The Fine Art of Murder Read Online Free

introduced her when he stopped by our table. Her name was Stacey Jordan.”
    “Pretty?”
    “I guess so.”
    “And is Randolph still a jerk?” I asked.
    “No. I was surprised. He said that going to college in New York, getting away from his family, gave him a crack at a fresh start. He loved living where no one knew anything about him.”
    “So he reinvented himself. Good for him. The Pierce family tree does have some twisted branches,” I said. “There were always stories going around about his crazy grandfather and that aunt of his.”
    “You mean Ms. Jacqueline Bannister-Pierce?” Lizzie pronounced the name in a very proper British accent. “Oh, she moved to Las Vegas after the most recent divorce. Haven’t seen her in years.”
    “Why didn’t she move back into the mansion? She could have lived like a queen.”
    “One of the reasons Randy’s back in Edina is because his grandfather’s will stipulated that on the centennial of its groundbreaking, the Pierce estate would be transferred to the state of Minnesota.”
    “Too little, too late.”
    “Don’t go feeling all softhearted for poor Miss Jacqueline, Mother. She has a new man.” Lizzie laughed. “And he follows her around like a love-sick puppy.”
    I have to admit, I was surprised. “Who is he?” I asked.
    “Hank Slater. Some muscle bound, washed-up pro football player. Everyone says he sponges off women like Jackie. It’s all over the Internet. My paralegal, Kyla, told me she heard that Jackie and Hank came waltzing into Smythe and Albright, looking to hire an attorney.”
    “She starts at the top, doesn’t she? Isn’t that the largest law firm in the state?”
    “It sure is. She’s always felt the family fortune—property and art collections—should have gone to her.”
    “Well I’m sure old Marshall’s will was iron clad.”
    Lizzie laughed. “Bulletproof from what I’ve heard.”

Chapter Four
    “Mom,” Chloe whined, “Cam’s eating all the cereal.”
    “Am not,” I could hear my grandson say in a calm, even tone.
    “Are too!”
    “Quiet. You’re going to wake Grammy up,” he told her.
    “Shhh, both of you,” Lizzie whispered.
    “OMG, Mom. Can’t you make Grandma give my phone back? Pleeease? Daddy gave that to me ’cause I got all Bs. He’d be crazy mad if he knew.”
    Her mother didn’t take the bait, only asking her if she was finished eating.
    Way to go, Lizzie , I thought and wondered if the three of them were aware that I could hear every word they were saying. Probably not. Their rooms were separated from the kitchen by a long hallway. But mine was just on the other side of the wall. I bet they didn’t have a clue.
    For a minute, I thought of getting up, putting on my robe, and rushing out to wish them all a good day. But that thought went away as I stretched my feet across the luxurious sheets.
    Their conversation stopped suddenly but was immediately followed by the clanking of silverware hitting the stainless steel sink. The refrigerator seemed to open and close nonstop. Chairs skidded across the tiled floor until finally, thank goodness, Lizzie said, “Now grab your lunches and get in the car. I have to go to the office, so I can drive you to school, but you’ll have to take the bus home.”
    “Shotgun!” Chloe shouted.
    Cameron was silent.
    I could hear one child run toward the front of the house; the other slowly followed. When the door slammed shut, I thought they were gone, until I heard a knock.
    “Mother, I know you heard everything.”
    “Yes, I did.”
    Through the door, Lizzie said, “You have my cell number and the one at the office. I should be home late. Could you please feed the kids dinner?”
    “No problem.”
    “Thanks so much. Love you.”
    “Love you, too, sweetheart,” I called back.
    ***
    Curiosity finally made me get out of bed. Hearing that Randolph Pierce had opened an art gallery piqued my interest, and I decided to check it out. But first I had a cup of coffee and