Book Fair and Foul (Ashton Corners Book Club) (8 page)

Lizzie sank back in her seat and gave that some thought. Ashley came to mind, but of course, she was dead. She finally shook her head. Being framed was an equally upsetting proposition. Well, maybe not quite as bad as being accused of murder.

“Look, I didn’t like her but I didn’t kill her.” She took a deep breath. “Can I ask you something?” Lizzie asked, trying to cover her growing fear.

“Okay, but I may not be able to answer.”

Lizzie nodded. “What about her family? I think her folks passed some time ago.”

“The local police are tracking them down.”

“Where was she found and how did she die? Was it suicide? Was she murdered? Obviously, or you wouldn’t be questioning me.”

Craig thought for a moment. “I can tell you that her body was found at the White Haven Funeral Home this morning around nine thirty.”

“I knew that. What would she be doing in the funeral home?”

“She wasn’t in the funeral home,” Craig said. “You know that coffin they have affixed outside under their sign? She was found in it.”

A pessimist gets nothing but pleasant surprises, an optimist nothing but unpleasant.

FER-DE-LANCE
—REX STOUT

L
izzie couldn’t stop shaking as she walked back into the school. She glanced at the main office, wondering if anyone had noticed her being dropped off by a police car, although they might not question it, knowing of her relationship with the chief of police.

She was back in time for her appointment with a single parent of a boy in fourth grade. He wouldn’t read. Absolutely refused to, no matter what cajoling or coaxing or threats took place. Lizzie had already met with the anxious mama once before and, having determined she wasn’t against his reading, had suggested some ways to entice him. The homeroom teacher had reported he was less belligerent and would on occasion attempt to read, so something was working.

Lizzie had a hard time focusing on her meeting, and after giving the mama some reassurances and more exercises to try with her son, was relieved to finally be alone. She stayed in her chair in the vice principal’s office, trying to figure out what was going on and just how badly she was involved.

She hadn’t heard from Mark, although she hadn’t really thought she would. She longed to talk to him, though, to have him tell her again that the questioning was strictly a formality, but she had a nagging feeling that it was so much more. She finally picked up the phone and called Molly.

“Will you be home for a while?” she asked. “I really need to talk to you and I can come over now. I don’t have anything scheduled until two.”

“That would be lovely,” Molly said, “although you’re sounding like this isn’t strictly a social visit. Have you eaten? I’ll make up some wraps for lunch for us. You come as soon as you’re able.”

Lizzie avoided anything more than quick greetings to anyone she passed in the hall and made it over to Molly’s house in record time. She walked around to the back, thinking with such a warm fall day they might be eating outside. The patio table was set with plates and glasses on a colorful floral tablecloth. She could hear Molly singing inside and smiled as she opened the back door.

“Can I help you, Molly?” she asked.

“Yes, you can grab the pitcher of iced tea, please, and then hold the door for me.” Molly made her way carefully to the door with her tray of wraps, a plate of raw vegetables and what Lizzie hoped was her famous avocado dip.

Once they had taken their seats and each put food on their plates, Molly asked, “What’s on your mind, honey? I can tell something’s bothering you.”

“Oh boy, Molly. That’s an understatement. Ashley Dixon has been murdered and right now I’m the prime suspect. Officer Craig took me in for questioning this morning.”

“What?” Molly almost dropped her fork. She placed it carefully on the table, then turned to face Lizzie. “I don’t know what shocks me more, Ashley being dead or you being a suspect. But I’ve certainly had experience with that, when Frank Telford’s body was found outside our meeting and my dear departed Claydon’s gun was the weapon. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. We all know how early in a murder investigation almost everyone is suspect.”

Lizzie busied herself pouring their tea and choosing a wrap. She sure didn’t have an appetite but she didn’t want a lecture from Molly about her eating habits. She took a couple of bites while thinking through what she wanted to say.

“I know you’re probably right,” she began, “but no one else in town knew her and it seems like a lot of people knew I disliked her. I made that fairly obvious, unfortunately. In fact, we did have that argument in front of several people on Saturday after the book fair wrapped up.”

Molly nodded.

“You heard it?” Lizzie knew the answer already. “And the others? They heard, too?”

Molly reached over and touched Lizzie’s arm. “It was hard not to, honey.”

“I’m so embarrassed. And so awfully sorry for ruining the book fair.”

