TERROR IN A TEAPOT EXCERPT TERROR IN A TEAPOT - SILVER SISTERS BOOK 2 | Page 26

Excerpt from Vanishing Act in Vegas
The two women glowered at her. Nora loomed angry and
menacing. Dora shuffled back and forth as though she had to go
to the bathroom.
“You said the shipment would be here two weeks ago and
you still have nothing to show us,” Nora huffed.
Goldie shot Rudy a desperate glance. “Anything on the
samovars, Rudy? These ladies—”
Nora pushed up her sleeves, like Popeye getting ready for a
fight. “These ladies are going to bust some chops if that shipment
doesn’t get here before Father Innocent leaves.”
Dora was more diplomatic. “We can’t wait much longer, you
know. That nice young Father Augustine has already come to
take his place. Nora thinks he’s too young, wet behind the ears,
you know,” she tried to stifle a giggle, “but I think he’s real handsome. Clever, too.”
Rudy leaned over the counter and patted Dora’s arm. “Now
don’t you ladies get your blood pressure up, we’ll get them samovars in time.”
They all turned around as the door flew open again, making
the bell jingle furiously. A whale of a woman with bright red hair,
wearing a caftan covered in red and gold swirls, huffed and
puffed as she lumbered into the crowded antique shop.
Belle Pepper was three hundred and seventeen pounds of
pure drama. She plucked a crumpled hankie from her purse and
mopped her damp forehead. “I just came from the Russian
church.” She gulped, trying to catch her breath as her
multicolored bosom heaved up and down. “He’s dead! The priest
is dead!”
Nora and Dora chorused, “Father Innocent? Dead?”
Belle shook her head wildly. “Not Father Innocent. Father
Augustine! He’s been murdered. Right there in the church.”
With that, Belle collapsed on one of the antique settees in
the middle of the store, and Goldie held her breath, praying it
would support her mother-in-law’s weight.

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