A Novel Way to Die by Harper Lin

Author:Harper Lin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harper Lin Books

Chapter 15

Dust, cobwebs, fingerprints, and footprints disappeared over the course of a couple of hours. Books were removed from their shelves, feather dusted, and placed back in their appropriate places in proper order. In between the cleaning frenzies, Maggie managed a few hellos, a handful of have a nice days, and one don’t read that book, it’s stupid to an older woman who picked up the latest installment by some hack writer who thought teenage vampires were romantic. By the time she was done, she was sure it had to be almost quitting time. All she wanted was the smokey smell of incense, a strong cup of tea, her soft pajamas, and the doors locked and curtains shut. However, the clock on the wall indicated she had three more hours to go before quitting time.

“Ugh.” Maggie sighed. She couldn’t let all this get to her. The scandal and rumors and accusations were all false. She knew they were, and anyone who knew her knew they were. But that didn’t change the fact that every time someone came into the store and made eye-contact with her Maggie was sure they were part of the ever-widening ring of rumormongers and would be discussing at length her supposed crimes of passion.

After she’d looked at her hands, Maggie realized she should have worn gloves while doing the cleaning. Her hands had become dry and cracked, and a couple of nails had chipped. She wrung them nervously and turned with tired eyes to the door when the chimes jingled. Thank goodness it wasn’t a customer. The desire to chitchat, assist, or be friendly in any way had gone out the window.

“Hey, Maggie. How’s business been today?” Joshua asked. He was in a good mood. At least one of them was.

“Fine.”

Joshua turned around with one eyebrow raised. “Really? That didn’t sound fine.”

Before he could ask any more questions, Maggie jerked her thumb toward the canvas-covered display window. “I need a few supplies. Unless you want to… reveal a jacked display.”

“Jacked? Well, no. I don’t think I want a jacked display. You know where the petty cash is. Take what you need,” Joshua replied. It was impossible to miss the look of concern on his face. Maggie opened her mouth to tell him what was happening but instead snapped it shut and wrinkled her nose like she was holding back a sneeze. Moving with what felt like the grace of a gazelle when in reality it was more like the poise of a bumper car, Maggie hustled to the office, grabbed some petty cash, squeezed past Joshua, and hurried back to the register to grab her purse from below the counter. Before she knew it, she was outside walking down the sidewalk. The weight on her shoulders caused a fog to settle in her mind.

Everyone else in their cars zooming by on the street and walking past her looked happy and carefree. Like they’d breezed through life and today was going to be blissfully happy without a single shady cloud on the horizon.

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