A Spoonful of Murder by Connie Archer Read Free Book Online

idea about all the people who haven’t been paying their bills here.”
    Jack nodded. “Yes, I know about that.”
    “You knew? You haven’t said anything! Jack—we’re talkingabout a lot of money. There isn’t much in the savings account—not enough to cover any kind of emergency.”
    “Lucky, your Mom and Dad…how can I put this…they cared more about their neighbors and friends who were down on their luck than they did about their profits. People here have lost their jobs, their homes, some can’t even afford to feed their families. Your parents told them they were welcome here anytime, and if they couldn’t pay, well then they could settle up later when they had a new job or some money coming in.”
    “Jack, those receipts—there must be several thousand dollars.”
    “I know. But what can any of us do about it?”
    “We should ask them to pay, don’t you think?”
    “We could ask, but most, if not all of them, wouldn’t be able to. And then they wouldn’t feel free to come here anymore. And, mark my words, in the long run, that generosity shown in a hard time will always reap rewards in the future.”
    “That’s great, Jack, and I don’t really disagree in theory, but if we don’t manage to stay in business, we won’t be feeding anybody—ourselves or anyone else.” Lucky realized with a shock she had spoken as if she had already made the decision to keep the business.
    “Lucky, I love you with all my heart, but I am not going to ask any of these people for money. We know every single one of them, and I can guarantee you that they will eventually settle up. I can’t stop you, but if you take my advice, you won’t be sorry.” Jack rose from the stool and shrugged into his jacket. “Why don’t you stay at my place tonight. If this storm wipes out the power, we can light a fire.”
    Lucky looked up. “Thanks. I appreciate that, but I’ll be fine. Anyway, I’ve got some boxes in the car I have to bring home.”
    “I’ll give you a hand.” True to his word, Jack followed Lucky to her apartment and parked his truck in front of her building. Together, they lugged all the boxes up the stairs and stacked them in the hallway closet.
    Jack enveloped her in a bear hug. “Don’t worry, my girl.Everything will work out fine, you’ll see.” Lucky managed a grin in response, hoping against hope he was right.
    Once Jack had gone, she shed her jacket, boots and gloves and, carrying the box she had marked with a K, headed for the kitchen. Inside were her mother’s dishes that Elizabeth had packed so carefully that very afternoon. Lucky lifted the plates out of the box and unwrapped them. She stacked them on the kitchen counter. She loved the handmade pottery her mother had used for years, their hues set off beautifully against the pumpkin-colored walls of the kitchen. All that was needed here were curtains. When she was young, her mother had insisted she learn how to sew. It was the one domestic skill she urged Lucky to learn, reminding her how valuable it was to not have to rely on what the stores had in stock. She could search for just the right fabric and create the curtains herself on her mother’s sewing machine. They would be something unique that would make this apartment her own.
    She turned off the kitchen light and stripped off her clothes in the bedroom, pulling on her warmest pair of flannel pajamas. The wind buffeted the building, rattling the windows in their frames and shrieking as the storm grew in intensity. She lit a candle next to the bed and snuggled under the covers as the storm began in earnest.

Chapter 9

    R EMY DUBOIS SLOUCHED in his chair at the corner table normally occupied by Hank Northcross and Barry Sanders. The two regulars had yet to arrive. Lucky was sure they’d be busy all morning shoveling fresh snowfall from their cars and walkways. Remy, coffee at his elbow, was doing his best to hold court. His boots jutted into Janie’s path as she moved from table to