Foul Play at the Fair by Shelley Freydont Read Free Book Online Page B

Ted. He nodded toward the door. She stood up.
    She stopped by Amanda’s chair. “Bill is putting up the chain and the Closed sign. Would you like me to add something? Due to bereavement?”
    “That’s a joke,” said Joss and leaned heavily on the table, his head drooping. “Damn him. Damn him to hell.”

Chapter Five
    “Whew,” Liv said when she and Ted were outside.
    Ted didn’t comment, just looked toward the farm shop where the police photographer had arrived to take pictures.
    “I guess he didn’t get the message to park around back,” Liv said.
    “You’re not going to keep this from spreading.”
    “Well, I can try.” Liv took out her cell phone. “Who is the least gossipy person we can rely on to put a strike-through on the posters?”
    Ted frowned. “Besides you, me, and Joss, I guess that would have to be Fred Hunnicutt.”
    Liv pressed a few keys and Fred’s number came up. It took a while for him to answer.
    “Is there a problem?” he asked in a sleep-groggy voice.
    Liv realized it was only six o’clock. “You might say so. I can’t explain now but the Waterbury store has to close for the day. I need you to get someone to strike out the venue on the posters. Just say, ‘Closed for family reasons.’”
    “What’s wrong? I can’t remember a time when Joss closed the store. Even when he and Amanda went on their second honeymoon to Niagara Falls a few years back. Something happen to the store? Not a fire?”
    “No, no. Nothing’s wrong with the store. It’s just a family issue. I’ll explain when I get to town, but can you just get this started for me?”
    “Sure. I’ll round up a couple of teenagers to help.”
    “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
    “Is everything all right? Where are you?”
    “I’m on my way.” She hung up before he could ask any more questions. She turned to Ted.
    “You’d better get back.” He nudged her toward her car. “Things will spread like wildfire. Andy isn’t the only person with a police scanner. I’d say every other house has one, and if they’re still listening, which I’m sure they are, they’ll know more about what’s happening than we do.”
    Liv pressed her fingers to her forehead.
    “Liv, if you can manage without me, I’ll stay here for a while. I imagine Bill will want to talk to me. Then I’ll help Andy load up his truck if Bill will release any of the goods. Otherwise, Joss will lose a bundle of money this weekend.”
    “Sure. Take whatever time you need.” Liv hesitated.
    Ted frowned at her. “What? If you need me in town, just say so.”
    “You’re indispensable, but stay here and do what you can. I’ll manage.”
    She had a sudden déjà vu. Ted telling her to go ahead without him and returning to the park to confront Pete Waterbury. Was he doing the same thing today? Getting rid of her because he had something specific to do that he didn’t want her to know about?
    She gave herself a mental shake. Of course not; he just wanted to be there for his friends. This was what violence did. Made you doubt everyone, even your closest friends.
    “Joss doesn’t seem to like his brother much. I get that, but why is he still so angry? The fight over Dolly was decades ago and Joss seems happily married; he has a great family.”
    “People around here have long memories.”
    That was something she didn’t want to contemplate. She’d been in Celebration Bay for only a few weeks, and already she was getting to know the people, considered some of them friends, and didn’t want any of them to turn out to be murderers.
    And most of all, she didn’t want to have to admit that there was a serpent in her newly found Eden.
    “I’ll see you in town.”
    Ted started. “What? Oh, yes, I’ll try to move things along here and…Later.” He turned and strode back to the house.
    Liv waited until he was inside. The door closed and Liv was stabbed by the knowledge that she was an outsider. Of course the others had known one another for