Murder by the Book

by Lauren Elliott

  Her cheeks burned and she looked away.

  “Do you think I liked having to ask my sister where she was tonight when someone was murdered?” He stomped past her toward the door.

  “I’m sorry, Marc. I shouldn’t have questioned you.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have.” He stopped at the closed door and stretched out his neck and shoulders, turned around, and looked at Serena huddled in a ball on the bed. “I am sorry, Serena.” He walked over to her and sat down, rubbing her back. “But I have to cover everything as a possible lead. I know you know that.”

  She looked up at him and nodded, sniffling. “It’s just not fair that because of some common perfume and a bag of tea from my shop, I’m now on America’s most-wanted list again.”

  He laughed and hugged her. “I’m so sorry. I know I didn’t handle it well. I knew it would be hard on me to have to ask you that.”

  Addie slipped onto the bed next to him and smiled. “Why don’t you start at the beginning and tell us exactly what you found? It sounds like you’re pretty certain this early in the investigation that it was murder. Don’t you have to wait for a coroner’s report or something?”

  “Yes, which is what delayed me so long. When I suspected the tea, combined with the perfume scent in the room, I called the coroner’s office. They had someone they could send out, and he took samples of the tea and blood and ran them through a preliminary tox screen.”

  “They can do that?”

  “It’s not conclusive, and it takes a couple of days for the actual screen to be finished, but it showed enough irregularities in his system and in the tea for a preliminary finding of a toxic substance. We’ll know in a few days exactly what it was.”

  “Did they do an air sample, too, to identify the perfume?”

  “He did, but said it probably wouldn’t be irrefutable, but . . . I do know it’s the same as Serena’s. I gave it to her for her birthday.”

  “I can’t be the only person in town who wears it.” Serena huffed and crossed her arms.

  “I’m sure you’re not.” Addie leaned across Marc and patted her knee.

  “Look, sis, you have a strong alibi for today, so there’s no charge here now. I just had to ask.”

  She smiled weakly and nodded.

  “May be . . . someone’s trying to set her up,” cried Addie.

  Serena’s eyes widened and she jumped to her feet. “Yes, that’s it.”

  “After all, with one murder charge already against her, she’d be the perfect one to throw suspicion on, wouldn’t she?”

  Marc stroked his chin and looked at her. “You may not be far off with that theory, Addie.”

  “Yeah, and in the meantime, I look like a deranged killer on the loose.” Serena clicked her tongue and strode to the window.

  Addie looked at Marc. “What kind of tea was it?”

  “The Heavenly Delight blend. Why?”

  “Because I think there is something to that. With that other charge hanging over her, it would sure take the heat off anyone else.”

  “I sell a lot of Heavenly Delight, so that’s not a lead. It’s my most popular blend. Even . . . wow.” Her mouth fell open.

  “What?” Addie leapt to her feet.

  “Even Catherine Lewis bought some a couple of weeks ago.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  It was past nine and still no sign of Paige. She’d been asked to arrive fifteen minutes early so she could be shown the opening routine. As the minutes ticked by, Addie resigned herself to the fact that the “Help Wanted” sign would have to be posted in the window again. She hadn’t seen this coming and had thought at least one of her problems had been resolved.

  How she could have been so wrong about someone? What if her other instincts were off, too, and none of what was happening was connected, even though her gut told her it was? What would Marc and Serena think of her if she had been completely wrong about everything? Perhaps it was just as the Boston police had told her about David’s murder and these were all crimes of opportunity, not linked to anything else.

  Addie retrieved the sign from the storage room and took it back up to the window. When she leaned into the bay window, she caught sight of Paige, who appeared to be having a heated discussion with Martha. Paige’s arms flailed about her, and Martha stabbed her finger into Paige’s chest, sending her tripping backward. Addie dropped the sign and rushed to the door.

  It flung open before she could grab the handle, propelling her backward into the end of a bookshelf. The hanging sale rack crashed to the floor, and the books toppled onto her head.

