A Letter of Murder by Brooke Penny

Author:Brooke, Penny [Brooke, Penny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-03T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

After I’d said goodbye to Andy, I punched Elizabeth’s number in my cell.

She answered right away. “Hey! How were the services?”

“They did an awesome job. They did right by Allie and, as you might imagine, the place was really packed. How are things going there?”

“Not too bad,” she answered. “I’ve gotten three more letters, and someone came in just now and bought the Narnia collection. You know, that set we carry—the pretty ones in hardback.”

“My favorites!” I was pleased.

“She asked me if I thought her grandchildren were too old. I told her that I last read the books myself when I was thirty-two. I was not too old that year, I said to Mrs. Crocker, and I don’t suppose I’ll be too old anytime real soon.”

“Good job.” I gave her a high-five, although, of course, she couldn’t see it. “I was thinking that I might run some errands while I’m out,” I said. (On Sixth Avenue in particular.) “But if you’re starving, I’ll come back.”

“Oh no, Rue. You go on. Things aren’t too busy now, and Alton from the diner brought me a meatloaf plate. He knows I’m like a kid at Christmas when Phyliss makes her meatloaf. And do you know, I think I got an extra helping.”

I smiled to myself. “I am thinking Alton might have a little crush!” The owner of the diner was the kindest man I knew and had the bluest, most expressive eyes. He was always coming in for books that I knew he wouldn’t read. He’d grab the closest paperback to take to the counter if Elizabeth was working. He’d bought books on losing weight; he was thin as a rail. He’d bought a book on caring for your Golden Doodle—although he owned a Chihuahua.

“Well, he did wave me away when I tried to pay,” she said. “We’ll see where it goes.”

I think she liked him too. Neither one of them was shy—except when they were with each other, which was cute.

I headed to Sixth Avenue, the well-manicured and exquisitely appointed site of the finest shops in town. To be honest, I was thrilled to have an excuse to browse. I didn’t come here much. It was way too tempting for a fashion-loving girl. But on the rare occasion, I’d allow myself to visit for a little treat. Just the year before, a white cashmere faux-fur wrap had set me back more than eight hundred dollars when it went on sale as the weather started turning warm. Sometimes I looked at it in my closet, and I cringed when I thought about the price. And sometimes on a cold night, I wrapped myself in its softness just to binge on movies; it felt that luxurious against my skin.

Now, standing at a corner with shops all around me, I tried to figure out which stores might best appeal to a spoiled and whiney teen.

A knot of young girls passed me, all staring at their phones. Perfect, I decided. They were about the same age as the subject I was in pursuit of.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.