Proof of Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery #4) - Lauren Elliott Page 0,30

of her voice. “I use a variety of tea leaves and herbs to make unique blends that I think my customers will enjoy or ones they request.”

“Has Miss Greyborne ever requested you make her a special blend?”

“What are you getting at, Agent?”

“Just answer her question, Serena.” Marc’s voice held an edge of tension.

“I’m simply asking you if she ever instructed you to make a blend of sleeping tea . . . or something perhaps a bit more potent.”

“What are you suggesting? That my friend would ever . . . ? I can’t believe what you’re implying. Marc, really, you’re going to let her get away with this? Do you really think that Addie or I could . . . could ever . . . ? I’m speechless.”

“Here.”

“What’s this?”

“It’s a warrant to search your shop for any illegal herbs or lethal substances.”

Addie struggled to breathe.

“Really?” Serena’s voice rose to an ear-penetrating pitch. “You think—”

“Calm down, sis. It’s just a matter of covering all the bases. Simon said he would need samples of any suspected herbal products to test against the blood and tissue specimens to determine an exact cause of death.”

All Addie could hear was jagged breathing. From Marc or Serena, she couldn’t tell, but it didn’t matter. Her own lungs were struggling to gather even the smallest molecules of oxygen.

“It’s part of conducting a thorough investigation, Serena. No guilt is being implied at this point.”

“Maybe that’s the way you as an FBI agent see it,” Serena snapped, “but in Greyborne Harbor—”

“Come on, Serena, let’s get this over with, and then we can all get back to our daily routine,” Marc said, his tone strangled. Clearly, he was losing patience with his sister. “Now, if you can open the bins back here behind the counter for Agent Brookes, she’ll take a small sampling of each of them.”

“By the way,” Agent Brookes’s smug tone echoed through the shop, “the warrant covers the entire shop. We’ll need access to the back room as well as your place of residence.”

“That’s just my office. I don’t keep tea stored in here.”

“We still have to search it. Now if you can step aside, please.”

Fight or flight? Part of Addie wanted to stay and fight. Drive a fist through Cali-girl’s face. But she wanted to protect Serena, not make things worse. Her eyes focused on the dark shape of Serena’s rigid back protecting her, she slipped out into the alley, thankful she had at least one friend in a newfound sea of enemies.

Chapter 10

Addie rested her elbows on the top of the desk in the storage room of her shop and massaged the bridge of her nose. A migraine squeezed her skull. The day had not gone as planned. Becoming the number-one suspect on a theft and/or murder list wasn’t exactly what she’d envisioned.

Neither was learning that Marc had become a stranger. She’d been so eager for him to return in the hope that they could salvage a friendship after what took place in February, but from his actions and words today that seemed impossible. She could forgive many things, but him even considering her a thief or murderer—or both—snapped the frayed lines connecting her heart to his. She plucked a tissue out of the box on her desk and blew her nose.

“Oh, Addie, you are back here.”

Addie jumped. “You scared the heck out of me, Paige.”

“You did look a little lost in your own world.”

“Yeah, I was.”

“It’s only that I thought I heard you come in, but when you didn’t come up front, I thought I’d better make sure the wind hadn’t caught the door or something.”

“Yeah, sorry, I’ve been . . . I don’t know what I’ve been doing, to be honest.” She rubbed her temples. “It’s been a long day. Unless you need me for something, I think I’ll just sit back here for a few more minutes.”

“No, it’s quiet right now.” Paige leaned through the doorway and whispered, “But, what do you want me to tell Catherine?”

“Addie?” Catherine swept past Paige. “I thought I heard your voice.”

With a tic of Addie’s head Paige disappeared back into the shop.

“Catherine, pull up a seat.” Addie patted a wooden book crate beside her desk. “What brings you in?”

“I know when something is upsetting you.” Catherine dropped onto the box beside Addie. “Remember, I’ve known you since you were a toddler.” Catherine tucked a wayward strand of Addie’s hair behind her ear, her warm hand lingering on Addie’s cheek. “I wanted you to know I’m here for