Read Online Catch as Cat Can by Claire Donally - Free Book Online Page A

remember of Mel, our friend in the raincoat seems a bit on the skinny side.”
    Sunny nodded. The would-be pillow magnate always looked as if he had a couple of his products stuffed under his shirt. “Maybe he fell on lean times—literally—after he lost his store.”
    â€œWell,” Will promised, “I’ll have Mel checked out, although I think it’s a long shot.” They were on the local streets in Kittery Harbor by now. He pulled up in front of the New Stores. Sunny gave him a quick kiss and stepped out onto the street. Kittery Harbor Fish had its gate down now, with crime scene tape festooned across the entrance.
    Huh,
Sunny thought as she turned to the MAX office,
I’d have sworn I turned off the lights.
    As she went to put her key in the lock, she discovered the door was open, too. She stepped inside, her hand going for her cell phone, when she spotted Ollie sitting behind a desk.
    â€œYou scared me for a moment,” Sunny said, then she realized that her boss had company.
    Val Overton sat in the visitor’s chair, flashing her brilliant smile in Sunny’s direction. “Just sitting here, passing the time with Ollie.”
    Ollie looked as though he’d have been happier passing time with a rattlesnake. “Seems as though Marshal Overton hasn’t tracked down the party she’s supposed to serve. I offered to help, but she won’t tell me who it is.”
    Translation,
Sunny thought,
I’d do anything to make her go away, but she won’t.
    â€œNow, honey, I explained that,” the marshal said in a sweet voice. “How do I know you might not be partners with the fella I’m after?”
    Her tone left Sunny wondering which “fella” Overton was after right now—the person to be served or Ollie. Judging from his expression, Ollie wasn’t sure, either.
    â€œSo I’ve been trying to get a grip on the general state of business in these parts,” Val went on. “Since Ollie seems to be a mover and a shaker, I thought I’d pump him a little.” She smiled that high-wattage smile again. “You own all these stores?”
    â€œYeah, this used to be my dad’s—a soda fountain and candy store,” Ollie said. Sunny could remember herself as a kid, sitting on a stool and sipping some sugary concoction through a straw.
    â€œWhen I came back here with a little capital, I was able to buy the whole property. Several of the tenants are long-established businesses.”
    Like Judson’s Market,
Sunny thought.
    â€œBut the fish store is new—or is it all just refurbished?” Val asked. “When I was in there, everything looked brand new.”
    â€œNo, it’s all newly installed,” Ollie said. “Quite an investment for the tenant.”
    Speaking of which . . .
Sunny spoke up. “I didn’t get a chance to talk with Neil Garret about the rent—considering what happened.”
    Val Overton sat a little straighter. “Garret was having problems paying the rent?”
    â€œThe fact of the matter is that next door has always been a bit of a problem location,” Sunny said, earning an annoyed look from Ollie. “The fish store seemed to be doing fine during the summer months. Lately, though, I think business has been dropping off. Maybe the local folks are eating less fish in the cold weather.”
    â€œThere won’t be any business done with that damned tape across the door,” Ollie complained.
    Val Overton leaned forward and patted his arm. “Don’t underestimate how big a crowd a nice, public crime scene can draw.”
    Ollie didn’t snatch his arm away, but he looked even more uncomfortable.
    â€œAnd if you’re invested in any kind of home security, you might get a bump,” Val went on. “Nothing like a good break-in to make people reevaluate their locks and shutters.” She leaned back in her chair. “Now,