Hurrah! It's publication day for the 3rd installment in the Anna Nolan mystery series, Tidings of Murder and Woe. To celebrate this event, I've scheduled 2 great promotions.
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- Enter the Goodreads book giveaway to win a free paperback copy of Tidings. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23348861-tidings-of-murder-and-woe
Framed for Murder, Book 1 in the series, is on sale until December 12 for just $0.99.
Framed for Murder purchase links: Amazon, B&N, Apple iTunes, Smashwords, Google Play, Kobo, and others e-retailers.
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Tidings of Murder and Woe Synopsis:
Christmas can be murder on families, especially when your
mother is Julia Moreland, the CEO of a big oil company. Julia has a secret
she’s about to announce to the press, but someone is sending her threatening
notes to keep her mouth shut.
Julia’s stepson is dating Magdalena, Anna Nolan’s boss.
Anna has already outwitted death twice this year and her nerves can’t stand
much more. Besides, all she wants for Christmas is to spend time with the two
men in her life. So when her boss turns to her for help, Anna is reluctant. Still,
curiosity is her downfall and sticking her nose in where it isn’t wanted her
forte.
Tidings of Murder
and Woe is a page-turner with
plenty of plot twists, dashes of humour and romance, and even a little
Christmas baking.
E-book from Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Amazon Kindle, Apple iTunes, Google Play
And here's a preview . . .
“I hope you haven’t got any plans for lunch.”
Anna looked up from her desk to see her boss, Dr. Magdalena
Lewis, standing in the office doorway. Magdalena was the chair of the
Kinesiology Department at Calgary’s Chinook University. The regal blond looked
perfectly turned out, as usual, in a red-and-black wool jacket and black pencil
skirt.
“Why? What’s up?”
“Julia Moreland wants to vet the candidates for the Robert
Moreland Scholarship over lunch at her house. With you.”
Anna’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding. Why would she want to
see me instead of you? I’m just the administrative assistant.”
“She mentioned that she wants to meet, and I quote, ‘the
assistant who sounds so capable over the phone.’ More likely, however, she’s
read about the two murder investigations in Crane this past year and wants to
meet the woman who almost died in both of them. Victoria would think that was
fun.” Anna noted a touch of sarcasm in Magdalena’s voice.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go?” Anna asked. “I’m in the
middle of the verification report for the spring course schedule, and
Scheduling wants it by the end of the week. Besides, I’m hardly dressed to have
lunch with the CEO of Westmore Resources.”
Magdalena perused Anna’s green-and-white striped t-shirt,
black corduroy trousers, and black flats. “You’ll do. If the sponsor of a
$5,000 scholarship wants to meet you, you go. Besides, her cook is excellent.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy the meal. Last year’s meeting only took an hour and a
half, by the way, so you should have no difficulty in returning in time for the
department meeting at three.” The toe of one of Magdalena’s red crocodile pumps
started to tap impatiently on the floor, and Anna took the hint.
“No problem. I’ll have lunch with Mrs. Moreland and see you
at the meeting at three.”
“Excellent.” Magdalena retreated to her office across the
hall while Anna sighed and returned to her spreadsheet.
Two hours later, Anna was waiting in the foyer of Julia
Moreland’s mansion on an acreage just south of Calgary. She had carefully wiped
the snow from her boots on the outdoor mat, but was conscious of a puddle
spreading on the pristine grey-and-white marble floor beneath her. She looked
up as she heard the sound of heels coming toward her down the hall. A young woman
with flawless coffee-coloured skin, prominent cheekbones, and designer
pink-and-silver eyeglasses appeared. She smiled coolly as she offered Anna her
hand.
“Ms. Nolan? I’m Latona Taylor, Julia Moreland’s personal
assistant. A pleasure to meet you.”
Anna returned the smile as she shook the young woman’s hand.
“How do you do?”
“Very well, thank you. Julia is waiting for you in the
dining room. Please follow me.”
As Anna hurried after Latona, she admired the hall’s
graceful columned arches and the colourful glass sculptures suspended from the
ceiling. “Such a lovely house,” she said. “I bet you enjoy working here. It
sure beats the university.”
“Yes, it is beautiful,” Latona replied over her shoulder.
She paused outside an open doorway. “The dining room is right through there.
