Book Fair and Foul (Ashton Corners Book Club) (16 page)

Do act mysterious. It always keeps them coming back for more.

NANCY’S MYSTERIOUS LETTER
—CAROLYN KEENE

T
he sound of the phone ringing startled Lizzie as she was opening the back door. She sprinted for the phone, careful to close the door first so the cats wouldn’t escape. She got it on the final ring before going to message.

“Ms. Turner?” She recognized Principal Charles Benton’s voice and almost hung up. It might not be good news.

“Yes, Mr. Benton. What can I do for you?”

He cleared his throat. “It’s come to my attention that you have not been arrested and the police have not bothered anyone at school for the past few days. I talked it over with the superintendent and we agree that you should be in school doing your job. Can you be back here Monday morning?”

Lizzie bit back what she’d prefer to be saying to the two-faced moron. He was taking credit for dropping the suspension when she knew it was probably due to the petition. And that the superintendent probably initiated the decision. However, she did need her job and she was relieved to no longer be considered a pariah.

“I’ll be there.”

“Right. We’ll just carry on as if nothing has happened.” He cleared his throat again and mumbled what sounded like a good-bye before hanging up.

Lizzie didn’t respond. She stood looking at the phone for a few minutes before dialing Mark on his cell phone. He picked up on the second ring.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s all good. I just wanted to tell you about my phone call.” She talked about the call but didn’t mention what she’d been up to that morning. She needed to be checking out some more details before doing that. It just struck her that she should be talking to the authors, asking if any of them knew of authorial aspirations of Ashley’s.

“Well, I’m sure glad to hear that,” Mark answered.

“I am as well. Now, if you could just tell me that you’re closing in on the killer, I’d be really thrilled.”

“Sorry.”

“Well, can you tell me how much longer the authors will have to hang around? After the events we’ve planned, I mean?”

“Well, technically they’re good to go, although I admit, I haven’t actually told them that. I do have all their information so I can track them down if more questions arise, if they change their minds and decide to leave. But as you see, no one seems in too much of a hurry to leave now. You’ve done a fine job of keeping them occupied and promoting their books, which seems to be the most important thing in the world to them,” he added with a chuckle.

“Does that mean you think the murderer is a local?”

“That’s a possibility.”

“Tell me you have more suspects.”

“Nobody definite, or who I’m willing to name, but I’m still looking.”

“So why do you think it’s a local?”

“Just one of those assumptions investigators sometimes make after nosing around, you know. And I’ve come across some interesting things about our victim. It seems Ashley Dixon was asking a lot of questions around town. It may be nothing but it could lead to something. That’s where the focus is right now.”

“Not on me?” She had her fingers crossed.

“Much less on you. In fact, I’m awfully tempted to take some time off tonight and visit my gal. That is, if she’s up to it.”

“That would be a yes.”

“Good. I’m looking forward to it. See you later.”

Lizzie heard the sexy tone his voice had taken on and it sent a shiver down her body. She was smiling as she hung up.

Brie came sauntering into the kitchen and rubbed against her leg, getting serious about a head rub against her sandals. She bent down to scoop her up, grabbed the brush and sat on a chair to give Brie a good grooming session. She could hear Edam come running down the stairs, and in a moment, he had leapt up on the next chair and rubbed his head against Lizzie’s arm.

She found the motion involved in brushing very relaxing and she felt the tension begin to leave her shoulders. After a long while, her mind started to focus again on the murder at hand. She wanted to talk to the authors and see if any of them knew about Ashley having plans to join their end of the business. She could go over to the bed and breakfast on her own right now, on the off chance someone would be around. She glanced at the clock. Almost time for the sherry hour. She gave Molly a call, explained her plan and said she’d pick her up in an hour.

*   *   *

C
aroline and Lorelie were almost finished with their drinks when Lizzie and Molly arrived. Molly had called Patsy ahead of time to make sure it was okay for them to join in. Molly went into the kitchen carrying something that looked suspiciously like a wine bag. Lizzie helped herself to some sherry and sat down with the two women.

“So, what have you been up to today?” she asked pleasantly.

Caroline walked over to the tray of shortbreads and chose another before answering. “Oh, let’s see, we went on a picnic, the three of us, out at the Fairview Picnic Grounds. It was so pleasant to be there by the water. And there was a game of bocce going on, so Lorelie and Carter joined in. I read and dozed some.”

“A.J. Pruitt wasn’t with you?”

