Model Suspect by TK Sheffield

Author:TK Sheffield [Sheffield, TK]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-14T00:00:00+00:00

Seventeen —

Ihad dèjá vu Tuesday morning. At eight o’clock, I stood near my backyard gate pondering the mild November temperature and leaves at my feet.

For a moment, it was as if Inga Honeythorne had never crashed into the yard almost a week ago, shrieking that she’d found a body.

I enjoyed a few minutes of peace.

But then Lou called. The holiday kick-off week, and the mystery of who killed Kat Gold, continued.

“Hiya Mel, I heard you and Oliver Roberts liked my brownies.”

“Everybody in the county does, Lou.”

“That’s true. I’m entering ’em in the baking contest on Wednesday. Oops, you’re not supposed to know cuz you’re a judge. Forget I said that.”

“What do you need, Lou?”

“How’d you like my boat names last night? ‘Sciatica Problem’ and ‘Pinched Nerve.’ Kinda off-brand for the race, but I named ’em after Char Broadway and Susan Victory. I heard they got into it—”

“Lou, my mall opens soon. I need to help Inga.”

“You’re goin’ to the Midwinter’s Night at the Library party tonight, right? Ya gotta because it’s your royal duty.”

“I’m aware, thanks.”

“You’re in the reader’s theater play production. I told Oliver you’d do it. Steven, too.”

“But—”

“I won’t be there. Makin’ my entries for the bake-off at the church. Oops. Contestants are anonymous. You didn’t hear that.”

“I’m not—”

“Don’t be a stranger, Mel. Come out to the ranch soon, okay? You and Max can have a mini vacation. And you and I will paint the guest room. It needs it. Have fun tonight.”

She hung up.

I watched Max sniff the air and trot in circles around the yard. He held his tail straight out, his body tense, as though he felt energy he didn’t like.

My dog was stressed.

I was, too.

A vacation wasn’t a bad idea.

✴

I entered my office and saw the coupon for a week’s stay in Copper Falls on my desk.

I’m not a person who takes time off, but the idea of a secluded cabin, a mystery novel, and Max snoozing at my feet sounded appealing.

Lou had hung up before I could inquire about the Tool & Rye betting pool; I’d assumed Char Broadway still held the lead.

Speaking of Mother Broadway, she’d shown up at the mall and bullied past Inga. From behind, I watched Char huff and puff up the steps carrying bracelets to sell in her booth.

As the Bell, Book & Anvil owner, the buck stopped with me when handling difficult vendors. And, okay, speculating that Char was the favorite in the pool was unfair. But she was a kook. And irrational.

If hell needed an art mall manager, Char should apply for the job.

Inga and I followed her upstairs. Before she could arrange pieces in her booth, I told her to remove her items and leave. She counter-argued that she should be allowed to remain, that she was still a vendor in good standing. “I haven’t done anything wrong,” Char protested. “This is the best week to sell stuff.”

“Char, you’re opening a competing business and taking vendors with you. You don’t think that disqualifies you from being in my mall?”

“Yeah, but I haven’t done it yet.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.