Enjoy your lunch.”
Anna nodded her thanks and walked into the room. She
hesitated before a gleaming mahogany table with eight chairs sitting on an
Indian carpet of soft blues and greys. There were two place settings at the far
end of the table, next to a crackling fire in an open, marble hearth. She recognized Julia Moreland sitting at one
of the places. Julia, wearing a pair of black-framed reading glasses, was
studying some paperwork. She looked up seconds after Anna’s arrival, however,
and removed her glasses.
“Anna, thanks for joining me on such short notice.” Julia’s
smile was warm and welcoming as she patted the chair beside her. “Come and sit
next to me.”
Anna studied her hostess while hastening across the room.
Julia wore her silvery hair short and spiky, and her blue silk tunic matched
her sparkling eyes. Anna knew that Julia had to be at least sixty, but the
effects of aging were difficult to detect on her heart-shaped face.
“I’m delighted to be here, Mrs. Moreland. I saw the newspaper
spread on your home in the Calgary Record last summer. I’d have paid money for
a tour.”
Julia laughed. “Really? Well there’s no charge today, plus
we’re throwing in a free lunch. And please call me Julia.” She offered her
right hand with its glowing, square-cut emerald ring. Julia’s clasp was firm.
Anna liked that in a woman. She placed her tote on the floor and slid into a
chair at the second place setting.
A middle-aged woman dressed in a sleeveless black tunic and
slacks entered the room carrying two bowls. She marched up to the table and
placed the bowls carefully on the gilded charger plates before Julia and Anna.
“What have you got for us today, Nicolette?” Julia asked.
“Sweet potato and red pepper soup.” Nicolette waited next to
the table with her hands clasped over her stomach.
Julia turned to Anna. “You’ll like this. It’s creamy with a
touch of heat.” She watched as Anna carried a spoonful to her lips and sipped.
“You’re right. It’s delicious,” Anna said. The cook nodded
and left the room.
“I hope you don’t mind looking at the scholarship
applications while we eat?” Julia asked. “Magdalena asked me to choose the
winner before the end of exams. That’s a week from tomorrow, correct?”
“That’s right.”
“I have some pressing business to take care of over the next
few days, so why don’t you help me make the decision right now?”
Anna nodded. “I’d be
happy to.” Putting down her spoon, she ducked to retrieve the files from her
tote before laying them on the table next to Julia’s bowl.
“The scholarship committee has already screened the
applicants based on academic achievement and financial need,” Anna said. “These
applications are from the top six students.”
Julia nodded, fixed her glasses on her nose, and opened the
top file. Her hand absent-mindedly ferried soup to her mouth as she flipped
through the pages. Anna was just swallowing her last mouthful when Julia looked
up.
“This group is an improvement over last year’s candidates.”
Julia pointed at the pile. “At least this bunch can spell.”
Anna’s mouth curled into a smile while Julia pulled out two
files and set the others aside.
“If it were up to Robert, he would choose the boy who plays
hockey.” She tapped the top application with her finger. “Robert loved to play
hockey when he was a boy. It was because of your department’s sports research,
and because Chinook University was Robert’s alma mater, that he decided to
endow the scholarship for the Kinesiology Department in the first place.”
Julia laid the file on the table and held up the second.
“But this young woman’s average is two points higher, and I’m impressed that
she wants do a master’s degree on bone loss resulting from spinal injury. I
have a friend who broke her back in a motorcycle accident twenty years ago and
has been confined to a wheelchair ever since. It would be lovely to think that
something could be done to rehabilitate patients like my friend someday.” Julia
laid the second file on the table. “Who do you think I should choose?”
While she waited for Anna’s answer, Nicolette returned to
the room. She set two plates of what looked like a meat and bean stew with a
side of corn before the women and removed their soup dishes. Anna waited until
Nicolette had left the room before responding.
“I’m afraid I’m out of my depth when it comes to academic
evaluation. Maybe you should call Magdalena for her opinion?”
Julia shook her head. “If I do, I’ll just get a lot of hot
air about test percentiles and academic aspirations. I want to know who these
kids are. I bet you’ve seen them around your office, though.”