  “Oh, no,” cried Paige. “I’m . . . I’m sorry.” She leaned over to help Addie to her feet. “Are you okay?”

  Addie took her outstretched hand and managed to stand up. She winced when pain shot through her butt cheek from landing hard on one of the rack’s metal shelf edges, but she stretched her back and dusted off her slacks. She glanced at the undamaged rack behind her and returned her gaze to the sniveling girl hovering in the doorway, her eyes wide with fear.

  Addie laughed. “Don’t worry about it. I learned an important risk management lesson for the work site: don’t place sale displays by the front door.”

  Paige’s wild eyes darted from Addie’s smiling face to the books strewn over the floor. “You’re okay with this? I’m not fired?”

  “Of course not; like I said, it’s taught me an important merchandising lesson. Come on, let’s get you freshened up and ready for your first workday.”

  Confusion crossed Paige’s face as she strode toward the back with Addie.

  “There’s a lot for you to learn, as I expect I’ll be called away from the store from time to time, and I’ll need you to be able to take charge when I am.”

  Paige’s brow furrowed, and she looked back at the shelf on the floor and then, again, at Addie. “I don’t get it. First I’m late. Then I almost kill you. And you’re not upset?”

  “Hey, don’t sweat it—unless, of course, it was all intentional?” She raised her brow and glanced at her.

  Paige vigorously shook her head.

  “Then there’s no problem. Life happens.” She shrugged and pointed her toward the small washroom in the back of the storage area. “I’ll be out front when you’re ready.”

  Paige heaved a sigh. “Thank you,” she said, her voice a cracked whisper as she disappeared into the restroom.

  When Paige returned, Addie had the mess cleaned up and was busy ringing in a customer sale. She glanced over at her and smiled. Paige was fresh-faced and appeared eager to start her orientation.

  As the morning progressed, Addie found her to be a fast learner, even though there was really nothing difficult in the work itself. It was basically familiarizing her with the store and walking her through the different sections and rows, showing her how the books were displayed according to their genre. Paige caught on quickly, and Addie was relieved. The real time-consuming process was in teaching her the computerized cash system and showing her how to use the register’s various program features. When it came to customer service, Paige was a pro, and Addie stood back and watched her take on her sales role as if she had been working there for months, not hours. She only required occasional assistance on issues like how to search for an out-of-print book a customer was looking for or how the book consignment system worked.

  Addie noted her protégé sagging and checked the time. “Oh my, you must be starving.” She slapped her forehead. “I got so wrapped up in showing you the ropes, I forgot to give you a break.”

  “That would be great. My head’s swimming with information, and my stomach’s growling. I hope none of the customers heard it?”

  “I didn’t, so don’t worry, run along. Take an hour, and get some fresh air, too. It looks like a beautiful day out there.”

  Paige grabbed her bag from under the counter and headed for the door but stopped and spun around. “What about you? You’re the boss. You should eat first.”

  The door chime
s rang, and Serena bounced through the door, carrying two small paper lunch sacks.

  “I think that problem’s been solved.” Addie beamed. “You go. See you in an hour.”

  Serena acknowledged Paige as she swept past her, but the expression on her face was none too friendly. “How did the spy make out this morning?” she whispered.

  “She’s not a spy, and she’s fantastic.” Addie scoffed and took the bag lunch Serena held out for her.

  Serena plopped on a stool at the coffee counter and tore into her lunch, glancing up through her thick eyelashes, her face grim.

  “What’s the matter? I know that look. What’s on your mind?”

  Serena puffed out her cheeks and heaved a deep sigh. “Nothing.” She took a bite from her sandwich but kept her eyes fixed on Addie.

  “I’m getting really uncomfortable with this. What is it you want to say?”

  Serena slowly laid her sandwich down on the counter. “It’s just that I’m afraid she’s going to hurt you when you find out she’s been sent here as a spy for Martha and her troop, that’s all.” She tapped her fingers on the counter.

