Sweetness and Light (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 5) by J.A. Whiting Page B

“I’m surprised.  I wouldn’t think someone like you would believe such things.”
    Georgia gave Courtney a cold look.  “Someone like me?”
    Angie cleared her throat.  “My sister only means that most people don’t believe in anything like special powers.”
    “I was hopeful that a miracle would occur and Nelson’s killer would be caught.”  Georgia dabbed at her eyes.  “Do you believe in special powers?”
    Angie gave an uncomfortable shrug of one shoulder and fibbed.  “I’ve never given it much thought.”
    Georgia glanced around and then whispered.  “Sometimes I sense things.  Out of the blue.  I wish I was better at it.”
    Angie’s back felt like a cold hand was sliding down along her spine.  The tiny hairs on her arms stood up.  She chose her words carefully.  “Do you?  How interesting.  Do you sense anything about your brother’s death?”
    Georgia looked off out of one of the glass doors.  “Sometimes I get a sensation.”  She turned back to Courtney and Angie.  “But then it’s gone.”  She shook her head sadly.
    Angie asked, “Were you and Nelson close?”
    Georgia smiled.  “I loved Nelson.  He was much younger than I am.  I doted on him when he was little.  I tried to guide him as he was growing up, help him make the right choices.”  Her eyes clouded.  “I guess I didn’t do a very good job.”
    Angie wasn’t sure how to respond to that statement, so she decided to ask some questions.  “I understand Nelson was about to announce a run for the Senate.”
    Georgia smiled sweetly.  “He was.”
    “Was he excited by the prospect of a run for office?”
    Georgia’s brown eyes pierced Angie’s.  “Of course.”
    “I was just wondering what prompted his decision.”  Angie held the woman’s eyes.  “A run for office can be difficult.  Your life becomes an open book.”
    “Nelson had nothing to hide.  He was a happy, accomplished, well-adjusted man.”  A serene smile played over Georgia’s lips.
    Distrust skittered over Angie’s skin from what seemed like lies slipping like snakes from this powerful woman’s mouth.  Angie’s impression was that this sister either didn’t know her younger brother very well or she was a very good liar.
    Courtney looked at Georgia.  “Were you in Sweet Cove the night Nelson died?”
    “No, I wasn’t.  I was in New York.  My brother, Geoffrey, called me with the terrible news.  I couldn’t believe it.”
    Courtney continued.  “Do you have any idea who could be behind this?  Did Nelson have enemies?”
    “Nelson was a sweetheart.  Everyone loved him.”
    Obviously not everyone , Angie thought.  “We’ve heard he enjoyed partying.”
    “Nelson was young.  Doesn’t every young person party sometimes?”
    Angie felt chilled and anxious, shaken by Georgia’s comment about psychics and her seemingly false statements about her brother.  Georgia moved one hand to her shoulder and rubbed at the tension gathered there.  The movement caused her expensive, Chanel shoulder bag to slip to the floor with a thunk.  Some of the contents spilled onto the floor.  Georgia and Angie bent to gather up the items.
    “I’ve been so clumsy lately.”
    Angie picked up a small wallet, lipstick, a cancelled train ticket, and a pack of tissues and handed them to Georgia.  Just then an older couple approached to speak with the blonde woman and Angie and Courtney moved away into the crowd.
    Courtney whispered.  “She’s weird.  She either didn’t know her brother at all, which I doubt, or she’s very good at spinning a fictional story about how great Nelson was.”
    “I wonder if she’s had too much to drink.”  Angie tried to shake off her unease.  “She freaked me out with that question about us being psychics.”
    The two girls decided to separate in order to cover more territory.  As Angie walked around the crowd in the living room trying to eavesdrop on discussions, the core of her body went cold