A Killer Read (3 page)

“Oh, wow… the power,” Sally-Jo said. “Let’s see. Well, I’m reading
A Veiled Deception
by Annette Blair right now, so I guess that would be my choice.”

“I sure do hope that’s a police procedural, little lady,” Bob said, shuffling over to the desk where the food had been placed.

“Uh, not really. It’s a cozy actually, about heirlooms and magic… lots of fun.”

Bob stopped, his right hand holding a cheese straw halfway to his mouth. “I’m not so sure this is going to work. John Sandford’s about as cozy as I get.”

“Now y’all hold on, Bob Miller. That’s the purpose of a book club, to expand your reading horizons.” Molly leaned forward in her chair, pointing a finger at Bob. “I’ll be more than happy to read one of your police procedurals when it comes your turn, although it won’t compare with an Agatha Christie.”

“Agatha Christie, oh boy, now you’ve done it, Molly. Ruined my evening.” Bob winked at Lizzie as he sat back down, his plate filled with food.

Lizzie tried to get them both back on track. “Stephanie,
that means you’re up next. Is that okay with you? Could you pick out a book to suggest at our next meeting, or do you want to wait a bit for your turn?”

“No, it’s okay. Really. I already have an idea, but I’m sure Mr. Miller’s not going to like it.” She glanced at Lizzie. “It’s
Finger Lickin’ Fifteen
by Janet Evanovich. She writes about a woman bounty hunter, and the books are also funny and sexy.”

Molly jumped in as Bob groaned. “I’d say we’ll all be well on our way to broadening those horizons. And it won’t hurt you one bit, Bob Miller.” She smiled, leaned over and patted Stephanie’s shoulder. “And we go by given names here, Stephanie. Or else y’all won’t be allowed to stay. It’s all informal here, honey.”

Lizzie hid a smile at the thought of either Molly or her house being thought of as informal. This club was going to be anything but dull, she thought. And she was pleased that Stephanie was already into a series and reading beyond what she’d recommend in the literacy class.

“I’m real sorry, Ms. Mathews, I mean, Molly.” Stephanie offered a tentative smile. “But I sure do have to use your restroom. It seems that’s all I do these days.”

“Why, don’t you worry about it, honey. It’s right through that door in between the bookcases. Real handy. Just up and use it whenever you have to, without asking.”

Stephanie’s smile turned into a grimace as she hastily stuffed her knitting back into the bag and pushed out of the chair. She’d just closed the door behind her when Andie burst into the room through the main door, without apology or explanation.

“There’s a strange man standing in your hall, Ms. Mathews.”

B
ob jumped out of his chair. “I’ll handle this.”

Molly beat him to the door. “Don’t be silly. It is my house and it might be someone I know, even if the child doesn’t. Andrea, honey, help yourself to something to eat and take a seat.”

Lizzie gave Andie a reassuring smile and followed Molly out the door. It might be a friend out there, but surely Molly wouldn’t get upset with her standing by. The man stood with his back to them, closely inspecting an oil painting of the Gulf coastline that hung at the bottom of the staircase.

Molly went up to him saying, “Excuse me, but what are y’all doing in my house?”

He swung around, at the same time removing his Tilley hat to reveal gray short-cropped hair, a nose much too big for his face and a broad smile that lacked warmth. He wore a tan golf jacket zipped to the chin and faded jeans. “I’m so sorry if I startled you, ma’am, but I knocked and the door
just swung open. I’m in need of a phone, you see. I’m having a bit of car trouble.” He nodded toward the street out front.

“And y’all thought that an unlocked door meant come right on in, don’t try the doorbell, and don’t, for heaven’s sake, call out to see if someone is around?”

“Terrible manners… I do apologize, ma’am,” he answered. “Now, if I could just use that phone. It’s awful urgent.”

Molly shook her head but gestured for him to follow her. “It’s in the kitchen, in here. Do you need a phone book?”

“No, ma’am. Now, if you’ll pardon me, it’s private.” He shut the door behind him.

Molly turned to Lizzie. “Well, I never. What a nerve.”

“Maybe you should bring Bob out here,” Lizzie suggested.

“Bob? It’s still my house, young lady. I’ll deal with this.”

Lizzie joined her at the door, and they pressed their ears against it. All it netted them were a few sporadic words. “… you’ll deal with me.” “This ends it.” “… warning you.” They backed away quickly when they heard the phone receiver slammed down.

“That was the strangest call for a tow truck I’ve ever heard,” Lizzie whispered.

The door pushed open, and the man headed for the front door, nodding at them as he passed.

“Excuse me,” Molly said in a loud voice. “What did you say your name was?”

“Didn’t.” He turned, his hand on the doorknob. “Thank you, ma’am. Sorry to have disturbed you.”

“Would you like to join us in the library for an iced tea while you wait?” Lizzie asked quickly. She wanted Bob to get a look at him, at least.

Molly glanced briefly at Lizzie but then caught on. “Yes, there’s no need to wait outside.” She walked briskly over to the man and looped her arm through his, pulling him toward the library.

He looked nonplussed for a moment. “Why, that’s right neighborly of you.”

Molly led him into the room and indicated an empty chair near the door. “I’ve asked Mr….  our visitor, to join us while he waits for a tow. And this is the first meeting of our local mystery book club. Now, just take a seat and I’ll get you that tea. Lizzie, could you grab the plate of refreshments?”

“Of course. I’d suggest you try the cheese straws. They’re amazing.” She held the plate out to him.

