Jennie Bentley - Plaster and Poison

As always, there are lots of people who had a part in bringing this book into the world, and who deserve my eternal thanks, hugs, and kisses:

My editor, Jessica Wade, for letting me continue the journey with Avery and Derek, and my agent, Stephany Evans, for continuing the journey with me.

Artist Jennifer Taylor for another gorgeous cover, and cover designer Rita Frangie and interior designer Laura Corless for another gorgeous book, inside and out.

My publicists, Megan Swartz with the Penguin Group (USA) Inc., and Tom Robinson with Author and Book Media, for getting the word out.

My critique partners, Jamie Livingston-Dierks and Myra McEntire, for help, support, encouragement, friendship, and hot chocolate.

All the other writers its been my pleasure to know and associate with over the past four years; by now there are too many of you to mention individually, but you know who you are!

Emily Layne Thompson, for donating your nameand money!for a good cause. I hope you approve of what Ive done with it.

Gordon Smith, for help in navigating the ins and outs of the U.S. Navy during World War I.

Everyone who read Fatal Fixer-Upper and Spackled and Spooked and liked them; especially those of you who said so, to me or someone else!

My friends and family near and far, especially my husband and my two boys. You put up with my crazy schedule, my frequent absences, my weird brand of mothering, and my total lack of the clean gene, and by doing so, you let me be who I am. I love you!

Finally, the late William Avery Ellis of Chandler, Texas, who joined the U.S. Navy on June 3, 1917, and who died of strychnine poisoningstill on the navy base in Dallasthree days later. I took some liberties with your story, since I have no idea what happened to you beyond those few facts, but you inspired the history mystery in Plaster and Poison, and for that I am grateful. RIP.

I really like that dress, Derek said, for what was at least the third, if not the fourth, time.

It was a couple of weeks later, New Years Eve to be precise, and we were celebrating the occasion, as well as Kate and Waynes nuptials, which had taken place earlier in the day.

The ceremony had gone off without a problem, as such things should. Kate had looked radiant in an oyster white satin dress with a matching jacket. It bore very little resemblance to a wedding gown, but it made her look like something out of a Golden Age Hollywood movie. Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, or maybe Rita Hay-worth in Gilda, considering Kates flaming copper curls. Noel would have been impressed, anyway, but alas, he and Mom had gone back to California. Noel had still been sniffing into his handkerchief at that point, his nose red and sore, and I didnt think the chances of getting him back to Maine for a visit were very good. At least not in the winter. He had invited us to California any time we wanted, though, and we were thinking about making a trip.

Mom had had a good time while she was here, scary incident with Mary Elizabeth and Melissa notwithstanding, and she and I both cried when we said good-bye at the airport. I had driven her and Noel back to Boston in my new car, and I had managed to look suitably surprised when they gave it to me, as if Id had no idea it was coming.

Melissa had survived her encounter with the gun, just as Derek had promised, and had come out on the other end still kicking. She was actually here tonight, looking almost like her usual self in a lovely silk dress in her signature creamy color. I guess no one ever told her that wearing white to a weddingeven a second wedding, and even if the bride is wearing oysterisnt proper. Not that anyone could really upstage Kate tonight, but Melissa gave it her best shot. The dress fit her like a glove, with a gossamer sort of jacket over the shoulders, which managed to hide Melissas war wound while simultaneously making her look like a million bucks. Of course it screamed money and exquisite taste, and Melissa, in true Melissa style, had looked down at me along her elegant nose, curling her lovely lip, and told me I looked cute. I had curtsied and said, Thank you, Miss Melly, and had had the satisfaction of seeing her blush.

I was wearing the blue 1950s gown from John Nicker-sons shop window, with the half dozen necklaces I had envisioned, the stiff black petticoats, the oversized fabric flower pinned at the waistwhile Id been at it, Id made several matching black, white, and pale blue flowers to use in Kates window boxes and as tiebacks on Kates curtains, tooand a pair of strappy, black heels I had picked up at Filenes Basement in Boston when I took Mom and Noel to the airport. The fact that Derek had been particularly complimentary about my fishnet stockings with the seam up the back had done quite a bit to offset Melissas snide comment. Obviously he didnt think I looked cute. And I hadnt yet told him the stockings were attached to a garter belt.

I really like that dress, he said, for what was at least the third, if not the fourth time, pulling me closer.

We were on the dance floor, swaying to the dulcet tones of Rod Stewart.

Thank you, I murmured demurely, snuggling in. You dont look too bad yourself.

If you ask me, Derek looks his best in faded jeans and a T-shirtthat is, if hes going to wear clothes at allbut Derek in a gray suit with a blue shirt to bring out the forget-me-not color of his eyes wasnt exactly hard on the eyes, either. It was the first time Id seen him all dressed up in suit and tie, and he looked scrumptious. Good enough to eat, and then some.

Any chance you need help getting out of it? he inquired.

The dress? Now?

He chuckled. Of course not now. We should at least wait until Kate and Wayne leave before we sneak off.

Thats what I was thinking, I said, my cheeks pink.

If its any consolation, I dont think itll be too much longer. Im sure theyre eager to get off to the carriage house and be alone, too.

That too was quite nice, actually. So was the way his arms tightened around my waist.

I had taken Kate and Wayne across to the mostly finished carriage house in the morning, while Derek was inside the main house, helping to set up for the wedding. It had taken a whole lot of hard work, including a couple of all-nighters, to get at least the carriage house bedroom and master bath ready for occupation by New Years Eve, but wed managed. The final touches on kitchen, laundry, and downstairs powder room were still to come and would have to be done while Kate and Wayne were in Paris for their honeymoon, but instead of spending their wedding night in Kates old room in the B&B, or in Waynes apartment, where theyd be sharing their space with Josh, theyd get to spend it in their new love nest.

Kate had gasped with delight when she walked into the bedroom.

My God, Avery, its gorgeous. Well be so happy here.

I looked around, pleased. I thought it looked pretty good, too, if I did say so myself, but its always nice to have a happy customer.

Whats with all the empty frames? she had asked, looking around her new bedroom.

Id looked around, too, at the eight or ten empty black picture frames adorning the toile wallpaper. Theyre for photographs. Make sure you take lots of pictures in Paris. Ill have them blown up, in black and white, and frame and mat them when you get back. That way youll always remember your honeymoon and how you felt when you were there.