Murder Actually by Stephanie McCarthy Read Free Book Online Page B

track down the killer; it’ll be a story you can tell your grandchildren.”
    That was a bit much. “I’m not even dating anyone!” My voice was a bit too loud, and I noticed a man in a dark corner of the arts and leisure section look over at us and grin.
    The assistant librarian, Miss Thrimper, who’d been listening to our exchange in pained silence, approached and asked if she could be of assistance. “The latest Booker winner, Julia?” she suggested hopefully.
    Julia snorted. “I’m currently only reading books with crime-solving cats,” she said in her bright, loud voice.
    Miss Thrimper cringed and scurried back to the safety of her desk.
    â€œJulia,” I said firmly, “what do you want us to do, go out and grill suspects?”
    â€œYes! That’s just what Pippa Pepper would do.”
    I sighed. “I’m afraid to ask, but who’s Pippa Pepper?”
    â€œSheesh, Elspeth, don’t you read anything but cookbooks? Pippa Pepper and her cat, Ms. Weebles, are the hottest ticket in cozies right now!”
    Julia pulled a paperback from her tote bag and I glanced down at a white cat wearing pearls and a lorgnette. One white paw was dabbed in blood and the other rested on a stack of coffins. The title was at the top in red ink, Meow for the Undertaker.
    â€œMs. Weebles really does all the crime-solving,” Julia explained. “But she needs Pippa to do the legwork.”
    â€œI don’t want to do legwork. I have a real job.”
    Julia’s tone turned from cajoling to pleading. “If you won’t do it for me then do it for Nora. The police think she killed Jasper!”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous.” I’d known Nora Brecht-Ware since grade school. She was pretty, sweet and incredibly naïve; the term ‘pushover’ sprang to mind. Nora was no more likely to pick up a dagger than I was to write a mystery.
    â€œWhy do the police think Nora did it?”
    â€œJasper’s attorney served Nora with divorce papers last week and the police believe she’s the woman scorned . Plus, she has no alibi for last night. She needs our help, Betts.”
    â€œOf course I’ll help her, but I don’t see what we can do.”
    â€œDon’t worry, I’ve already thought of that. The first thing Pippa Pepper does is make a list of suspects.” Julia pulled out a messy sheet of paper covered in her sloping, cursive script. I was impressed. It was the only actual piece of real ‘work’ I’d seen Julia do in months.
    â€œI tried to think of everyone who might’ve wanted Jasper dead,” she said.
    â€œI’m surprised you had enough paper.”
    â€œI was limited to the people at the book reading.” She leafed through her notes. “First, Sabrina Elliott.”
    I raised a brow. Of all the people I could think of who might’ve wanted Jasper dead (myself included), Sabrina wouldn’t have even made the team photo.
    â€œSabrina and Jasper’s engagement was three years ago,” I pointed out. “Why would she wait all this time for revenge?”
    â€œHaven’t you ever read a Jasper Ware book? It’s obvious the flighty ex-wife of Inspector Grimaldi is based on Sabrina Elliott. They even look alike.”
    â€œSo what? She should’ve been flattered she was in a book.”
    â€œShe wasn’t flattered, she was suing Jasper.”
    â€œWhat?”
    Julia nodded. “Defamation of character. Mrs. Alleghany down at the post office told me that Sabrina is always receiving big packages from her lawyers in Albany. That’s also why I have Rose Elliott on the list.”
    I raised a brow. “Rose the librarian?” Julia had really let her imagination soar on this one.
    â€œIt’s always the quiet ones who turn out to be homicidal killers. Still waters run deep . She could’ve wanted to avenge her sister.”
    â€œSounds pretty