“Sure. The kids are
in and out all the time, dropping off assignments, picking up essays, and
making appointments to see Magdalena.” Julia nodded encouragingly, and Anna
shrugged. “Okay, here’s what I think. When Jessica, the girl who wants to study
spinal cord rehabilitation, comes into my office, she always helps herself to
my stapler and pens without asking. I know that it’s a small thing, but it’s
rude, you know? Nick, on the other hand — the hockey player studying sports
kinesiology — always apologizes whenever he hands in a late assignment. Not
that he’s habitually late, you understand, but a couple of the professors set
an exact deadline, like 3:00 p.m., on the day their assignments are due. If the
kids are even a few minutes late, I’m supposed to stamp their papers with
tomorrow’s date. Then they get docked five percent of their grade.” Julia
nodded. “So if Nick’s a few minutes late, I laugh and tell him that he should
apologize to his prof, not to me, and then I stamp his assignment with today’s
date.”
Julia smiled. “I understand. Nick’s polite, and Jessica’s
presumptuous.”
“Exactly.”
“Done!” Julia slapped the two files back onto the pile.
“Good manners triumph over academic achievement. Nick gets the scholarship.”
She picked up her fork. “Now, let’s enjoy Nicolette’s pork and duck cassoulet.
It’s a real stick-to-your-ribs kind of dish, and perfect for today’s cold
weather.”
Anna sniffed the delicious, garlicky aroma steaming up from
her plate and tasted the food. It was so good that she closed her eyes as she
chewed.
“To change the topic, I hear that you were the top suspect
in your ex-husband’s murder case last spring,” Julia said.
Anna’s eyes sprang open. “Excuse me?”
“So, I’m curious. What’s it like to be the focus of a murder
investigation?”
Anna groaned inwardly. She should have known that Magdalena
would be right; she always was. After being intimately involved with two murder
investigations in less than a year, Anna still felt shell-shocked. After all,
the last murder had just happened five weeks ago, right before Halloween. She
was sputtering, trying to think of a way to change the subject, when Julia’s
assistant hurried into the room waving an envelope. Anna took one look at
Latona’s tense face and knew that something was gravely wrong.
Julia looked up. “Yes?”
“It’s another one,” the young woman said, halting beside the
table and handing the envelope to Julia. Anna peeked at it sideways and saw
“Julia Moreland” spelled out in black block letters cut from a newspaper or a
magazine.
Julia grimaced. She picked up her butter knife and slit the
envelope open. Gingerly removing a single sheet of folded paper, she flicked it
open and studied the contents. Anna was unable to read the message, but saw
that it was spelled out in the same cut-out letters.
“What should we do?” Latona asked. “Do you want to call the
police this time?”
“What?” Julia returned her attention to her assistant. She refolded the message and slid it back
into the envelope. “This is getting to be a nuisance. I think we may have to
involve the police this time.” She tossed the envelope onto the table and
glanced at Anna.
“Will you excuse me?”
Julia rose from her chair while Anna gaped up at her. “I hate
to cut our lunch short, especially when you were about to tell me about your
ex-husband’s murder, but I have some urgent business to attend to.”
Anna half-rose, but Julia waved her back down.
“No, please don’t let me interrupt your lunch. Nicolette will
be angry if at least one of us doesn’t enjoy her food. I only wish . . .” Julia
paused to think. “I don’t suppose you’re free tomorrow night?”
Anna was startled. “What’s tomorrow? Thursday?”
Julia nodded. “November 29th.”
“No, I don’t have any plans,” Anna said warily.
“Good. Do you think you might like to come to my Christmas
party?”
“What, here?”
“No, at the Vandesand Hotel in Calgary.”
“Wow!”
Anna felt tempted. The Vandesand was a private hotel with
notoriously-expensive rates. She had always wanted to have lunch there — maybe
even peek into a guest room — but had never splurged on their gourmet menu.
Julia half-smiled. “Yes, it’s a very nice hotel, especially
the ballroom. The party’s my annual bash for the oil company bigwigs, plus some
friends and family. I’d love for you to come. We could continue our
conversation about your ex-husband’s murder there.”
Anna frowned. Not only did she not want to discuss the
murder with Julia, but she knew she’d feel uncomfortable at the party.
“I’d feel out of place. I wouldn’t know a soul.”
“That won’t be a problem. Latona can arrange for you to sit
at Warren and Magdalena’s table.”
