Read Online Murder Under the Covered Bridge by Elizabeth Perona - Free Book Online

her publicist. I thought you only stayed the night last night because Joy needed you this morning.”
    â€œOkay, I’m not her publicist, at least not in the way you’re thinking. But she’ll come around too.”
    Francine wasn’t sure how to answer that. Was Marcy working for Mary Ruth on her own? That was a scary thought.
    â€œYou sure you don’t want a reading? I promise you she’s pretty good. And I’m not just saying that as a publicist or a relative.”
    â€œI don’t believe in that stuff.”
    â€œLet me take a look at your palm,” Marcy said, snatching up Francine’s hand and flipping it over. “She’s taught me a couple of things.”
    Francine gave her a skeptical look but let her continue. “Let me guess, I have a short life line.”
    Marcy’s eyebrows went up, far enough above the dark sunglasses that Francine could see them. “Quite the contrary. It’s a very long life line. Look at this.” Marcy traced it across Francine’s palm.
    â€œIs that long?”
    â€œCompared to most people’s, yes. In fact, it’s the longest I’ve seen. Not that I’ve seen that many. Only since I’ve been helping out Merlina. I think you should let her read your palm. Or your fortune with Tarot cards.”
    â€œOr maybe we should invite her over for a slumber party and have a séance,” Francine said, and then regretted it immediately.
    Marcy brightened. “Great idea! Does someone have that on their bucket list? Because the Great Merlina does séances too.”
    â€œNope. Bad idea. I was just kidding.” Francine averted her eyes. Alice, in fact, had this on her Sixty List. It was on the low end, somewhere in the forties, but it was there.
    â€œHmmm. Maybe I’ll just have to check that out with Charlotte.”
    Francine spotted Toby hustling toward her. “Gotta go, Marcy. Good luck with the Great Merlina.” She scurried off. As she left, Marcy had a big smile on her face. Nothing good will come of this, Francine thought. She’d thought that before, too, and had been right. “What is it, Toby?”
    â€œGrandma needs you right away.”
    â€œWhat’s going on?”
    â€œShe’s nearly out of corn meal, she has zero time to go get some, and everyone’s starting to notice we’re running out of food.”
    â€œDoes she need me to run to the store?”
    â€œYes, but it may already be too late.”
    A great murmuring swept the crowd at that moment, a wave of growing dissatisfaction like the stir of the ocean before it gathered strength and overwhelmed the shore. People began to push and crowd the booth. Fists struck the display case trying to seize whatever Fabulous Sweets were left. Joy gasped and took a step back from the register. Mary Ruth’s hands went up in the air in alarm. Alice gripped the cross medallion at her breast.
    Francine swallowed hard.
    And then a reedy voice from two booths over cried, “Free pork rind samples! Get your free pork rind samples here.” Another nearby vendor yelled, “I’ve got beef jerky, elk jerky, any kind of jerky you need!”
    The crowd’s ear perked up.
    And then they dispersed to other booths.
    Francine exhaled.
    And knew she would never look down on pork rind or beef jerky vendors again.

six
    Mary Ruth squirreled away the remaining few cookies, scones, and slices of flourless chocolate cake and closed the booth.
    â€œWhew!” She wiped her forehead, sweeping the damp auburn hair to the side where it tucked naturally behind her ear. “I’ve never felt so threatened in my life.”
    â€œSecond time today for me,” Joy said.
    â€œOh my gosh, that’s right! You said you’d been shot at while you were at the bridge. What happened?”
    Joy and Francine filled in Mary Ruth and Alice in while they cleaned up the booth and got it ready for the next