Read Pier Pressure for Free Online

Tuesday? Or Wednesday?”
    “Because Margaux’s memorial service may be scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday, and I’m usually closed on Wednesday afternoons. Under the circumstances, I’d appreciate it if you’d come on Monday.”
    “What if I have a raging migraine this afternoon?”
    “If that happens, you call me. I can give evening appointments, but only in an emergency. In the meantime, take care in what you say about Margaux. A closed mouth gathers no foot. Anything you say could be used against you if the police begin searching for a killer.”
    “I’m no killer. Surely the police can see that.”
    “What the police hear may be more important than what they see.”
    “The fact that Margaux’s dead, changes not my opinion of her. I prefer to say exactly what I feel. Do you object?”
    I sighed. “Say what you please, Consuela.”
    “The world would be a better place if everyone spoke honest feelings. Everyone knows Margaux and I had no great love for each other.”
    I held the receiver even farther from my ear. “Take care, Consuela, and do call me if you need me.” I hung up quickly, and I smiled, imagining her still talking to a dead phone line.
    Now I called Shandy and rescheduled her for tomorrow morning. After that I faced making the call I dreaded—the one to Jass. She planned to return from Miami in time for her three o’clock time slot because she couldn’t bear waiting around at the show headquarters until they announced the winners. Although I didn’t expect her to keep her appointment today, I had to call her.
    Jass and I had been close friends since childhood, but even so, I could only guess at her down-deep feelings about Margaux, a stepmother old enough to be her grandmother. Today Jass would be keyed up over her entry in the Miami hibiscus extravaganza due to open tomorrow morning. Shandy helps her in the greenhouse, and the two of them had spent Saturday preparing entries for the show. Jass planned to drive the plants to Miami in pre-dawn hours this morning, and the winners wouldn’t be announced until late this afternoon. What could I say to Jass at this point?
    I jumped when my phone rang at the same instant I had picked it up to make my call. “Keely Moreno speaking.”
    “Jass here, Keely.”
    I expected to hear tears in her voice, but I heard none. Her tone sounded precise and matter-of-fact.
    “Detective Curry just called on me, but now he’s gone. Keely, we need to talk.”
    “I was about to call you, Jass. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
    “Thank you. I’m sorry you had to be the one to find her body. That must have been a terrible experience.”
    “Yes.” I could think of nothing more to say.
    “I could show up for my three o’clock appointment, but out of respect for Dad, I’d rather not be seen out and about today. Margaux’s death has left me shaken. Could you come here? Not for a treatment, but just to talk.”
    “Of course, Jass. I’ve been talking to the police, then to Gram. And Consuela. I’m really sorry about Margaux and…you have my heartfelt sympathy.” What else could I say? But Jass made it easy for me.
    “Thanks, Keely. I accept your sympathy, but my concern right now goes out to Dad. He’s not here. I don’t know exactly where he is. Keely, no matter what I or others thought of Margaux, Dad loved her. I’d hate for him to hear of her death over radio or TV.”
    “He hasn’t returned from the fishing tournament?”
    “No. It’s not over until late this afternoon and it might take him a couple of hours to drive down from Key Colony Beach in the Sunday traffic. Punt’s been trying to reach him on his cell phone, but so far—no answer. Maybe Dad doesn’t have it turned on.”
    “I’ll come right over.”
    “Use our secret back entrance, okay? Reporters are thick as fire ants in front of the house, but I haven’t seen any out back.”
    “I’ll be there in a few minutes.” I hung up and started to push my bike off its kickstand,