Dearly Departed by Carly Winter (best affordable ebook reader .txt) 📕

“I never got the chance to ask you how that went,” Donna said. “What happened?”

“Not a lot,” I replied. “They were having some sort of... I don't even know what to call it. A hippy fest? Anyway, everyone was high and naked and Liberty said they were meeting each other on a spiritual plane or something like that.”

“Do you think he could have killed Charles?” Donna asked.

I thought about the conversation and nodded. “He didn't show any remorse. I think in his mind, Charles being dead is a good thing.”

Beth glanced at the clock, then cursed. After grabbing her uniform, she hurried into the bedroom, emerging soon after dressed for work. “I'll see you girls later,” she said. “Thanks for the wine and excitement. You'll have to keep me posted on what happens!”

Donna and I walked her to the door and said our goodbyes. I made sure to lock up behind her.

“She sure doesn't like men,” Donna said, shaking her head. Then, she lowered her voice. “Do you think she may be queer?”

Her question caught me off guard. I'd never met a person who I knew for a fact was gay. “I... I have no idea.”

“Not that it matters. I was just wondering,” Donna said. “More importantly, do you think we're safe here? I actually felt better with Beth around.”

“I know. I did as well. I think we're okay, though.”

Donna sighed, turned on the television, and sat down on the couch. “I never thought I'd say it, but I can't wait to go back to work. Knowing someone's been in our apartment and wondering who killed Charles gives me the creeps.”

I couldn't have agreed more.

Chapter 17

Our phone rang before daylight. I’d moved it to the kitchen last night so I wouldn’t trip over the cord. I staggered over to it to answer as I heard Donna moaning from the bedroom. That bottle of wine she’d consumed the previous evening must not have agreed with her.

“Hello?”

“Patty?”

“Yes?” I said, my voice cracking.

“It’s Linda Delaware.” For a second, I couldn’t place the name in my sleep-induced haze, but then I realized I was speaking to my work superior, one of the stewardess managers. I immediately stood up straight, threw back my shoulders, and sucked in my stomach, just as I would have during an inspection. “Hi, Linda. What can I do for you?”

“You and Donna need to come in immediately,” she said. “I have a flight to New York today and I don’t have a crew. Five girls live together and they all came down with the flu. Why you girls insist on shacking up like that, I’ll never understand.”

“We don’t make enough money to live on our own,” I said, quickly wishing I could take it back. Shutting my eyes, I twisted the phone cord around my finger while mentally berating myself. Complaining to a superior probably wasn’t a smart thing to do.

“The flight leaves at eight,” Linda said crisply. “Please hurry in.”

Donna staggered from the bedroom. “What was that about?”

“Well, I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news,” I said, placing the phone on its cradle.

“It’s too early for either,” she mumbled.

“The bad news is that we’ve been called in. A bunch of girls who live together have the flu.”

“What’s the good news?” she asked, rubbing her temples with the tips of her fingers.

“We’re going to New York.”

She stilled for a moment, then met my gaze with a grin. “New York?”

“Yes.”

“Well, put the coffee on, Patty! Let’s get going!”

My excitement at seeing New York again overrode any irritation I had at the early morning phone call. I’d been to the fabulous city once, and I couldn’t wait to go back. There was so much to see, so much to do.

“Hopefully, the weather will hold up for us!” Donna said as she packed her overnight bag. “What should we do when we get there? Times Square? Broadway? Oh, my gosh. Do you think we can get a reservation at Delmonico’s? Maybe if we look foxy enough, we could get into Copacabana!”

“Well, if we’re shooting for Copacabana, I better wear something of yours. I don’t own anything overly sexy!”

As we discussed other potential plans and packed, my excitement grew. Finally, I’d be out of the apartment and able to forget about the murder, even if just for a little while.

Ringo stalked into the bedroom and curled up on the mattress. His head moved from me to Donna while we talked and after a few minutes, he meowed loudly.

We both stopped folding our clothing and looked at him. Guilt washed through me when I realized he’d be left alone.

“Oh, Ringo,” Donna said with a sigh as she tossed her nightgown into the overnight bag. “I’m sorry, buddy.” She picked up the tabby and gave him a quick snuggle. “You’re going to have to stay home by yourself.”

I quickly zipped my bag and hurried over to Donna, then kissed the tip of Ringo’s nose. “We need to get going,” I said softly. “Please, please don’t tear anything apart.”

“Or pee on anything,” Donna added.

We picked up our bags and walked to the door, then exchanged glances. Both of us knew we’d arrive home to something destroyed or soiled. The cat hated being left alone.

“Let’s ask Mrs. Wilson to watch him,” Donna suggested.

“I feel awful waking her at this time of the morning. The sun isn’t even up.”

“We can slip a note under her door along with the key. She just needs to check in on him for a few minutes.”

“Okay. That sounds like a good idea.”

Donna ran back inside and emerged a few minutes later, then placed the note and key under Mrs. Wilson’s door.

We took the elevator downstairs to our waiting cab. Once we were situated in the backseat and on the way to the airport, Donna leaned over and whispered, “I decided to try and get away with not wearing a girdle.”

I burst out laughing, but