Read Take Stock in Murder Online
Authors: Millie Mack
Take Stock in Murder
Copyright © 2014 Millie Mack
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 150104219X
ISBN 13: 9781501042195
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014915743
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
North Charleston, South Carolina
This book is dedicated to my two nieces, Erica and Andrea. If I had daughters of my own, I couldn’t ask for two finer people. Thanks for being part of my life and letting me be part of yours.
s always, there are people to thank.
Thank you, Deb and Don, who read the book in its infancy and provided comments to get it off the ground. Thanks to Stacy, who read the finished book and made great suggestions—but more importantly, who continues to be a great friend and supporter.
Thank you to Mark, who maintains my website at
www.MillieMack.com
, and to Pam, who continues to provide the marketing artwork.
And last but not least, thank you to family, friends, and readers who continue to enjoy this mystery series as much as I enjoy writing it.
he music stopped, and the bandleader turned and faced his audience. “Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce the president of the Tri-County Country Club and his lovely wife, Mr. and Mrs. James Marshall.”
James Marshall and his wife, Judy, walked slowly to the stage, taking time to stop and greet members along their path. When they reached the stage, Judy stood off to the side, beaming as her husband adjusted the microphone. The bodice of her sleek black dress was covered with dark sequins that caught the light and sparkled back at the audience. James Marshall, slightly shorter than his wife, filled out his tuxedo with his fifty-plus years of fine eating.
Carrie Faraday stood next to her best friend, Joanne Quinn, as they watched the Marshalls approach the stage. Joanne and Carrie had known each other in high school, and when Carrie had married Charles Faraday and moved back to the Tri-County area, they had renewed their friendship. Joanne had
been an integral part of the Tri-County social scene for as long as Carrie could remember. She had convinced Carrie to come to the dance.
“That’s a very pretty dress Judy is wearing,” said Joanne.
“I’ll say. I like the way it catches the light,” Carrie answered. Carrie was jealous of women like Judy and Joanne, who never seemed to worry about their clothing. They always wore the right outfit. Tonight Joanne’s navy-blue evening dress with flared long sleeves was simple but elegant. Carrie, on the other hand, had worried for weeks about her selection of a dark green dress. She rarely indulged in evening wear. She hoped her dress enhanced her brown, curly hair, fair complexion, and green eyes. She returned her focus to the activities on the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, members and friends, welcome to the Fall Oktoberfest Dance.” There was thunderous applause from the audience. James Marshall raised his hand to stop the applause. “We’ve had a very successful summer here at the Club, filled with wonderful activities, and—I might add—a fifteen-percent increase in membership, the largest in the history of the Club.” He beamed as more applause followed.
Carrie’s thoughts drifted again as James Marshall provided more details about Club finances. She looked around the room and realized this dance was a special event. The Tri-County Country Club was ablaze with lights. It didn’t matter whether times were good or bad; Carrie saw that everyone who was anyone from the three counties of Allwin, Dorchester, and St. Thomas, which formed the Tri-County area, came to this dance that opened the holiday social season. It was a tradition, and
Carrie knew that at the Tri-County Country Club, tradition was very important.
Although this was her first time attending, Carrie knew this dance was always held in the elegant ballroom housed in the original turn-of-the-century clubhouse building. When she and Charles had arrived, they’d been greeted with light music, which continued while they chatted with friends and ate from the sumptuous buffet. Then, precisely at 9:00 p.m., the president of the Club had interrupted the festivities to officially open the dance. Now the band would switch to more dance friendly tunes and President Marshall and Judy would be the first couple to start dancing.
“But we didn’t come to the Club tonight for a business report; we came to welcome the holiday season and to dance. Mr. Bandleader, let’s start the music.” James and Judy Marshall left the stage and took their place on the dance floor.
“I wonder who they’ll select as their first dance partners. I’ve never understood why everyone is so concerned with who the president and his wife select for the first dance,” Carrie said.
“You really don’t know the meaning?” Joanne asked in astonishment.
“Nope, haven’t a clue,” she said.
“Carrie, the couple selected as the first dance partners is heir apparent to the presidency of the Club.”
“Always?”
“Always!”
“Do you know who they’re going to pick?”
“They’re going to select the Barringtons,” Joanne said.
“How do you know? Edward Barrington and his wife are way over there on the opposite side of the room.”
“Everyone knows it’s the Barringtons this year. Just watch. The Marshalls will dance their way over there.” Joanne had no sooner spoken the words than the couple started to glide across the room.
“Then why are we all standing here, watching this dance, if everyone already knows? Why don’t they just introduce the Barringtons as the next first couple?”
“Oh, Carrie, it’s the tradition of the Club to do it this way. I hope you accept this as friendly advice, but you should never go into politics,” Joanne said, laughing.
“Don’t worry. I won’t. However, I think I’ll go find Charles and ask him for a dance. I wonder where those husbands of ours got to.”
“Knowing my husband,” Joanne said, laughing again, “he’s hanging out in the dining room near the dessert table.”
“It wouldn’t take much persuasion from Dan to get Charles to go with him. I’ll head that way first.” Carrie started to move away and then turned back. “If I see Dan, I’ll send him back to you.”
“Hey, be sure and tell Charles how much I enjoy the
Tri-County Monthly
. I especially like it when you have a photograph or an article in the magazine. When you have something appearing in the magazine, I feel real important, knowing two celebrities.”