Untimely Death: A Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery by Duncan Elizabeth J

Author:Duncan, Elizabeth J. [Duncan, Elizabeth J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Adult, FIC000000 Fiction / General, Romance
ISBN: 9781629532042
Goodreads: 34550868
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Published: 2015-11-10T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

She found Ray leaving the rehearsal room, which the state police had set up as an incident room. She tried to peer around him to get a glimpse at what was going on inside, but he moved slightly to block her view.

“It’s operational and filled with confidential material,” he said. “Sorry. Not for your eyes.”

“Where are you going?”

“They don’t need me here anymore, so I’m heading back to the office,” he said. “Got a lot of reports to catch up on. And those parking tickets don’t give themselves out.”

“Oh, I’m glad I caught you, then,” she said. “I’ll walk out with you.”

They strolled in silence to the back door and then entered the parking lot. The rain had just about stopped, and the air smelled fresh and new, lightly laced with the scent of damp earth and wet bark. Large raindrops dripped from the trees onto the sodden ground, washing away the last traces of dirty snow.

“Why don’t you ride into town with me, and we’ll get a coffee at Bentley’s?” Ray suggested.

“Yeah, good idea. I’d like that.” She walked around to the passenger side and climbed in. As they drove past the community swimming pool and fitness center, Charlotte made a note to herself that she’d missed too many aquafit classes lately and she should call in and sign up for the spring session.

A few minutes later, Ray parked in front of Bentley’s, the café on Main Street once known for its homey comfort meals, like ham and scalloped potatoes, fried chicken and home fries, macaroni and cheese, and old-fashioned pies. Now it was catering to the increasingly sophisticated demands of younger diners with menu items like goat cheese and pear salad or turkey, brie, and green apple on ciabatta bread, with cappuccinos and cupcakes.

Warm air, fragrant with the aroma of freshly ground coffee, greeted them. The busy lunch period was over, and only a few tables were occupied.

The café, formerly a blue-plate-type diner, had been given a makeover a few years ago when the previous owner hung up his apron and sold the business to a transplanted gay couple from New York. Gone were the 1970s dark wood paneling, broken ceiling fan, tattered red leather banquettes, lace curtains, and kitschy things the owner’s wife didn’t want in their home. Now the space was sleek and modern with stainless steel, muted colors, and flat-screen menu displays.

They chose a table by the window; Ray liked to sit there so he could keep a watchful eye on the street, and Charlotte liked it because she sought out natural light whenever and wherever she could.

“Do you know what you’re having?” Ray asked.

“Just a latte, please.”

“Nothing from the bakery? Cupcake? You love cupcakes.”

Charlotte shook her head. “I mustn’t. The scales are telling me it’s time to get back to the aquafit class.”

After the server took their order and left, Ray cleared his throat.

“That Brian guy. He seemed to make you uncomfortable.”

“I knew him a long time ago. We had a thing. The awful truth is that I was in love with him, and I thought he was in love with me.

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