The Dead and the Beautiful
Page 25
Victoria laughed. “And your detective managed to keep the whole sex party thing out of the papers. Alison’s ex never heard a word about it. I’m still amazed.”
“He’s not my detective.”
“No, I suppose not.” Victoria looked at her. “But he could have been.”
Nikki patted her mother’s knee. “I should go. I promised Stan and Ollie a run before I go out.”
“Fine. Hurry off, if you must. Leave your poor mother here alone to watch TV and eat soup from a tin.”
Nikki shook her head as she got up and headed for the door. “Ina left you salmon and capers. I saw the plate in the fridge. But you can come to dinner with Jeremy and me if you like.”
“Certainly not.” Victoria followed her out of the bedroom and down the hall. “Tell Jeremy I said hello and that I expect him to come to Movie Night next week.”
“Oh, you’re having Movie Night next week?” Nikki glanced over her shoulder. “I wasn’t sure what your shooting schedule would be.”
“I’m only shooting two days next week. The writers are working on the tragic death of Diara’s and Kameryn’s characters. I think they went down in the Pacific in a hot air balloon.”
The doorbell rang as Nikki went down the grand staircase. “Expecting anyone?”
“No.”
In the black and white tiled front hall, Nikki opened the door to find Elvis Presley. “E?” she murmured. And smiled.
“Little lady.”
He was wearing a tuxedo she’d never seen. “The Steve Allen Show,” she said. “Nineteen fifty-six.”
He nodded and then gave her his best lopsided grin. “I was wondering . . . is Mother home?”
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
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Copyright © 2013 by Cheryl Crane
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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Library of Congress Card Catalogue Number: 2013940648
ISBN: 978-0-7582-5890-8
ISBN-10: 0-7582-5890-9
First Kensington Hardcover Edition: September 2013
eISBN-13: 978-0-7582-9146-2
eISBN-10: 0-7582-9146-9
First Kensington Electronic Edition: September 2013