EXCERPTS FROM the SILVER SISTERS MYSTERY "A CORPSE IN THE SOUP" A CORPSE IN THE SOUP - BOOK 1 | Page 21

Excerpt from Terror in a Teapot 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. 4