The Busy Woman's Guide to Murder Read Online Free Page B

All to say, I figured my series of courses would pay off in more ways than one. I was expanding into the time-management aspect and I hoped the exposure would raise the profile of Organized for Success .
    Not surprisingly, every person was female except for one solitary man, who sat there doing his best not to seem out of place. I assumed that his wife had sent him, her own time being too valuable. I thought they all radiated apprehension. But I felt wonderful. This would be the first workshop I’d ever presented. All those people were here to listen to me. I would talk. They would pay attention. I could help them. I found myself beaming at no one in particular.
    My friend Ramona’s earrings dangled and shimmered as she made her way to the front of the room. She was resplendent in an indigo suede jacket and matching pants, her go-to meeting outfit, she called it. As she tapped the mic at the podium, her short silver hair glowed like a crown in the fluorescent light. “Welcome, ladies and gentleman,” she said, “to the first in the Woodbridge Public Library’s spring community cooperative programs. Our topic is The Busy Person’s Guide to Managing Time and Life. I believe that you will learn how to get control of your days and weeks. Your time spent here will be a great investment. All five sessions are booked to capacity with waiting lists. I believe that’s because of our workshop leader. I’m sure Charlotte Adams needs no introduction here in Woodbridge, but she’ll get one anyway. After a few hectic years in the financial sector in the city, she returned home to Woodbridge determined to lead a simpler life, with time for friends and community. She now runs her own business, Organized for Success, and has helped hundreds of clients declutter and reclaim their homes. During this course, she’ll help you do the same with your time and your life. Please welcome Charlotte Adams.”
    Ramona stepped back during the surprisingly wild clapping. I believe she’s my biggest fan. She gradually edged toward the back of the room and gave me a surreptitious little wave. She was on reference duty that day, as she was most Saturdays, and she wouldn’t be able to stay. Luckily, Ramona didn’t need any advice on managing time.
    I smiled out at the sea of eager faces. Almost everyone in the crowd smiled back at me, with the exception of the pale, blond, rabbity woman in the far corner of the back row, who averted her eyes and stared at the floor. I thought she was trying to disappear into the man’s parka she was wearing. Make eye contact with every single person, I reminded myself.
    “Thank you, Ramona, and thanks to the Woodbridge Library for its support of this program and our workshop. I’m very happy to be—”
    Several hands shot up.
    I blinked. Usually the questions follow information. In such a large crowd, it can be tricky maintaining control. That was something I’d have to get used to.
    “I’ll take one question,” I said. “We need to stay on schedule to get everything done. That’s something I’ll talk about in more detail today. Yes?” I pointed to the most enthusiastic hand waver; a plump, permed grandmotherly type sitting two feet away from me in the front row.
    Her happy face lit up as she gushed, “Charlotte! What did it feel like having a gun fired at you?”
    “Horrible,” I said. “And I—”
    I should have said that I was there to talk about time management and not murder. Maybe made a little joke that murder was not my business. However, whatever I might have said would have been drowned out by the barrage of questions from almost all areas in the packed room.
    “Charlotte! How many times have you actually been arrested?”
    “I’ve never actually been—”
    “Some of your friends have been injured. Do they avoid you now?”
    “No. We’re lifelong friends and—”
    “Have the police started calling you when they need help?”
    “The police like to solve their own cases. I like to