Anna stared at her. Did Julia mean her Magdalena?
“Didn’t you know that my stepson is dating your boss?”
Anna shook her head.
“I’m not surprised. Magdalena is practically a clam when it
comes to discussing her private life. She and Warren have been seeing each
other for months. So, can I count on you? We usually have a good time. It’s one
of the perks of being the second-richest oil company in Canada.”
Anna hesitated. She had read about the glamorous Moreland
Christmas parties in the Calgary Record, but had never imagined attending one.
“I just happen to have a new dress,” she murmured,
weakening. Oh, what the heck. She’d never get the chance to attend an
extravaganza like this again.
“Thanks, I’d love to come.”
“Great. The party starts at seven. I can’t wait to see
Magdalena’s face when you show up at her table.” Julia glanced at Latona, and
her smile faded. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Anna. Business before pleasure, I’m
afraid.” She nodded at her assistant, and the two women exited the room.
Anna picked up her fork and thoughtfully ate another
mouthful of cassoulet. It really was delicious. Too bad that Julia’s meal had
been interrupted. Latona certainly had seemed upset about the note, whatever it
said. Anna’s eyes strayed to the envelope next to the files. Julia had
neglected to take it with her. Maybe it wasn’t such a big deal after all.
Anna looked back at her plate and tried the sweet corn
flecked with red pepper. Hmm, was that a hint of maple syrup she tasted?
Her eyes strayed to the envelope again. She nudged it until
she could read the letters the right-side up. The only reason someone composed
a message with cut-out letters was to avoid having his or her handwriting
identified. That indicated criminal intent.
Anna knew that curiosity was her downfall. It had gotten her
into trouble plenty of times. Just this once, she should mind her own business.
She drummed her fingers on the table. Still, what harm would a peek do? No one
would ever know. She snatched up the envelope, took out the sheet, and read the
message. It said: “Holding the press conference on Monday could be hazardous to
your continued existence.”
Shoot! Anna refolded the note, shoved it back into the
envelope, and dropped it hastily onto the table. Who was sending Julia death
threats? And what was this about a press conference on Monday?
Fumbling for her napkin, she wiped her mouth, bent to
retrieve her bag, and stuffed the files into it. Time to go. She didn’t want to
be anywhere near this kind of trouble again. No sir! Julia was rich and she had
three sons, or two sons and a stepson. She could have all the help she needed.
She was probably calling the chief of police right this minute, as a matter of
fact.
Damn, now she wished she hadn’t accepted the Christmas party
invitation. It would be best to stay away from Julia and her friends. But Anna couldn’t
risk Magdalena’s wrath by not turning up for the party and possibly
jeopardizing the scholarship.
Springing from her chair, Anna was making a beeline for the
door when Nicolette returned with two plates of fruit tart.
“Where are you going? Where’s Julia?” the cook demanded.
Pausing, Anna said, “Julia got called away unexpectedly on
business. I’m so sorry to rush out on you like this, but I’ve got to get back
to work. The cassoulet was delicious, by the way, and the soup was to die for.
I mean, it was really terrific.” Anna coloured and clutched her bag to her
chest. The threat of death was making her as jumpy as a cat.
Nicolette frowned. “Are you all right?”
“Sure. So, I guess I’ll see you at the Christmas party
tomorrow night. Should be fun, eh?” Without waiting for a response, Anna bolted
from the room, leaving Nicolette shaking her head and staring down at the
dessert.
Anna sighed. She was the only person at the table without a
date, and her dinner companions had abandoned her as soon as the music had
started. She cupped her chin in her hand and watched the dancers. The orchestra
was playing a cha-cha, and her toe tapped in time to the throbbing beat. She
felt conspicuous sitting alone. It reminded her too much of being a wallflower
at high school dances.
“Would you care to dance?” a cultured male voice inquired.
Anna peered up into Rick Moreland’s face. Blue eyes,
dimples, sunny smile. This blond Adonis was the answer to her prayers.
“I’d love to,” she replied eagerly. Rick drew back her chair
and escorted her to the floor, where he demonstrated his proficiency at the
cha-cha. Anna wiggled her hips and tried to keep up with his footwork.
“You’re really good,” she said.
