MURDER Sets the Stage (Rooftop Garden Cozy Mysteries Book 2) by Thea Cambert

Author:Thea Cambert
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Summer Prescott Books
Published: 2020-07-28T22:00:00+00:00

“Oh, those two tried to hide it, but I can spot a couple of teenagers in love from a mile away!” said Mrs. Howard over lunch later that day.

“How’s the bratwurst?” Alice asked, frankly admiring the way Mrs. Howard was putting away the giant sausage on a stick.

“Delicious!” said Mrs. Howard. “Yes, Lacie Blake and Zack Spears were most assuredly an item all last year. They didn’t want anyone to know it, of course.”

“A clandestine affair?” asked Owen, earning him a smile of approval from Mrs. Howard.

“Exactly,” she said, pointing the sausage in his direction.

“But, why keep it a secret?” asked Alice.

“I suspect that was because of Lacie’s parents. They’re good folks, but a little on the overprotective side. They didn’t want her dating. But, there’s no stopping young love, you know.”

“What about Ash Noble? Did you know him?” asked Franny.

“Well enough,” said Mrs. Howard, her cheery expression fading a little. “Terrible, what happened to him.”

“We’re wondering who would want to kill him,” said Alice, “We’re trying to get a snapshot of his character.”

“Characters, you mean,” said Mrs. Howard. “He had more than one.”

“What do you mean?” asked Owen.

“Well, just that Ash could be the nice guy, everyone’s hero, but he could also be the jerk. Like most people—except with Ash, there was a huge disparity between his different behaviors. He was a chameleon.”

“Would he ever . . . I mean, not to be disrespectful of the dead . . . but, do you think he would ever have a relationship with a student that wasn’t appropriate?” asked Alice.

“I’m sorry to say, I wouldn’t put it past him. The man would’ve flirted with a tree, for heaven’s sake! He could be charming—and believe me, he charmed plenty of the staff at the school. I imagine there were plenty of crushes on him. Basically harmless, mostly, I imagine. But, then, if he didn’t get his way, he’d turn into a monster. Always put his own interests first. He was, as they say in the theater, a diva. Or . . . a divo? Whatever you call a man who’s a diva.”

“I know he relied heavily on Ingrid Lansbury,” said Alice.

“Oh, that poor girl,” said Mrs. Howard, nodding. “He had her doing everything. Half the time, he took the credit for her hard work. He was all too happy to accept all the applause. But I never saw the two of them fighting. Maybe theater people understand one another. I suppose she’ll step in as head of the department, now that Ash is gone. She was vying for that position before he blew into town, you know.”

There was a pause as they considered this. “Poor Ingrid,” said Alice.

“Well, at least she’ll start getting the credit she’s due,” said Mrs. Howard.

“What is your impression of Barb and Doug Blake?” asked Franny, dipping a thick-cut fried potato into mayonnaise.

“Like I said, nice folks. But, Lacie is the sun in their solar system—and that’s not necessarily the best thing. They were strict and very protective. I imagine, it’s a good thing that Lacie’s in college now.

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