Page 26 of A Whisker in the Night

“I’m sorry”—Jasper leans in a touch—“did you say sixteen thousand?”

“Dollars,” Verity adds with an aggressive nod. “But don’t feel sorry for her. That farm generates thousands of dollars a day. It’s just a drop in the blueberry bucket.” Her lips press tight for a moment as she glances at the water again. “But then, Matilda has been battling that, too. Oh, she did not want to pay him a dime. Even though she agreed to the terms in the beginning, she’s been in contempt of nonpayment ever since. I believe the words she said last regarding the subject wereI’ll pay you over my dead body.” Her shoulders give a playful bounce. “I guess it was overhisdead body instead.”

I lean back as I take the woman in. “Verity, are you saying you think Matilda did this to him?”

“I didn’t have to say it.” She tips her head my way. “You were smart enough to figure it out.”

Heat fills my cheeks at the wayward compliment. And whether or not I’m being played, I seem to appreciate getting my ego stroked just the same.

“You really think Matilda is capable of murder?” Jasper asks point-blank, promptly ignoring my moment in the ego-stroking sun.

“Heavens no.” Verity’s eyes widen a touch as she shakes her head. “But look, I’ve been married before. And believe me, there were times when I wanted to murder my ex, too. And honestly? If we were locked in a heated argument and I was holding a ten-pound bookend in the middle of nowhere, I might be tempted to bonk him over the head with it, too.”

Emmie groans. “You think that’s what happened?”

“Most likely.” Verity shrugs. “I mean, who else would want Hamish dead? The man was as happy-go-lucky as you could get. With the exception of when he was with his ex. It seems that all they did these last few years was argue.”

Jellybean swings her furry little head my way.That’s the truth. They did nothing but argue whenever their paths crossed. And if it wasn’t about That Tramp, then it was about the farm. She twitches her whiskers to the sky.I’ve often wondered who That Tramp was.

I take a deep breath as I look over at Verity. Because it’s pretty obvious exactly who That Tramp was.

She waves me off as if she heard. “Look, I know all about the nasty names that Matilda Westoff calls me behind my back—Gold Digger, White Trash, Too Tan Barbie—” Verity shoots a dirty look into the sea, seemingly leaving out the other nickname—That Tramp. “And I guess I deserved them because of what transpired between Hamish and me while he was still married. But in the end, Hamish chose me, not her. And I guess she couldn’t get over it. Every time Matilda got him alone, she took a dig at me and harped about wanting full ownership of the farm. And just for the record, I’m no gold digger. I may have managed the Westoff farm for years, and I do the same for this place, but that’s because I like to keep busy. I have my own money. I’m an inventor by trade.”

“An inventor?” I blurt without meaning to.

Now this I’ve got to hear.

Chapter 16

Emmie, Jasper, me, and the pets all inch back at the very same time, right here on the patio of the Celebration Grill, taken by surprise at the fact Verity Westoff just announced she was an inventor by trade.

Obviously, those were the last words we were expecting to hear from her hot pink mouth.

Emmie clears her throat. “What inventions have you—um,discovered?”

“Just one.” Verity holds up an orange finger. “My ex and I invented a little kitchen doo-hickey that you may have heard of. It’s called the Bartender’s Dream.”

“That does sound familiar,” I say, lying through my teeth. But then, it’s my turn to stroke her ego, and I have a feeling if I do just that she’ll keep spilling the secrets like oil.

She gives an enthusiastic nod. “Everyone knows about it. It’s a kitchen gadget that works just like those coffee machines with the plastic pods? Only our machines make the very best mixed cocktails you ever did imbibe.”

“Oh, that does sound great,” I say with a genuine interest. “I mean, it sounds as if someone like me could even make a decent cocktail with that machine.”

“It wouldn’t be decent,” she quickly corrects. “It would be the best of the best. As you can see from this place, I don’t do junk.”

Four men who happen to be dressed rather dapper walk by on cue. Each one of them is holding a string instrument as they take a seat near the water before beginning to play something soothing and classical.

Verity laughs. “And the string quartet shows up just in time to prove my point.”

“That they do,” Jasper says, tipping his drink to her before taking a sip. “How did Hamish seem otherwise during his last few days?”

“He managed.” Verity sighs. “Though, honestly, Matilda struggled a lot more. She never could let go. Even after the divorce, she was obsessed.”

“Obsessed?” Emmie asks. “You mean with Hamish?”

My bestie is the best when it comes to investigative subtlety.

Verity gives a hard nod her way. “Some people just can’t handle being replaced. She never forgave him for moving on. Matilda was always scheming, trying to make him regret leaving her. Even the day before he—” She blinks back tears. “Well, never mind. You’re not here to listen in on the latest dirt that was being slung. You’re here to enjoy your meals.” She quickly surveys the patio as if to assess the timing of those delicious dishes.

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