Proof of Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery #4) - Lauren Elliott Page 0,49
hers. “Didn’t you know? The private bidders’ auction will be moved to his auction house in Boston.”
“No, I didn’t know. I’ve been . . . indisposed for a while, I guess.” Her skin crawled at the thought of her night at the police station. “I guess I’m out of touch.”
“Yeah, and from what I heard, there were a lot of irate bidders who came strictly for the private auction, including that cruise ship that made a special port of call to be here. I heard that a few of them did stay on for the public auction today and are planning to attend the yard sale tomorrow. I guess they hope that some of what should have been sold at Thursday’s private bidders’ sale will find its way to the tables.” He raked his fingers through his hair, causing silver tufts to stick up. “It’s only that it looks like, with all the commotion of that poor woman’s death and those missing books, that the turnout for any of the sales hasn’t been what they anticipated, and sales have been low. I heard there was still a lot of stuff to pack up and ship to Boston.”
“Isn’t it better to have some furniture in the house like all those staging shows on television say?”
“Normally, yes, but in this case, with what I’m trying to sell, I was hoping the house would be empty for viewing. It would help prospective buyers really feel the creepiness of that big old empty house as I relay the tales about the previous deaths.” His lips twitched. “Although, I guess now there’s one more mysterious death to add to that story.”
“And that’s why you’re so interested in that book? Hill Road House isn’t mentioned in it.”
His face lit up with a smile that reached his eyes. “I understand that from Maggie, but I’m selling the whole Greyborne Harbor region, not just the house, and one of my buyers is thinking of capitalizing on the rumors around town and turning the estate into a tourist attraction. Especially now since the cruise line will be stopping here every week. He said it would be the perfect location and might give some of the attractions in Salem a run for their money.” Art’s eyes filled with a hint of a twinkle.
“Okay,” Addie chuckled softly, “I have to give you credit for thinking outside the box and making the best of what might prove to be a tough sell. Anything I can do to help, let me know.”
“All I need from you is about six more copies of this book.” Art handed her The Ghosts and Mysteries of Greyborne Harbor. “And about six of each of these.” He pulled books from the shelf. “Do you think you can get them in by next week so I can make up some marketing packages?”
Addie took the five books from his hands and glanced at the titles. “I can place the order and hope my distributor has them in stock.”
“Can you put a rush on it?” He gave her a boyish grin that seemed to erase twenty years off his sun-weathered face.
“I’ll try my best. That’s all I can promise.”
“That’s all I ask.” He retrieved a white straw fedora from a bookshelf and placed it on his head, picked up a cane umbrella from its resting place against a bookshelf and hooked it over the crook of his arm, and smiled, turning to leave.
“Are we expecting rain today?”
He glanced back at her. “I really don’t know, why?”
Addie pointed to his umbrella.
He glanced down at it and chuckled. “Force of habit, I guess, after living in Seattle. I never leave home without one now. You never know when you’ll need it.”
“I guess it’s best to be prepared for the unexpected.”
He grinned and walked out, umbrella twirling in one hand.
She shifted her armful of books and started for the front counter, but came to a full stop. Standing at the counter was none other than Martha. Addie wondered if she’d ever get used to seeing her old nemesis in her shop. Although things between them had been a little less prickly over the past months, Martha Stringer still had a cactus personality. One was never quite certain what to expect when confronted by her, and Addie glanced up the row to see if there was any sign of Paige. Martha’s daughter could always be counted on to act as a buffer between them. Her heart sank when she saw her shop assistant busy with