Page 33 of Murder in the Tea Leaves

The woman skidded to a stop when she spotted Theodosia.

“Well, was it Adler?” the woman demanded. She had a perfectly oval face, reddish-blond hair worn in trend-setting choppy layers, and curious green eyes that could have been enhanced by tinted contacts.

“Was what Adler?” Theodosia asked. “And who exactly are you?”

“My name is Carlotta Brandt—you can call me Carly. And I am…at least I was…Josh Morro’s fiancée.”

12

Hello, Delaine, was the thought that immediately streaked through Theodosia’s brain. Didn’t realize you were being played, did you?

“And you’re here…why?” Theodosia asked.

“I called and talked to that Delaine person,” Carly said. “The one who’s on the Charleston Film Board?”

Theodosia gave an inward wince. “Uh-huh.” She wondered if Carly knew about Delaine and Josh.

“This Delaine whoever-she-is said that you were on set when Josh was killed.” Carly took a step closer. “Were you?”

“I was there,” Theodosia said. “But I’m afraid I didn’t see all that much. It was dark and things got terribly confusing very fast.” Clearly, Carly wasn’t aware of Delaine’s brief fling with Josh Morro. Which was probably a good thing.

“And now there’s a brand-new director,” Carly said. Bright pink blotches bloomed high on her cheeks, conveying how angry and upset she was.

“Joe Adler,” Theodosia said. She was pretty sure where this was going and didn’t have to wait long before Carly dropped the hammer.

“That jerk Adler wanted to direct Josh’s movie so bad he could taste it,” Carly snorted. “And now look what’s happened. Adler got his way! He murdered my poor Josh and will probably get away with it.” Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes.

“You don’t know that,” Theodosia said. In her mind there were several viable suspects. Maybe even some she hadn’t considered yet.

Carly flattened a palm against her chest. “I’m just so upset.”

“Have you talked to the police?”

Carly shook her head.

“You need to. For one thing, you may have background information concerning Josh that could help them. And I’m pretty sure they’d be willing to bring you up to speed on the investigation. There’s a Detective Tidwell who’s in charge of the case.”

“Tidwell, you say. Okay, I will for sure go talk to him.”

“I’m very sorry for your loss,” Theodosia said. “I didn’t really know Josh Morro. I only met him the morning of the shoot. But, um, a good friend of mine couldn’t say enough wonderful things about him.” It was a semi-white lie, but Theodosia hoped her words could help mitigate some of Carly’s sadness and unhappiness.

“That’s kind of you to say,” Carly said.

“Oh, hello,” Drayton said as he walked into the tea room. “I didn’t realize we had a guest.”

“This is Carly Brandt,” Theodosia said. “Josh Morro’s fiance.”

Instead of doing a double take, Drayton’s face showed immediate concern. “You have my deepest sympathies, Miss Brandt. “I’m truly sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you,” Carly said.

“I was just suggesting that Carly have a talk with Detective Tidwell,” Theodosia said. “That he might fill her in on any progress they’ve made in finding the killer.”

“Indeed yes,” Drayton said.

“Okay. Well, thanks,” Carly said, sounding more than a little dispirited. “That sounds like something I’d better do.” She looked a little lost for a few moments, then said, “Okay.”

“You had a leading role in Beverly Blues, didn’t you?” Theodosia said as she trailed Carly to the door.

---