A Crabby Killer by Leighann Dobbs Read Free Book Online Page A

of thinking of him as ‘the victim’. A name would be most welcome.
    “Milton Blunt.”
    Claire pressed her lips together. “Never heard of him.”
    “Me, either.” Jane pulled Claire into the Fudge Shop tent. “Come on, I know you love the dark chocolate bark.”
    “Did you find out anything else about him?” Claire went straight to a glass display case that had slabs of chocolate so dark they were almost black. Claire had quite the sweet tooth, but dark chocolate was the only dessert that she allowed herself to indulge in because it offered a variety of health benefits. She pointed to a batch of bark studded with almonds and held up two fingers.
    “Not a thing. Just that he was a real estate developer.” Jane squatted down in front of a display of soft-centered chocolates and tilted her head to read the descriptions on the sides of the boxes.
    Jane picked out a box and then beat Claire to the cash register, insisting on paying for both their purchases. Claire graciously accepted, although she didn’t like it when Jane paid. She knew Jane didn’t make much on her post office salary and Claire had plenty of money. But Jane had her pride and Claire didn’t want to wound it, even though she knew Jane needed the money now more than ever.
    Claire broke off a small piece of the bark and put it in her mouth, savoring the bittersweet taste of the chocolate as it melted on her tongue. “How's your mom?”
    Jane’s face pinched and Claire kicked herself for bringing it up. Jane’s ninety-three-year-old mother had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a year earlier and it had killed Jane not to be able to keep her at home and care for her herself. Luckily, she had been able to get her into a very exclusive—and expensive —assisted-living facility. Claire wondered where Jane found the money for that, but had the good sense not to be rude enough to ask.
    “She’s doing okay.” Jane’s eyes glistened, making Claire feel even worse. “She gets incredible care where she is, so I’m lucky to be able to keep her there.”
    “You did the right thing,” Claire soothed.
    “I know.” Jane looked away and Claire searched for more words to lift her sweet friend’s spirits. Jane was the kind of person who always had something nice to say, the kind of friend that lifted you up and always looked on the bright side. Claire wished she could be as positive and sweet as her friend, but she was more suspicious in nature.
    A yellow blur rushing into the tent caught her eye. “What the—“
    Jane’s reaction was quicker than Claire’s and she jumped to the side, blocking the passage of the exuberant golden retriever puppy.
    “Whoa, there.” Jane picked the puppy up, smiling as it licked her face. “Where did you come from?”
    “Probably the animal rescue tent.” Mooseamuck Island was home to many animal lovers, Claire included. They had a very good animal rescue operation and a tent was set up at every festival to show off the animals looking for homes.
    “Let’s bring him back.” Jane struggled to hold the wiggly puppy in her arms as they headed down the pier. Claire’s spirits lifted for her friend—nothing like a puppy to take your mind off your troubles.
    The animal rescue was five tents down—a big, red sign stood out in front. Claire saw a swoosh of blonde hair disappear around the back of the tent and then she was distracted by Mae Biddeford darting out of the opening with a harried expression on her face. Mae glanced left, then right, then noticed Claire and Jane coming toward her with the puppy.
    “Oh, there he is.” Mae’s face lightened with relief. “I’m so sorry. He just ran out. I don’t know where Sarah’s gone off to. She’s supposed to be helping me.”
    Sarah appeared from the side of the tent. “Sorry, I’ll take him.” She held her arms out to take the puppy from Jane, her face breaking into a wide smile as the puppy settled into her arms and licked her face exuberantly.
    Claire’s