Read Online Murder of a Bookstore Babe by Denise Swanson - Free Book Online
Authors: Denise Swanson
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the fuss at the bookstore yesterday, and I wanted to talk to you about it.”
“Why?” Skye was surprised that (a) Bunny had told Simon about the ruckus—she usually hid her involvement in incidents like that from her son—and (b) he was interested. One of the major problems they’d had as a couple was his utter lack of nosiness.
“I really don’t want to discuss it in public.” Simon stepped closer and lowered his voice. “It has to do with Xavier.”
Xavier Ryan was Simon’s assistant, both at the funeral home he owned and in Simon’s role as county coroner. Xavier was also Frannie Ryan’s father.
“He’s Orlando’s old army buddy, right?” Skye wrinkled her brow, remembering Orlando’s mention of his army buddy Ryan. She had assumed that was a first name, but now it all clicked into place.
“Correct.” Simon straightened his shoulders. “I know that despite how you feel about me, you’re fond of Xavier and Frannie. So please have coffee with me.” He touched her arm. “I need your help.”
Holy moly! Simon had never, ever asked for her assistance. “In that case . . .” Skye swallowed. There was still a spark of attraction between them, but she was determined to fight it. “Sure. But I can’t be seen with you at the Feed Bag or McDonald’s. You’ve got the gossips so stirred up they’d have us married before lunchtime.”
“It’ll only take a few minutes. Where do you want to meet?” Simon’s lips twitched. “Guess it’s hard to find some privacy when your fiancé is the chief of police. A funeral director, on the other hand, has a lot fewer minions reporting to him.”
Skye nailed him with a frown before saying, “Let’s meet at the Shell station by the highway. Park in back. I need gas anyway, so I’ll grab a couple cups of coffee when I pay and we can sit in your car and talk.”
“Fine,” Simon said as he got into his Lexus. “But if we’re seen, this will look more suspicious than if we just went to a restaurant in town.”
He was right. Skye chewed her lip as she drove toward I-55. Except she’d promised Wally no more Sunday breakfasts with Simon, so doing it this way felt like less of a betrayal. She only hoped Wally felt the same way when she told him about it this afternoon.
When Skye arrived at the station, she found Simon already parked by the Dumpster. After filling up her Bel Air and getting the coffee, she moved her car next to his sleek white luxury sedan and climbed into the passenger seat.
Handing him a Styrofoam cup, she said, “Let’s hear it.”
“As you guessed, Xavier and Orlando were in Vietnam together.” Simon gave Skye his full attention. “They did two tours of duty and kept in touch once they got home.”
“Okay.” Skye took a sip of coffee, wincing as she burned her tongue.
“And the reason Orlando and his wife chose Scumble River for their bookstore is because of Xavier’s description of the town.”
“That surprises me, since Xavier has always struck me as not having much connection to Scumble River. I kind of thought he only stuck around for Frannie’s sake.” Skye tilted her head. “Was he born here?”
“Yes,” Simon answered slowly. “And after he got out of the service, he came back here and married his high school sweetheart. They’d been trying to have a baby for over ten years when Frannie was born. His wife died shortly afterward, and my uncle said Xavier was never the same. Said he just withdrew until his whole life was his daughter, his job, and his Vietnam Vets group.”
“I see.” Skye nodded. Simon had inherited the funeral home from his uncle. “But how is Xavier being responsible for Risé and her husband settling in Scumble River a problem? Surely they don’t hold Xavier responsible for what happened yesterday.”
“That I don’t know. But . . . ,” Simon started, then seemed to change his mind. “You have to promise to keep what I tell you confidential. That means from everyone. Including
“Why?” Skye was surprised that (a) Bunny had told Simon about the ruckus—she usually hid her involvement in incidents like that from her son—and (b) he was interested. One of the major problems they’d had as a couple was his utter lack of nosiness.
“I really don’t want to discuss it in public.” Simon stepped closer and lowered his voice. “It has to do with Xavier.”
Xavier Ryan was Simon’s assistant, both at the funeral home he owned and in Simon’s role as county coroner. Xavier was also Frannie Ryan’s father.
“He’s Orlando’s old army buddy, right?” Skye wrinkled her brow, remembering Orlando’s mention of his army buddy Ryan. She had assumed that was a first name, but now it all clicked into place.
“Correct.” Simon straightened his shoulders. “I know that despite how you feel about me, you’re fond of Xavier and Frannie. So please have coffee with me.” He touched her arm. “I need your help.”
Holy moly! Simon had never, ever asked for her assistance. “In that case . . .” Skye swallowed. There was still a spark of attraction between them, but she was determined to fight it. “Sure. But I can’t be seen with you at the Feed Bag or McDonald’s. You’ve got the gossips so stirred up they’d have us married before lunchtime.”
“It’ll only take a few minutes. Where do you want to meet?” Simon’s lips twitched. “Guess it’s hard to find some privacy when your fiancé is the chief of police. A funeral director, on the other hand, has a lot fewer minions reporting to him.”
Skye nailed him with a frown before saying, “Let’s meet at the Shell station by the highway. Park in back. I need gas anyway, so I’ll grab a couple cups of coffee when I pay and we can sit in your car and talk.”
“Fine,” Simon said as he got into his Lexus. “But if we’re seen, this will look more suspicious than if we just went to a restaurant in town.”
He was right. Skye chewed her lip as she drove toward I-55. Except she’d promised Wally no more Sunday breakfasts with Simon, so doing it this way felt like less of a betrayal. She only hoped Wally felt the same way when she told him about it this afternoon.
When Skye arrived at the station, she found Simon already parked by the Dumpster. After filling up her Bel Air and getting the coffee, she moved her car next to his sleek white luxury sedan and climbed into the passenger seat.
Handing him a Styrofoam cup, she said, “Let’s hear it.”
“As you guessed, Xavier and Orlando were in Vietnam together.” Simon gave Skye his full attention. “They did two tours of duty and kept in touch once they got home.”
“Okay.” Skye took a sip of coffee, wincing as she burned her tongue.
“And the reason Orlando and his wife chose Scumble River for their bookstore is because of Xavier’s description of the town.”
“That surprises me, since Xavier has always struck me as not having much connection to Scumble River. I kind of thought he only stuck around for Frannie’s sake.” Skye tilted her head. “Was he born here?”
“Yes,” Simon answered slowly. “And after he got out of the service, he came back here and married his high school sweetheart. They’d been trying to have a baby for over ten years when Frannie was born. His wife died shortly afterward, and my uncle said Xavier was never the same. Said he just withdrew until his whole life was his daughter, his job, and his Vietnam Vets group.”
“I see.” Skye nodded. Simon had inherited the funeral home from his uncle. “But how is Xavier being responsible for Risé and her husband settling in Scumble River a problem? Surely they don’t hold Xavier responsible for what happened yesterday.”
“That I don’t know. But . . . ,” Simon started, then seemed to change his mind. “You have to promise to keep what I tell you confidential. That means from everyone. Including
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