Bookplate Special (A Booktown Mystery) by Lorna Barrett

Author:Lorna Barrett
Language: eng
Format: mobi, pdf
ISBN: 9780425231197
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2010-08-15T05:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

"Ms. Miles," Captain Baker said firmly, "you should have called the Sheriff's Department as soon as someone shot at your windows. We're here to protect the citizens of Stoneham."

Tricia glanced out the front window of Haven't Got a Clue to where Baker's cruiser was parked. "I've always wondered about that. The other towns around here all have their own police departments. Why does Stoneham depend on the Sheriff's Department for protection?"

"The Board of Selectmen dissolved the Stoneham Village Police during the early 1990s, when the village was going broke. They never voted to reinstate it. But that's beside the point. You should have called us last night."

"What for? By the time a deputy arrived, the shooter would've been long gone." Tricia sounded a whole lot braver than she'd felt the night before, and she'd spent a good part of the night lying in bed and worrying. "Besides," she continued, "I haven't had a very warm reception from the Sheriff's Department in the past."

"I know about your past difficulties with Sheriff Adams. That's why I'm investigating Pamela Fredericks's murder. I want you to call my office--day or night--if you have anything to report. If there's an emergency, they can get hold of me in a matter of minutes."

Tricia exhaled a breath. "Okay. As a matter of fact, I do have something else to report. For the last couple of days I've been receiving"--she hesitated; they weren't really threatening calls--"annoying phone calls."

Baker's eyes narrowed. "How many have you received?"

Tricia shrugged. "Eight or ten." Her voice grew softer, as though she expected a rebuke. "Maybe more."

Baker looked ready to explode. "I don't suppose you saved any of them," he managed through gritted teeth.

"Just one. It's on my home answering machine."

"Is that a different number from the shop?"

"Yes."

"I suppose you're listed in the phone book as well."

"Just under my last name and first initial. But it's a P for Patricia, not T, and everyone around here knows me as Tricia."

"It doesn't matter, if the caller knows your address. Now, do you mind if I listen to this call?"

"Not at all. I'll show you the holes in my window, as well. If you'll follow me."

Baker grabbed his hat from the store's sales counter and followed Tricia to the back of the shop. Miss Marple scampered ahead of them. She wasn't about to be left behind with Ginny when she could follow Tricia upstairs and perhaps have an extra helping of cat cookies.

Tricia unlocked the apartment door and preceded Baker inside, with Miss Marple scooting in ahead of both of them. She jumped onto one of the kitchen stools and gave a sharp "Yow!"

"You don't need a treat right now," Tricia told her, and the disgruntled cat sat on her haunches and glared at her owner.

Baker looked around the converted loft space. "Nice."

"Thank you." Tricia held out her hand, indicating the way. "The window with the BB holes overlooks the street."

Tricia led the way to her bedroom, glad she'd made the bed, and even dusted the nightstand, earlier that morning.

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