Clause of Death by Lorna Barrett

Author:Lorna Barrett [Barrett, Lorna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2022-06-07T00:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

Tricia was up early the next morning, her stomach tied in too many knots to even have coffee. She’d checked the news and sure enough, the story of Eli’s death and his association with the Crimson Nine was splashed all over the Internet. It wouldn’t be long before crews from all the major news networks showed up in Stoneham. She hoped Ian was ready for the onslaught.

In addition, she dreaded facing Pixie but was determined to apologize and crossed her fingers that they could work out the little glitch between them.

Thinking that sticking to her normal routine of a brisk walk might make her feel better, she started off, but when she was halfway through her usual route, she turned back for Haven’t Got a Clue.

Once again Tricia cut through the village square and headed for the same bench where she’d first met Nadine. This time the woman wasn’t crying, but she’d buried her nose in a small paperback book.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Tricia called as she approached.

Nadine looked up. “They aren’t worth even that much.” She closed her book, and Tricia saw the title: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff . . . and It’s All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson.

“We meet again,” Tricia said brightly.

“It seems so.”

Tricia indicated the volume. “I’ve read that title a couple of times myself—when things got a little overwhelming,” she admitted. “My favorite quote is: ‘Ask yourself the question, Will this matter a year from now?’ ”

Nadine forced a laugh. “It’s a good one.” She sighed and her expression turned dour once again. “I wish I could say it wouldn’t.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Tricia said sincerely.

“If I had more courage”—Nadine laughed—“if I had any courage, I’d make a change and then I wouldn’t have to sweat any of the crap I’m going through ever again.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Tricia repeated.

“That I’m going through crap or that I’m a coward?”

Tricia blinked and Nadine laughed again. “Now it’s me who’s sorry. That wasn’t very nice of me.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“You want to help a total stranger?” Nadine asked in surprise.

“We have spoken before,” Tricia pointed out. “We know each other’s names, so we’re at least acquainted.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. And no, you can’t help, but it was kind of you to ask.”

“Well, if you ever need to talk—my shop is just up the road.” She nodded in the direction of Main Street.

“Haven’t Got a Clue,” Nadine remembered. “And do you?”

“Have a clue?” Tricia asked, and gave what she hoped was a wry smile. “I sure hope so. I’ll see you around.”

“I’ll probably be here,” Nadine said with a sigh.

Tricia headed for Main Street and was glad to see there was still no sign of the upheaval yet to come when the big-city press came to get the story on Eli Meier.

Although it was twenty minutes until Haven’t Got a Clue opened, Mr. Everett had arrived while Tricia was gone, letting himself in, and had already commandeered the shop’s lamb’s wool duster and was attacking the tops of the books and shelves with left-handed vigor.

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