Rick nodded. “Mother would be pleased that the ballroom
dance lessons she foisted on my brother and me weren’t wasted. I’m Rick
Moreland, by the way.”
“I know.” Anna had seen pictures of him climbing out of
sports cars while escorting models to the trendiest hot spots. “Your mother
made you and your brother take dance lessons?” Just then Julia danced by in the
arms of the Calgary Symphony general manager, a diamond art deco pin glittering
on her shoulder. She smiled, and Rick waved back.
“Every Saturday morning for half a year when I was twelve.
It was sheer torture.”
Anna smiled in sympathy. “Well, thank you for rescuing me,
anyway. I was having flashbacks to sitting alone at high school dances.”
“A woman as beautiful and graceful as you was never a
wallflower.”
“Oh, it’s true.” She looked up into Rick’s eyes. “But I
think you flatter me, sir.”
Rick swung her past a lofty Christmas tree resplendent with
blue and silver decorations. “I wouldn’t say that.” A moment later, he asked,
“So, how do you know Mother?”
“I’m the administrative assistant for the Kinesiology
Department at Chinook University. I helped your mother choose the winner of
your father’s scholarship.”
“That makes Warren’s girlfriend your boss, doesn’t it?” Anna
waited as he sashayed around her and pulled her back into his arms.
“That’s right.”
“Magdalena’s quite a lady. I think Warren’s finally met his
match.”
“What do you mean?”
Rick grinned. “Let’s just say that the women who pursue my
brothers and me aren’t generally the brainy, career-woman type. But Magdalena’s
got brains as well as beauty. She’s a class act, as my mother would say.”
The number finished, the couples separating to applaud. Rick
drew Anna’s hand through his arm and escorted her back to her table.
“Well, I’m grateful that you came. It was a pleasure to
dance with you . . .”
“Anna Nolan. You’re welcome, Rick.”
He bowed, held out her chair, and waited for Anna to sink
into it before departing. She watched him leave, appreciating the rear view of
a well-built man in a finely-tailored tuxedo.
“Enjoy dancing with my stepbrother?”
Anna jumped as Warren and Magdalena sat down beside her. She
felt a little heated from her recent exercise, but Magdalena looked as poised
and cool as ever.
“Very much. He’s an excellent dancer.”
“It must run in the family.” Magdalena’s eyes gleamed as she
gazed into Warren’s eyes.
They looked happy together. Good on you, Magdalena. Out
loud, Anna asked, “Are your other stepbrother and his wife here, too?”
“They’re here somewhere.” Warren craned to look around the
room. “There they are, at the table in the back corner. Julia likes to spread
family members around so that we can help entertain her guests.”
Anna turned to look. She spotted Kevin Moreland, Julia’s
elder son, at the table Warren had indicated. Kevin had the same sunny blond
good looks as Rick, but was a couple of years older and carrying a few extra
pounds. He was scanning the room, looking bored, while his wife, Lauren, a
dark-haired beauty with almond-shaped eyes, was talking animatedly with a
middle-aged man in a tight-fitting tux. Lauren rested her hand on the man’s
shoulder and laughed. Her companion took advantage of the diversion to stare at
her ample cleavage.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go powder my nose,”
Anna said, turning back to Magdalena and Warren. The couple were engrossed in
each other, however, and didn’t seem to hear her. Anna smiled and rose. She
would leave them to enjoy themselves alone for a while. Exiting the ballroom,
she strolled down the lushly-carpeted hall past a room labelled “The Library
Lounge.” The door was ajar, and she overheard the clatter of crockery and a
female voice. It was Julia’s. She was probably in a private meeting with
someone. Apparently business never stops when you’re a CEO, even at parties.
Something caught Anna’s eye on the carpet at the far side of
the door. She bent down for a closer look. For heaven’s sake, it was Julia’s
diamond pin. Anna snatched it up. It was beautiful, a round circle of diamonds
with a sapphire-encrusted arrow piercing the centre. Julia mustn’t have
realized it was missing, or she’d be out searching for it.
Anna hesitated outside the door. She heard Julia say
something in a low, intense voice, and a man’s angry response. What should she
do? She didn’t want to interrupt, particularly if Julia were embroiled in an argument,
but a missing diamond pin was a big deal. Taking a deep breath, Anna knocked on
the door.
