Murder at the Bellamy Mansion Read Online Free

secret known to thin women: select very tasty dishes to fool the appetite. And don’t forget the protein.
    In reply to my suggestion, Melanie said, “As it turns out I can’t leave town right now. I’ve just snared some very, very rich clients.”
    So what else is new, I thought.
    “ Speaking of real estate,” Jon said to Melanie. “Brian and Jackie Hudson were in Pinehurst. Don’t you work with him? We partied with them on New Year’s Eve. A fun couple.”
    And Jackie doesn’t care for sweets so that’s how she maintains her svelte figure, I recalled. I had just learned two tips from thin women. But how long could I refrain from eating dessert? And how long could I manage with half portions? I didn’t know the answer, but I was determined to put myself to the test. My mind wandered, contemplating how my weight-loss plan should consist of kissing Jon every time I got hungry – kiss him until my hunger was replaced by desire. Then forget about food. Hmmmm.
    I must have been smiling to myself because Melanie said, “What’s so funny? All I said was that I’ve got to call Brian as soon as he gets back. Does he know that his uncle has been shot?”
    “ Yes, we left a message for him at the front desk when we checked out,” Jon said. “But there’s no love lost between those two branches of the Hudson family. He won’t come to the hospital. None of his side will.”
    “ For pity sakes,” she cried. “Perhaps we should count our blessings that we don’t come from one of those enormous families where everybody is feuding with everyone else. Now as I was saying, I met a very rich couple in Bimini who are pining away for a Southern mansion. Chinese. They are Chinese. I think they watched Gone With the Wind one too many times. They have this notion that a large, white, columned mansion will somehow transform them into Americans.”
    “ Well, why not buy up our Southern mansions?” Jon’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “They already own our national debt. What’s a Southern mansion or two?”
    Melanie eyed him suspiciously but did not respond. He’d better not rain on her parade, her look said. “Actually, I think they’re already in town. They were sailing for Wilmington when Cam and I met them. They’ll be docked out at the Wrightsville Marina for the rest of the winter. Oh, Ashley, Jon, wait until you see their yacht. It is unbelievable. Incredible. And we’re all invited aboard on Saturday night for an early Chinese New Year’s party. In their culture they start celebrating early.”
    Jon and I exchanged glances. A party we’d try to get out of, sure enough. Jon did not like parties thrown by strangers. Neither did I.
    Melanie continued, “I’m determined to find them the mansion of their dreams, and see to it that they spend a bundle for it. That’s why I have to call Brian. I’ll need his help with the legalities of selling to foreigners. Exchange rates. Chinese banks. All that legal stuff.”
    She grimaced. “I’ll do anything to survive this dreadful real estate market. The depreciation is killing homeowners. Everyone is too afraid to sell, and everyone is too afraid to buy. So I’ve got to get the Chengs’ business.”
    She brightened. “I know what I’ll do, I’ll buy them the most fabulous gift. That will make them beholden to me so they won’t go with anyone else, like Faye Brock who is just the sweetest thing and everyone loves her.”
    I reached across the table and patted her hand. She was hurting. The market was a dismal mess. “Everyone loves you, too, Melanie. Jon and I will do what we can to help. Won’t we Jon?”
    He gave me a startled look, appalled. Was I dragging him to the party after all?
    “ I’ll help you find the perfect gift. And I know just the place. The Crescent Moon gift shop has the most fabulous glass art objects. Handmade. We don’t want you giving her that crappy ‘made in China’ stuff.”
    I snickered at my own