Murder at the Azalea Festival Read Online Free Page A

kitchen was unusable, the caterer was operating out of the tent. Her van was parked on the far side, and I recognized it as belonging to Elaine McDuff. Elaine was a round, motherly-looking, energetic forty-something caterer. Larry, her husband, was a sometime character actor, who as a young man had been a regular on the Matlock series when it was filmed here in Wilmington. Since then, roles for him had been hard to come by and he seemed to have settled in assisting Elaine with her popular catering business.
    The flaps of the tent were rolled up. Inside, Elaine had arranged buffet tables with pristine white cloths for the food she was setting out.
    Round tables and wrought iron garden chairs had been placed strategically in shady spots on the lawn for the guests. There were lounge chairs under the trees and my sister Melanie reclined in one. As the festival's grand marshal, she would lead the parade and preside over many of the ceremonies in the days to come. Melanie is famous for her spectacular beauty and her spectacular success as a Wilmington realtor.
    Next to her sat the Azalea Queen, Jillian Oliver, a stunning platinum blonde, gorgeous in her own right, but no match for my red-headed sister who, in her spring green sequined sheath, looked smashing. Jillian, a star on a big network soap opera that was filmed in New York, chatted companionably with Melanie.
    "Looks like prom night out there," Jon said over my shoulder.
    "Not these days," I replied. "Today the seventeen-year-olds wear slinky black gowns on prom night and no one would ever accuse them of being virgins. No, these girls look like true Southern belles."
    Melanie beckoned to me but I raised a just-a-minute finger. I was looking around for Tiffany to tell her we had arrived. I spotted her in the tent, hovering over the tables. Elaine had returned to the van, unloading food boxes onto the tailgate, while Larry was doing a balancing-act with a tray of iced tea glasses as he moved through the crowd.
    "I'm going to speak to Tiffany," I told Jon.
    "And I see a city councilman I need to speak to," he replied, and walked toward a group of men that included Gus Talliere. Gus gave me a little salute.
    I'd dressed up for the party. Although I wouldn't be mistaken for one of the Azalea Belles, in my ankle-length silky tea gown and feminine straw hat with flowers, I thought I could hold my own against any belle of the Twelve Oaks variety.
    I exchanged waves with several acquaintances then made my way to the tent where I called to Tiffany. I must have startled her for she whirled around awkwardly, hand pressed to heart. "Oh, Ashley, I didn't hear you."
    I gave her a little hug. "I wanted to let you know we're here. Everything looks so pretty."
    "Do you really think so? I'm a bit nervous, that's why I'm in here checking on things."
    "I do think so. It's a beautiful party and a beautiful day. Don't worry about the food, there's no finer chef than Elaine. Just leave everything in her capable hands and come on out and enjoy yourself. By the way, you look fabulous."
    Tiffany looked like a fairytale princess in her pale yellow gown with its full skirt. Her hair was swept up, and unlike yesterday, she was wearing make-up.
    "Come on," I said, my arm around her shoulders, "Melanie's been motioning for me to get over there, and my sister is 'she who cannot be denied.'"
    Laughing together, we strolled across the grass to Melanie and Queen Jillian.
    "You took long enough," Melanie scolded. "Ashley, this is Jillian Oliver, our queen, and a most talented actress. Jillian, my baby sister, Ashley."
    Jillian smiled graciously and extended her hand. "Ashley, I'm pleased to meet you. And hi, again, Tiffany. You're so sweet to give this party for us. Now, Ashley, Melanie has been telling me all about your living in New York and studying at Parsons. Do you miss the big city?"
    "Not really. I loved New York when I lived there, and I go back to visit friends." My college roommate and her brother