A Killer Read by Erika Chase

Author:Erika Chase [Chase, Erika]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781101561355
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Published: 2012-04-02T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-three

“What’s the matter?” I asked as we made our way not toward the carriage house, but to the truck. “Has something happened? Something more?”

PLASTER AND POISON—JENNIE BENTLEY

The next morning, Lizzie added another quarter mile to her run, taking a left on Partridge Lane rather than going straight along Jackson. This section of the town was home to mainly older, retired couples or young ones just starting out. The housing prices here had remained fairly stable during the recession. There wasn’t much movement, among the older homeowners anyway, at the best of times. And fortunately, this area had not been hit by foreclosures, as some of the newer ones had in the past few years.

The houses along this street were mostly built in the thirties, a fact underscored by the still-present white clapboard that had been so readily available in those days. Her favorite was a two-story, with yellow trim and a yellow gate that brought some pizzazz to the traditional white picket fence. The gardens were awash of color in the summer, mimicking an English cutting garden. Now, in the early throes of fall, gold chrysanthemums and orange azaleas set the tone, with several small cedar bushes a background of greens.

She waved at the owner, a wizened white-haired woman who often was out snipping away at the flowers when Lizzie ran by, even at that early hour. Interesting how many people she knew to wave at or say hey to as she ran. The easy camaraderie added to the run and made her happy she’d chosen to return to Ashton Corners.

Nathaniel Creely waved her over as she walked past on the way to her place. “I have some freshly baked cheese scones I thought you might like. And a cup of coffee to go with them, of course.”

What Lizzie really wanted was a tall glass of water and a shower, but she wasn’t about to pass up his invitation. “Sounds wonderful.” She turned up his walkway and did a couple of stretches before joining him on the porch.

“That smells so good. You know, this is why I have to keep running each morning. I just can’t say no to such wonderful treats.”

Nathaniel chuckled. “And it’s such a pleasure to have someone to bake for, my dear.” He leaned over and served her, then himself. “Now, take a bite and enjoy, then tell me the latest news.”

Lizzie did as instructed, taking an extra few moments to savor the melting of the cheese in her mouth. She took a sip of coffee and looked at Nathaniel’s expectant expression. Something was different. His glasses were pulled down and rode on the tip of his nose. That was it. His mouth, as usual, was open slightly in a small “O” shape, as though he wanted to be ready for any exclamation.

“Well, you know I got another bit of the manuscript. It’s a very gripping story. It reads almost like a journal to me. I’ve given it to my friend, Sally-Jo Baker, to have a read and see what she thinks.

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