Proof of Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery #4) - Lauren Elliott Page 0,69

his feet, brushed off his beige trousers, and pointed at Blake, his finger, thumb and hand mimicking a cocked gun. A sardonic chuckle rumbled in his chest.

Blake’s eyes smoldered black as he planted his left foot on the top step and pointed his own finger at the man. Addie winced at the transformation in the character of her old family friend. This threatening side of Blake was one she’d never seen before. “Get out of here now and consider yourself lucky that Robert called you a taxi and not the police after that scene you created with him in the library.”

“Go ahead, call the police,” the man taunted. “I want to report you and him for stealing my money.” He shook his fist in the air.

“Your money?” Blake hissed and descended another step. “If I remember correctly, your father still holds the controlling shares in the company.”

“Pfftt!” The man sprayed spittle as he wobbled on unsteady legs. “That old coot. He doesn’t even know what day of the week it is anymore. What do you think he’s going to do?”

“You’d be surprised at what he does remember. One call from me and—”

“And what? He’ll disinherit me?” A short humorless laugh erupted from the man.

“If you know what’s good for you,” Blake hissed between clenched teeth, “you’ll shut your mouth now and get in the taxi. Never come near me or my employees again because then you will find out just how far my reach goes.” He stomped across the porch and into the house, slamming the door behind him.

The bald man whizzed by Addie, his elbow grazing her ribs, leaving both her and Simon in a wake of lemon gin.

“Who do you think that is?” Simon watched the man weave an unsteady path down the sidewalk.

“I think that’s Charlotte’s brother, Duane, and I hope he’s not driving and takes the taxi.”

“Why?”

“He’s obviously drunk. Look at him, and he reeked of alcohol.”

Simon peered around the stone pillar gate post. “Don’t worry. He got in the cab.”

“Good.” Addie breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, shall we go and see if we can find out what that was all about?”

Simon tucked her hand in his as they ascended the creaking porch steps. She gave him a sideways glance. His chiseled features never failed to make her heart thump a little stronger, and she smiled to herself. After everything she put him through, she was grateful he’d waited for her to be ready for him, and gave his hand a gentle squeeze as they stepped inside. Thankful he had channeled his inner Rhett Butler to her challenging Scarlett O’Hara last year when she struggled to lay David’s ghost to rest and was torn between him and Marc. Now if he would only do what Rhett couldn’t in the end: be patient a little longer. She was coming to the realization of what he meant to her, just like Scarlett eventually did, but for Scarlett it had come too late. Addie gave his hand another squeeze.

Chapter 21

The front entry was a buzz of activity. Staff members appeared and disappeared, carrying antiques and collectables from the front rooms to the back of the house. A young man Addie had met before came down the stairs, carrying a Victorian floor lamp. “Jeff, wait! Are you taking that out to the back for the yard sale tomorrow?”

“Yes, I am, Miss Greyborne. As the items out there sell, we’re moving more leftovers out. Mr. Edwards wants as much as possible sold by the end of the sale tomorrow.”

“Could I buy that lamp now?” Not waiting for an answer, Addie fished around in her large handbag for her wallet.

“There is no way I’ll take your money.” Blake’s voice echoed across the foyer. “You earned that lamp with the work you did on the appraisals.”

“Honestly, I couldn’t.”

“Yes, you can and will.” He grinned and glanced at Jeff. “Jeff, could you please put a sold sign on that and leave it by the front door so Miss Greyborne can pick it up on her way out?”

Jeff scrambled into the front living room and moments later returned with the lamp, a red SOLD tag dangling from the fringed lamp shade.

Blake reached for Addie’s hand, squeezed it. “It’s just a small token of my deep gratitude, my dear.”

“Thank you so much, Blake.” Addie batted at a fringe with her finger. “It will look perfect in the dark corner of my shop.”

“What brings you by this evening?” Blake signed a sheet of paper on a