Read Online How Secrets Die by Marta Perry - Free Book Online

where they’d grown up. That place had been filled with memories, too many of them unhappy ones.
    â€œThat’s good.” The woman’s worried look didn’t vanish completely, but she seemed satisfied at the moment. “I noticed that Lina Oberlin stopped by to see you.” There was a bit of curiosity in the words.
    â€œShe knew I wanted to hear about how Jason got on there.” Kate paused. Apparently Mrs. Anderson kept tabs on who went to the cottage. Annoying, but it meant she might be able to provide information Kate needed. “I had hoped Ms. Oberlin might know about any friends Jason made at Blackburn House, but she didn’t seem to.”
    â€œAt Blackburn House? Well, let me think. He must have met Nick Whiting and his father, who run the cabinetry business, and Sarah at the quilt shop, but I don’t think any of them ever got close. And of course the bookshop owner was much older.” She seemed to brighten a little. “There’s Nikki, the receptionist. She’d have been more his age, and I think she stopped by a few times. And Rich Willis, the young attorney whose office is upstairs. He might have known Jason.”
    â€œI hadn’t thought of him. I might stop by and introduce myself.” She couldn’t remember that Jason had ever mentioned the man, but it was a possibility. And she’d have to cultivate Nikki’s acquaintance.
    Mac’s warning about staying away from Bart Gordon slithered into her mind. Too bad she’d managed to make an enemy of Gordon at their first meeting. But that hadn’t entirely been her fault. Gordon had overreacted to her presence, badly overreacted. That had to mean something.
    While Kate had been busy with her speculations, Mrs. Anderson had been burbling on, seemingly an inexhaustible source of local information. “...previous bookshop owner was killed, right there in Blackburn House.” She leaned forward, emphasizing her words with a tap on the table. “Right next door, can you imagine it? Such a scandal, it caused.”
    Wheels turned. “Was that when Jason was here?”
    â€œOh, no, dear. That happened just this past spring. It turned out he’d been blackmailing someone.”
    Impressive, but it didn’t seem to have any possible relationship to her brother. “Who runs the bookshop now?”
    â€œThat would be Emily Waterston. She’d clerked there for years, and he left everything to her. Poor Emily.” She shook her head. “I’m afraid it’s all been overwhelming for her. And now the high school girl who helped her part-time has gone off to college, leaving her in the lurch. Well, I mean, of course the young woman had to go on to college, but Emily hasn’t been able to find anyone reliable to fill in.”
    A bell rang in Kate’s mind. A part-time job at the bookshop—what could be better? It wouldn’t tie her down, and it would give her a legitimate reason for being in Blackburn House whenever she wanted.
    â€œIf she hasn’t filled the position, do you think she might be interested in taking me on, just for the month? I...I could stand to have a little extra money coming in until I start a new job.” Actually she was fine financially since Tom had so unexpectedly left everything to her.
    But as a reason, it seemed to satisfy Mrs. Anderson. “Why, I’m sure she would. That would give her time to look for someone more permanent. She’d be so relieved.” The woman rose as she spoke and headed for the telephone. “I’ll call her right now and tell her.”
    â€œYou don’t need...” she began, but Mrs. Anderson was already punching in the number.
    Kate made an effort not to listen to Mrs. Anderson’s side of the phone call, but it was hard not to hear. She got the impression the unknown Emily was jumping at the chance of immediate help.
    In a few minutes Mrs. Anderson hung up, turning to Kate