A Country Gift Shop Collection by Vivian Conroy

Author:Vivian Conroy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2017-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“In other words, she behaved like a toddler!” Marge exclaimed as she heard the story. “Why didn’t she try just a little bit harder to convince Cash she had nothing to do with it? He is bound to hate her now and look for ways to keep her in custody.”

“I think Cash will be fair, but Bella’s behavior didn’t help, no.” Vicky sighed. “I don’t understand either. She acts like she doesn’t care.”

Marge tilted her head. “Does she think it’s a great publicity stunt for her latest book? Can the whole thing be a PR game?”

“I don’t think so. It would be a big risk to take.”

“But why doesn’t she just name the guy she fought with? She is suspected of murder! I’d tell them anything, no matter how personal, to acquit myself.” Marge nodded emphatically. “Sorry, but my freedom would be worth everything.”

“Yes, but you’re an ordinary person; she is a celebrity. What if she is worried her fight with the man concerned will be publicized and can be hurtful to other people involved? Suppose it was a married man and people will go assume an affair? The tabloids can turn anything into a big drama. Maybe Bella has already experienced that firsthand and doesn’t want to go through it again. She might believe in the old adage that the less said, the better.”

Marge sighed. “I forgot about that. She must be terrified what the press will do to her. They can be cruel. And I don’t think she has many real friends, not in that scene.”

“I doubt she has any at all. We have to help her to show her we care.”

Marge nodded. She was about to say something, when the store door opened and a woman came in. She had short spiky blonde hair and a tanned face with full red lips. Her trim figure was clad in a denim jacket and red cargo pants. She wore sandals with beaded ribbons. A big red bag dangled from her shoulder. “Hi,” she greeted, pulling off her shades. “Is this the store where the author is doing book signings? The one who is accused of murder? I asked across the road at the uh…place where they sell both hamburgers and live bait?”

She grimaced. “What a combination. But then we are in the middle of nowhere of course.”

She looked around, wrinkling her nose. “You call that British? Soap is more French, right? I was in Marseille once to report on the deplorable conditions workers have to labor under. I do hope you know where your products are coming from and that no child labor was involved?”

Vicky blinked.

“Excuse me,” Marge said, studying the woman as if she was a venomous insect about to strike, “but who are you?”

“Grace Dinks.” The woman extended a hand. “You might have seen me on TV. Or don’t you people have cable out here?”

Marge positively boiled with anger. “We do have cable, but we try to watch good programs. I’m sure that we can spend our time better than by watching whatever slice-m-and-dice-m show you do.

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