News and Nectarines by Carly Winter

Author:Carly Winter [Winter, Carly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Westward Publishing

12

Sunday came and went with such speed, it almost gave me whiplash. Derek had stopped by as promised with a box of stuff, but I hadn’t answered the door. He knew I was home because my truck sat in the driveway, but I’d huddled under my bedroom window while Tinker barked at him. Handsome, yes. A murderer, maybe. Out of all the theories Debbie and I had concocted, he seemed to be the one who benefited the most, and that’s what I had to look for, according to Carla.

I arrived at the office early Monday a little cranky and very tired. Nightmares of my potentially homicidal neighbor plagued me, and my mood only worsened when I sifted through the mail. More stuff that wasn’t ours which reminded me that I hadn’t gotten my personal mail at home in three or four days. I imagined it was the same there.

“Nice piece on York,” Harold said when he walked in.

“Thank you.”

“Something wrong, Tilly?” he asked as he sat behind his desk.

“No. Just tired of thinking about who killed him.”

“That’s not really your job, is it? Your job is to report on the goings-on around town, not to investigate the who, when, where or why of someone’s death.”

I nodded, knowing full well he was correct. Yet, I couldn’t stop running over the theories and giving myself nightmares.

“So maybe you should stop trying to solve a crime that isn’t yours to solve,” Harold said.

“I’m sure you’re right.”

“On the flip-side, Tilly, things are going so well here at the paper, I’m going to give you a raise on your next paycheck. You’re doing an amazing job and all this ad money wouldn’t be rolling in without your hard work.”

A blush crawled up my neck and over my cheeks. “Thank you, Harold. I appreciate that.”

“Your face looks a little thinner,” he said, narrowing his gaze on me. “Are you losing weight?”

The off-topic question brought a smile as I tried to hide my excitement. Losing weight and a raise? Maybe this day wasn’t so bad. “Really?”

“I don’t know if you’re tired or you’re dropping some pounds, but yes, your face looks thinner.”

I pinched my palm as my grin widened and my mood improved drastically. “Thank you for the raise, and the compliment, Harold. If it’s okay, I’ll be back in a bit. I have an appointment.”

He nodded and returned his attention to his computer.

I walked out of the office and headed to Debbie’s with a little bounce in my step. Harold didn’t need to know I was meeting her and Carla for coffee.

“Tilly!” Debbie exclaimed as I walked into the bakery.

“Hi.”

“Oh, my. What’s going on? You look exhausted.”

“Nothing,” I said with a sigh. “I’m tired of thinking about who committed murder and why. I’m not sleeping well.”

“Let’s sit down. Any donuts today?”

“No, thanks.” I grabbed a table in the corner while Debbie poured us both coffee.

“Tell me what’s going on,” she said, reaching across the table and squeezing my fingers.

“It’s all I can think about. Who lit those fireworks and murdered Mr.

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