The Gossiping Gourmet: (A Murder in Marin Mystery - Book 1) (Murder in Marin Mysteries) Read Online Free Page A

against him. You know, in many cases
these battered women don’t pursue their tormentors. They let them back into the
house and hope to continue their lives, as if nothing happened.”
    Warren was truly flying by
the seat of his pants. To begin with, he was ignorant as to the extent of Mrs.
Randolph’s injuries. His only actual knowledge was that the police had been
called by one of the Randolph’s neighbors, who was reporting a possible domestic dispute.
    Apparently, when the
Sausalito patrol car arrived at their home, Mrs. Randolph was sprawled across
the living room floor, and her husband appeared to have been drinking heavily.
For all Warren knew, Grant Randolph might have been released hours after
arriving at the county jail. While it made for juicy gossip, the entire
incident might amount to far more smoke than fire. 
    Unfortunately for Warren, the
assumption of an abused wife was not something Alma was going to allow to go
away.
    “There is no way that man
should be allowed to continue in his current position,” Alma said once more;
this time with even greater conviction. “While I still believe you want to be
careful about what you put in your column, you’re in the best position to tell
other members of the commission just what sort of man they are dealing with. As
you know, Warren, Sausalito is a town of just seven thousand people, but only a
few hundred of us really count. We can’t do anything about Randolph choosing to
live in Sausalito, but we can make certain he doesn’t serve in a position of
honor and responsibility.”
    Warren’s chest tightened as
Alma dug in deeper.
    “Eight months from today, we
hold our annual Fine Arts Gala. To have that man hosting such an important
evening just won’t do! I’m sure you agree!”
    At this stage, Warren could
do nothing more than agree. Like a commuter chasing a departing ferry,
breathlessly he squeaked, “Oh, you’re right Alma, you’re right!”
    Enough silence stood between
them that the ever-hovering Louise thought it appropriate to ask if either of
them wished for tea.
    Alma thanked her, but said
she was a little tired and planned on taking a nap. She dismissed Louise, then
turned her cold blue eyes on Warren—a certain cue that it was time for him to
go.
    He lifted his rumpled self
from the soft wingback and bid a silent farewell to the gracious home with its
extended views.
    “Let me know what happens
next regarding this terrible business. If Randolph isn’t relieved of his post
on the commission by the time planning for the gala begins, I’ll have to
rethink my support of the entire organization,” Alma concluded with a resolve
Warren believed he had not heard in her voice in years.
    As his car journeyed down the
steep road leading back toward his home, Warren thought about what had just
transpired. In his experience, gossip was rarely intended to turn into tangible
action. Rather, it was a flavor, like nectarine juice in a red wine sauce,
savored briefly on the tongue, and then remembered only by its afterglow.
    He had certainly stirred the
pot.
    He hadn’t anticipated such a
bitter aftertaste.

CHAPTER
THREE
     
    Rob Timmons’ weekly routine
would have exhausted most people, but it was a schedule Rob was well accustomed
to seven years after his purchase of the Sausalito Standard.
    Historically, the paper came
out weekly, arriving in homes every Wednesday. But a year after buying the
paper for a surprisingly small sum from its aging and retiring founder, Rob
struck upon a clever idea. If he took the paper’s center twelve pages and put a
different four page “wrap” around each week’s edition, he could greatly expand
his reach, and more importantly, the value of his advertising. Thereby, for
example, the Belvedere/Tiburon Standard arrived with its own cover, and
several news stories unique to the two communities directly across Richardson
Bay. Over the next two years, Rob expanded into Mill Valley, and then started a
fourth edition