Running from Scissors (A Running Store Mystery Book 1) by T.C. Wescott

Author:T.C. Wescott [Wescott, T.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Better Mousetrap Books
Published: 2018-07-05T05:00:00+00:00

FIFTEEN

For those enrolled in Run For It’s training program, Saturday is the official training run day, but on Tuesday and Thursday evenings free supplementary social runs are also offered. Although not mandatory, it’s an unspoken directive that if you’re serious about running, you’ll do your best to attend one or both of these runs. This goes for all the levels and groups.

Walking into the store this evening I sense something has changed in the more than 48 hours since the trail run. There is an electricity in the air that isn’t usually present. People enjoy the group and use it as a way to let go of the tension of their daily lives, but not this evening. The usual relaxed conversation one hears walking through the store has been replaced by hushed whispers in corners and private huddles outside. This in spite of the fact that there are half as many people as are usually present for a Tuesday run.

Carly stands staring at her cell phone by an armless mannequin whose job is to display the latest official Run For It gear. She looks naked not sandwiched between Marlene and Gretchen, though I’m sure if given time Carly could turn even a mannequin mean.

Hmmm, where is Gretchen?

I make my way around the different groups and say my hellos, catching murmurs and snippets of conversation here and there, all of it gossipy theorizing about Marlene’s fate. Most of it is to the effect that she is a no-good cheat who cuckolded poor Anderson and made good her escape with her lover. Other theories reflect a different view of Anderson Petrick and cast him as some sort of serial killer. In short, none of us are safe.

I find Ruby surrounded by her fellow walkers, nodding and smiling and enduring talk I know she considers baseless nonsense. But our job tonight is to keep our ears open and our mouths closed and that’s what we’re both doing. Stax has not shown up yet but it is typical of her to arrive at the last minute if a customer keeps her through her 6pm closing time.

Ruby spots me milling about and pulls me aside for a private chat. “I see you’ve been mixing. As much mixing as one can do with a crowd this small.”

“I was just thinking the same thing. I wonder where everybody is?”

“It’s controversy, dear. It either repels or attracts. When something happens that’s not supposed to, you can expect fewer people to want to be around it. But those who come always get there early.”

The little bell above the north door jingles and in comes Stax. It is obvious she changed her clothes in a hurry as she’s holding her GPS watch in her hand and her water bottles are upside down in their belt slots. She impatiently smiles her greetings in passing to the others and makes her way directly to us.

“Hey there, cat burglars. So, what’s the scoop?”

“Keep your voice down,” I say. “Everyone’s in gossip mode right now and I’d like to keep my name out of it.

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.