“Oh, goodness no. As much as we love A.J., we seldom do much with him when we’re out on these tours. In fact, we’ve seen even less of him this time,” Caroline said. She looked at Lorelie. “I wonder what he’s been up to.”

Lorelie shrugged. “Something about an old school chum. Whatever.”

“And what about Gigi? Does she do things with you all while you’re here?” Lizzie asked.

“She says she’s busy doing research,” Lorelie smirked. “Why she’d want to set a series in a funeral home sure beats me.”

“Well, we have another event for y’all if you’re interested,” Molly said as she rejoined them. “It’s a local talent show put on by the Ashton Corners Service Club, next Wednesday. It’s a really important charity event in town here. There’ll be a large audience, a chance to sell more books and it should be fun, too.”

Caroline perked up. “A talent show? What do we do, read?”

“Exactly. Writing is a talent, and y’all are such entertaining presenters I’m sure it will be a big hit.”

The divas looked at each other. Lorelie spoke first. “I’m all for it. I can’t imagine anyone being against it since it’s what we do, after all. That is carrying our stay over somewhat longer than I’d first imagined, though.”

“I do hope you can adjust your schedule.” Lizzie noted that Molly sounded very sincere. “It would also mean a lot to my bookstore to get another opportunity to get new fans and sell a lot of books.”

“Of course we’ll do it,” Caroline said, all sweetness. Lizzie noted the sour look on Lorelie’s face that quickly changed as she said, “Of course. As you said, we are good at it.”

“Change of subject,” Caroline said, “but I’m wondering how the investigation into Ashley’s murder is going.”

Molly fielded the question. “As I understand it, the police are making some progress. Now, may I refresh your drinks?” She picked up the decanter and did so as the women held their glasses out to her.

“I was wondering,” Lizzie said, thinking this would be a good time to get them on track, “do either of you know if Ashley was planning on writing a book?”

“Ashley?” Lorelie looked as shocked as she sounded. “Why, she was a publicist, not a writer. You don’t just decide you want to write a book. It’s a passion, something you are at a loss to resist. There was none of that with Ashley. She would have been talking about it all the time, if that’s what she planned.”

Lizzie caught Caroline with a slight sneer on her face but she nodded in agreement when she realized she was being watched. “Oh, Lorelie is so right, for a change. She would have told us for certain. We could have given her invaluable advice. Besides, she had a very busy schedule planning all our tours and the like. I don’t see how she would have found time to write. Why do you ask?”

Lizzie tried to make light of it. “It’s just that a friend of mine who works in the library mentioned that Ashley was in doing some research into a hotel that’s near here.”

Carter joined them before either could answer.

“I thought I heard a lot of voices in here. Nice to see you both again.” He nodded at Lizzie and Molly.

“Yes,” Caroline told him, “we were just talking about Ashley. Lizzie wanted to know if she was writing a book. We told her how ludicrous that was.”

Carter stopped in the process of grabbing a piece of shortbread. “I would have thought she’d tell you gals if that’s what she was doing.”

“She was doing some research in town, though,” Caroline sounded almost whiny.

Carter seemed to reconsider. “Well, maybe she was and that’s what got her killed. You know, she unearthed something she shouldn’t have. Every small town has its secrets, you know.” He chuckled.

“Oh, you don’t think that’s what happened, do you?” Caroline sounded surprised.

“I have no idea, my dear. But I’m going out for my constitutional. I shall return in good time for dinner. Ladies, it’s been a pleasure seeing you again.” He did a small bow in Lizzie and Molly’s direction before leaving the room.

Lorelie stifled a yawn. “This here sherry is making me even more tired. I would so like to have a little nap before eating.” She glanced at her watch. “I really must run over to the pharmacy, though, and pick up some more allergy pills. I’d better do that now and then I’ll still have time for a nap.”

“We could do that for you,” Molly said. “Just tell me the brand and we’ll drop them off back here.”

“Oh, don’t you go bothering yourselves,” Lorelie said. “Although that’s very kind. Caroline, you look like you could do with a rest, too.”

“Really? Oh, maybe you’re right. I didn’t sleep too well last night.” She glanced at her watch. “Yes, it is nap time.”

“Well, we’ll be going, too,” Molly said, standing. “I do hope you are planning to come to my place for dinner after the reading on Sunday.”

“Why, that’s very kind of you, Molly. We’d love to.”

“Yes, we would,” Lorelie said as she grabbed her handbag and made for the front door. “See you then.”

