Part 33 (2/2)
”Why thank you, Detective.”
”Why thank me?”
”I designed it for Dominique. That's why she wanted me to have it.”
That took Werner aback. If I didn't know better, I'd think he suddenly regarded me with a touch more respect. ”It must have cost her a fortune.”
”Today, it'd cost a fortune, because of its age and provenance, not the least of which was the linking of Dominique's name with mine, and our resultant friends.h.i.+p.”
”That's why your eyes are red,” Werner said.
I hated that my nemesis noticed these small, personal things about me. I raised my chin. ”Yes, I lost a dear friend last night, and she left me this dress to remember her by.”
”Too bad somebody felt the need to steal a truck to bring it to you.”
Sc.r.a.p. ”There is that.”
I'd never been so grateful to hear my cell phone ring. I answered right away.
My caller identified himself and shocked the Hermes out of me. ”Kyle,” I said. ”I'm so very sorry to hear about your mother. She'll be deeply missed.”
Werner kept mouthing ”speaker phone,” so I had no choice but to set the phone down so we could all hear it.
”It's chaos here, Miss Cutler, but Mom left strict instructions about what she wanted after she died.”
”Funeral arrangements, you mean?”
”Uh, no, not that. They're not releasing the b-her until the investigation is cleared up. No, this has to do with her vintage clothing collection. She wants the collection to make the charity rounds, fas.h.i.+on shows and such, while she's still news, and she wants you to arrange the events. She left a list of locations and causes. Can I count on you Aunt Mad?”
Oh, sure, play the Aunt card in front of Werner. d.a.m.ned kid's nearly as old as me. ”Of course, Kyle.”
”After the charity events, I have permission to sell her collection at a private auction-all except for a dress she wanted you to have. And don't worry, I'm sure I'll find it eventually. Mom included a list of the people she wanted to invite to the auction. Your name's at the top. She wanted you to have first pick before you hosted the event.”
”Kyle,” I said, ”it sounds like your mother knew she was going to die.”
Magic or destiny, Annette Blair's bewitching romantic comedies became her first national bestsellers. Now she's entered a world of bewitching mysteries and designer vintage, a journey sure to be Vintage Magic. You can contact her through her website at .
Berkley Prime Crime t.i.tles by Annette Blair.
A VEILED DECEPTION.
LARCENY AND LACE.
Berkley Sensation t.i.tles by Annette Blair.
THE KITCHEN WITCH.
MY FAVORITE WITCH.
THE SCOT, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.
s.e.x AND THE PSYCHIC WITCH.
GONE WITH THE WITCH.
NEVER BEEN WITCHED.
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