Ada's Death (Cara Daniels Cozy Mystery Book 5) Read Online Free Page A

Ada’s kitchen door. Ada opened the door and
beamed at her. “Come in! Would you like a glass of wine?”
    Cara
stepped into the kitchen. “What a welcome! Yes, thank you, that would be
lovely.” Cara quickly took in the black death line that surrounded Ada. Did it
look thicker? She couldn’t tell.
    The
smell from the kitchen caused Cara’s mouth to water uncontrollably. She quickly
wiped away a small unladylike dribble that escaped from her mouth. Cara said,
“Can I help you with anything?”
    Ada
put a glass of white wine in Cara’s hands and shoved her towards the living
room. “Absolutely not! Ben and Maria will be here soon.”
    Robin
was at Ada’s side. He looked over at Cara and said, “Not too much of that wine,
you need to keep your wits about you.”
    Ben
and Maria arrived a few minutes later. Ben gave Cara a hug as he entered the
room. Cara stiffened, she didn’t want to be hugged by a potential murderer. Ben
didn’t notice. He smiled at her and said, “You’ve hardly changed.” He patted
his round tummy. “Unlike me! This is what happens when you get a desk job. You
haven’t met Maria, have you?”
    A
shy-looking woman stepped out from behind Ben. Her long dark hair framed a
petite face. Cara could see that she was wearing make-up, but it had been
applied in that clever way so that it looked as if Maria wasn’t wearing any.
Cara had never been able to achieve that look.
    Maria
smiled at Cara and said, “Hello, it’s lovely to meet you. Ada’s told me all
about you. She’s so pleased that you’re living next door.”
    Ada
came into the room and announced, “Dinner is ready. Everyone into the dining
room.”
    Maria
moved over to Ada and said, “Let me help you.”
    Ada
tried to wave her away but Maria was insistent. “You’ve done enough today,
preparing this food for us. At least let me bring in the first course.”
    Ada
put her hand on her brow. “I could do with a sit down, thank you Maria.”
    Ada
led them through to the dining room, Robin was still at her side. Cara sat
opposite Ben so she could keep an eye on him.
    Maria
brought in the soup and placed a bowl in front of everyone. The aroma tickled
Cara’s nose and she felt another dribble threatening to appear.
    “Tuck
in!” Ada said.
    Cara
didn’t need telling twice. She lifted a filled spoon to her mouth and shoved it
in. A second later she started to cough.
    Ben
and Maria did the same. Everyone put their spoons down and looked at the soup.
    Ada’s
brow wrinkled. “What’s wrong? Don’t you like the soup?” She took a small sip.
“Oh! That’s disgusting!”
    Ben
said, “Just a bit too much salt, Mum.”
    “I
didn’t put more than a pinch in!” Ada’s voice began to rise. “I don’t
understand it. I’ve made this soup hundreds of times! It’s never tasted like
this before.”
    Ben
said, “Mum, calm down. You’ve made a mistake, that’s all. Didn’t you sleep well
last night? Have you been taking your sleeping tablets?”
    Cara’s
eyes narrowed as she studied Ben. Look at that pretend concern on his face!
    Maria
stood up and walked round to Ada. She put her arms around her shoulders and
said, “Please don’t get upset. I’ll take the soup away. I’m sure the rest of
the meal will be delicious.”
    Ada
patted her hand gratefully. Cara stood up and helped Maria take the bowls into
the kitchen. Once in the kitchen Maria wiped a tear away. She said, “I hate to
see Ada like this. She won’t admit it but she needs help. I don’t know if you
know, but Ben’s employed a nurse to look after Ada. I wasn’t sure that she
needed one at first but after this,” she pointed towards a bowl of soup, “I
think he’s right.”
    “Please
don’t talk about me,” Ada said as she came into the kitchen. She nodded towards
the dining room. “And will you please tell that son of mine to stop going on
about those stupid sleeping tablets! I’ll take them if I need them, and I’m the
one who’s going to make that