Murder on the Levels: An Exham on Sea Cosy Mystery (Exham on Sea Cosy Crime Mysteries Book 2) by Frances Evesham Read Free Book Online

it.”
    Libby swirled boiling water, added a drop of vinegar and lowered eggs into the pan. “I know what you mean. Sometimes, I had to put the alarm clock on the other side of the room, so I’d have to get out of bed.”
    She rescued a slice of toast from Mandy’s chocolate spread and centred a poached egg on top. “Here, get some protein down you.”
    Mandy gulped it down. “Mmm. Trouble is, now I don’t have to get up, I seem to wake even earlier, and I can’t get back to sleep because I’m worrying about getting another job.”
    Libby ground salt on her egg. “It must be even worse for Frank. I don’t think he ever missed a morning at the shop. Did he even go on holiday?”
    “Not so far as I know.” Mandy licked her fingers. “I suppose his wife will look after him. At least he won’t be lonely.”
    “I’ve a feeling Frank’s happiest in the shop. He likes a bit of peace and quiet.”
    Mandy laughed, and a mouthful of tea went down the wrong way. She mopped streaming eyes. “Are you and Max going to investigate the murders, like last time?”
    Libby tapped one finger on the side of her cup. How much should she involve Mandy? She’d hate to drag the girl into any sort of danger, but Mandy had a sharp brain and she’d grown up in Exham. She could be useful.
    Mandy interrupted Libby’s train of thought. “I know that look. You’re already on the trail, and it’s not fair to leave me out. Anyway, there’s nothing else for me to do all day.” She pointed at the kitchen clock. “It’s not even nine o’clock, yet. I suppose I’ll have to sign on, but what will I do the rest of the time?”
    “I’m sure the shop will open again...” Libby sounded unconvincing, even to herself.
    Mandy blew a puff of air through her mouth. “No chance. Pritchards will muscle in on the bakery.”
    Libby wrinkled her brow. She’d heard that name, somewhere. “The chain of grocery shops and bakeries?”
    “They’re all over the West Country.”
    “How do you know they’re interested in Frank’s shop?”
    “Per-lease.” Mandy tapped her nose. “I have my sources.”
    “Which are?”
    “My friend Steve’s got a mate who works at Pritchards. They’re buying up all the empty shops, as cheap as possible. He says they’d do anything to get hold of a thriving business like Frank’s. It’s meant to be secret, but...”
    “I now, nothing stays secret for long in Exham.”
    “See, I can help.”
    “How does that help, exactly?”
    Mandy banged a triumphant hand on the work surface. “What if they’re poisoning people deliberately, to get Frank’s bakery blamed, so they can buy him out?”
    Libby spluttered. “That’s crazy, Mandy. They’re a perfectly respectable business. They won’t kill people just to open a shop.”
    “Maybe they’re backed by the Mafia.”
    “In Exham? I doubt it, somehow. By the way, who’s this Steve? Do I know him?”
    “Oh, just someone I know from that club I go to on Fridays.” Mandy jumped down and busied herself tidying the kitchen.
    “The Goth club? I suppose he listens to that music you like?”
    “You mean Katatonia?”
    “Er, possibly.” If they were responsible for the screeching from Mandy’s bedroom. “Anyway, I’d like to hear what he has to say. Your idea’s crazy, but maybe we should eliminate it.”
    “Come to the club.”
    “You’re joking. I’m far too old, and I value my hearing. Could we go round and talk to Steve at home, instead?”
    Mandy beamed, and Libby realised she’d been played. “I’ll ring him. I think his mum’s away at the moment.”
    Libby wiped down the kitchen counters. “He lives at home, then?”
    “Can’t afford a flat, can he? No one can, these days.”
    “Then, that’s what we’ll do, this evening. But, meanwhile, if you really want to help?”
    “Course, I do.”
    “Make me a list of the people in the cycle club and anything you know about them. Especially Vince and Kevin. I’m wondering why those two