The Mistletoe Murders (A Gracie Andersen Mystery Book 6) by Laurinda Wallace

Author:Laurinda Wallace [Wallace, Laurinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-11-26T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Gracie listened to Jim’s story with interest. Offering the teen a job might be a way to help him and gain his trust. It might also be the key to finding the nativity, but Jim’s theory looked like a long shot. She wasn’t even sure how the pastor would feel about the nativity showing up again. It might cause some heartburn between the church and him.

“I’d like to find the property where Damon is rebuilding this barn,” Jim said, scowling as he moved Dude from the recliner for the second time. “This dog is sure pushy.”

Gracie chuckled. “You’ve grown attached to him from what I’ve seen.”

“I thought he’d be good for Josh or maybe even the Damons. They have an ancient basset hound that looks like he’s not long for this world.”

“Let’s not rush finding him a home. He’s pretty happy here.”

Gracie was finding herself becoming a little more attached to the charming canine. Even though she was practiced at avoiding emotional ties to other people’s dogs, this one needed new people. Dude showed he was quite content to have the run of the kennel and her office. His confident personality made him an entertaining addition to the place. She was okay with that at least for now.

“Ha! You think I’m getting soft. I’d say someone is already pretty squishy.” Jim smirked and sat in the chair.

“Maybe,” she agreed. “Getting back to the Josh project, I say bring him on for no more than five to ten hours a week, if he wants to work. Minimum wage and you will need to supervise him all the time. We’ve tried this Good Samaritan thing before, and the results weren’t so great.”

Jim scratched his head and frowned. “Yeah, I know. I’ll give Josh a few days and then approach him again. If he’s involved with stealing the nativity, it’s got to be eating at him.”

“Maybe. Some kids aren’t bothered by wrongdoing, or he could be too afraid to say anything. If he had trouble at the church before, this is way beyond a simple misunderstanding. It’s a crime.”

Jim had to agree, but he wasn’t about to give up. That gut feeling was still there, and it had all started when he remembered seeing Josh raking leaves at the church.

“Before you get back to things,” Gracie said, interrupting his train of thought, Let me tell you about what happened at the Mistletoe place this afternoon.”

She launched into the details of Marc’s find in the woods along with Marci’s decision to make the weekend a true mystery-solving adventure.

“And I’ve been doing some research on Stephen Mistletoe.” Gracie tapped the laptop screen, bringing it to life. “I found a historical newspaper site that has our local papers from the early 1800s to the present.” She read quickly through the thick inky print of an old newspaper on the screen. “The interesting thing about newspapers from the 1800s was that they were full of gossip. Lots of social clubs, dinners, dances, and church meetings were all reported on.

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