From Newsprint to Footprints: A River's Edge Cozy Mystery (River's Edge Cozy Mysteries Book 1) by Elaine Orr Read Free Book Online

you, but I think Gallagher mostly called to be sure I knew about you finding Hal."
    Neither Ambrose nor his wife Sharon are big critics of my behavior, so I didn't feel chastised. "I'm sorry I didn't call. I fell asleep until a bit ago."
    "I should have insisted you come up to Dubuque after Mom and Dad died."
    "Like that would have worked."
    He laughed. "Probably would have been counterproductive. You can come now, you know."
    I explained how Sandi had cued me into the new job. "I kind of like the work at Syl Seaton's place, and I'm only supposed to leave town if I'm on a story. Or I have to tell Sheriff Gallagher where I'm going, or something like that."
    He didn't say anything for a moment. "He doesn't really think you did it, does he?"
    I said I thought not, but explained about the hoe. That bothered Ambrose a lot, but I was firm about staying in River's Edge. I finally agreed to have the locksmith come in the morning to put in a deadbolt, but I refused his offer to pay for it.
     
    WEDNESDAY MORNING was warm for barely the second week in May. It was supposed to get to the mid-eighties, although it might rain in the late afternoon. I hoped not. If it was a real soaker I probably couldn't work for a couple of days. Or I could, but I had no intention of getting drenched and muddy for what Syl was paying me.
    I left a message for the locksmith, Marion Hardy, and told her I'd left the door unlocked so she could install a deadbolt. I hadn't thought to ask Mrs. Keyser if that was okay, but she's always let me paint whatever color I wanted. Besides, she could hardly argue about better security.
    You left your house unlocked for a locksmith . I was giggling as I pulled into the parking lot at Farm and More at seven-thirty.
    Stooper-the-Stone-Mason was near the cash register talking to the first-shift clerk, Andy, who was leaning on the counter. Stooper looked sort of sober. They stopped talking as soon as I entered. Andy straightened up, and they both looked uncomfortable.
    I stopped near them. "So, I'm here now. You can ask instead of guess."
    Andy flushed. "Sorry, Mel. Everyone's kind of in shock."
    My turn to be embarrassed. "I shouldn't have snapped. It was a shocker for me, too."
    "You doing okay?" Stooper asked, and hiccupped.
    Guess he's not sober . "Yep." I looked at Andy. "Can I talk to whoever dropped off the mulch at Syl Seaton's place?"
    "Whose?" Stooper asked.
    "He bought the Silverstone place," Andy said. "Ordered that batch of mulch 'cause Melanie was going to spruce up the place."
    They both just stared at me.
    "Andy. Did you deliver it?" I asked.
    He sort of gulped. "Yeah. Boss called me back to do it. Wanted it done right away."
    "Did you see anything…odd? Out of place?"
    Andy looked uneasy. "Am I supposed to be talking to you?"
    "You've known me since I was in first grade, why… Oh, did the sheriff ask you not to?"
    "Why would he do that?" Stooper asked.
    I was beginning to feel as if I was on a merry-go-round. I ignored Stooper.
    "It's fine if you talk to me, Andy. All the sheriff told me was not to tell any details to the guys at the News."
    "Urrrp."
    I backed up two steps. "Stooper, that stinks."
    "Sorry. Need to go brush my teeth." He ambled toward the glass door.
    When he was outside, I looked at Andy. "Is he driving?"
    "Nah. The tavern lets him sleep it off in the back most days. He's not usually in this early."
    "Andy," I began.
    He's five-six and built like a stocky brick. Andy was in third grade when I started school, and his mother ran the school bazaar every year.
    "Didn't see anything special. The guy – Syl you called him? I didn't even know his name. He came out to tell me to put the stuff at the end of the driveway. Seemed kind of stuck up, but then he give me a five dollar tip and I thought he was all right."
    "Nice tip," I said. "Anyone ride with you or honk at you when you pulled in or left Syl's place?"
    "I thought you got fired from the paper. By Hal," Andy said.
    "I did. He thought I took