Midsummer Night's Mischief Read Online Free Page A

whistled. I glanced at Jeremy, whose eyes were gleaming. He winked at me. Naturally.
    Crenshaw, apparently, was about to faint.
    â€œThe . . . the First Folio, you say? The original, complete . . . all thirty-six plays? In very good condition? Those were the exact words of the appraiser? Very good condition ?”
    â€œThat’s right,” I said.
    â€œExtraordinary.”
    â€œYes. I—”
    â€œDo you realize what we’re talking about here? You were an English major. You should know. The First Folio is the most important book in all of English literature. Just think of the historical value, the cultural value—not to mention the monetary value. And rare! If I recall correctly, there are only around two hundred complete copies known to exist throughout the world today.”
    As Crenshaw gushed, Pammy Sullivan, who sat next to Crenshaw on a love seat, kept interjecting, “Oh, my ,” after nearly everything he said.
    Pammy, a good lawyer and a nice lady, was nevertheless unceasingly, and unintentionally, entertaining to me. She liked to color coordinate her makeup, her fingernails, her jewelry, and her suits. Today’s ensemble featured a coral- and yellow-striped skirt suit, a matching jumbo bead necklace, a bracelet, earrings in coral, and shiny coral fingernails. I was endlessly fascinated by her outfits and couldn’t even imagine what her dressing room at home must look like. I had to force myself to direct my attention away from her and back to Crenshaw, who was still hyperventilating.
    â€œHas it been authenticated? Was it bound? Was it embellished? What was it doing in your client’s attic?”
    I couldn’t help grinning at his unreserved enthusiasm. “It is bound, yes. A local rare-books expert gave Eleanor his initial assessment of the value, as I mentioned,” I said. “Eleanor will have it officially authenticated next week, when she flies to D.C.”
    Before Crenshaw could pepper me with more questions, Beverly raised her hand. “Let’s move on, okay? Keli will keep us updated as this matter progresses. This will be a high-profile sale and good for the firm. It will benefit us all. Good work, Keli.”
    I sat through the rest of the meeting reveling in Beverly’s praise yet feeling I didn’t really deserve it. What had I done? I had just interviewed a client and prepared a will. On the other hand, I supposed Eleanor had chosen me based on a referral from a friend of hers. I had made another client happy enough to recommend me.
    That afternoon Eleanor came back to finalize her will. Normally, I allowed at least a week to put together a will, but Eleanor was anxious to have hers in place before her trip to D.C. So I made an exception and worked quickly that morning to prepare all the papers. When she arrived, she had the First Folio with her in a large canvas book bag with a single-button flap closure.
    â€œEleanor!” I said, ushering her into my office. “Haven’t you put that thing in a safety-deposit box yet?”
    She showed me her dimples and set the bag gently on the floor. “Well,” she said, a little breathless, “it got too late last night. I had to get home after I left here. Darlene and the boys were coming over for supper. And, of course, the boys wanted to see the treasure.”
    Her eyes twinkled as she said it, and I smiled in spite of myself. “What about this morning? You haven’t been doing your errands while lugging around that four-hundred-year-old treasure, have you?”
    â€œOh, heavens, no!” said Eleanor, laughing. “Well, maybe just one. Anyway, I have to go back to the bookseller after I leave here. He’s going to take pictures of the book and give me some directions to that Shakespeare library in Washington, D.C.”
    â€œOkay, Eleanor. But after that, you have to promise me you’ll go straight to the bank,” I said. “Also, no more