Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth Read Online Free Page A

don't you?"
     
     
"Are your eggs organic?"
     
     
I nodded assuringly, which isn't the same as lying. As far as I know, the only inorganic eggs are the marble kind sold in gift shops. "Yours is room three, in this wing, on the second floor."
     
     
When I got back from showing Joel his room, I found a party of three waiting for me at the desk. "Goot aftahnoon!" I called cheerily. Believe me, forced cheer is an art that can be learned, no matter how grumpy it makes you.
     
     
I knew at once that this party consisted of United States Congressman Garrett Ream, his wife, the socialite Lydia Johns
     
     
Ream, and the Congressman's aide, somebody James. I knew this not only because they were to be our only party of three that week, but also because I had seen both Reams' pictures in the paper dozens of times.
     
     
Garrett Ream had only one more year left until re- election, and everyone knew that his next step was going to be the
     
     
Senate. It was also a sure bet that the United States Senate was only a stepping stone to the White House. Tall, dark, and handsome, with an I.Q. higher than room temperature, Garrett Ream seemingly had everything going for him. Especially his wife.
     
     
Lydia Johns Ream was none other than the daughter of Senator Archibald Johns and heiress Margaret Lyons Needmore.
     
     
It had been said from her cradle days on, that whomever Lydia married would someday be President of the United States. The hand that rocked Lydia's cradle was surely employed by the parents of a future First Lady.
     
     
"Velcommen to zee PennDeutsch Inn." I even bowed slightly.
     
     
"Can it, fraulein," said Congressman Ream. "Send someone to get the bags. Is the manager in?"
     
     
I must admit, my mouth had fallen open wide enough to stuff in even one of Freni's dumplings, but that was no excuse for what he said next. "Speakatee zee English?"
     
     
"Apparently about as well as you," I couldn't resist saying. I was still in a state of shock. This man was an elected public official, and even though I didn't live in his district, it was pretty darn cheeky of him to be so rude. Next year, when he ran for the
     
     
Senate, we'd see who got the last laugh.
     
     
"Well, if you speak English, Miss, then hop to it and get the manager and bellboy out here, pronto!"
     
     
I glared at him, pretending I was Ms. Parker and he was me. "I am the manager, mis-ter!"
     
     
"You?"
     
     
"Darling," said his wife, stepping forward and taking his left arm in both of hers, "let's just check in, shall we? It's been a long drive."
     
     
I could tell just by the way she spoke that the lady had class. Everything about her whispered (a soft, cultured whisper, of course) class. The way she moved was pure class. From the tip of her expensively but elegantly coiffed hair to the tips of her make-Imelda-Marcos-envious shoes, she looked classy. What then was she doing with such a clod? Besides the fact that he was handsome?
     
     
"I can take care of this, dear," the clod muttered under his breath.
     
     
The class act didn't seem to hear him. "We're Congressman and Mrs. Ream," she said smoothly, "and this is Mr. James, my husband's aide. I believe you have us down for reservations."
     
     
I pretended to scan the register. "Ah yes, Mrs. Ream. I have you down right here. Are you vegans, lactos, or ovas?"
     
     
"We're Episcopalians." A slight smile played at the comers of her perfectly made-up mouth.
     
     
"I see. Will that be the Amish Lifestyle Package Option, or do you want Housekeeping snooping in your rooms?"
     
     
Again the slight smile. "Why, I think it would be fun to rough it for a change. Put us all down for A.L.P.O." I must mention here that the Ream party had booked three rooms. Couples of their status might occasionally conjugate, but they never cohabit.
     
     
"The three-meal plan?"
     
     
"By all means. I'm looking forward to your famous Amish cooking." Bingo! A woman after my own heart, and one that