Killer Listing (31 page)

Darby saw the tightness of his jaw and her heart went out to Jack. She was pondering what to say when Hideki Kobayashi touched her arm. He gave his customary little bow and grinned.

“The beautiful St. Andrew’s Isle is now mine, and I thank you for your expert assistance. I hear that you are feeling better?”

“Yes. Thank you for the lovely flowers.”

“My pleasure.” He lowered his voice. “I have something for you.” He handed her a photo of a graceful sailboat which she recognized as the
Nihon Maru
. “Remember that although your mother came to Boston with pain, what she found while there was love.” He smiled. “The world can work in mysterious ways.”

She took the photo and examined it. A lovely boat, its sails unfurled against a brilliant blue sky. Her mother’s transport to another world, a world where she’d found hope and joy. “Thank you.”

He bowed once more and backed away, as Sassa Jorgensen appeared. “I did not have the pleasure of giving you your massage,” she said, wagging her finger. “But I have arranged something even better. My dear friend Sven is a therapist in San Diego, and he is going to phone you very soon. He gives an excellent massage …” she grinned wickedly, “and he is very easy on the eyes.”

“Thank you, but—”

“No buts. I insist. My friend Kyle would be pleased.” She gave a wizened smile.

The clink of glasses signifying a speech made a hush fall over the crowd. Mitzi Cameron, sitting in the center of the room, looked as regal as any queen. “We are all extremely grateful to our brave friend Darby Farr,” she began. “And we present her with this very special bottle and our deepest thanks.”

Mitzi wheeled over and gave Darby a dusty bottle of dark brown spirits. Helen appeared and peered down at the label.

“Carto Oro 1903? My goodness, Mitzi, this is pre-embargo! Wherever did you get it?”

“Sshh,” she giggled and glanced around the room. “I confiscated it from John’s stash.” Her voice was a whisper. “Not fit to drink, I’m sure, but as a collector’s item, it’s quite a find.”

“I’ll say,” Helen exclaimed. “I’ve seen bottles go for six or seven thousand dollars at auction.”

Mitzi produced a cloth bag and motioned for Darby to hide her gift. “I wouldn’t let our friend Detective Briggs see it.” She gave a fond smile. “We’ll miss you, won’t we Nell?”

Helen Near looked at Darby with tears in her eyes and nodded. “You’ve become like family to me, Darby. I do hope you’ll visit again.” She brightened as an idea came to her. “We can go down to the Keys.”

Darby cradled the bottle of rum and looked at Mitzi and Helen. “I’ve developed a taste for this sultry weather and the warmth of your friendship.” She gave a grin, barely feeling the tear in her shoulder. “I warn you two—I’ll be back.”

About The Author

Vicki Doudera never imagined her career as a top producing real estate agent would lead to her dream job: mystery writing. A graduate of Hamilton College and the author of several nonfiction books, she entered real estate in 2003, joining a firm specializing in coastal properties and becoming one of its most successful brokers. Meeting clients, touring luxurious homes, and negotiating deals prompted her to pick up her pen and create Darby Farr, a gutsy young agent selling houses—and solving murders. Her debut novel in the Darby Farr Mystery Series,
A House to Die For
, won praise from coast to coast.

Vicki is an active member of Mystery Writers of America and serves on the New England board of Sisters in Crime. She belongs to the National Association of Realtors and is a past Realtor of the Year. Currently president of her local Habitat for Humanity, she lives, writes, and sells property on the coast of Maine.