Maine, Moose & a Killer on the Loose (Lily & Cassie By the Sea Mysteries Book 4) by Steele Nellie H

Author:Steele, Nellie H.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A Novel Idea Publishing, LLC
Published: 2024-10-04T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

Cassie’s lower lip trembled as she sent a wide-eyed glance over her shoulder at Nate. She poked a finger toward the open door, lowering her voice to a whisper. “I think…he’s dead.”

Nate pushed past Cassie, shoving her behind him. “Let me go first.”

Cassie held her breath, sliding a hand onto his shoulder as they crept forward.

“Mr. Whitehead?” Nate called out as he pushed the door open.

It creaked on its hinges, adding to the eerie ambiance.

“Mr. Whitehead?” Nate called again as they stepped closer to the shoe poking from the storage room.

Nate found a light switch near the door and flicked it on.

The shoe shifted, stopping Cassie’s heart. A second later, a man backed on his knees from the area, snapping his fingers as he shimmied to unheard music pumped into his ears from earbuds.

Cassie heaved a sigh of relief, pressing a hand against her heart.

The man rose to his feet, swiveling, his eyes going wide. He tapped the bud in his ear as a shocked smile crossed his face. “Oops, hello.”

“Hello,” Cassie said with a still shocked smile. “Sorry…we…thought…we thought you were…you know.”

His eyebrows scrunched. “I was what?”

“Dead,” Cassie answered.

The man drew his chin back to his chest. “Dead? Why would I be dead?”

“Well, it’s been going around, you know,” Nate said. “The museum curator…”

His eyes slid from side to side. “How does that relate to me?”

He lifted his chin, his jaw flexing. “Oh, wait…let me guess. That idiot suggested I was more involved in this entire fiasco than I am, didn’t he?”

“Who?” Cassie asked.

“Horace, the resident accuser. I’d bet my life he said I was involved in the thefts.”

“Uhh, well,” Cassie said with a shrug, “he may have mentioned your name, but really, we got it from the police. They suggested you may be able to help us investigate the thefts.”

“You’re investigating the thefts?” His eyes traveled up and down Nate and Cassie.

“Along with my mom and Sheriff Wyatt Cooper.” Cassie thumbed over her shoulder at them as they meandered through the store.

“Sheriff of where?” the man demanded.

“Hideaway Bay,” Cassie answered. “That’s where we’re from.”

His nose wrinkled. “I see. So, some tourists are investigating this. Pft, figures. Well, I have nothing to say.”

“Look, Mr. Whitehead, we aren’t accusing you of anything– “

“I don’t care. I have nothing to say about any of this. Now…get out of my store.”

”But–“ Cassie tried.

“Get out!” he said with a stamp of his foot on the floor.

Cassie bit her lower lip, her gaze falling to the floor where he’d stomped. Her forehead wrinkled as she stared at what looked like a sextant poking from the storage area.

The antique dealer noted the direction of her gaze, shifting his foot to kick the object further into the darkened space. “We’re finished here.”

Cassie heaved a sigh as she nodded. “Sorry for the trouble,” she murmured before she twisted to leave.

Lily arched an eyebrow as she and Nate approached. “What’s up?”

“He doesn’t want us here. He says he had nothing to say, and that we should leave,” Cassie answered.

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