Angora Alibi Read Online Free

of the event, stood as tall as her five-foot-one frame allowed
     and welcomed them all to the first annual charity auction. “But before you head off
     to the amazing food stations or to view tonight’s amazing donations, my cohost tonight,
     Laura Danvers, and I would like to thank a few people.”
    Elliot, Laura’s banker husband, led the applause as his wife hurried over to Willow’s
     side. In her mid-thirties, Laura Danvers was already a well-respected leader in Sea
     Harbor society. It was a rare charity that didn’t have a touch of Laura in it somewhere.
    “So many people to thank, so little time.” Laura laughed, then gestured to the programs
     scattered on all the tables and waved for those at the bar to find a place to sit.
     “The program lists everyone who generously supported us tonight, but there are a couple
     of people we want to mention because their drive and generosity are what we are all
     about. Dr. Lily Virgilio, please join us.”
    The crowd applauded again as the attractive doctor came forward to give a brief explanation
     of the health program the community center was initiating for the families of Sea
     Harbor who couldn’t afford care.
    “I wonder if Lily’s associate is as supportive of the program as she is,” Izzy whispered
     to Nell and Birdie. She nodded toward the table where Martin Seltzer sat, his long
     face solemn and pale, his eyes never leaving Lily’s face.
    “Not terribly happy, is he now?” Birdie frowned at the man, as if her look could coax
     him into being a bit more cheery for the festive event. “Poor Martin. I think this
     is the last place he wants to be. He told me once that he’d rather have a root canal
     than attend obligatory cocktail parties.”
    They watched the doctor cradle a glass of water in his long fingers, his eyes never
     leaving Lily as she handed the microphone back to Laura and stepped off the stage,
     returning to their table.
    Willow picked up the praise. “And next, a huge thank-you to Franklin Danvers.” She
     put her palms out and shook her head. “Okay, okay, we all know he’s Laura’s uncle
     and there’s no way he could have turned us down when we went to him begging.”
    She paused for brief laughter, then went on. “But Mr. Danvers didn’t just agree to
     help, he said yes in a most generous way, underwriting all the food and drink you’re
     enjoying tonight. And it’s my guess he’ll be reaching in his pockets again before
     the evening is over, once his beautiful wife sees our auction items.”
    Laura looked over and encouraged her uncle to stand. He and his wife sat at the head
     table, along with the Drs. Virgilio and Seltzer.
    “I think the new wife has definitely softened Franklin,” Ben said, laughing at Franklin’s
     courtly bow.
    “I think it’s a bit more than that,” Birdie said. “Not only is Tamara beautiful, but
     she’s giving Franklin the one thing in his life that’s been missing. An heir.”
    A perfectly coiffed Tamara Danvers sat with a look of pride on her face as she lifted
     her hands in enthusiastic applause. A diamond ring sparkled on her finger. She leaned
     over and said something low to Martin Seltzer, and to their surprise, the somber doctor
     managed a smile.
    Ben lifted an eyebrow. “She’s pregnant?”
    “Newly pregnant,” Izzy said. “You’re just not on the cutting edge like we are, Uncle
     Ben.”
    “Maybe that explains Franklin’s recent largesse. He was in Europe for a few weeks
     a short while back looking into new business opportunities for his firm. A successful
     trip, I gather, but a side product was that he brought back some ideas to increase
     tourism for Sea Harbor. A group of us got together at the library last week to talk
     about it. On his way in, Franklin noticed some damage a winter storm had done to the
     roof and wrote a check right then and there to fix it. And then he suggested that
     the children’s room at the library looked a little ragged and needed