Molly shook her head. “You didn’t ruin it, Lizzie. In fact, I’ve heard nothing but good things. Everyone is raving about it and no one is talking about your argument, at least not in front of me. Now, just put it out of your mind.”

“That’s hard to do when the police are investigating me.”

“Hmm. But that’s hardly a motive for murder, honey. And there’s opportunity. When did she die?”

“I’m not sure but her body was found at the White Haven Funeral Home this morning. You know that coffin they have outside? She was in it apparently. Very ghoulish. The incriminating part is we were supposed to meet for coffee this morning but she never showed.”

Lizzie bit into her wrap but realized she had no appetite. Chewing seemed to take forever. Finally she swallowed and said, “And then there’s my cell phone. It was found at the scene.”

“Your cell phone? You’re kidding. Are they sure it’s yours?”

“Yes, Molly, and mine is missing. I noticed this morning that it wasn’t in my handbag or anywhere in the house, although that’s always what the suspect says, isn’t it?”

“Perhaps, and I’m certain it’s true in many cases. Like now. So tell me, why were you meeting her anyway?”

Lizzie told Molly about the phone call and waiting at the Cup ’n Choc until she had to leave for school.

“But that’s great, lots of folks must have seen you at the shop. It’s usually so busy, especially in the morning.”

Lizzie shrugged. “I don’t know what they’ve found out or if they’ve even questioned anyone at the coffee shop yet. I also don’t know what time she died, so they could say I murdered her, stashed the body and then pretended to wait.”

It was easy to say the words but Lizzie couldn’t control her body shaking at the thought of what she’d just described. She couldn’t picture Ashley dead, no matter how much she disliked her.

Molly stood quickly and rushed around to put her arms around Lizzie. “It’s okay, honey. It’ll all be okay,” she said soothingly. “You know, you’ve got the police chief on your side,” she said with an attempt at a chuckle.

“Not really. Mark was the one who let me know what had happened but said he had to keep at arm’s length from that part of the investigation so that it wouldn’t seem like he was playing favorites. I know he’s right but I feel so alone without his support.”

Molly gave her a final hug and sat back down. “Now stop that, Elizabeth Eveline Turner. You are not alone. You have me and the entire book club and we’re not going to let anything bad happen to you. You have my word on that.”

Lizzie finally smiled. She knew Molly was good at keeping her word. She just hoped it was possible this time.

*   *   *

L
izzie headed back to school and after her meeting, decided to finish several reports she’d put off doing. She chose the far corner of the library office, knowing she wouldn’t be disturbed. The reports didn’t want to be done. She found her thoughts wandering to the more gruesome scene of Ashley’s body being found. Although she hadn’t been there, Lizzie’s imagination could work in overdrive, filling in more details than she ought to know. Eventually, she sat back with a sigh, the list of reports checked off and those needing to be sent elsewhere by email on their way. A few minutes after the final school bell rang, Sally-Jo came rushing in.

“Lizzie, I cannot believe what Molly just told me.” She sat down across the desk from Lizzie and reached across to touch her hands. “Ashley is dead and you’re a suspect? Are you all right?”

“Molly called you?”

“You bet and she’s calling everyone together for an emergency book club meeting tonight at her house. I’m to tell you about it.” Sally-Jo paused and peered closely at Lizzie. “Is there anything I can do? How are you feeling about it all?”

“I truly don’t know. I feel like I’m sort of in a fog at the moment.”

Sally-Jo nodded. “I know what that’s like. Remember when Derek Alton was murdered?” She shuddered as she thought about it. “I couldn’t believe I was a suspect. But y’all came through for me and I was soon off the hook. The same thing will happen here, believe me.”

Lizzie thought about it a moment. They’d encountered real murders, not just the ones found between the book covers, on three separate occasions and each time, the book club had worked together to find the real culprit. She felt a bit better. This time it would be the same.

“Do you want to grab a coffee and talk?” Sally-Jo asked.

“No, thanks anyway.”

Sally-Jo stared at her a few seconds. “All right. I’ll see you tonight.” She stood up. “If you need to talk or anything, just give me a call.”

Lizzie nodded and focused again on the computer. She didn’t notice Sally-Jo pausing at the door, a worried look on her face.

There are two actions that are almost equally reprehensible to me. One is the act of beginning a sentence and then refusing to finish it. The other is murder.

