Creeps Suzette Read Online Free Page A

an otherwise humdrum afternoon?”
    Judith started to protest, then managed to set the tray and the paté on the counter. “Why not? If you’ve got the spice, I’ve got the thyme.”
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    While the four guests were drinking sherry and eating appetizers in the living room, Judith and Joe sat in the front parlor, sipping Scotch. A mellow feeling filled the room as Joe convinced Judith that she should go with Renie to help take care of her friend’s mother.
    â€œThe old lady’s sick, right?” said Joe as they warmedthemselves by the small stone fireplace. “How much can Renie help if she’s sick, too?”
    Judging from what Joe had said so far, Judith gathered that Renie hadn’t mentioned Mrs. Burgess’s fears for her life. “I still don’t feel right about leaving you and Mother.”
    Joe grinned, and the magic gold flecks were back in his green eyes. “Are you afraid I’ll whack her?”
    Judith smiled back at her husband. “No, you’ve managed before when I’ve had to leave. Carl and Arlene are excellent buffers. If,” she added on a dubious note, “they agree to help out with the B&B.”
    â€œI’ll help out. And they’ll pitch in.” Joe was still grinning. “I called them while you were serving the guests.”
    â€œOh.” Judith bit her lip. “Of course I’ll only be half an hour from Heraldsgate Hill. But I feel guilty, even if it’s only for a couple of days.”
    Guilty , Judith thought, because the premise is a big, fat lie . It wasn’t like Renie to tell such a tall tale. On the other hand, her cousin must really want Judith to come along. But for whose sake? Her own—or Renie’s? In fact, they both should be more concerned for Leota Burgess. Even if she was imagining things, she was still a weak, and no doubt frightened, old lady.
    Judith lifted her glass and gave Joe a warm smile. “To a most sympathetic husband.” And a gullible one, too .
    The gold flecks were still shining in Joe’s eyes. “To a pleasant stay at Sunset Cliffs. You and Renie will probably have a wonderful time.”
    Judith’s smile froze. “Yes. I’m sure we will.”
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    The weekend turned out much busier than Judith expected. A tour bus from California had run into mechanical troubles, and some of the travelers had been put up at Hillside Manor Saturday night, filling all six rooms. On Sunday, a group headed for a big family reunion discovered there had been a mix-up in their reservations at two other local B&Bs. Ingrid Heffelman from the state association had called to see if Judith could take in at least five people.She could, which not only filled the rooms for the second straight night, but made Judith’s February profit and loss statement look less dismal.
    Meanwhile, Judith and Renie had exchanged phone messages regarding their departure plans for Monday, March second. The last message came from Renie at ten o’clock Sunday night while Judith was next door, making final arrangements with Carl and Arlene. Renie asked if Judith could drive, and if so, not to bother calling back. Unlike the Flynns, the Joneses owned only one car. Bill would drop Renie off on his way to the chiropractor.
    By ten the following morning, Judith was ushering some of her guests out through the entry hall. Four more remained upstairs, and since checkout time wasn’t until eleven, she didn’t feel right about hustling them along.
    â€œI’ll handle it,” Joe said. “Finish packing, and forget about your duties here. As of now, you’re on vacation.”
    Giving her husband a grateful smile, Judith hurried up to the third floor to add a few last-minute items to her suitcase. She was back in the kitchen ten minutes later, ready to go.
    â€œI must say good-bye to Mother,” she told Joe as she headed out the back door. “I suppose she’ll be