Read Online Laina Turner - Presley Thurman 02 - Necklaces & Nooses by Laina Turner - Free Book Online
Authors: Laina Turner
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the site of a donut convention.”
“I don’t think I understand. A donut convention?”
“Like there’s been an explosion of powdered sugar, and it’s everywhere.”
“Ahhh, I’ve never heard it described like that, but you certainly are correct. It’s the materials they use to try and pick up any fingerprints, and it is like powered sugar in the looks department, and very messy.”
“Any ideas on how to clean it?”
Willie laughed. “Nope, sorry about that, I have no idea. I just help make the mess, not clean it up.”
“Figures,” I said, but I wasn’t really angry. I was happy to talk to him.
“We still on for dinner?”
“Yep, talk to you then.”
I got off the phone and surveyed the boutique one more time, mentally rolling up my sleeves. I had dressed up somewhat when I met Jared and Anna for coffee that morning, so I didn’t have to listen to her give me a hard time about my yoga pants and nasty T-shirt, but luckily I wasn’t too dressed up. I had on a knee length floral print skirt with blue heels and a simple black tank top. Not the best outfit to be cleaning in, but if I could keep it a little clean, then I would still look presentable for my date with Willie. I called the girls I worked with and got hold of one of them who said she would come down and help. I wasn’t even sure where to start.
Almost six hours later I was not only exhausted, but I was barely going to have time to go home, shower, and get ready for my date tonight. I had already called Willie to make it seven thirty and to pick me up at my condo. I was proud, though, that the store sparkled and was ready to open the next morning. I looked around, making sure there wasn’t anything more for me to do before I left. Steph had gone about thirty minutes before to meet her parents for dinner. I wanted to be able to come in the next day and just work at running the store. I was sure many clients would be in wanting to know everything that happened. The phone in the few hours I was there cleaning had rung off the hook, and a few of the regulars had stopped by. I didn’t answer any of the calls after the first couple, once I realized it was customers and some members of the press asking questions, and not about the merchandise we carried. I gathered up my things and looked around making sure I didn’t forget anything, when the door chimed. I looked up to see a man walk in, he was about five foot nine and fair skinned, blond hair, blue eyes, very Nordic looking. He was very well dressed in a navy pin-striped suit with a snappy red tie. Not my personal favorite look, but a lot of guys seemed to favor this type of power suit.
“Can I help you?” I wondered if I should be nervous that a strange man was walking into the store when I was all alone. After all, a woman had just been killed. But it was still light out, and there were many passersby outside, and what were the odds that the killer would come back? I guessed I shouldn’t worry too much. I never would have before, so I didn’t want to turn into a paranoid mess then.
“Yes, you can,” he replied with what sounded like a German accent, but I wasn’t entirely sure. “I am looking to see what you have in the way of fine beautiful necklaces—and money is no object with me.”
“We have many necklaces to choose from as you can see,” I said, sweeping my arm over in the direction of the jewelry displays. “But we are closed right now. We will be open tomorrow at 9 a.m.”
“But it’s only seven now. Your sign outside says you are open until eight; I do not understand. I need a necklace right now for an important occasion, and I demand you show them to me.” His voice rose a little, and his face flushed. Guess he must really need a necklace .
Damn, I knew I should have put a closed sign up on the door and locked it. I had thought about it after the first few non-regulars stopped by, and then I forgot. “Sir, I’m really sorry but there—”
“Are you not a
“I don’t think I understand. A donut convention?”
“Like there’s been an explosion of powdered sugar, and it’s everywhere.”
“Ahhh, I’ve never heard it described like that, but you certainly are correct. It’s the materials they use to try and pick up any fingerprints, and it is like powered sugar in the looks department, and very messy.”
“Any ideas on how to clean it?”
Willie laughed. “Nope, sorry about that, I have no idea. I just help make the mess, not clean it up.”
“Figures,” I said, but I wasn’t really angry. I was happy to talk to him.
“We still on for dinner?”
“Yep, talk to you then.”
I got off the phone and surveyed the boutique one more time, mentally rolling up my sleeves. I had dressed up somewhat when I met Jared and Anna for coffee that morning, so I didn’t have to listen to her give me a hard time about my yoga pants and nasty T-shirt, but luckily I wasn’t too dressed up. I had on a knee length floral print skirt with blue heels and a simple black tank top. Not the best outfit to be cleaning in, but if I could keep it a little clean, then I would still look presentable for my date with Willie. I called the girls I worked with and got hold of one of them who said she would come down and help. I wasn’t even sure where to start.
Almost six hours later I was not only exhausted, but I was barely going to have time to go home, shower, and get ready for my date tonight. I had already called Willie to make it seven thirty and to pick me up at my condo. I was proud, though, that the store sparkled and was ready to open the next morning. I looked around, making sure there wasn’t anything more for me to do before I left. Steph had gone about thirty minutes before to meet her parents for dinner. I wanted to be able to come in the next day and just work at running the store. I was sure many clients would be in wanting to know everything that happened. The phone in the few hours I was there cleaning had rung off the hook, and a few of the regulars had stopped by. I didn’t answer any of the calls after the first couple, once I realized it was customers and some members of the press asking questions, and not about the merchandise we carried. I gathered up my things and looked around making sure I didn’t forget anything, when the door chimed. I looked up to see a man walk in, he was about five foot nine and fair skinned, blond hair, blue eyes, very Nordic looking. He was very well dressed in a navy pin-striped suit with a snappy red tie. Not my personal favorite look, but a lot of guys seemed to favor this type of power suit.
“Can I help you?” I wondered if I should be nervous that a strange man was walking into the store when I was all alone. After all, a woman had just been killed. But it was still light out, and there were many passersby outside, and what were the odds that the killer would come back? I guessed I shouldn’t worry too much. I never would have before, so I didn’t want to turn into a paranoid mess then.
“Yes, you can,” he replied with what sounded like a German accent, but I wasn’t entirely sure. “I am looking to see what you have in the way of fine beautiful necklaces—and money is no object with me.”
“We have many necklaces to choose from as you can see,” I said, sweeping my arm over in the direction of the jewelry displays. “But we are closed right now. We will be open tomorrow at 9 a.m.”
“But it’s only seven now. Your sign outside says you are open until eight; I do not understand. I need a necklace right now for an important occasion, and I demand you show them to me.” His voice rose a little, and his face flushed. Guess he must really need a necklace .
Damn, I knew I should have put a closed sign up on the door and locked it. I had thought about it after the first few non-regulars stopped by, and then I forgot. “Sir, I’m really sorry but there—”
“Are you not a
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