The Crossword Murder (33 page)
Read The Crossword Murder Online
Authors: Nero Blanc
“Ah ⦔ Jamaica calmly replied. “So, you tested the waters and found them tepid ⦠or possibly too hot?”
In answer, Belle jammed her comb into her purse and snapped it shut. She was not about to discuss romance with a woman for whom the word had no meaning. Jamaica, however, had other ideas.
“And now you're on the rebound with a private dickâ”
“That's not how I would categorize our relationship,” Belle interrupted hotly, but Jamaica hadn't finished her performance.
“And this
ex-husband
you are so loath to discuss ⦠I assume he's the spitting image of your parents?”
Belle's jaw dropped. She wanted to contradict the statement, but couldn't. Jamaica was correct. Garet had manifested many traits of the elder Grahamsâand not the better ones, either.
“You see, Genie?” Jamaica continued. “There is the psychology of true drama ⦠the inner life of the mind ⦠That's what made
you
a good performer. You were able to enter your characters' brains and inhabit the murky unconscious. Subliminally, we all want Mummy and Daddy; we want to be carefree babies again.” Then she turned toward Belle, adding a seemingly benevolent: “Following the end of a permanent relationship, you must always beware of âtransitional' situations, darling. I've had a number of such impermanent types in my life. It's important to know that some lovers are not intended to linger. Many, in fact.”
“Oh, really, Jamaica,” Genie said with a wry shake of her head. “What a wicked thing to say to this poor woman. To say nothing of presumptuous!” Genie extended her hand. “I'm Tom Pepper's wife,” she said with a genuine smile. “We haven't met, although I know you by reputation.”
“Belle Graham.” The look Belle gave Genie was full of gratitudeâas well as a core recognition that Jamaica with her clever verbiage and facile innuendo would continue to spin circles around them all.
The actress intruded upon the incipient friendship. “A word to the wise never hurt anyone, Genie darling. âTransitional' doesn't mean impossible.”
Genie turned away from Belle and studied her friend. “You're a vicious person, Jamaica,” she said with a bemused chuckle. “And I disagree with your previous statement. Words can do a great deal of harm.”
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ANSWERS
To download a PDF of the answers, please visit
openroadmedia.com/nero-blanc-crosswords/answers
PUZZLE #1
PUZZLE #2
PUZZLE #3
PUZZLE #4
PUZZLE #5
POSTSCRIPT PUZZLE
About the Author
Nero Blanc is the pseudonym of Steve Zettler and Cordelia Frances Biddle, who are husband and wife and serious crossword buffs. Biddle is also the author of the Martha Beale historical mystery series, which is set in Philadelphia, Zettler and Biddle's hometown. Their website is
www.crosswordmysteries.com
.
All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 1999 by Cordelia F. Biddle and Steve Zettler
Cover design by Tammy Seidick
ISBN: 978-1-4976-7168-3
This edition published in 2014 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
345 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
CROSSWORD MYSTERIES
FROM OPEN ROAD MEDIA