“Having car trouble, are you?” Bob asked. “Maybe I could take a look at it. Might be able to save you a tow.”

“Don’t trouble yourself,” the stranger answered. “Friend of mine has a truck. Said he’d be here shortly.” He turned to Molly. “This is real hospitable of you, ma’am.” He continued staring at her until Bob leaned forward with another question.

“Where did you say you’re from?”

“Didn’t. Mind if I have another of those?” He gestured to the plate Lizzie had set on the coffee table, but glanced up as the door to the restroom opened.

“I’m afraid I’ve used the last of your t. p., Ms….  er, Molly,” Stephanie said as she entered. Then, seeing the newcomer in the room, she took a quick step backward.

A horn sounded in the distance. The stranger looked startled. Recovering, he quickly eyed the others. “You know,” he said, bolting out of his seat, “I really should be waiting outside. He could already be here. Thanks.”

He left with Bob in pursuit. A moment later, the group still in the library heard the front door close, and soon Bob returned. “Just wanted to make sure he left. And I locked the door. That was one hasty exit.”

“That was all very strange,” Molly said.

“Are you all right, Stephanie?” Lizzie asked. “You look a bit perturbed.”

“Me, uh, sure. I’m fine. I was just taken aback to see
someone new here.” She eased herself into her chair. “That’s all.”

Bob stared at Stephanie for a few moments before saying, “You’d better check around the main floor, Molly. Make sure he didn’t stash anything in his coat. You’ve got real nice artwork and knickknacks.”

“Knickknacks?” Molly huffed. “Knickknacks I wouldn’t mind losing. But I’m sure he didn’t have time to take anything. He was still in the hall when we saw him.”

“Molly—”

“Not now, Bob. We have book club business to attend to. Y’all want more treats?” she asked and passed around a couple of plates of goodies.

Bob filled his plate again but sat with his eyes glued to the door.

“W
ell, I can tell ya’ll one thing,” Bob said as he pushed an arm through the sleeve of his khaki army surplus jacket. “I didn’t expect to eat so much at a book club. This bodes well.”

“I hope you didn’t find that too hard to take,” Lizzie teased. She resisted patting his slightly protruding belly. She’d learned the hard way that it was fine for men, her cousin Crawford in particular, to comment on Lizzie’s creeping pounds as she bit into a second mocha truffle, but let her mention the words “beer belly” and he was quick to reveal to all at the family reunion the name of her secret schoolgirl crush.

“I figured the least I could do was uphold my share of the eating. Now, reading this here book could be a different matter.”

Molly walked over to him. “Don’t tell me y’all are going to try to weasel your way out of this.” She had at least three inches on him when she chose to use it. Like now. “Especially since we all agreed on your suggestion for a name for
the book club. Which proves you do actually read once in a while.”

“That you did, and I think the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society is a damned fine name, too. No, I’ll read it and weep… but I’ll be back. Night, all.”

“I’ve got an early day in court tomorrow,” Jacob explained as he followed Bob out the door. “Uh, a very tricky case about a pet pig. Only in Ashton Corners.” He shook his head and chuckled. “Thanks for tonight and see ya’ll next month, if not before.” He glanced at Sally-Jo, then closed the door.

The others were gathering their jackets when Bob came barging back in. “I’m afraid there’s been a mishap outside. It’s best if ya’ll wait here until it’s sorted.”

“What’s happened?” Molly asked.

“It isn’t Jacob, is it?” Sally-Jo asked, a hint of panic in her voice.

“No. He’s fine, just staying outside with the car. It’s that stranger.” He looked at Molly. “He’s dead.”

Molly gasped. “Oh, my Lord. Dead? He should have stayed inside. Was it a heart attack, do you think?”

“Not unless the bullet in his head precipitated it.”

T
he police arrived within minutes. Bob went back out to join them while the others waited in the library.

“This is so cool,” Andie said. “Way weirder than anything on the ’net.”

Lizzie looked at her sharply and wondered what Andie’s parents would think of Lizzie’s grand plan to get Andie motivated. Although she certainly looked enthusiastic now.

“It’s creepy, that’s what it is. Do you think he committed suicide?” Stephanie shuddered. “If he had a gun, he could have killed us all.” She seemed poised for flight.

“Cool,” Andie repeated.

This time Molly glanced at her sharply. “We’ll just have to wait and see what the police say. Hopefully, they won’t keep us waiting too long. Now, let’s focus on something else while we wait. Who wants more tea?”

No one answered, but they all found seats on the library’s settees.

Lizzie mentally ran through their encounter with the
man. He’d seemed a bit grumpy and jumpy but not like someone depressed and bent on suicide. But what did that mean? It’s not like she’d had any experience with something like this— except through fiction, of course. Still, she was itching to get out there and find out what was going on.

She should be more concerned about Andie, she realized. What would her parents think when they found out about the death, especially since Lizzie had yet to tell them about coercing Andie into joining the book club.

“It’s all so strange,” said Molly. “Why come in and call the AAA or whomever, then kill yourself while waiting? Not even Agatha Christie would put that in a plot. Although she did have Poirot investigate a suicide that proved to be a murder in
Poirot Investigates
. I think it was the second short story in that collection.” She glanced around at them all. “What if that’s what’s happened here? What do you think, Lizzie?”

“I’d say that it’s hard to find a new plot.”

Bob and Jacob came back in and joined the others. Bob looked in a foul mood.