Read Death By Derby 8 (Josiah Reynolds Mysteries) for Free Online Page B

ago?”
    “Sometime in March.”
    “That long ago!” I exclaimed.
    “She said I was moody. Too hard to get along with.”
    “That doesn’t sound like you. Why were you like that?”
    Kelly shook his head. “Reasons. Private reasons.”
    “Is she filing for divorce?”
    Kelly shrugged.
    “Is she filing for divorce, Kelly?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “What are you doing about it?”
    He shrugged again. “What can I do? If she wants a divorce, then she wants a divorce.”
    I tried another tactic. “Okay. Let’s go back to why you were so moody.”
    “Private reasons, I tell ya,” Kelly shot back.
    I leaned against the back of the booth and studied my friend. Something was very wrong here. I could tell he was suffering, but embarrassed to reveal the reason behind his suffering.
    Grabbing my purse and then his papers, I climbed out of the booth. “Come on,” I insisted, tugging on his arm.
    “What for?”
    “We’re going to my house to get you cleaned up.”
    “NO!!”
    “Kelly, you get your fanny out of that booth and follow me or I swear that I will get the good people at Al’s Bar to literally pick you up and throw you into my car!”
    Seeing that I was adamant and not going away, Kelly reluctantly scooted out of the booth and followed me–or I should say, staggered after me.
    I got Kelly into my car and buckled him up.
    I can assure you that it was very long drive home.

15
    I got Kelly into bed. No, that’s not right. I put a drunken Kelly to bed. Don’t get any wrong ideas there.
    Then I called Asa. She picked up on the first ring.
    “Don’t come home,” I said. “Get a room at a hotel.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I just put a soused Kelly to bed.”
    “Why’s he drunk?” Asa asked.
    “It might have something to do with the fact that his wife kicked him out of the house.”
    “Oh, that’s not good!”
    “My thoughts exactly. Just stay away while I clean up this mess you caused.”
    “Don’t be mad.”
    “I’m not mad.”
    “Yes, you are.”
    “You’re right. I’m furious. I warned you what could happen when you started up with Kelly again and now it’s come to pass.”
    “I didn’t mean for any unhappiness,” she insisted.
    “This is what happens when you don’t listen to your mother.”
    I hung up.

16
    A fter getting Kelly settled, I went back into town. I knew that Kelly would be asleep for hours and I had some free time.
    Goetz answered his door. He looked surprised. “I thought our date was tomorrow night.”
    “It is, but I needed to see someone who wasn’t about to throw himself off a bridge.”
    “Huh?”
    “Nothing.”
    “I take it that it has been a rough day.”
    “Get me a drink, will ya?” I begged, sitting down on the couch and putting my feet up.
    “Well, I was just about to go out,” replied Goetz, looking sheepish.
    “Really?”
    “Yeah. I have a doctor’s appointment.”
    “My own fault for barging in on you unannounced,” I admitted. “Let me walk you out.”
    “You go on. I have to get some bills ready for the postman before I go.”
    I got up and grabbed my jacket before kissing Goetz on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
    “Seven on the dot.”
    “You’ve got the tickets?”
    Goetz followed me to the door. “I’ve got the tickets. Don’t worry. See you later.”
    I waved goodbye and hobbled my usual limp down the hallway to the elevator. Looking back, Goetz was standing in the hallway, watching me. He waved.
    I waved back and as the elevator door opened, I got in, but only took it to the next floor. I waited a few minutes and then I took the elevator back up to Goetz’ floor.
    I know when I’m being hustled.
    It would be interesting to see what he was up to and I didn’t really care if Goetz caught me at it.
    So I tiptoed back–not literally. That’s a figure of speech as I can’t tiptoe anymore, but you get the idea. I put my ear against the door.
    Oh my. What juicy tidbits I heard!

17
    M inor Reasor emerged from