  “Don’t worry.” Addie reached across over and squeezed her hand. “I’m fairly sure that’s not what’s going on.”

  “But how can you be sure? Martha’s conniving.”

  “Because I don’t think she’s happy about Paige working for me. That’s how I know.”

  “Did Paige tell you that? Just be careful. It could just be to throw you off.”

  “No.” Addie shook her head. “I saw something this morning.”

  Serena’s eyes widened. “What did you see?” She leaned closer.

  “Paige was late, like over forty-five minutes late, and—”

  “On her first day? The nerve of her.” Serena’s mouth fell.

  “That’s what I thought, too, so I decided to put the “Help Wanted” sign back in the window, and that’s when I saw it.” Addie’s eyes held a glint of the slyness she was feeling, and she took a bite of her sandwich.

  “Come on, stop it. Stop teasing me. What did you see?”

  “Well . . .” She swallowed and took a sip of her cold coffee and winced. “I really do need to make a fresh cup. Give me a minute, will you?”

  Serena’s hand grabbed hers. “Not a chance—tell me.”

  Addie laughed and sat back down. “Oh, Martha and Paige were having a huge argument out on the sidewalk in front of Martha’s place. Martha actually thrust her finger into Paige’s chest hard enough to send her flying backward.”

  Serena’s eyes grew to the size of saucers and she leaned in.

  “Then Paige came rushing in crying, really upset.”

  “Did she tell you what they were arguing about?”

  “No, and I didn’t ask.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “Because it’s none of my business, and if she wants to tell me, she will.” Addie shrugged and took the last bite of her lunch.

  “So that’s it. That’s what you’re basing your assumption on. They were arguing about Paige working here and not something else?”

  “Yup.” Addie stood up. “Now can I make a fresh cup of coffee?”

  “Pfft, and I thought you had an instinct for this detective stuff.”

  “I do. I have a feeling Martha isn’t happy about Paige working for me, and that’s what she was mad at her for this morning, so I think I’m safe from Paige spying on me.”

  “Yeah.” She shook her head. “But only if Martha doesn’t figure out first how to use Paige and her new position to her advantage.”

  “Then we have to make sure we wrap up this whole mess so she can see I’m not a bad person and am no threat to her before that might happen, won’t we?” Addie winked.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Addie and Serena cleared off the counter after their lunch. A burst of excitement built in Addie’s chest and raced up through her cheeks when Marc’s smiling face appeared at the window. Her reaction didn’t seem to go unnoticed by the prying eyes of her friend, who stuck out her tongue and giggled as he walked through the door.

  “What? What are you two up to?” He glanced from one flushed face to the other smirking one as he tucked his patrol hat under his arm and planted his feet firmly in a stance commonly taken by police officials.

  Serena shook her head. “Absolutely nothing, Officer.” She winked at Addie. “Well, I should be off, got a business to run. Not all of us have hired help.” She flashed a fleeting look at Addie and headed for the door.

  Paige came in as Serena brushed past her. Serena gave her a wary smile, and then she looked back at Addie, her head cocked and brows raised.

  Addie huffed. “See you later, and thanks for lunch.” She shook her head, feeling impatient with Serena’s incessant misgivings about Paige and her true intentions.

  “You’re back early. I don’t think you’ve been gone even half an hour?” But her question was lost. Paige stood silent, her eyes fixed on the back of Marc’s head.

  He turned around and looked at her hovering near the doorway. “Hi, Paige.” He nodded. “Haven’t seen you for a long time. How’s it going?”

  She was speechless, and all she did was nod back at him. Addie thought she looked as though she were about to bolt. “Paige, do you know my friend Marc?”

  “Your friend?” Her tense face appeared to relax somewhat.

  “What? Is Addie such a horrible boss that you didn’t think she could possibly have friends?” Marc chuckled.

  “Yes, well no, of course not, but I thought . . .”

