Murder for Choir by Joelle Charbonneau Read Free Book Online

real shot at winning.” Larry’s eyes gleamed as he leaned forward. “We just need to hold auditions for the one open slot, and we’ll be ready to go.”
    “What open slot?” Auditions had taken place in the spring before I was hired, and all the kids on the cast list were at camp this week.
    Larry let out a sad sigh. “Eric’s position needs to be filled.”
    “Why?”
    Felicia looked at me as though I’d lost my mind. “He’s in jail. I don’t think the police will let him out to compete.”
    Duh. Still. “Replacing him before he’s even charged makes it look like we think he’s guilty.”
    Felicia and Larry looked concerned but resolved.
    Devlyn looked pissed. “Paige is right. I know Eric. He didn’t murder Greg. Kicking him out of the choir before school even starts will send the wrong message.”
    Larry tilted his head and closed his eyes while he considered Devlyn’s advice. Nodding, he opened his eyes and said, “I don’t want to lose Eric. He’s the best tenor we have, and he’s a good kid. But the district rules say a student has to be in school on the first week of class to participate in extracurricular activities for that semester.” He crumpledup his cup and sighed. “I don’t see any way around the rules. If Eric is still in jail by then, we’ll have to replace him.”
    Shoulders drooping, Larry got up and stalked over to the garbage can. He pitched his cup and disappeared out the front door.
    “Is he right?” I looked to Devlyn for confirmation.
    He let out a dramatic sigh. “I’m afraid so. A couple years back, we had a lot of students showing up for class several weeks into the school year because of late summer vacations. The school board created that rule to crack down on the problem.”
    “They won’t make an exception,” Felicia added. “And even if he’s not in jail, the school board might not let him attend school. They have the right to remove disruptive influences from the classroom. A potential murderer would definitely be disruptive.”
    Well, crap.
    Felicia gave my hand a squeeze. “I know it’s hard, but you need to start thinking about a replacement. The fall concert is only eight weeks away. Parents, alums, and our school board will be expecting your best. If they don’t see it…” She shrugged. “I’m sure you have nothing to worry about.”
    Um, yikes.
    Felicia smiled at Devlyn and dug into her purse. “I have to go, but here’s that number I promised you. Richard is smart, sexy, and an incredible artist. The two of you would be great together.”
    The cinnamon bun sat like lead in my stomach. As far as I could tell, Eric had to get himself cleared of all charges or his senior year, perhaps his entire future, was screwed. And to top it off, the sexiest man I’d met in years just turned out to be gay. This day couldn’t get any worse.

I was wrong.
    “What do you think?” Aunt Millie beamed.
    Two black poodles, a pair of pugs, and a brown-and-white border collie sat motionless in the middle of Millie’s perfectly decorated living room. They watched me with their beady glass eyes as I tried not to panic.
    My aunt didn’t notice. “Aren’t they fabulous?”
    Fabulous? No. Horrific? Hell yes.
    Killer cowered against the cream-colored sofa and whined. For the first time Killer and I were in agreement. These things were scary.
    “They certainly look lifelike.” It was the best I could come up with. Taxidermied dogs complete with sparkly collars and permanent-pressed fur weren’t my thing.
    Millie patted the top of the border collie’s head. The collie was in a seated position looking upward as though waiting for a treat. “Romeo was a champion show dog. Tookbest of breed at twenty-four shows and best in show seven times.”
    Oh God. Romeo had been one of Millie’s dogs when I was in high school. Romeo loved car rides, playing fetch, and me. And now he was stuffed with sawdust.
    “Where did they come from?” The thought of Millie digging up