Read Online April Fool Dead by Carolyn Hart - Free Book Online

“You’d think somebody would let me in.” Max leaned on his horn. “Oh hey, here’s a break.” He gunned his motor.
    A silver Lexus bolted forward, taking up the inviting foot of space.
    Max glowered, blue eyes blazing.
    Annie pressed a hand against one ear, held her mobile phone to the other. “Nineteen messages on our voice mail!” Lips compressed, she listened. “Oh, I don’t have to listen to that.” She punched “3” to delete.
    The rector’s black Taurus, almost unrecognizable with its coating of dust, braked long enough for the Ferrari to edge into the line of traffic. Max waved his thanks.
    Abruptly, Annie clicked off the phone.
    Max glanced at her. “You’ve already heard nineteen messages?”
    â€œI heard enough.” Her tone was grim. “Not everybody’s got the word yet.”
    He raised an eyebrow.
    â€œAbout the bogus flyers. That it’s all a fake.” Shestared straight ahead, her face taut. “Some of the calls…” She didn’t finish.
    Max reached over, patted her hand. “Don’t worry, honey. It will be all right. People understand about April fool. But you’ll fool everybody and Emma will have a great signing Sunday.”
    â€œDon’t worry!” Annie took a deep breath. “Oh, Max, it isn’t just Emma’s signing I’m concerned about. I have to find out who did this. Otherwise, some people will always think it was me. And worse than that, what about the people those awful clues point to? I’m going to find them and tell them I’m a victim just like they are.”
    â€œI don’t know if that’s the smart thing to do.” His voice was troubled. The Ferrari picked up speed as he turned onto Sand Dollar Road.
    â€œNo.” She was decisive. “It won’t be pleasant to face them, but I have to make the effort.” Annie shoved her hand through her unruly hair. “At least, I will as soon as I know who they are. It’s pretty clear about the Littlefields and Emma. We’ll have to figure out the rest. And they may be able to help us catch the person behind the thing.”
    â€œHelp?” A blond eyebrow rose. “How? And why should they?”
    Annie clapped her hands together. “Why shouldn’t they? After all, think how we would feel if we were on a list that accused us of a crime. You’d think all of them would be wild to catch the creep that’s embarrassing them all over the island.” She paused, her eyes brightened. “Oh, hey, Max, I’ve got a great idea…”
    Â 
    Pamela Potts was the last to arrive at Confidential Commissions.
    â€œAnnie, everybody thinks you’re simply wonderful, taking charge so masterfully. Well, of course not masterfully, but with such flair!” Pamela stood in the doorway to Max’s office, not a strand of her blond hair out of place, soulful blue eyes exuding pride, white suit immaculate except for a magnolia twig snagged near the hem of her skirt. “I was listening as people left the cemetery.” Her eyes clouded. “I simply hated to leave with everything in such a mess. I promised Mr. Parker I would round up some volunteers to help with the cleanup. People are so careless. And really, I don’t think it was very appropriate for Ben Parotti to set up a food stand right by the cemetery as if it were a ball game or a parade. I actually”—there was modest pride in her clear voice—“told him so and do you know what Ben said? He said nobody there would give a damn, they were either having the best party in the universe or their thoughts were pretty much otherwise occupied. Oh, hello, Max, Henny, Barb. What are you doing?”
    Annie pointed to the far end of the table. “Pamela, if you could take the last spot in line. See, there are lots of my flyers there and—”
    â€œAn assembly line,” Henny called out