  “You thought what?” Addie’s eyes narrowed. She was curious to know how her employee viewed her.

  “It’s just that my . . .” She cleared her throat. “My mom said you were a troublemaker and were into some pretty bad stuff in Boston and now the troubles followed you here.”

  “That’s nonsense,” cried Marc.

  “That’s what I told her, too, but then when I saw you here, I figured . . .”

  Addie took a deep breath. “You figured what?”

  “Umm”—Paige’s eyes dropped—“that maybe she was right. I’m sorry.”

  Addie shook her head and clicked her tongue. “No worries; we’re all entitled to our own thoughts. I just feel bad that your mother has such a low opinion of me.”

  “I tried to tell her she was wrong, that you were one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.”

  “And what did she say?” Marc smirked, his eyes narrowing.

  “She said you’d do nothing for me except to take me farther down with you.” Her voice drifted to a whisper.

  Marc huffed and shook his head. “Well, I think I’ve heard enough of this slander.” He shifted his weight on his feet. “Addie, the reason I came by was because I heard you had a very efficient assistant working for you now”—he smiled at Paige—“and I was hoping I could steal you away for a few hours. There’s something I want to show you.”

  “Of course. Oh, wait a minute.” She looked at Paige. “Do you feel comfortable working on your own for a couple of hours, or is that asking too much on your first day?”

  “If you think I can, then I know I can.” She beamed.

  “That settles that. It’ll be a good test for you, and if you pass it with flying colors, I’ll even throw in an immediate dollar an hour raise.”

  “Wow, that would be great. I promise, I won’t let you down.”

  “I know you won’t. I have faith in you.”

  “Thanks for trusting me. Wow, this is fantastic.” She almost appeared to skip down the aisle as she headed toward the back of the shop.

  Addie laughed and looked at Marc, who was shaking his head.

  “What?”

  “That’s a big increase in one day, don’t you think? But hey, you’re the boss.”

  “She really proved herself today, and it’s worth it. Plus if you keep dragging me out of here all the time, she deserves some extra responsibility pay.” Addie retrieved her handbag from under the counter
. “Paige, we’re off,” she called, heading to the front of the shop.

  Paige came to the front of the store, a wide smile across her face. “I have your cell number. If I have any questions, can I call?”

  “Yes, most certainly, don’t hesitate. I’d be upset if I found out you needed help and didn’t ask for it,” Addie called back from the doorway and headed to Marc’s car parked at the curb.

  He opened his patrol car door for her, and she nodded her appreciation. She glanced at Martha’s shop window and was met by an unmistakable look of contempt. She shuddered and turned to Marc as he fastened his seat belt. “What have I ever done to that woman to make her dislike me so much? I’ve just recently met her, and we’ve never really even spoken.”

  Marc peered down through her side window and was struck by the same look from Martha. He shrugged. “With her, it could be anything, but my guess is because you’re an outsider and have now claimed the rights of the town’s oldest family. She’ll eventually get over it. I hope.”

  “I do too. I feel like I’m walking on eggs shells all the time with her.” Addie glanced back at the now unoccupied window. “Where are we off to? I was so happy to have an opportunity to leave the shop and not have to close it down, I didn’t even think to ask.”

  “You’ll see.” He smirked and flashed a sideways glance at her.

  “Come on, can you at least give me a hint?”

  He pursed his lips and frowned, opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it. Then he bit his bottom lip as though he was thinking. “Umm, well. Nope, don’t think so.”

  She laughed and playfully slapped his arm. “Thanks for nothing. How do I know I haven’t been kidnapped?”

  He pulled over to the side of the road, shut off the ignition, and turned toward her. “If that was the case, then I’d have driven you farther away than two blocks.” He winked and got out.

  “What? We’re here?” She slouched down and peeked up at the building they were parked in front of. “This is where we’re going? Raymond’s office?” She rushed to meet him on the sidewalk. “But why? I thought you didn’t want me around here.”