Silence of the Lamps Read Online Free Page A

good those ribs had tasted yesterday and whether she should tell Nikki. Mirabelle sat on the cushy lime-green chair beside Caprice’s computer worktable. Every once in a while, she looked up and meowed and Caprice would pet her. Mirabelle was vocal, as lots of Persians were.
    Suddenly her long-haired calico, with her strikingly beautiful white ruff, sauntered into the room and saw Lady sitting by Caprice’s foot and Mirabelle on the chair. Usually laid back, Sophia hadn’t been particularly happy about this recent addition to their family. The cats were adjusting to each other. Without hesitating, Sophia stood up on her hind legs and pawed at Mirabelle. It wasn’t a nasty pawing, more like an I-just-want-to-bother-you pawing. Mirabelle meowed, hopped down, jumped over Lady, and dashed for Caprice’s office closet.
    Caprice always left the door open in case one of the cats wanted to take a nap in there. She knew the animals had to find their own relationships, and they were . . . slowly.
    Caprice’s doorbell rang, and she checked the small portable monitor on her desk. Since her last brush with a murderer, she’d had an alarm system put in her house. Now she saw her sister waving at her, and she smiled. After hurrying to the front door, she unlocked it and Nikki stepped inside.
    “I didn’t expect to see you today,” she said.
    “I came from Rack O’ Ribs. I tried Drew’s sauce and it’s really good. I’m so disappointed.” Nikki sounded dejected, and that wasn’t like her.
    “You wouldn’t be able to create a sauce that’s just as good?”
    “I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore, Caprice. Maybe I should just get a job as a chef somewhere.”
    “Don’t talk nonsense. Your Catered Capers is doing well, isn’t it?”
    “I’m meeting my bills and paying my help. But I want more than that.”
    “Then we have to get your name out there, like Drew has gotten his out there.”
    “He’s done more than that. If he sold the rights to his recipe to the Rack O’ Ribs chain, he’s making major bucks.”
    Caprice led her sister into her living room. “You can’t let him take jobs from you. What do you have planned for the expo on Sunday?” she inquired.
    “You mean what food do I intend to serve?”
    “Yes. How is it special or different from anyone else’s?”
    Nikki thought about it. “I’m cooking my roast beef with the white horseradish glaze, bite-sized duck l’orange samples, salmon with a bourbon sauce, and then assorted cookies and desserts.”
    “What’s your pièce de résistance?” Caprice pushed.
    “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Well . . .” Caprice drawled. “Drew is advertising this groom’s chocolate walnut cake as his specialty item. What are you going to advertise as the epitome of wedding cakes?”
    “Oh, I see what you mean. I’ll have to think about that. Maybe I can coax Serena, who helps me sometimes, to decorate a mini–wedding cake.”
    “Think about the topper too. Something different and really classy, like Waterford crystal.”
    “You do have ideas.”
    “I’ve always told you that. Bring plenty of those new pamphlets you had printed up, and run over to the Quick Print shop and have a poster with Catered Capers and your name and your specialties printed so we can put it on an easel. It’s time to go big, Nikki.”
    “Or go home,” Nikki muttered, again with that note of dejection.
    “This isn’t like you. You’re usually filled with confidence. What’s going on?”
    Nikki sighed. “I’m tired of working and feeling like a hamster on a wheel. Maybe if I had a social life and somebody to care about, all of it would seem more worthwhile.”
    “Or more frustrating,” Caprice offered. “But I know what you mean. Dating Grant . . . It’s become part of the focus of my life. We’re going to the park tonight for the concert. Why don’t you come along?”
    “I’m not barging in on your date.”
    “We’re bringing both dogs, and