Read Online Cover Story by Erika Chase - Free Book Online

bit too close for comfort. And more than a coincidence, I’d say.”
    â€œLizzie does have a point,” Molly said gently.
    â€œTish tosh. I don’t see how the two events can possibly be tied in. His murder certainly has nothing to do with my book. That’s absurd. Why, I’ll hire security guards for the launch if that makes it any safer.”
    Wow, she’s serious.
“Why don’t I run it by Mark and see what he thinks? But there’s also a slight glitch we’d have to deal with.”
    â€œAnd what would that be?” Teensy did not sound amused.
    â€œMark was saying the books need to be held in evidence during the investigation.”
    â€œWhat?” Teensy exploded. “They cannot do that. It’s my book. I paid for it. Well at least half of it, so I should get at least half the books.”
    â€œThat’s a good point,” Lizzie agreed. “Mark did say he’d see what he could do, but this new DA is a stickler for the rules.”
    â€œMaybe I could talk to the mayor. He called the other day to welcome me back to town.” Teensy looked expectantly from Lizzie to Molly.
    â€œWhat about the fact that I’d already ordered and paid for the books?” Molly asked. “Teensy and I agreed I’d handle this as a business venture. I’d purchase the books and keep the profit and then she’d collect royalties.”
    â€œHow did you pay, Molly? By credit card?”
    â€œNo, check.”
    â€œWell if he deposited the check then that would be proof one hundred fifty copies are yours.”
    â€œI take it there’s no record that I’d ordered them?”
    â€œMaybe they’ll come across it when they dig deeper. Let’s wait and see what Mark can do.”
    â€œMark, huh?” Teensy asked, a suggestive smile playing at her lips. “Would that happen to be police chief Mark Dreyfus?”
    Lizzie nodded, feeling her cheeks grow hot. “An old high school acquaintance.”
    Teensy grinned. “As good a time of life to meet Mr. Right as any.”

Chapter Nine
    â€œWho shot him?” I asked. The gray man scratched the back of his neck and said: “Somebody with a gun.”
    RED HARVEST
—DASHIELL HAMMETT
    B y the next afternoon, Molly had assured Lizzie enough times that she was truly all right and no longer needed a babysitter. Lizzie finally agreed and, after making Molly promise to phone three times a day, headed for home. She was secretly relieved to be doing so, although she enjoyed spending time with Molly. And when Molly was resting, Lizzie had put those hours to good use. She’d finished outlining a proposed workshop for the Ashton Corners Elementary School teachers she’d planned for late September titled “Graphic Novels as a Teaching Aid.” And, most of her handouts were ready to be dropped off at the school board offices for printing.
    The literacy classes she taught on Monday and Wednesday nights would also be restarting, but not until the second week in September. However, aside from a general outline of what topics would be covered in the year, she liked to get to know the needs of the individuals in her class and then tailor the sessions to help them reach their goals. For most of them, that was usually a “pass” on their GEDs.
    Lizzie loved the variety that came from teaching at night while working more with teachers during the day. Of course, as a reading specialist, she also worked with small groups of students to increase their reading skills, as needed.
    When she’d enrolled in Auburn University right after high school, she’d planned on being a journalist like her daddy, but somewhere in that freshman year, she’d stumbled on teaching and eventually decided that the more specialized role was something better suited to her abilities. It had been hard leaving Ashton Corners, with her mama tucked away at Magnolia Manor, the assisted living