1 Odds and Ends Read Online Free

and left him down the basement.”
    Peter silenced him with a look. “As he put it, yes, the superintendent who worked here, a Mr. Coley Patterson,” he said, checking a small notebook he drew from his pocket.
    Margot pressed a hand to her throat. “H-how?”
    Peter hesitated.
    “How, please.”
    He sighed. “By stabbing. Now, I need to ask you did either of you hear or see anyone as you entered the basement?”
    Kenny screwed up his face, concentrating. “No.”
    Margot for some reason glanced at the cat. The wide green eyes blinked back at her, and she chided herself for one second believing the hallucinations could be real. “Well, even if we did hear something, it surely wasn’t the killer.”
    Amusement made Peter’s blue eyes crinkle at the corners, and he folded his arms across his chest. “And why is that, Margot?”
    She flushed at her age, pleased as punch a young man had felt comfortable calling her by her first name. “Well, Peter, because he has been dead a few days.”
    “How many would you say?” Peter asked.
    “Why are you asking her?” Kenny interrupted. “She just got here today, so she can’t be a suspect.”
    Peter grinned. “You’re right, kid. I was just curious about what she’d say. The body has been picked up, and in a few, I’ll have the ME’s report. Now, as a way to appease my curiosity, let’s go over everything, shall we?”
     

Chapter Six
     
    Margot darted out the front door to her new apartment building. Well, darted probably wasn’t a good word for the speed at which she moved. Besides the fact that her hip was still achy. Maybe she should see a doctor.
    She stared at the spot where the moving van had been. A tiny car that looked like a toy occupied the space. Her heart raced, and she leaned on the banister for support. Where? All of the things she had brought with her weren’t in the apartment. They couldn’t all fit, and recalling the size of the basement compartments, surely not there either.
    “You must be the new tenant.”
    Hearing the sultry voice behind her, Margot turned. A woman of medium height, very slender but curvy figure, and a shock of long white-blonde hair stood before her.
    “Yes, I’m…” Distracted, for the moment Margot forgot to introduce herself properly. “I have to call the moving company. There’s been a mistake.”
    The woman stepped aside, drawing Margot’s gaze to impossibly high heels. How could she walk in those with such thin ankles? Margot made it a few steps into the hall before she recalled her manners and turned back to find the woman watching her with an expression of dislike.
    Margot gasped, and the woman schooled her face to a friendly smile. “Zabrina Fague.”
    “Margot Gardner. I’m sorry, dear. I am so distraught over my things. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Margot held out a hand to shake, but Zabrina ignored it.
    “Nice to meet you, Margot. Can I call you Margot?”
    “Of course.” Margot dropped her hand to her side and flattened her palm against her pants leg. She had never in her life been made to feel beneath someone, but Zabrina made her feel that way. “I have to go.”
    She spun away intending to return to her apartment to call Peter about the theft. He had questioned her and Kenny extensively about the superintendent, but since she had nothing to share other than last time she spoke with Mr. Patterson was a week ago. Peter had left after that and had apparently already questioned the other tenants.
    Music with a distinct scratchy element to it drifted into the hall as she passed a particular door, and Margot froze. That was her album, purchased at a music store back in Briney Creek during her third date with Lou. Surely it wasn’t a coincidence.
    Margot banged on the door until her knuckles ached. “Hello? Is anyone home?”
    The music halted, and a sing-songy voice called out. At that moment, the little silver cat padded down the stairs at the end of the hall and joined Margot in waiting at