Murder by Page One by Olivia Matthews

Author:Olivia Matthews [Matthews, Olivia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing
Published: 2021-01-04T13:52:57+00:00

“You don’t have to call me every day.” Jo’s voice traveled down the phone line with exaggerated patience Wednesday evening.

“I know I don’t have to.” I balanced my elbow on my desk and kept one eye on the clock in the lower-right corner of my computer monitor. I needed to check on Phoenix before leaving for tonight’s town council meeting. “I want to. How did it go today?”

“The same as yesterday, unfortunately.” Jo’s sigh was full of frustration. “Customer traffic is still at a snail’s pace.”

“We’re only four days out from the murder. It’s probably too early to be worried.”

Jo sighed again. “My mind agrees with you, but it’s hard not to be anxious. This is my livelihood. My store provides jobs for the community. If my profits take a serious nosedive, I need to fix it fast, or a lot of people will be affected.”

My grip tightened on my cell phone as I picked up Jo’s tension. Everything she said was right and identified another reason why our inquiry was so important. The longer Jo remained under suspicion and Fiona’s murder remained unsolved, the more damage would be done to Jo, personally and professionally.

“Clearing your name so the deputies can actually solve Fiona’s murder will go a long way toward restoring normalcy in Peach Coast.” I spoke with confidence, hoping to ease some of Jo’s anxiety.

“You’re right, and I appreciate everything you and Spence are doing to help me.”

“That’s what friends are for.” I imagined Jo sitting in her office—or perhaps she was at her customer counter—smiling.

“For keeping each other out of jail? I appreciate that.” Her voice was thick with humor. “Have you had any new developments in the inquiry?”

“Unfortunately, nothing concrete, at least not yet.” I filled her in on my strange conversation with Betty and my even stranger conversation with Bobby.

“Well, a lot of people are fixated on certain routines.” Jo sounded as confused as I’d felt after speaking with Betty. “I suppose if you’re used to cleaning on Saturdays and it had become a habit, you’d assume everyone would feel the same way.”

“I’m not buying it, Jo. It sounded a little delusional to me.”

She laughed. “It does to me too.”

Having brought a smile to her day, my job was done. “Same time tomorrow?”

Jo chuckled. “You don’t have to check in with me every day.”

“But I want to.”

After wrapping up our call, I hurried home. I couldn’t be late for the council meeting. We needed everyone to show up in support of the increased budget request. This vote was too important.

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