Read Online 4 Four Play by Cindy Blackburn - Free Book Online

probably call themselves researchers.”
    “That was a lot of research.”
    “It’s ironic, isn’t it?” Candy said. “Them calling you the Queen of Smut even though you can’t write sex scenes anymore?”
    “Temporary,” I said.
    “What’s temporary?” Karen asked. “Your sex scene slump, or Alistair Pritt giving you a hard time.”
    “Can I hope for both?”
    “Maybe one problem will solve the other,” Candy said as she refilled our glasses. “As long as Alistair keeps you inside, you can concentrate on A Singular Seduction .”
    I asked if she’d been speaking to Wilson and insisted Adelé Nightingale did not like being trapped.
    “Well Adelé Nightingale better get used to it,” Karen said. “It doesn’t look like Alistair’s going to let up anytime soon.”
    “Tough.” I took a defiant sip of my beverage and told my friends I refused to be intimidated any longer. “I’m venturing out tomorrow. I plan to solve this murder.”
    Karen’s Oreo-bearing right hand hovered in midair. “Say what?”
    I explained the logic. “Alistair only came up with this silly idea because of all the publicity Jimmy’s been giving me and my car. Once I solve the murder, Alistair will go away.”
    “Try again, Jess.” Karen waved her Oreo at the TV. “They didn’t even mention the murder. And you already told us Jimmy isn’t allowed to blame you.”
    I pursed my lips. “Nevertheless.”
    “Won’t Wilson find the murderer?” Candy asked.
    “I’ll help him.” I ignored the disapproving frowns and explained my vow to help Frankie, and my deal with Lizzie’s mother.
    “Frankie’s depending on me,” I said. “And I definitely got the better end of the bargain with Rita. She’ll stop her accusations of police brutality and let Lizzie see Frankie. Meanwhile all I have to do is solve a murder.”
    “Gosh,” Candy said. “You get in trouble just sitting around your house.”
    “Wilson’s gonna kill you,” Karen agreed. She took a gulp of her champagne. “He’s gonna kill me, too.”
    “Oh?” I asked.
    “You have no car, girlfriend. The murder happened at the high school, right? So won’t you need a ride out there?”
    Okay, good point. I hadn’t actually developed a sleuthing strategy, but luckily Karen was way ahead of me.
    “Kiddo here has to work tomorrow,” she said. “It’s up to me to taxi you around.”
    I reached out to hug her, but she pushed me away. “You’ll want to hug me again when you hear what else I have to say.”
    “What’s that?” I asked.
    “I have a hall pass.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “A permanent hall pass for all Clarence schools.”
    “Gosh.” Candy was clearly impressed, but I was still confused.
    “Earth to Jessie Hewitt.” Karen waved an Oreo at me. “This is the Twenty-First Century. You can’t just waltz into a school and start harassing people.”
    “I won’t harass anyone. I’ll just ask a few questions.”
    “But schools have rules now,” Candy said. She turned to Karen. “Why do you get a hall pass?”
    “Maintenance.” Karen explained how she helped the custodial staff whenever something needed fixing at any of the public schools. In case I haven’t mentioned it, Karen Sembler is the all-around handy woman of Clarence, North Carolina. She builds custom furniture for a living. But she’s also the person to call when anything, anywhere, breaks.
    “People will probably recognize you,” Karen told me. “But we’ll say we’re friends, which we are, and that I need an extra pair of hands.” She groaned at her own cleverness. “I even have an extra tool belt to loan you.”
    Candy bounced a little. “You’ll look all handy, too, Jessie!”
    “This will work?” I was skeptical.
    “The high school always needs an extra pair of hands with their plumbing,” Karen said. “The situation in the boys bathroom is even worse than at Wilson’s cottage.”
    “Shack.”
    “Jack will be glad to see me,” she continued. “Jack