Cover Story by Erika Chase Read Free Book Online Page B

dejected. This wasn’t promising. She knew Mark wasn’t to blame but she wished he could plead their case to the DA and get those books released. Was this new guy on a power trip or what? She took a deep breath and forced herself to concentrate on the road.
    She decided to go home, write out the statement and pack a few things in her overnight bag. She’d ask her neighbor Nathaniel Creely to feed the cats tomorrow morning so she wouldn’t have to rush home. She knew he’d be willing. Hopefully he’d be home. He’d been spending so much time with his new love interest, Lizzie was never sure when she’d find him around. The fact that he was also Lizzie’s landlord guaranteed he would appear at some point.
    His brand-new bright red Chrysler 200 sedan sat parked in his driveway. He’d bought it not too long after he’d started seriously dating Lavenia Ellis. Lizzie took it as a symbol of his new outlook on life. He was moving on. After all, his wife had been dead for over seven years. Lizzie parked and went up to his front door. It opened before she was able to knock.
    â€œLizzie, my dear, you startled me,” Nathaniel said, then added with a twinkle in his eye, “but such a pleasant way to be startled.”
    â€œSorry, Nathaniel. Are you on your way out?”
    â€œYes. Lavenia and I are attending a meeting of the Horticultural Society at the public library this afternoon. That’s where we first met, you know.” His smile showed he was very pleased with himself. His wire-rimmed glasses were pushed up on his forehead and his thinning white hair had been recently cut, no longer hanging straight and on the long side. It now was layered and shaped around his ears, shorter in the back, too. He looked years younger, Lizzie thought.
    â€œI remember. I just have a quick favor to ask. Could you please feed the cats tomorrow?”
    â€œI can and will. Gladly. Happy to help out. You’ll be out of town?”
    â€œNo, I’m going to stay with Molly. I’m not sure for how long. She’s getting out of the hospital this afternoon and needs someone to keep an eye on her.”
    â€œI’d heard about that dreadful incident. She’s going to be all right?”
    â€œYes, thankfully. She was tied up and hit on the head but the doctor says she’ll be fine.”
    â€œThat’s good,” Nathaniel said. “I also heard it had something to do with Teensy Coldicutt’s book?”
    â€œYes. Did you know Teensy before she moved away?”
    â€œI didn’t know her; rather I knew of her and that group of Molly’s friends. I was several years older, you know. Still am.” He chuckled. “They were quite the gals as I recall. Fearless and always pulling pranks. Oh, nothing serious or anything that would hurt anyone. Just enough to get a bit of a reputation. And now she’s back and has written a book and next thing you know, Molly gets hit on the head.” He shook his head.
    â€œNot only that,” Lizzie said. “I went out to Riverwell Press today, out on Beaufort Road, to pick up some copies of the book, and I found the body of Orwell Rivers.”
    â€œOrwell Rivers is dead? My, that’s not good.”
    â€œYou knew him?”
    â€œAgain, I knew of him. It’s hard to live in Ashton Corners all your life and not know someone who’s done the same.”
    â€œI suppose so.”
    â€œWhat I don’t like is the fact that you’re once again mixed up in murder. That could be too dangerous, Lizzie. I hope you’ll take care. Is there anything I can do other than feed the cats?”
    â€œNot that I can think of. Thanks for asking and I do appreciate it. I’ll let you know how long I’ll be staying if it’s longer than overnight. Enjoy your meeting.” Lizzie grinned, resisting the urge to wink.
    Nathaniel nodded and pulled the door shut, locked it and walked down the