“Yes? What is it?” Julia called.
Anna stuck her head around the door. The room was dark
except for the glow of a lamp between two high-backed, leather chairs. Julia
was leaning forward toward Anna, while the other person was swallowed up by his
chair with his back to Anna.
“I’m sorry to disturb you,” Anna said, “but I found your pin
on the floor in the hall.”
“What?” Julia’s hand leapt to her shoulder. “I had no idea
it had fallen off. Thank you, Anna.” She rose and nodded at the person in the
chair. “That’s all I have to say on the matter. Excuse me.”
Anna stepped back as Julia emerged from the room. In the
light of the hall, the older woman’s face was pale. She glanced at Anna.
“I’ll have to ask the jeweller to take a look at the clasp.
I always have trouble with it. Would you mind coming to the ladies’ room to pin
it back on for me?”
“I’d be happy to.” Anna followed Julia into the ladies’
room, where the older woman watched in the mirror as Anna pinned the brooch to
her shoulder.
“A little higher, please. It doesn’t quite catch the light
down there. That’s better.” Julia’s eyes met Anna’s, and she grinned. “If
you’ve got it, flaunt it, right?”
“You bet.” Anna turned to look at Julia’s reflection. “Not
that you need diamonds to catch people’s attention. You look spectacular in
that dress, by the way.” Julia still had great curves, which the clinging,
navy-blue velvet evening gown accentuated.
“You should have seen me in my twenties. I was only
twenty-three when I met Robert, back when he was still married to his first
wife.” The smile faded as Julia stared. “I wish he were here with me now. It’s
no fun handling the company on my own these days.” She glanced at Anna. “I may
not have always been the nicest woman in the world, but I’ve worked damned hard
for my two businesses. It’s time for my sons to step up to the plate. I’m only
sixty, you know. Still young enough to enjoy myself.”
“I’d never know you were a day over fifty,” Anna said,
wondering if Julia were a bit intoxicated. Something must have prompted this
confession.
One of the guests from the Christmas party walked into the
washroom, letting in a blast of dance music. Julia winked.
“Come on. Let’s go find ourselves a couple of good-looking
men to dance with.”
“Just give me a minute, and I’ll be right with you,” Anna
replied, hurrying to a stall.
Five minutes later, the two women strolled arm-in-arm back
into the ballroom and paused at Anna’s table. Warren and Magdalena were still
sitting with their heads close together, deep in conversation. Anna admired how
her boss’s aristocratic, cool blond looks contrasted with Warren’s wavy black
hair and bottomless dark eyes. Julia rested her hands on her stepson’s shoulders,
and he stiffened.
“Get me a drink from the bar, will you, Warren?”
He tore his gaze away from Magdalena to look up. “Sure. The
usual?”
“Yes, please. A Lagavulin.”
He glanced at Anna and Magdalena. “Ladies, can I get you
anything?”
“I’m happy with champagne,” Magdalena said, raising a
half-full glass.
“Could I have an orange juice, please?” Anna wasn’t much of
a drinker, and she had to drive home later.
Warren smiled with amusement. “Certainly. Be right back.”
Anna and Julia sat down on either side of Magdalena, who
studied Julia. The older woman ignored her gaze to look around the room.
“Hail, hail, the gang’s all here,” she murmured.
“I recognize most of Calgary’s social and cultural
illuminati, but not everyone else,” Magdalena said.
“Illuminati?” Julia smirked as she peered sideways at
Magdalena, but Anna’s boss stared back at her impassively. Julia sighed. “Let’s
see. There’s the board of directors from Westmore, and the CEOs from the other
oil companies. Oliver Sumpter, my president at Golden Farm Fertilizer, and his
wife, Beatrix. The people from my charities. The mayor, the chief of police —
Robert always said to stay on the good side of the police — our MLA and MP. You
recognize the president of Chinook University, of course. Assorted significant
others. And one or two new friends.” She smiled at Anna before gesturing at the
crowd dancing on the floor, mingling at the tables, and lining up in front of
the bar. “It doesn’t take long to fill a ballroom.”
A mature woman in a gold taffeta gown with a ruby pendant
dangling between her breasts squeezed Julia’s shoulder. “Wonderful party as
usual, dear.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, Vera. See you at the art
gallery opening next week.” The woman’s escort nodded, and the couple strolled
away.
