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

gardens reached towards the rocky coast.  Waves crashed against the shore and the cry of a gull could be heard high overhead.
    At the front door, a man in a suit eyed the cats, but didn’t mention them as he greeted the girls and Mr. Finch and gestured for them to enter through the massive foyer where they would join the crowd gathered in the two story living room.  Two walls were floor-to-ceiling glass and afforded a spectacular view out over the sea.  People stood in small groups, chatting quietly, sometimes a sniffle or some weeping mingled in with the talking.  The occasional chuckle was heard, but whoever let it slip out realized the error right away and returned to a somber demeanor.
    Bethany Winston, dressed in a black sleeveless sheath dress, stood near the windows with several men and women and when she spotted the Roseland sisters, she excused herself and hurried over.  Mr. Finch and the girls once again offered condolences.
    “Welcome to the snake pit.”  The rims of Bethany’s eyes were red.
    “Is there someone here you consider a friend?”  Jenna glanced around the room at the crowd wondering if there was someone present that Bethany felt comfortable with.
    “Mostly acquaintances.”  Bethany folded her arms over her chest.  “My best friend is in Africa.  I told her not to bother coming all this way.”  She lowered her voice and looked behind her.  “Todd is here, of course, but we can only mingle together with our mutual friends.”
    The girls had decided not to mention to Bethany that they’d seen Todd and Kimberley Hutchins chatting heatedly together at the restaurant near the beach.  Courtney followed Todd that night, but he’d only walked back to the inn where he was staying, so there was nothing to report on that front.  The sisters were wary about Kimberley’s intimidating behavior towards Angie and automatically moved her to the top of the suspect list.
    “Is Kimberley here?”  Angie’s voice shook a little.
    “She sure is.  Although I must say she looks quite understated this afternoon.  I haven’t spoken to her.  I just glare whenever she comes near.  I think she gets the message.”  Bethany breathed out a long sigh.  “I’m ready to drop.  These past few days, all of these people treating me like I’ve lost the love of my life.  It’s exhausting to play the part of the grieving fiancé and pretend that Nelson was such a virtuous, dedicated partner.”
    “Is Nelson’s family here?”  Ellie looked about the room.
    “He only has his older brother and sister.”  Bethany pointed them out on the far side of the room.  The sister, a short, slender, well-dressed woman in her mid-forties, her pale blonde hair cut into a bob, was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.  An older woman was consoling the blonde.
    In contrast to the grieving sister, the brother appeared to be holding court in front of a small group of people.  Geoffrey looked like an older version of Nelson, tall, fit, well-groomed, nothing out of place, and with a blinding smile.  He had an added air of entitlement about him and a quietly simmering power seemed to emanate from his eyes.
    Bethany continued, “In some ways I think they feel as I do.  Nelson was a thorn in their sides, always goofing off, making mistakes, getting into trouble.  They were always bailing him out. I think the brother is particularly pleased that he could be the top dog now with only his sister to challenge him.” Bethany scoffed.  “Though Nelson would never have been able to challenge Geoffrey or Georgia for control of the company.  They are both workaholics and highly intelligent businesspeople.”
    The girls eyed each other wondering if the brother might be a suspect.
    “The brother doesn’t seem to be grieving.”  Courtney asked.
    Bethany turned to Courtney, an expression of alarm on her face.  “You don’t suspect him, do you?”
    “Why not?”  Courtney watched the man speaking intently with