Proof of Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery #4) - Lauren Elliott Page 0,52
to be just as I said: She died as the result of a heart attack.”
“Okay, so based on that, you’re saying that the two aren’t related. The victim just happened to die, and the books just happened to disappear at the same time?”
“That’s what the autopsy evidence indicates at this point, yes. You can tell your agent friend”—by the exasperation in Simon’s voice, Addie pictured him raking his fingers through his hair—“that she’s got it wrong on all accounts. You know as well as I do that suspect, as you called her, is no more capable of killing someone or stealing those books than you or I.”
“I can believe that, but the problem is . . .” Marc’s voice moved closer to the door “. . . I don’t know that based on the evidence. There’s just too much right now to prove that Addie is responsible for the books going missing, and I need to know if there is any evidence to prove that she may have had something to do with Charlotte’s death, too. But you’re saying the death was natural causes, so that just means that unless something else comes up, the theft charge still looks like it’s going to stick.”
“Can you hear yourself, Marc? What happened to you? This is Addie. The woman you once loved and proposed marriage to.”
Marc cleared his throat. “Unfortunately, I have to follow the evidence.”
The door opened, and Addie slid around the corner into a cubby, crouching on the far side of a linen supply cart. She didn’t hear Simon’s reply to Marc’s last remark, but judging by the quick pace and thudding force of Marc’s boot steps leading away from her, it wasn’t what the chief had wanted to hear. She counted . . . seven . . . eight . . . nine . . . and ten, before she crept around the cart and edged toward Simon’s office door. She had to be certain she’d given Marc enough time to round the corner to the elevators at the end of the hallway. When she came fully out of hiding, she stopped short as she caught sight of Simon traipsing off in the same direction.
Chapter 16
Addie needed to process the conversation she’d just heard between Marc and Simon and a brisk walk in the sunshine offered her the perfect means in which to do that. The summer sun beating down on her warmed the coldness of Marc’s words that was coursing through her veins. She’d opted to take the longer route to give her the breath of fresh air she desperately needed and cut up the alley off Birch to the back alley to her shop. When she yanked the handle to open the door, she was stopped dead in her tracks by a wall of boxes.
“Oops, wait a minute,” Paige called from the other side, followed by muted scuffling sounds. The door swung partially open and Paige popped her head out. “I didn’t expect you back from lunch so soon. Wendy’s two sons just dropped off these crates of books, and I haven’t had time to move them from in front of the door where they left them.”
Addie eyed the narrow opening between the doorframe and the crates. “No problem, I guess we’re about to see if those crunches I do every morning have been worth it.” She sucked in her tummy and grinned at Paige when she managed to squeeze around them and through the doorway.
Paige pushed another box to the side and collapsed on the lid. “How was lunch?” She eyed the bulging bakery bag Addie clutched in her hand.
Addie brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “Simon was busy, so I never saw him.”
“You haven’t eaten yet?”
“No, I lost my appetite, but if you’re still hungry help yourself.” Addie gave the bag the sniff test. “On second thoughts, don’t bother they’ve been out too long.” She winced tossing the bag into the trash can.
“I can go next door and pick you up a fresh one, if you like.”
“I’m good, but if you want to go get yourself something, go ahead.”
“Thanks, but no, I think I should finish going through these books to see exactly what we have. At first glance there seems to be a lot of the summer beach reads we needed.”
“Perfect. Since I didn’t get a chance to pick up those classics from the auction, at least we’ll have something for the tourists.”
Addie surveyed her disorganized storage room. She knew she’d have