Deadly Notions - By Elizabeth Lynn Casey Page 0,85
before-school window standing on line.”
“Thanks, Debbie.”
“My pleasure.” Debbie backed up to allow Milo entry to his seat. “Now you two try and relax a little. You both look as if you didn’t sleep terribly well.”
She turned to Milo as Debbie disappeared behind the counter, the circles beneath his eyes making her feel more than a little guilty. “You didn’t sleep, either?”
He shrugged. “How could I? I’ve been harboring a fugitive in my home for the past few days. I’m not sure the PTA would approve.”
“It’s better than a fugitive hanging out on the playground, or showing up for parent night.” She tilted her face in the direction of the morning sun streaming through the large plateglass window that faced the center of town.
“Huh?”
“I really thought it was Samantha Smith. She said so many things that made her fit as the perfect suspect right up until the moment I realized Beth lied about those designs. Then, just like that”—she snapped her fingers—“Samantha was off my radar. Though, as Margaret Louise pointed out, she’s still tied to the big picture.”
He reached across the table and tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear, the feel of his hand against her face dousing her with a much-needed calm. “What do you mean she’s tied to the big picture?”
“According to something Debbie said a few days ago, Ashley and Beth had some sort of meeting here at the bakery the morning of Sally’s party. By all accounts it was a business meeting that went very well.”
“Did Debbie hear any specifics?”
She shook her head. “No. It was a Sunday morning. She was swamped with pre- and post-churchgoers.”
“Ahhh.” He smiled as Emma appeared beside the table with his tea. “Thanks, Emma.”
When the girl had gone, Tori continued. “Samantha was here that morning. And, apparently, she was very aware of Ashley’s presence.”
“Okay. Then maybe she overheard something.”
“May—oh my gosh, that’s it!”
Wrapping his hands around his mug, Milo sat up tall, puffing his chest out in the process. “I did good?”
She made a face at him. “You always do good. But what you just said? It’s perfect.”
“It is if she heard something. If she didn’t, it’s moot.” He took a long slow sip of his tea. “So do you think Ashley and Beth had struck some sort of deal?”
It was the same question she’d been asking herself over and over throughout the night. “I suppose . . . Though that doesn’t make much sense. If Ashley was happy at the end of the meeting, why would Beth need to kill her?”
“Maybe Ashley changed her mind later on?” Milo posed. “Or maybe she decided to stay on with Regina?”
Stay on with Regina . . .
“Ooooh, you might be right.” Slowly, she traced her finger around the floral design of her mug. “In fact, maybe I should talk to Regina first. If she can confirm Ashley changed her mind that might be enough to point Chief Dallas in the right direction once and for all.”
“Well, there you go. You’ve got a plan.” He glanced down at his watch and winced. “I better head out. But hey, if I see Samantha when she drops off Kayla, should I ask her to give you a call?”
“Absolutely.”
She was just saying good-bye to the last of her story time toddlers when Beth poked her head into the children’s room. “Tori? Do you have a minute?”
Rising to her feet, she grabbed the stack of picture books she’d used to captivate that week’s participants and headed toward the shelves in the far left corner, the woman’s presence making her more than a little wary. “I thought you were leaving town today.”
“I am. I just wanted to talk to you first.”
She paused in the middle of the aisle then turned around, Beth’s tired eyes and disheveled appearance catching her by surprise. “Are you okay?”
“No. Not really. I’m”—the woman shrugged—“disgusted at myself for the way I acted toward you. And I wanted to say I’m sorry.”
Of all the things she might have expected the woman to say that was not one of them. “I’m, um, not really sure what to say.”
Beth wandered into the room and stopped, her ocean-blue eyes widening as they scanned the various murals that graced the walls. “Wow, Milo wasn’t kidding, was he? This room is spectacular.”
“Thank you. It’s my pride and joy.” She deposited the picture books on their appropriate shelves then returned to collect the carpet squares favored by the under-three crowd. “So where do you go once you leave here?”