A Fatal Slip by Melissa Glazer Read Free Book Online Page A

daily specials, and saw that she was offering country style steak, mashed potatoes, and cooked apples. “Sounds good.”
    “That was easy enough. I’ll have your coffees in a second.”
    “I can get them,” I said as I started to stand, “seeing how you’re shorthanded and all.”
    “I can manage,” she said, “but thanks for the offer.”
    After Shelly was gone, Hannah said, “The moon must be full tonight. Everybody in town is acting strangely.”
    “I don’t think it’s all that odd both of us ordering the special,” I said.
    “I’m not talking about us. First there was Nate, and now Rose. Add that to your husband’s behavior, and it sounds like the whole town’s gone a little bit mad.”
    “Leave Bill out of it,” I said. “He and Charlie have a history of conflict. What was wrong with Nate?”
    “I bumped into him on the River Walk on my way over here, and he nearly ran over me. There was a look in his eyes that made me shiver.”
    “I wonder what’s gotten into him now,” I said.
    “I don’t know, but it wouldn’t surprise me if we both start howling at the moon like everyone else.”
    Shelly approached us carrying a tray laden with our food and a carafe of coffee.
    “That was fast,” I said. “Did you make all of this for somebody else?”
    “It’s the special,” she said as she slid the plates in front of us and filled our coffee cups before setting the carafe on the table. “Why do you think I make a good deal on it? I can do everything before the dinner crowd gets here, and it takes the heat off me. If you need anything, just yell.”
    I was tempted to scream my thanks but fortunately stifled it before it could escape my lips. What had gotten into me? Was Hannah right? Was the moon affecting us all?
    “What?” Hannah asked as I caught her looking at me.
    “I didn’t say anything,” I said as I started to take a bite.
    “You didn’t have to, I could see it in your eyes.”
    I finished the apple slice, then said, “I was just thinking about moonlight and madness. They go hand in hand, don’t they?”
    “You’re in an odd frame of mind tonight yourself, aren’t you?” Hannah asked.
    “No odder than normal,” I said. “Speaking of love lives, how’s yours?”
    She shook her head. “Nonexistent. Next topic,” she said, then took another bite.
    “What’s David up to tonight?”
    She glanced at her watch. “He’d better be in class. That’s our deal.” Hannah’s son David had agreed to continue his studies at night if Hannah allowed him to work in my shop during the day. It had been a point of conflict in the past, but hopefully that was behind us all. I hated tension, especially with Hannah. She was my sounding board, my touch stone, and all-around best friend. I know, it’s fashionable to say you should be married to your best friend, but while I loved my husband more dearly than life itself, I couldn’t have the honest conversations with him that Hannah and I shared.
    “Then I’m sure that’s exactly where he is,” I said.
    As we ate, we discussed a dozen different topics, none of them more serious than Maple Ridge’s plans for a Freedom Fest on the Fourth of July. “I still think you should close the shop for the day,” Hannah said. “There’s going to be fireworks and all kinds of festivities. It won’t be any fun if you have to work.”
    “You know what else wouldn’t be any fun? Defaulting on my mortgage. I need all the revenue I can get.”
    “Things can’t be that bad already,” she said. “Tourist season is just gearing up.”
    “Don’t get me wrong, we’re in good shape. I just want to keep it that way. David doesn’t have to work the holiday, though. Did you two have plans?”
    “Are you kidding me? Between working for you, going to school, and seeing Annie Gregg, he barely has any time for me at all.”
    I touched her hand. “You’re not jealous, are you?”
    She pulled it away. “What? Of course not. I’ve come to terms