Read Death is a Bargain (A Kate Kennedy Mystery Book 3) for Free Online Page A

Frances ignored her, moving on to greet Baby Boomer Barbie as if she were royalty. “It’s such an honor to meet you, Ms. Rutledge. To think your booth is right next to Marlene’s. I’ve tried to speak to you at doll shows, but you’re always surrounded by such a huge crowd.” Mary Frances was gushing like a fan who’d cornered her favorite rock star. “I’m a collector too.”
    Ballou went into alert mode, eyeing a nervous Precious in Linda’s arms, signaling with perked ears that he was interested, but wagging his tail just enough to show he wasn’t hostile.
    “Is that right?” Linda, in purple spandex, placed the cat on her satin pillow on a high shelf, then opened a cabinet door, pulled out a black velvet cloth, and spread it over the table.
    Precious stared down at Ballou suspiciously from her safe perch, fluffing her fur and flattening her ears. Her body language said, just let that upstart try to come close. She’d sharpened her claws for just such an occasion.
    Ballou showed no fear, going into his treed-a-squirrel pose, waiting. His tail had stopped wagging. That cat wasn’t going anywhere without being chased by him. Precious settled into her soft bed, keeping both green eyes on the threat below. Marlene decided their impasse wouldn’t soon be broken.
    “Oh, yes,” Mary Frances said. “I’m one wife short in my Henry VIII set. I heard at the Miami convention that you have a rare Peggy Nisbet gem. Anne of Cleaves. I’d be most interested in getting my hands on Henry’s fourth wife.”
    “Queen Anne is an elusive lady.” Linda almost smiled. “I do have her, but as a collector you must realize Henry’s wives don’t come cheap.”
    “I’ll pay anything.” History repeated itself. Mary Frances sounded exactly like the flaky teenager who’d been their first customer.
    Ballou wandered off, sniffing his way across the corridor. Good. Marlene didn’t want any pet trouble.
    She started stacking orange dinner plates, wondering why in the world she’d bought a pottery service for twelve, while listening to Mary Frances negotiate with the doll lady. No question, Linda Rutledge had the upper hand and would get her price…which was an astounding six hundred dollars. What kind of a pension did former nuns get, anyway?
    Ballou, who’d been sniffing around the swastika tablecloth, yelped. His barks grew louder and sharper, and he literally ran around in circles.
    Marlene dropped a plate as she hustled over to him. “What’s wrong, Ballou? Why all the commotion?”
    Agitated, the little dog just yelped louder, alternately sticking his nose under the flag and running back toward Marlene.
    She reached down to lift the Westie, but he moved too fast “Stop that! We don’t belong here.”
    Ballou ignored her and using his head, shoved the cloth to one side, revealing a black leather heel.
    “Oh my God!” Marlene screamed, recognizing Carl Krieg’s boot and realizing the boot was connected to a leg.

Nine

      
    Donna Viera spun around. Spotting Kate, she sniffed, giving her a long, lingering look that met Kate’s eyes and moved all the way down to her feet.
    The trainer turned back to Sean, whispering. “The old biddy behind us had an earful.”
    Sean, slower to note Kate’s presence, glanced over his shoulder. “Top of the morning, Mrs. Kennedy.”
    Not bothering to hide her anger, Kate said, “The old biddy isn’t deaf. And, yes, I overheard Sean warning you, Donna, or should I say, threatening you?”
    “Now, I didn’t mean anything at all, did I?” Sean’s rice-pudding face attempted a smile that wound up a grimace. “It’s just that those PETA do-gooders sometimes have the wrong idea about what it takes to train an elephant and consider every prod a form of cruelty to animals.”
    Remembering Donna’s forceful prod with the baton, Kate thought the “do-gooders” had the right idea.
    “Is there an official investigation, then?” Kate tried to keep her tone flat and neutral,