Read Online Murder on Wheels by Lynn Cahoon - Free Book Online Page A

her hand on my arm. I pressed my lips together to hold back the comment and leaned back in my chair.
    Mayor Baylor answered the question. “The council has given approval for a special committee dedicated to holding businesses and residents accountable for their excess water usage. We were hoping, Mr. Thomas, that individuals like you would step up and be a part of the solution rather than just griping about the problem. Can I put your name down as a volunteer?”
    Josh’s face burned red, but he nodded.
    My aunt raised her hand. “I’ll join the committee, as well.” She patted my arm in some sort of there, there gesture. I was less than reassured since my aunt had wanted us to stop serving water to our customers.
    A third member joined the committee. Harrold Snider, the owner of The Train Station, put up his hand. “I guess I should be carrying my weight as the newest member of this group. I’ll be part of the committee, too.”
    Thank God for rationality, I thought as Mayor Baylor beamed at the model train store owner.
    â€œSo glad to see you participating.” He glanced around the table, and when no one else said anything, he nodded. “I’ll assign Amy as the city’s representative to the committee, and she’ll drop off the reading material the state sent us on water conservation. Can I expect a starting report in two weeks?”
    Harrold, Josh, and Aunt Jackie all nodded. “Looks like we’ve got some work ahead of us,” Harrold said. “Why don’t you all come over to The Train Station after the meeting and we’ll set up some times to get together? Maybe Amy can join us?”
    â€œPerfect,” Aunt Jackie said. Her voice was a little too bright, causing me to look over at her. She blushed and poured herself more coffee.
    Harrold looked at Josh, who shrugged. “I guess that will be okay.” Josh never went against what Jackie said. At least not in public.
    â€œAs long as she’s not away from the phones too long, you may ask Miss Newman to attend your meeting today.” The mayor looked at his phone. “I’ll be in the office until two.”
    He then turned the floor back over to Bill, who looked at me. “I believe that completes our business for the meeting? Jill, we can count this as our February meeting, correct?”
    I thought of all the agenda items in my file and realized that most of them were from one person, Josh. I tried to keep my grin from taking over my entire face when I answered. “Of course, I’ll move the other items off until March.”
    â€œBut—” Josh protested.
    Bill slammed down the gavel. “Then the Business-to-Business meeting is adjourned. Make sure you send your agenda items to Jill a week prior to the March meeting.”
    Chairs pushed back from the table and people filled their to-go cups with the last of the free coffee. Brownies disappeared into napkins, and in less than five minutes, the shop was empty except for six people. Sasha, who sat reading behind the counter. Me. Sadie. And the new committee.
    â€œWe could just talk here,” Josh mumbled, looking at Aunt Jackie.
    She shook her head. “I believe a short walk over to The Train Station would do us good. Maybe we should order lunch from Lille’s and extend our meeting so we can start planning?”
    â€œI need to open the shop.” Josh looked at Jackie like she was talking treason.
    Aunt Jackie pulled her Burberry trench coat on over her peacock blue pantsuit and picked up her purse. She turned to look back at Sasha, who tucked the book away under the counter. “I’ll be back in time for my shift.”
    Sasha nodded her head quickly, looking like a deer caught in the headlights.
    â€œWe’ll be fine. Take all the time you need,” I said, trying to divert my aunt’s attention away from Sasha.
    The three walked out of the shop and the rest of us started moving