Read Online A Novel Death: a Danger Cove Bookshop Mystery (Danger Cove Mysteries Book 10) by Elizabeth Ashby, Ellie Ashe - Free Book Online Page A

laundry soap. I made a pit stop at the bakery on my way for the largest cup of coffee on the menu. I was a coffee snob and didn't care who knew it. A decade in Seattle will do that to you.
    Burt was reading in the break room, sipping on a cup of weak brew that was barely colored with skim milk. I hung up my purse and jacket and then took a grateful sip of my dark roast with a generous serving of cream.
    "Good morning, Burt," I said.
    He put down the thick hardback edition of a new historical nonfiction book and looked at me over his reading glasses. "That coffee's nearly as big as you are," he said. "I didn't expect to see you until later. You know you're on the schedule to close, right?"
    "Yes, I know. Not like I have anything else to do," I said. "And it's been so busy the last few days that I thought you might want some extra hands on deck."
    He grunted what seemed like a positive reaction to my assistance, then went back to his book. I went back to the alley to pick up the day's newspapers, which the distributor always left bundled by the back door. The front page of the state's major newspaper did not feature any news remotely connected to me—except a warning that climate change could affect the worldwide coffee market. I carried the bundle to the front of the store to swap out the unsold papers from yesterday with today's news, and as I did, my eye fell on the banner across today's edition. The flashy graphic announced a special feature on tech companies in China, where journalist Seth Giles was reporting on a global technology conference. A conference that was taking place this week.
    I flipped to the page, skimmed the story, and saw the dateline was in Beijing.
    Seth Giles couldn't be in two places at once. If he was in Beijing, who had been in Dangerous Reads last night using his name? While the man had seemed agitated, he hadn't been threatening. And my only fear had been that he'd recognize my name from my time at HunTech.
    Alicia knocked on the front door, and I opened it for her. She was dressed in casual clothes—including a heavy jacket in the high school's colors and a bright pin proclaiming her to be a Danger Cove Soccer Mom. She carried a huge tote bag on one arm.
    "What are you doing here? You're not working today," I said, locking the door behind her.
    "I left my copy of Cal's book in the break room, and I have to take Jared's class on a field trip, and then Maggie has soccer practice. I'm going to need a distraction," she said, then looked me over. "You look horrible."
    "Thanks," I said, taking a larger sip of the coffee. I knew I wasn't as well rested as normal, but I had managed to put together a work outfit—a black skirt, black tights, and a dark red sweater. My mother would call it funeral wear, but I found a wardrobe of solid black and jewel tones let me mix and match without having to think about fashion. Was it a little boring? Perhaps, though I preferred classic.
    "Sorry. I just meant you look tired," Alicia said.
    "I am. I think that reporter isn't who he said he is," I said, keeping my voice low. I hadn't told Burt about the reporter yet. "Look at this."
    I showed Alicia the newspaper article by Seth Giles.
    "Do you know anyone who knows him?" she asked.
    I nodded. "I have a college friend who went to work at this newspaper. She might be able to confirm that he's still in China."
    I owed Natalie a call anyway, since she'd reached out several times since the breakup and I hadn't gotten back to her.
    "Well, call me if you have any breaks in the case," Alicia said, heading toward the break room to retrieve her book.
    I waited until Burt had finished his coffee and the store was open before I ducked into the closet-sized office and dialed Natalie's direct line at the newspaper.
    "Natalie Brown."
    "Hey, Nat. It's Meri."
    "You! What happened? You disappeared! Are you okay?"
    My stomach dropped at her words. I had been a terrible friend—I'd packed up and moved away without saying good-bye to