Murder on the Bucket List by Elizabeth Perona Read Free Book Online Page B

you locate the keys to the building?”
    â€œThey were right where Larry said they were.”
    â€œGood. Then let’s go take a look.”
    She indicated Jonathan. “Do you mind if Jonathan comes with us, since Larry’s not here? He’s our accountant.”
    â€œI’ve been in the building from time to time, so I’m familiar with it,” Jonathan said. “I’d like to be there in case I can help.”
    â€œIt’s kind of irregular, but it’s your building, Alice,” Jud said, but he was clearly not happy.
    â€œWhere is this place you’re going to?” Charlotte asked.
    He glanced at the tour group of five standing nearby. “I’m not at liberty to say.”
    â€œIt’s on Adams Street between US 136 and College,” Alice answered. “Friederich was renting a garage from Larry. The police want to look through it. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
    â€œCan I come, too?” Charlotte asked.
    â€œNo, you can’t,” Toby said. “I’m not gonna get stuck with a bunch of unhappy people who don’t get tours when you said they would.”
    â€œHe’s right,” Francine said. “You need to stay and process the suspects.” She turned to Jud. “Charlotte thinks that the murderer always returns to the scene of the crime. She’s making a list of all the people who’ve come through to gape at the pool shed where we found the body.”
    â€œActually,” he said, “I’d like to have a copy of that list.”
    Charlotte aimed a triumphant smile at her.
    Alice reached out a hand to Francine. “Would you come to see Friederich’s garage with us? I don’t want to be the only woman along.”
    â€œOf course,” she replied, knowing without looking that Charlotte had dropped the smile and was fuming with jealousy. But she knew she’d be questioned later.
    Jud frowned at the idea.
    â€œYou don’t mind, do you?” asked Alice.
    â€œAs I said before, it’s your building. Do you want to leave the house open like this while you’re gone, though?”
    Toby stuck up his hand like he needed permission to volunteer an answer. “We could lock up the house and let people in through the privacy fence gate. It means people would be walking over the grass, but we wouldn’t have to turn the neighbors away.”
    â€œThat’s a great idea,” Alice said, sounding relieved. “Everyone’d be mad if they didn’t get a chance to look, but I do want them out of my house.” She turned and called upstairs. “Joy, just let the phones go to voicemail! You can catch up with any messages later. I need you to help Charlotte with the tours.”
    For a moment, there was no response. “Do I have to? The Associated Press is on the phone.”
    â€œTell them the same thing you just told Rovers, or whoever it was. No statements.”
    Joy stuck her head out of the entrance to the study. “Okay. I’ll be down in a minute.”
    â€œAnd she is doing what?” Jud asked.
    â€œShe’s my press secretary today. She was a secretary for Lilly Endowment and used to draft press releases for them sometimes.”
    Charlotte eyed the uniformed policeman with Jud. “Is he here to help? Because we could use him. If he can manage the gate, Toby can start giving tours, too, and with Joy working, that’ll triple our productivity.”
    The policeman looked at Jud, who rolled his eyes. “We live to serve,” Jud said. He looked at the others. “Let’s go.”

five
    Francine had no idea that Larry owned the old white brick building along Adams Street. It was virtually unnoticeable, one that had been around so long it faded into the mixed-use downtown neighborhood. On the opposite corner was the new Brownsburg Public Safety Building, and next to it were an old two-story apartment and a small vacant lot. Before