Proof of Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery #4) - Lauren Elliott Page 0,83

Addie smiled. “Okay, it won’t hurt to take a day off. I want to stop in and check on Paige before we go tomorrow, anyway.”

“Good plan. I think then that I’ll go into the lab for awhile in the morning.”

“I thought you were off all weekend.”

“I am, but you got me thinking, and there’s something I want to check out.”

“See, it’s contagious.”

He blinked owlishly.

“The sleuthing bug. You can’t let it go any more than I can. Someone is dead, and some valuable books and antiques have gone missing. You want as badly as I do to figure it all out.”

“My reasons are a bit different than yours, though.”

“How so?”

“Because now I’m afraid I’ve missed something in the autopsy. You’re right. It’s too much of a coincidence that Charlotte died and the books were stolen from the locked library at the same time.”

“And what?”

“And . . . truth be told, Ryley Brookes got under my skin, too, when we were meeting with the DA. I would like nothing better than to solve this whole thing just to prove to her how far off base she’s been.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Unless, of course, your suspicions are correct and she’s behind this”—his head shot up—“and then we can nail her on it!”

“Simon, you shock me.” She gave a shaky smile and lost herself for a moment in his sea-blue eyes. “Revenge like that should be my motive.”

“Not when it involves the woman I love.”

Did I hear him right? Did he just say he loves me? She struggled to form the words back, her tongue tied with shock and pleasure. His face fell, and she knew she was too late to utter the words back to him. The special moment was lost. He was her friend, her person, her confidant, her safety net. But love?

“Too soon?” An awkward smile twitched at the corners of his lips. “Anyway, getting back to the case—”

Addie clasped his shirt collar and in one, swift movement urged him closer. He pulled her into his arms. His lips sought out her mouth. Her breath quickened as he drew her nearer, his lips hard yet soft against hers. Even though they had kissed before, for Addie this moment seemed like the first time.

Chapter 26

It was a perfect summer morning made even better by the fact that Paige was being discharged later today. Her doctor prescribed a few days off work and rest, but other than that she was fit to go.

Addie prepared to make some adjustments to accommodate Paige’s absence. Daily sales in the shop had skyrocketed last year, and Paige’s part-time status had been increased to full-time with benefits. Perhaps it was time to hire one more person to fill in part-time and help Paige pick up the slack when Addie was off on her book-buying—or sleuthing—adventures.

Addie danced a little jig in the driver’s seat of her car at the realization that her shop had been a success, especially given the bumpy ride she’d endured when she was first opened. Back then she thought she’d be closing any day and worried about how she was going to pay Paige with the meager amount of money coming through the doors. Her heart pounded, knowing how proud her father would have been. She would never forget his words of wisdom after David’s death: “I didn’t raise a quitter. Take your time to mourn, and then adjust your sails and set a new course.” Well, Dad, I did it. I didn’t quit. Look at me now.

She parked on one of the side streets off Marine Drive, the road running parallel to the seawall. This was the area of town where she and Serena spent many a Sunday. Both their shops were closed for the day, and they loved to check out the unique souvenir, antique shops, and vintage clothing stores in the area, and, of course, eat lunch at one of the quaint restaurants. She headed for their favorite fish-n-chips eatery. Simon was running late and said he’d meet up with them as soon as he could get away. Serena and Zach were no doubt already there and champing at the bit to get the day started. When she checked the time on her phone, she paused. There was a missed call from a number she didn’t recognize, and a voice message.

“Hi, Addie. It’s Kalea.”

Addie sucked in a small gasp and pressed the phone to her ear.

“I know you must be furious with me for ditching you and disappearing