Caroline started up the stairs.

Molly went to say good-bye to Patsy so Lizzie wandered out to her car, noticing Lorelie speed off in her rented yellow Focus. She wasn’t headed toward the pharmacy and Lizzie hoped she wouldn’t get lost, although it wouldn’t take long to find one’s way in Ashton Corners. She started up as Molly got in and drove in the same direction Lorelie had gone. As they passed the turn-in to the baseball park, Lizzie noticed Lorelie’s car parked partially behind the field house. Or was it? Farther off in the field there were two figures standing awfully close to each other. The colors of their clothes looked very much like those worn by Lorelie and Carter.

Couldn’t be. Or could it?

All I have to do is prove it.

UNLEASHED
—DAVID ROSENFELT

H
igh C seemed much higher at choir that evening. Lizzie realized she wasn’t giving her full attention to the rehearsal and therefore wasn’t preparing for the runs as she should. Shoulders back, chest high, deep breath, shoulders relaxed. Was that really Lorelie Oliver and Carter Farrow she’d seen embracing in the park? If so, what did it mean, other than he was yet another two-timing lowlife? She hated to think that of him, though. Oops, that time she was definitely flat.

Fortunately, the director, Stanton Giles, called for a fifteen-minute break and Lizzie chugalugged the remainder of the water she’d brought in her stainless steel bottle. She looked around the room at her fellow choristers, realizing she was missing her weekly chats with Lucille Miller, Bob’s sister. Lucille had decided she needed a few weeks away from all the stress and strain that had ensued when Bob had recently been wrongly imprisoned. A few weeks at her sister’s home in Seattle had turned into a month, and there was no word on when she’d be back.

Lizzie spent the remainder of the break talking to a teacher from her school and when the sound of fanfare being played on the piano brought them back to their seats, she vowed to pay strict attention to the rest of the rehearsal. She took a deep breath and tried to center herself. She listened with eyes closed to the opening lines that Tommy McCann played on the piano and then quickly found her place in the music score before the sopranos’ entry.

It wasn’t difficult to immerse herself, as she loved the
Gloria
by Vivaldi, the main piece that Musica Nobilis would present at the annual Christmas concert on the third Saturday in December. The second half of the program would be Strauss waltzes sung in German.

Part of her mind, contrary to what she’d vowed to do, thought the waltzes reminded her of the cotillions Ethel Lee had mentioned. She could picture the white gowns swaying in a wonderland of lights and flowers. And of course, that reminded her of Ashley.

*   *   *

M
ark showed up just as Lizzie finished getting ready for bed. He had already called twice that evening to say he’d be later than he thought. She’d given up hope he would be able to make it over.

“I’m sorry. I should have called first,” he said when she opened the door, but the look he gave her as he eyed her from head to toe said otherwise. She felt that familiar tingle in her toes, although they were covered in old socks, and since she’d chosen to wear her shapeless but brightly colored pajamas, his obvious interest delighted her.

“Don’t worry about it.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the living room. “Can I get you something to drink?”

He tossed his hat on the love seat. “I’d like to say yes but I’m dead tired. I just took Patchett for a quick walk and was hoping to at least share some closeness for the rest of the night.” He pulled her to him and she wrapped her arms around his waist. She could feel his body start to relax.

“I’m all for that. Tell me what you want.”

“A quick shower and a comfy bed.”

“Done. Just go ahead and I’ll lock up down here.” She watched him trudge up the stairs, favoring his left leg. Whenever he overworked to the point of physical exhaustion, as he obviously had now, his leg was the first obvious indication. An old war injury, she knew, although he had never spoken about it. She kept meaning to ask him about his time in the army in Iraq but always decided to let him bring it up, when he was ready. Trouble was, he never seemed ready and that, she realized, was what she pegged the future of their relationship on. When he felt ready to let her totally into his life, she would be there. Or would she? As much as she thought she loved him, and she was ready to admit this fact to herself, Lizzie had been wondering lately about his true feelings for her.

Silly, she often admonished herself, because it had only been a year since they’d started seeing each other. One year. Boy, a lot had happened in that time. Her life had changed and Mark, along with the members of the book club, were totally responsible for that. She readily admitted it was a good thing but a year wasn’t a long time. She realized she shouldn’t let herself get such high expectations. Not yet.

By the time Mark had showered and dried off, Lizzie sat in bed, with the cats perched warily by her feet. When Mark came in, they jumped off the bed and leapt up to the bureau, watching Mark and Lizzie.

