Read Online Cold Turkey by Shelley Freydont - Free Book Online Page B

them. Outsiders.”
    “We all would,” Liv agreed.
    “I knew there was something about those four that just seemed wrong,” Ted said. “They were going to bilk this town.”
    “We don’t have proof of that yet,” Bill said. “So no rumors, please.”
    “Me?” Ted asked incredulously.
    Bill snorted. “Please?”
    “Is that why you arrested—took Pudge in for questioning? Because of what Chaz and I learned?”
    “No. I didn’t know all this when I talked to Mr. Clegg.”
    “Clegg?” Ted asked.
    “Pudge’s real name is Lyle Clegg.”
    “So why did you take him in?” Liv asked, trying to bring the conversation back on point. “He ran the 2K. How could he have had time to meet Max, kill him, hide the weapon . . . It’s impossible.”
    “He didn’t run the race,” Bill said.
    “But I saw him. He was standing right to the side of me.”
    “And you kept him in sight for how long?”
    Liv thought back, shrugged. “I didn’t.”
    “Right. And as soon as he got to Lakeside Drive and the runners turned south, he turned north back to the Inn, where he had a nice leisurely breakfast until the others came back.”
    “Wow. And he was there the whole time?”
    Bill nodded. “The whole time. Corrine was on duty. He didn’t leave the dining room until after we found the body.” Bill took another piece of pumpkin nut bread and stood up. “That’s all I can say. That’s all we’ve got. Now we’ll just have to wait to see if Chaz comes up with something that can lead us somewhere near the truth.”
    “Chaz? When did you speak to him?”
    “Late last night. He said he was going to get some sleep and start again this morning.”
    “Chaz’s idea of morning is late afternoon.”
    “He said he would get on it.” Bill popped the slice of bread in his mouth and struggled back into his police jacket. “Just stay put. I’ll take it from here.”
    Ted walked Bill out. Whiskey went to sleep and Liv booted up her computer and her calendar. She’d just gotten off the phone with the Turkey Trot chairman when her cell rang.
    She checked caller ID. BeBe. “Hey, what’s up?”
    “They’re here. Two of those developers and the wife just ordered coffee. They’re sitting at the corner table. I thought you might want to come spy.”
    “Where are you now?”
    “In the back looking through the curtain where I can see them.”
    Liv deliberated. Bill had just told her not to interfere, and she did have a lot of work to do, but she would be able to do that work much more efficiently once the murderer was behind bars.
    “On my way.”
    “Come to the back. They may recognize you from last night.”
    Liv grabbed her coat, and with a mumbled excuse to Ted, she hurried out of the office and out of town hall to the street. She was nearly at a run by the time she reached the alley that ran behind the stores on the square. BeBe was waiting for her at the back door to the Buttercup.
    “They were laughing, even the widow. Can you believe it?” BeBe asked as she trundled Liv toward the curtained door. “If we stand here, we can see them in the mirror and they can’t see us.”
    “Don’t you need to be out front?”
    “I hired part-time help for the weekends. Wish I could get more.” BeBe positioned Liv diagonally to the door, stood behind her, and pulled the curtain aside a few inches. Liv got a full view of the heads of Joe, Eric, and Eileen. There was no Pudge.
    “Well, I’ve had enough,” Eileen said and stood up abruptly.
    “Now, Eileen. I know it’s hard, but you just have to be patient.”
    “For what? They arrested Lyle. I want to go home. I’ve had it with these people and this town. I’m leaving.”
    She grabbed her purse and headed for the door.
    Eric jumped up. “Eileen, don’t.”
    Eileen pouted at him. “Don’t worry, sweetie. I won’t leave without you.” She was flirting but there was something hard in her eyes. “Later.” She opened the door, and a gust of wind rattled the paper