Mayhem Takes a Dare: The Second Marisa Adair Mystery Adventure (Marisa Adair Mysteries Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

don’t know anything about cards or cats.” She perked up. “Hey, I have CDs of my music mix for sale for five dollars each. Give me a second and I’ll run out to the car and get them.” She jumped off her barstool and headed for the door.
    Marisa couldn’t help but laugh. “What a wasted exercise and we’ll have to fend off the sales pitch for the five-dollar CDs!”
    His gaunt face disturbingly cadaver-like in the blue glow of the rows of computer screens, Marisa’s companion offered her his hand. “I didn’t have the opportunity to introduce myself earlier. I’m the High Priest of Death.”
    Marisa took his ice-cold hand and shivered. “What do you mean, you’re the High Priest of Death? I thought Tara’s website was loosely based on King Arthur’s court.”
    He shrugged. “Loosely is the key.” His low voice crawled along Marisa’s spine. “Came-A-Lot is really based on more generic monarchies. Each user sets up his or her profile, with the user as the queen or king of the profile. Then, friends can be added, with tags related to the monarch’s court.”
    “I think Tara mentioned you have accountants added as Grand Viziers, amateur musicians as Minstrels, and so on.”
    His fleeting smile brought a short flash of animation to his deathly pale face. “I chose the High Priest of Death user name because I am the online funeral director of the Palace of Happy Endings, as well as a funeral director in real life…or shall I say death?” With a professional smile and a flourish, he handed her a card. “In case you ever need my services—”
    “Panhandling happy endings for business or pleasure, Steve?” The thin woman with the trio of pigtails glided up next to Marisa.
    “The Queen of Water Retention!” snarled the funeral director.
    “That’s Empress of Endless Seas, you oaf! You should use the tag of Court Jester, since you think you’re so damn funny!”
    Marisa started to ease away.
    The smaller woman grabbed her arm. “I’m Marina Poole Waters, which explains my affinity for water. You’ve met Steve, all dolled up in his death suit and face to match.”
    “I have a viewing later, Marina Poole, as you well know—”
    The smirk was replaced by sadness. “Caleb. I heard he was murdered. What happened?”
    Steve’s face smoothed into professional lines. “Closed casket. Need I say more?”
    “What was Caleb’s online identity?” asked Marisa.
    They turned to her as if they’d forgotten she was there. “He was the Knight of the Round Ladies. He saw himself as the answer to a big girl’s prayer for casual sex.” Marina Poole’s mouth tightened in anger.
    Steve shrugged. “Caleb went for quantity, both in numbers and sizes of his partners.” His eyes met hers with direct speculation. “I, on the other hand, go for quality.” His eyes drifted from Marisa’s tailored print blouse to her snug jeans.
    Marina Poole snorted.
    “What’s your online identity?” Steve hastily asked Marisa.
    “I’m Marisa, Tara’s friend. I haven’t been online to see the group.”
    Marina Poole and Steve looked as shocked as if Marisa had said she’d never heard of electricity.
    Sipping her diet drink to hide her smile, Marisa watched Steve and Marina Poole inch away from her, as if she had a contagious disease.
    “Once upon a time, you’d have had the same look of dismay on your face, Marisa. The group was your life!” Tara’s eyes crinkled engagingly at the corners.
    Marisa shrugged. “Once I stopped drinking, the group just didn’t hold the same appeal. I was relieved to hand it over to you. Remember, I’m only here tonight because you dragged me.”
    A young woman walked up to Tara. Her baggy top couldn’t completely hide her huge breasts. Her boxy jeans appeared to be several sizes too large.
    Marisa was relieved to note the shirt was emblazoned with the name of a high school, not a college. She didn’t think she could take any more college rivalry in one night.
    “Hi, Taylor!”