Murder with a Twist Read Online Free Page B

after a moment. “God forbid it’s Euros or, even worse, the Pound Sterling. The exchange rate now is terrible for us.”
    “Nigel, this is serious!” said Olive.
    “I think he knows that, dear,” said Max. “I think we all know that. Berating the girl isn’t going to help any.”
    “Do you think Leo’s disappearance has something to do with the money?” I asked.
    Audrey shook her head. “No. He knows I’d pay it. I always pay it. That’s why I didn’t mention it. It can’t have anything to do with his disappearance. He knows he can always come to me.”
    As Olive began to berate Audrey on the particulars of her marriage, I sat back in my chair and stared at my fish. While Leo might know that he could always get the money from Audrey, the people he owed might not have that same confidence.

seven
    After the fish remains were taken off for a decent burial, we retuned to the living room for coffee. Audrey barely touched hers and soon begged off with the excuse of a headache. I didn’t blame her. I was starting to get one too.
    “Thank you for agreeing to help me, Nic,” Audrey said as she put on her coat. Daphne had offered to see Audrey home, but Toby insisted on doing it. He now stood next to her, his sensible black wool coat already on, and ready to go.
    “I can’t promise anything,” I said. “But I will see what I can do. Can you get me Frank Little’s number? I’d like to talk to him. Some t imes people are more forthcoming when they’re not talking to wives.”
    Audrey nodded. “Sure, I understand. But I still think you’re wrong. I think Frank told me everything he knew. He seemed to want to find Leo too.”
    Audrey and Toby then said their good-byes with promises to call and left.
    After listening for the sound of the front door closing, Olive let out a long sigh. “I hardly recognize her anymore! She’s nothing but a walking shell of her former self ! Do you know that she’s given up all her charity work? She says she just wants to concentrate on Leo! It’s ridiculous!”
    “Well, there are some who might consider Leo a form of charity work,” said Daphne.
    Olive ignored her. “Oh, why couldn’t Audrey have married Tobias? He’s so wonderful to her,” she wailed.
    “Well, for one, I don’t believe Toby ever asked her,” said Max.
    Olive dismissed this fact with a wave of her hand. “He would have, I’m sure of it. But then Leo came along and ruined everything. Lord, I hate that man. How could Audrey have ever thought Leo was a better man than Tobias?”
    Daphne twisted her mouth. “I don’t know about that, Mother. If you ask me, Toby is no different from Leo. Just a little more mannered and better dressed.”
    “Nonsense!” said Olive. “Tobias comes from a good family. And he’s devoted to Audrey. Always has been, too.”
    “You forget, Mother,” Daphne countered, “that I’ve worked with him for the past two years. I know him better than you do.”
    Olive scoffed. “And since when are you such a expert judge of people? You were convinced that last boyfriend of yours was Mr. Wonderful until you caught him running around on you with that other woman. I told you he was no good.”
    Daphne flushed a deep red. “You’re unbelievable,” she bit out through clenched teeth.
    “Does Audrey have a pre-nup with Leo?” I asked, before the fight escalated.
    Max shot me a grateful look. “Yes. I couldn’t stop her from marrying him, but at least I made sure that he agreed to a pre-nup. If they divorce, Leo gets shown the door, and that’s pretty much it. He doesn’t see a dime.”
    “Of course, that doesn’t help us much now . He makes out like a bandit as long as he’s still married to her,” Olive said.“And it’ll only get worse once she turns twenty-five.”
    “How so?” I asked.
    “According to the terms of Audrey’s trust, she has limited control over her fortune. For her to spend over the predetermined amount she must first get approval from the