Murder, Served Simply by Isabella Alan Read Free Book Online Page A

Someone was going to get trampled. Again, I looked for my parents and Ryan. They were seated. Ryan was talking to Mom and Dad, probably telling them in his logical-lawyer way that it was safer and smarter to remain where they were until the barn emptied. I had never been so grateful for Ryan as I was in that moment.
    â€œThe ropes have been cut,” Willow whispered, bringing my attention back to her.
    â€œThis can only mean one thing,” I whispered.
    Willow gripped my arm. “What? What does it mean?”
    â€œMurder,” I murmured, so that only Willow and Oliver could hear me.
    Willow’s hand went to her crystal.
    Mitchell appeared through the curtain and put two fingers in his mouth. He let out a whistle that would have made a shrill harpy fall from the sky.
    Everyone in the room froze.
    In the silence, the sheriff spoke. “Please, of those of you who are still here, I will have to ask everyone to remain in your seats for the time being. We will dismiss you from the barn after we ask a few questions about what you saw. More deputies and police officers assisting from Millersburg PD are on the way. We will do everything that we can to make this process go as quickly as possible.”
    More people moved toward the door.
    â€œIf you leave, we will be calling or knocking on your door to interview you.”
    A few reconsidered and took their seats; others kept heading to the exit. I couldn’t blame them. The sheriff didn’t chase them.
    Mitchell held up a hand. “Please, please, I know this is very upsetting, but a young woman is dead. You may have seen something that can give us a clue as to what happened. I’m asking you for your patience. It won’t be long—”
    The wail of a siren approaching the barn interrupted his speech.
    â€œFor pity’s sake,” Willow whispered. “I can’t believewe’re dealing with another murder.” She smoothed her gauzy sleeve. She sniffed. Her black eye makeup streaked across her cheeks. “And Eve Shetler of all people. It’s a terrible, terrible shame.”
    I touched my own cheeks. They were dry. I was too shocked to cry. I knew the tears would come later. “I sat next to her at dinner. She was so . . .” I searched for the right word. “Alive.”
    â€œEve had an infectious quality about her. That’s why everyone thought she was going to be a big star. And now—” Willow covered her mouth.
    I didn’t want to think about it. “Who was that actor on the stage with the British accent?”
    â€œRuben Hurst. He’s English—I mean
real
English, not just what the Amish call us. Isn’t his accent swoony?” she asked, but the usual twinkle was missing from her eyes.
    My brow wrinkled. “What’s he doing in a production in the middle of Ohio?” I knew a better person would not ask such inane questions at such a time, but my curiosity kept my mind off the image of Eve’s body and that was top priority at the moment.
    She shrugged and removed crumpled tissue from her pants pocket. “Times are tough. Maybe this is the only place he could find a part.”
    I frowned. I supposed that she was right, but it was so far off the normal beaten path for an actor, let alone one from England, that it was hard to believe.
    â€œWho’s that actress with Ruben?” I whispered to Willow.
    She wiped at the mascara on her cheek with thetissue. All this accomplished was pushing the makeup into a set of wrinkles I had never noticed before. “Lena. She plays Eve’s sister in the play, but she is also Eve’s understudy for the lead.” She twisted her crystal in her hand. “I guess that part is all hers now if the play is to continue.”
    It seemed I had suspect number one, who also had seemed to be concerned more with herself than over the loss of Eve. “Did she and Eve get along?”
    Willow twisted the crystal