THE TANGLEWOOD MURDER
—LUCILLE KALLEN

“I
think that’s the most danged foolish thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” Bob Miller ranted between bites of the cheese straws in his hand. “Lizzie here could no more take a life than . . . than Molly could.”

Andie jumped out of her chair. “You’re so right. It’s wrong that they’re even thinking you’re a suspect,” she said as she started pacing the length of the room.

Lizzie held up her hand, willing Andie to stop. “Thank you for your faith in me but it’s going to take a bit more than that, I think.”

“I know,” Andie said. “We’ve got to do something. What can I do?” She stopped abruptly and stood with her hands wringing the tail end of her cover-up, a purple cotton T-shirt with short sleeves and an even shorter hemline, falling off one shoulder. There were letters printed across the front but they were totally unreadable. Lizzie wondered if she needed to be standing in front of a mirror in order to be read.

“For starters, you can sit down and relax, young lady,” Molly said. “Of course, we’re going to do something about it. Now, we all know the facts, let’s figure out who’s on the suspect list.”

Andie flopped onto the vacant stool beside her and looked expectantly from Molly to Lizzie.

Sally-Jo and Stephanie started speaking at the same time. Stephanie blushed and nodded to Sally-Jo to go ahead. “The four authors have got to be at the top. They’re the only ones here who knew her.”

“But do we know that for a fact?” Bob asked. “Didn’t you say that Ashley mentioned being around here for some time to come?”

“She did but she didn’t say why or if she knew anyone,” Lizzie said.

“Well, let’s just assume she might have. What other reason would she have for moving to Ashton Corners?” Molly asked.

“She didn’t say she was moving here, though.”

“Well, it’s certainly not a vacationer’s paradise,” Bob said sarcastically.

Lizzie shrugged. Maybe not, she thought, but it sure appealed to all the anglers in the area, like Bob. Even sitting all dressed up, which for Bob meant a clean plaid shirt overtop a plain white T-shirt and freshly washed blue jeans, he still looked like he’d rather be fishing.

“Well, I still say we should ask around and see what she’d been up to,” Molly said.

Bob nodded. “I’ll do that. Now, what about these authors? Do they have any reason for doing her in?”

“I’ll talk to them,” Lizzie volunteered. “Tomorrow after school.”

“I think it would be a good idea if someone did that with you,” Bob suggested. “We want someone who can corroborate anything you say you’re told.”

Lizzie looked skeptical. “Okay.”

“I’ll go with her,” Molly said.

Bob gave a quick nod. “Try to find out where they were at the time of death. Do we even know the time of death?”

“Not that I’ve been told. But I spoke to her on the phone at about ten last night, so it was after that,” Lizzie said. “And she was found sometime early this morning, I’m thinking.”

Jacob piped up. “Lizzie, what evidence do the police have against you?”

Lizzie shifted on her chair. “Well, I told Mark and several other people about my history with Ashley and that I really disliked her. We had that argument at the book fair, and it wasn’t in private. Unfortunately.” She felt her cheeks getting hot as she looked around the room. “I’m sure y’all heard it. Not one of my finer moments and I want to apologize to everyone for putting a damper on what should have been a wonderful day.”

Molly held up her hand. “I’ve already said it, Lizzie. The book fair was great and we all know you must have had a very good reason to get into such a tizzy. We all agree, don’t we?” She looked around the room and everyone nodded. “All right then, no more talk like that. What happened next?”

Lizzie sighed. “I’d agreed to meet her Monday morning at the Choc ’n Cup, but as Mark pointed out, I could have shown up there knowing she was dead, just to look like I didn’t know.”

“He didn’t say that?” Molly sounded exasperated.

“He was playing devil’s advocate, Molly. And then, the most incriminating thing is my cell phone was found with the body.”

Andie gasped. “Whoa. Somebody stole your phone and tried to frame you?”

Lizzie gave her a small smile. “Thanks for thinking that, Andie. And that’s exactly what happened. I can’t remember using or looking for my phone after Saturday.”

“That’s not good,” Jacob said. “But it’s not conclusive, either. You need to put some thought into it, Lizzie, and see if you can figure out if someone is deliberately trying to frame you. And we need to concentrate on Ashley. It would help to know about her role with the authors. I’ll give her employer a call and try to get the details as to what she was expected to do here. And also, any other information that might be helpful.”