Mark slid under the sheets beside her and wrapped his arms around her. He nuzzled her shoulder and said, “Tell me about the rest of your day.”

Oh boy.
What could she say? She didn’t want him to know that she’d talked to George Havers about Ashley, had questioned Nick Jennings or the authors. No, that was wrong. She needed to tell him what she’d found out about the research Ashley was doing. If that merited another lecture, so be it.

She snuggled down closer to him, fitting her body in with his. And then she told all. She could feel him reacting to her various revelations, especially when she said she’d visited Nick Jennings. But, to his credit, he didn’t comment until she finished with the ladies at the bed and breakfast. She did leave out the two figures she noticed on the way home. She couldn’t be positive about their identities but she would try to figure it out.

“And if Nick Jennings turns out to be the murderer, do you think it was a good idea to go question him? Alone?”

Lizzie propped herself up on her elbow. “Is he?”

“Not that I can say for certain either way.”

She slumped back down. “I want this to be over.”

Mark started running his hand up and down her back. “You are going back to work, that’s a start. And, you haven’t been reinterviewed by the police. I’d say things are going in the right direction.”

“Of course, you’re right. But it’s still unsettling not knowing.”

Mark took a deep breath.

“What?” Lizzie asked.

“What do you mean, ‘what’?”

“That silent sigh. What’s up?”

Mark pushed himself up to lean against the headboard. “That cell phone Yost found in your car? It belonged to Ashley Dixon.”

“What?” Lizzie screeched. “How did it get there? I did not put it there, Mark. I have no idea how it got there.”

“Relax,” he said, reaching out to her. “It’s a plant. I’m sure of it. The stolen change from your car was just a diversion. The real reason for breaking in was to plant the phone.”

“That makes sense. You believe it?”

“Of course. Like I said, you haven’t been pulled in for another interview. But even with the money being taken, it’s still a bit too obvious.”

“Who would do that? Who wants to frame me? Or rather, being so obvious, who now wants to unframe me?”

Mark stared at her. “Is that even a word? What do you mean by that?”

Lizzie shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m so totally confused. I just thought the only reason you searched my car was because of the broken window. But on the other hand, it is a bit obvious, breaking the window to draw attention to the cell phone that had been intentionally left in my car. Therefore, the killer is either dumb or trying to make it look like I was being framed. So, if it looked like I was being deliberately framed, you wouldn’t think I was the killer.”

Mark grinned. “Huh. You’ve lost me but I’d say we have a very amateur and very confused murderer on our hands.”

“Well, that doesn’t really sound like an author you know. They specialize in murder so you’d think they could pull it off. How long can you keep them around here?”

Mark sighed, “I see we’re not going to get much sleep or anything else until we talk. I’ll make you a deal. I have a splitting headache, so if you rub my left temple, I’ll tell you where we’re at.”

“Deal.” She pushed back up on her elbow and with her free hand started gently massaging his temple. After a few minutes she gently punched him on his shoulder. “Uh, we have a deal here. Talk.”

“Mmm. That feels good.” He sighed. “Okay, for starters, all the authors appear to be hiding something.”

“They are?” Lizzie momentarily stopped the massaging, as she was dumbfounded. “I didn’t get that from talking to them. In fact, they’re very eager to talk and point the finger at one another.”

“They deal in fiction, Lizzie. I think you’re getting their version of what’s going on but it may not be the whole story or even the right one.” He gently bumped her with his elbow. “My head.”

She started the soothing rubbing action again. “Do you think one of them is the murderer?”

“It’s possible but I don’t have a motive for any of them, at the moment. That’s why I’ve asked them to hang around until next week at least. They don’t have to, you know. In fact, I find it sort of curious that they all agreed to do so. I’m just hoping one or all of them doesn’t have a sudden change of mind. And that’s why I asked you and Molly to organize some more events for them.”

“Yes, and we came up with some good ideas and the authors are most enthusiastic. Who’s your most suspicious author?”

Mark chuckled. “Most suspicious? I told you, no motives other than arguments that can be classified as petty.”

“Mine, too, in that case.”

Mark grimaced. “So to finish answering your question, they’re equally suspicious at the moment.”

“Okay. Let me rephrase. Who gets your spidey senses tingling?”

Mark sat up quickly and rolled Lizzie onto her back. “Now we’re into entirely different territory.” He gave her a long, deep kiss that sent her own senses a-tingle. “I suggest we continue this conversation tomorrow.”