Read Online "A Murder In Milburn", Book 3: Death In The Library by Nancy McGovern - Free Book Online Page A

check.”
    “But I was there when you met her,” Nora said. “You seemed angry.”
    “I was nervous,” Robert said. “I’ll be honest with you, I was so nervous that I had three drinks before I even walked into that library. I was trying my hardest not to… not to look desperate. I always get sarcastic when I’m nervous, and Selena seemed like she wanted nothing to do with me.”
    “You told her you were working on a history of the town,” Nora said.
    “My agents is best friends with her agent,” Robert said. “Well… was. I guess I snooped around.” He grimaced. “I sound like a creep, don’t I? I know I do.”
    “I suppose we all do creepy things when we’re in love,” Nora said, though her voice lacked conviction.
    “Exactly!” Robert said. “All the rational thoughts in my head just went flying out the window when I got within a ten foot radius of her.”
    “So why did you sneak back into town? Why did you tell her to meet you?”
    Robert shrugged. “I just wanted to tell her I still loved her and beg her to give me a chance. I knew she wouldn’t agree to meet me if I gave that excuse, so I told her I wanted to talk about the book.”
    “Was it her idea, to meet you at the library?”
    “She said she knew I wouldn’t try anything there.” Robert smiled. “Libraries are sacred to me. Besides, she had an extra key.”
    Nora stayed quiet, letting him continue.
    “When I reached there, she was in a really bad mood,” Robert said. He squinted, trying to remember. “I told her how I wanted forgiveness. That I wanted to start with a clean slate. She said, ‘ The problem with this town is how easily it’s willing to forget the past. Well, I’m not, Robert. ’”
    “Ouch,” Nora said.
    Robert was chewing his lower lip. “When she found out I wasn’t planning to discuss the book, but I just wanted to discuss us , she flipped out. She told me to get out of there. She said she was expecting someone else.”
    “So what did you do?”
    “I left.” Robert shrugged. “I wasn’t going to give up, but I was pretty depressed that she had rejected me again. I decided to go back to my room and get plastered. The next thing I remember is the sheriff waking me up, so clearly I succeeded. When Sean told me she was dead- I thought it was a horrible joke. I… I lost control of myself and punched him. I’ll admit, I have temper issues still, but I swear, I would never have harmed Selena.”
    “Did you… did you see the letter opener?” Nora asked. “When you were at the library with her?”
    “I don’t remember.” Robert shrugged. “I might have, but I was too distracted by her to care about my surroundings.”
    “Nora. Robert. What a pleasant surprise.” May Almand slammed the door of her car. From the other side, Grant got out. He smiled at both of them, and shuffled nervously.
    “Hello, May. Here to see the sheriff?”
    “Grant and I are organizing Selena’s memorial,” May said. “Someone told us Sam and Tina are here.” She looked down her nose at Robert. “Of course, this event will exclude those who aren’t from our town. We’re planning to have it tomorrow.”
    “I’m shattered,” Robert said drily. “This is a wound I’ll take to my grave.”
    “Awkward choice of words for a man who’s about to hang.” May sniffed, as she walked away.
    Harvey appeared, and put his hand around Nora’s shoulders. “Could we leave, if you’re done talking?” he asked. His voice was cold.
    “Hey man, chill. Your girlfriend only has eyes for you. Believe me, I was trying my hardest to flirt.” Robert leered, his head lolling almost grotesquely.
    “You’ve got lovely teeth,” Harvey said. “Someone should punch them out and hand them to you.” His voice was still smooth as he said it.
    “Harvey!” Nora pulled away, a little shocked at the violence in his words.
    He gave her a smile not entirely without warmth. “Shall we leave? We were supposed to have dinner with the Mayor