“Good idea,” said Bob. “Oh, and Lizzie, while you’re at it, you’d better ask Patsy Kindall about her weekend guests. She just might have some interesting tidbits to throw in the fray.”

“What about if the authors have already left town?” Stephanie asked.

Bob shook his head. “Remember, they’re here until tomorrow and then I’m thinking they’ll be invited to extend their stay a few more days, at least until they can be totally eliminated as suspects.”

They tossed around some possible theories until no one had any new ideas. “I think it’s time for those of us with school tomorrow to head home,” Lizzie finally said, looking directly at Andie.

“I was just thinking,” Andie said, ignoring the suggestion, “that I could do some computer searches on the authors. See if I can dig up any things on their websites or Facebook that may be a clue.”

“I hardly think they’ll give advance warning of any intention to commit murder,” Jacob said with a smile to soften the comment.

Andie looked perplexed. “No, of course not. But one of them might have said something trashy about Ms. Dixon or that they weren’t happy with the publicity, or something.”

“That’s possible,” Lizzie jumped in. “Thanks for thinking of that, Andie.”

Andie grinned. She grabbed her backpack and stood, then looked over at Jacob. “And you know, there have been cases of murderers announcing their intent to kill in the past. Look at the mass shootings and things.”

Jacob looked startled then nodded.

As they were leaving, Lizzie arranged to meet Molly the next day at the B and B over her lunch break.

Andie had asked for a ride home and as Lizzie turned onto her street, Andie asked again about her cell phone. “So, you need to get a new one, right?”

“I hadn’t really thought about it.”

“Well, you do use it every day, don’t you?”

“Obviously not or I would have noticed it was missing.”

“But that was the weekend. Different happenings and all. I really think you should get yourself a new phone.”

“Hmm. You’re probably right. Who knows when the police will return mine, although I could ask.”

“Seriously. Get a new phone. Now’s the time to get with it and upgrade.”

“Upgrade? What are you suggesting, Andie?”

“An iPhone. You love your iPad, don’t you? This would be just as great. I’ll even help you choose one.”

Lizzie pulled up in front of her house. “An iPhone. That’s a bit costly.”

“It’s an investment and someone who’s involved in so many things really needs the latest technology.”

“Are you on commission or something?” Lizzie asked with a smile.

“Mine’s so cool. And you can get some really awesome covers and keep changing up the look. You’ll thank me. Trust me.”

*   *   *

L
izzie was just about to crawl into bed, ready for what she was sure would be yet another sleepless night, when the phone rang. She felt cheered when Paige Raleigh’s name showed on caller ID.

“I’m sorry to call so late,” Paige said, a little out of breath.

“Not a problem. I’m not in bed yet and from the sounds of it neither are you. What did you just do, run the marathon?”

Paige giggled. “Umm, no, just escaping from a frisky husband. I didn’t get a chance to call you earlier because we had a business dinner to attend but I need to know how you are. I heard about Ashley Dixon on the news today. Um, is everything okay?”

“Not really.” Lizzie settled on the bed and got ready to bring Paige up to speed. When she’d finished the update Paige gasped.

“I can’t believe you’re a real suspect. Mark knows you’d never hurt a fly. Okay, well maybe a spider but not a fly. Honey, everyone in town knows you’d never do something so terrible.”

“Thanks, Paige. You’re good for the soul, as usual. However, as you well know, Ashley and I did have an argument at the book fair and several others heard it, too. So I’m sure the story has done the rounds by now. And then there’s our history.”

“What did Mark say when you told him?”

“He didn’t jump up and down and call her a witch, if that’s what you mean, but I think he could understand my feelings.”

“He’d better or I’ll go down there and lock him in his own jail cell.”

“Oh, that’ll be a big help.” Lizzie laughed.

“Good to hear you laughing, girl.”

Lizzie sobered right away. “And then there’s the fact that my cell phone was found there.”

Paige gasped. “Well, it was an obvious plant. But who would want to do that to you?”

“Good question and when we answer it, we’ll have the murderer.”

Neither said anything for a few moments, then Paige asked, “How about meeting for lunch tomorrow? Can you get away from school?”

“That sounds like a great idea. Noon at Barney’s Bistro?”

“You’re on.”