Party Perils by Patti Benning (reading list txt) 📗

sighed. “Sorry if I upset you. I didn’t mean to. Enjoy your beers – I’m going to go see if Dean has found anything good yet. So many of the articles from years ago are completely irrelevant now.” He left, shaking his head, and Caroline turned back to Hannah, looking concerned.

“It sounds like we’re not the only ones trying to figure out what happened.”

“And everyone seems to have different information.”

“Rich… He can’t be right, can he?” Caroline asked. “I can’t believe Lacey wanted this to happen.”

“No, I don’t think she did either,” Hannah said. “Maybe Rich –”

“Someone’s phone is ringing,” Dean called from the other room, interrupting. Hannah patted her pockets and realized that she left her cell phone in her purse, which was still in the front hall. She got up to go get it, but before she could go far, Caroline’s phone started buzzing on the table next to her. The two of them exchanged a concerned look before Caroline answered it and Hannah sat back down.

“Hello?” She paused while the person on the other end spoke “Hold on, I’m going to put you on speaker. Hannah is here with me.”

She hit the speaker button and Lacey’s voice rang out. “I’m not sure what to do. I can't get a hold of Bucky and he is supposed to be here soon. I still don't think he's the one who killed Edward, but the two of you have me doubting everything now. I know I haven’t been the most gracious person over the past week, but could one or both of you come keep me company until he gets hear and I ask him to leave? After what you said… I don’t want to be alone with him.”

“Of course,” Caroline said while Hannah nodded. “We will be over soon.”

“Thank you,” Lacey said. “You’re good friends – both of you.”

She ended the call and Caroline stood up. “I guess it’s a good thing we didn’t touch those beers,” she said. “You ready?”

Hannah nodded. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Eleven

They said quick goodbyes to Dean and Rich and headed off to Lacey’s house, this time riding together in Caroline's car. They parked along the curb and hurried up to the door, which Lacey answered gratefully

“He’s not here yet,” she said as she led them into the kitchen, which seemed to be the heart of her home. Hannah spotted a half-empty cup of tea on the counter, and could envision Lacey sipping it surrounded by all of the flowers they brought. “Thanks for coming, though.”

“Of course,” Caroline said. “I know you have complicated feelings toward me right now, but I’m still your friend, Lacey. Whatever I can do to help, you just need to say the word.”

“You've convinced me what happened was not your fault,” Lacey said with a wry smile. “You’re a true friend, Caroline. Thank you.”

Hannah hung back while the two friends hugged. She was glad that Lacey was no longer blaming Caroline, and that Caroline no longer blamed herself, but that didn’t mean that all of their worries were over yet.

“Do you want us to call the police?” Caroline asked once she and Lacey had re-solidified their friendship.

“The police? No. I think Bucky is just trying to be helpful, but ever since you talked to me earlier, there’s been that niggling doubt. I just don’t want to take any chances.”

“I understand,” Caroline said. “Do you want us to heat you up some food?”

Lacey smiled, glancing over at Hannah. “Actually, I already ate that bisque you brought. It was amazing.”

“I’m glad you liked it,” Hannah said, smiling. “I'm still perfecting the recipe.”

“It tasted perfect to me, but I guess there’s a reason why you're a chef and I'm not.”

A knock at the front door interrupted their conversation about food before Hannah could respond.

“Do you want us to –” Caroline started.

“No, I’ll go talk to him myself. I don’t want him to think anything strange is going on – that's probably the best course whether he’s guilty or innocent. I’ll just tell him that I really need some time alone right now and ask him to leave politely. If he doesn’t listen, well, that’s where you come in.”

“We will be ready to back you up,” Caroline said. “Just shout if you need help.”

Lacey nodded and left. Once she was out of earshot, Hannah turned to Caroline. “She seems to be doing better.”

“I think having answers helps her a lot,” Caroline said. “I think she’s going to be okay, Hannah. We’re all going to be okay.”

“I just hope Bucky wasn't the one behind Edward’s death,” Hannah said softly. “Everyone seems to like him. It’s really going to shake people up if he ends up being a murderer.”

“But if he isn’t, who is?” Caroline asked in an equally low tone of voice. “Rich? I mean, he did have that secret business stuff going on with Edward.”

“That does complicate our theories,” Hannah admitted with a frown. “But like he said, maybe Edward and Lacey’s relationship just wasn’t as strong as everyone assumed. Maybe there was something going on that we don’t know about.”

“You don’t think the money could have been a motive, do you?” Caroline asked, her voice almost a whisper.

“He said it was a few thousand dollars,” Hannah mused. “Or at least, Edward’s portion was. Would Rich kill for that?”

“I don't know. I’ll have to ask Dean when we get back if Rich has been having financial trouble lately.”

“Good idea,” Hannah said. She frowned, then turned toward the hall. “Do think we should check on Lacey? She’s been pretty quiet, and I haven't heard Bucky either. He doesn’t seem like the quietest person in the world usually.”

“I’ll just pop in to make sure she’s okay,” Caroline said. “I’ll be right back.”

Caroline left the room, leaving Hannah alone in the kitchen. She hesitated only for a moment. What Rich had said about Lacey and the secrets between her and Edward had stuck with her, and she wanted to do a little snooping. Just a little, though.

The