Read Online A Spoonful of Murder by Connie Archer - Free Book Online

returning—at least for the time being. Meg had turned up, but against her family’s wishes. Lucky was sure her crush on Sage had been the driving force.
    Sage, realizing very quickly that they wouldn’t be overwhelmed with customers this morning, had prepared only smaller batches of soup in three Crock-Pots. One lone bakery loaf was warming in the oven. A layer of ice had formed on the sidewalk overnight. Jack had patiently scraped it away, then returned to his newspaper and the warmth of the restaurant.
    To Lucky’s dismay, not one customer arrived. Obviously, the discovery of Patricia Honeywell’s body was the talk of the town and news of it had reached the winter visitors. It wasn’t a surprise that tourists might stay away, but where were Barry and Hank or Marjorie and Cecily at least?
    Through the steamy windows Lucky spotted a figure in a long red scarf approaching the front door. Her spiritslifted—perhaps a customer to break the spell. The front door banged open and Janie rushed in.
    “Oh, Lucky, I’m so sorry. I can’t work right now. My mother had a fit, but I wanted to stop by anyway.”
    Lucky shrugged. “I understand. You can’t really blame her. She must be frightened out of her wits. I’d feel the same if I were her.”
    “She’s just so stubborn,” Janie grumbled. “She wouldn’t even listen to me. I know this had nothing to do with the Spoonful.”
    “I agree. It couldn’t have anything to do with us. Unfortunately, it’s landed on our doorstep, if you’ll pardon the pun.”
    “Is it okay if I hang out and talk to Meg?”
    “Go right ahead. We’re anything but busy.”
    The girls grabbed the corner table usually occupied by Hank and Barry and began a whispered conversation.
    Lucky returned to scrubbing the work space behind the counter. This was a good opportunity to catch up on chores if nothing else. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Nate’s police cruiser had pulled up in front of the Spoonful. If Nate and Bradley wanted coffee or breakfast, she had no objection, but she couldn’t help but wish they had parked somewhere else. A police car at the front door wouldn’t help their image one bit. Lucky watched as Nate heaved himself out of the passenger seat and headed for their front door, Bradley bringing up the rear. The bell over the door rang as they entered.
    Nate approached the counter. “Hello, Lucky.”
    “Nate. Any news for us?”
    “Unfortunately, yes. Is Sage here now?”
    “Sage? Yes, he’s in the kitchen.”
    “Lucky, I want you to know, I’m real sorry about this.” Nate turned away and headed toward the doorway to the kitchen with Bradley following behind him. Sage stopped his work at the counter and looked over at Nate looming in the doorway.
    Nate cleared his throat. “Mr. DuBois, you are under arrest for the murder of Patricia Honeywell. You have theright to remain silent. Anything you say or do can and will be held against you in a court of law. Anything you say can and will be used in evidence against you…”
    Lucky dropped the silverware she was holding. It clattered on the counter, half of it falling to the floor. She turned to Jack in astonishment, unable to believe her ears. Jack bolted out of his chair and rushed into the kitchen. “Nate, this can’t be right. You’re making a mistake.”
    Janie and Meg sat in shocked silence and watched. Meg’s face had turned a ghastly white. Janie jumped up and attempted to follow Jack. Lucky held up a hand to halt her and peeked through the hatch into the kitchen. Sage’s shoulders slumped. He dropped the utensil he was holding and stood, hands at his side, his expression blank. He made no protest. He didn’t even look surprised. Lucky had the strange impression he had been waiting for this. Silently, he turned and pulled his coat off the peg on the wall and slipped it on. Bradley led the way through the restaurant with Nate following after Sage. Sage kept his gaze lowered, never meeting