“It must be difficult, putting together a function like
this,” Magdalena said, but Julia shrugged.
“My assistant did most of the work. I just gave her the
guest list. I’m too busy these days to get involved with party preparations.
Did Warren tell you that I’m holding a press conference on Monday?”
“Yes. He’s very curious to hear what it’s all about.”
Julia turned away. “Just a little housekeeping business,
really. My sons and the board of directors have been pestering me all week to
find out what it’s about, but I’ve had to keep this one to myself. I’m going to
Banff to relax for the weekend first, though. I’m headed there right after the
party.” She looked at Magdalena. “Tell Warren not to worry. I’m taking care of
things.”
“Tell Warren not to worry about what?” he asked, placing
Julia’s scotch at her elbow on the table. His face was impassive.
“Thanks. I sure can use this.” She raised the glass to her
lips and sipped. Shivering, Julia took another sip while Warren handed Anna her
orange juice. “My press conference on Monday.”
“Right. We’re all wondering what that’s about.” Warren sat
down beside his stepmother, but she sprang to her feet.
“Never mind, you’ll all know soon enough. I just spotted
David Krale. He looks so much better since he got rid of Edward, that ingrate.”
They all looked to where an attractive young man was swaying with a sexy
redhead on the dance floor. “Poor David. Luci’s wasting her time with him. I’m
going to cut in and save him. See you all later.” Julia grinned before sweeping
through the couples on the dance floor.
Warren shook his head. “My stepmother is one fine
hell-raiser.” He moved over to sit back beside Magdalena as Anna leaned toward
him.
“So, what about this press conference Julia’s talking about.
Are you worried?”
Magdalena’s eyebrow arched as she stared at Anna. “It’s all
right,” Warren said, resting a hand on Magdalena’s arm. “I don’t mind talking
about it.” He looked past her at Anna. “I don’t have a clue what the press
conference is about. I can only guess.”
Anna ignored her boss’s disapproval. How often did she get a
chance to pick the brains of the VP and chief financial officer of a big oil
company? She had a little windfall to invest. Maybe she should buy some
Westmore shares?
“So, what’s your best guess?”
Warren leaned back in his chair to consider. “I think that
Julia is going to announce her retirement.”
Anna nodded. “That makes sense. She did say something about
wanting to enjoy herself more. If she retires, does that mean you automatically
become the CEO?”
Warren shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. I’ve been with the
company long enough. Nineteen years. But Kevin’s been with Westmore for eight
years, and Rick for six. And you never know what Julia’s up to. She might want
one of them to take over.”
“Can she just say who gets to be CEO?”
“Technically, no. The way my father set up the company, not
only do the shareholders elect the board of directors, but they also vote for
the CEO. However, since Julia holds fifty-one percent of the shares, she’s
actually the one who decides.”
“And she’s been the CEO since your father died?”
“That’s right.” Warren was about to say more when Magdalena
interrupted him.
“Let’s not talk shop, Warren. How often do we get a chance to
dance? Dance with me.” She rose and held out her hands.
Warren took hold of both hands before turning to Anna.
“Sorry to abandon you.”
“That’s all right. I wasn’t planning to stay much longer.
I’ve got work in the morning, and my boss doesn’t like it if I’m late.” She
winked at Magdalena.
“Personally, I wouldn’t mind if you weren’t there until
noon, Cinderella, but I’ve got a meeting with the dean at nine.”
“And Bryan’s students’ take-home exam is due tomorrow, so
they’ll be dropping them off with me all day. You know how anxious the kids get
if they have to leave exams in the drop box rather than handing them to me
personally. I’ll be there bright and early at eight-thirty.”
“Make it nine. Students are never in before then.” Magdalena
drifted off to the dance floor with Warren while Anna stared after her. Hoo
boy, was that the champagne talking? Her boss was usually such a stickler when
it came to office hours. Maybe Anna should keep a bottle of champagne in her
desk drawer if it was going to have such a mellowing effect on Magdalena.
Deciding to stay for another ten minutes, Anna settled back
in her chair and hummed along with the Christmas music, watching the other
guests swirl around the dance floor in their elegant gowns and tuxedos. Which
is why she had such a good view when Julia Moreland collapsed.
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