Crooks, Crows and Critics: A Totally Gripping and Unputdownable Small-Town Cozy Murder Mystery (Cottonwood Crossings Cozy Mysteries) by Fern Cooper

Author:Fern Cooper [Cooper, Fern]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-05-25T00:00:00+00:00

18

“Emily, I really don’t have time to worry about this right now.”

I follow Taylor around the displays where she’s checking artwork in the main tent before they open to the public later this afternoon. As I follow, I also try to keep the dog on a short leash when he’d much rather sniff around at the interesting – and at times breakable – things.

It was probably a mistake to bring him, but he’s part of the reason I’m here early. Taylor is the other part, but she’s a moving target and it’s taken me an hour just to find her.

“But the police think you murdered someone!” I argue as she straightens the frame of a painting.

“I’m not under arrest,” she argues like the matter is closed.

The problem is, it’s not closed. I’ve been where she is now, under the shadow of suspicion, and it’s not fun. She might not be arrested, but there’s also a cop standing in the main entrance to the tent who hasn’t taken his eyes off us the entire time we’ve been in here. I have no doubt this is Paul’s doing, as if Taylor is going to go wild and strike down more critics, or who knows what else, at any moment.

Taylor turns to face me, and while her makeup is perfect, it can’t quite conceal how tired she looks. There are dark shadows under her eyes that concealer hasn’t been able to mask. What really bothers me is the slump to her shoulders, which I’ve never seen before. This isn’t the confident Taylor I’ve come to know and love. This is someone else.

An angry version of someone else.

“Can you just leave it alone, Emily? I know I asked for your help, but that was to find a painting. One which, I might add, is still missing.” She gestures toward an empty space on the wall halfway down from where we’re standing. “You think I want to open up with that gap there? I mean, I’ll deal with it. I’ll put in a poster for the event or something if you can’t come up with what I’m looking for.”

I flinch. “I know I told you I'd help find the painting, but I have a retreat to run and guests to attend to. I can only do so much,” I say, my own shoulders going a bit stiff. The dog is pressing against my leg, and I put my hand down on his head to let him know I’m okay.

She blinks at me, like she didn’t expect me to push back. Honestly, if this wasn’t Taylor, I’d probably have walked away by now. It’s only because I know the stress she’s under that I’m still here.

Not that I won’t call her on her bullshit if I have to.

Taylor sighs. She presses one hand to her eyes like they’re hurting her. “I’m sorry, Emily. You’re right. I have no reason to…it’s just…” She waves her hand to indicate the booths, the people bustling about getting things set up for the day.

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