A Slaying in the Orchard

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A Slaying in the Orchard Page 20

by Gin Jones


  "I like my pumpkins," I said with a shrug. "I think we're done here now, so I'll get back to my work and leave you to enjoy the Halloween activities."

  I started to turn away to lead Buzz back to the market stalls, but Angela grabbed me by the wrist. "No. We're not finished yet. Even if you're not violating my civil rights today, I need to know that I'll be welcome at the market in the future. If you're going to be unreasonable, I'll report you to the mayor. My parents are close friends of his, you know. And big supporters during all of his campaigns. He would never have been elected mayor without them."

  I liked the mayor, and I thought he liked me, but he was as susceptible as any politician to the demands of his constituents. I already had one local citizen—the potato farmer, Jim Sweetwater—complaining to him about me, and I didn't need another one. Especially someone who might have more impact than the ineffective Sweetwater did.

  And to make matters worse, I was intensely aware of Buzz standing quiet and almost motionless at my side, taking in everything Angela said. A few more comments by her, and he'd be convinced that the market was a seething cauldron of political intrigue. Not exactly a selling point for joining the market.

  Balancing the need to get Buzz away from Angela with the desire not to provoke her any further, I tried for an upbeat tone. "We can talk some more later if you wish. After I've taken care of some other matters."

  "When?" Her tone was more suspicious than aggressive, which I took as a good sign. I had to admire her persistence, even if she was annoying.

  "If you give me your number, I'll call you when I have some spare time."

  Angela glared at me suspiciously but then dug into her apron pocket to pull out a business card with her name, along with her phone number and a website URL for an online shop selling custom clothing for cosplay events. "I'm coming looking for you if I don't hear anything by noon."

  That only gave me an hour to convince Buzz to sign up with the market, and he didn't seem to be in a hurry to make up his mind about anything.

  "You'll hear from me as soon as I have some time to give you my undivided attention." I turned to Buzz. "Let's go finish our tour of the market."

  A SECRET IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH

  coming in October!

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  FREE EBOOK OFFER

  DANGER COVE BOOKS

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS

  BOOKS BY GIN JONES

  SNEAK PEEK

 

 

 


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