Bella hate her? Or would she thank her when she could see reason again?
    Her ruminations about the best way to help Bella distracted Caprice as she mingled with prospective buyers, listened to their comments about the decor, and decided if she wanted to change anything for future house showings. Eventually she made her way to Eliza’s office to tell her Denise was looking for her if the agent hadn’t found her yet. This house was big enough to get lost in!
    The door to Eliza’s office was partially open. Caprice rapped softly and stepped inside.
    The room was as ornately adorned as the rest of the house, but maybe a little less so since Caprice had staged it. They’d removed a bookcase and a curio cabinet to make the walking space more expansive. Caprice had arranged for the gold-trimmed white scroll desk to face anyone who