Book Club Murder in Kingfisher Falls (The Charlotte Dean Mysteries 2) by Phillipa Nefri Clark

Author:Phillipa Nefri Clark [Clark, Phillipa Nefri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-17T16:00:00+00:00

A little earlier than usual Charlotte opened the front door of the bookshop and went outside to sweep the pavement. This was her routine. Make sure the shop was tidy and vacuum the rug. Put the float in for the day’s trade. Sweep outside. Rosie appreciated the effort she made, and Charlotte found satisfaction in the simple act of preparing the shop.

Sid drove past, windows down and a scowl not improving his looks. Charlotte turned her back, not willing to make eye contact today when she was likely to ask him if he was responsible for the anonymous phone calls. Not much point doing so without evidence and some back up in the shape of a witness. One with a badge. She sighed and took the broom inside. In the kitchen she filled the kettle, wishing she’d run across to the café first.

Cup in hand, she left the kitchen and almost walked into Kevin Murdoch. She avoided spilling coffee over them both and stepped back. ‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t hear the door.’

‘It didn’t make a sound.’

Something else to fix.

‘How may I help today, Mr Murdoch?’ Charlotte’s heartbeat was up a notch. She’d never liked the man after the way he’d treated the Forest family. He was close enough to reek of cigarette smoke. ‘Let me put my coffee down and I can—’

‘No. I’m not buying anything.’ He continued to block her way, his hands clutching a sunhat in front of his stomach. ‘I came to thank you.’

‘Thank me?’

‘For checking on…for seeing if…Octavia.’ Kevin bowed his head and his shoulders slumped. ‘You treated her with respect.’

‘I am sorry for your loss, Mr Murdoch.’

‘Kevin. Mr Murdoch is my brother Terrance. He’s the one doing the hard yards in council.’

Not sure how to respond, Charlotte nodded. The minute Kevin moved enough, she slipped past. ‘I really need to put this down. Thin china gets hot fast.’ She made it to the other side of the counter and put the cup on a coaster.

Kevin followed. ‘They won’t release her body. She needs a funeral and we can’t arrange it yet. The detectives say it might be another few days. Unfair.’

‘I’m sure the medical examiner will do their best.’

‘Well, you’d say that, wouldn’t you? Being one of them.’ He stared at her. His eyes were pale blue ringed with bloodshot white. Lack of sleep? Too much to drink and smoke?

‘It is always upsetting for loved ones, not knowing when they can say their proper farewell.’ Keep it nice. Stay calm. A customer will come in soon. ‘Will the funeral be in town?’

‘Why do you care? You and Rose made her life hell the past few weeks. She lost friends and felt like she was singled out at the Christmas Eve party for standing up for what was right. Then hounding her for books she told you she did not want. You might have done the right thing by going to her house that day, but it can never make up for how much you and your employer hurt her.

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