Read Online Nightingale's Nightmare (Cassadaga Book 4 by Elizabeth Owens - Free Book Online

out the window and down the street. The woman continued until she heard the doorbell ring, indicating the arrival of her first client.
    She reached for a hard candy mint from the jar setting on the organ, popping it into her mouth. Now, she was ready to begin work.
    ~~
    Nightingale had been sitting in front of her computer since morning. She sipped a glass of water, still searching for answers.
    That cat and the curse had to go.
    She could not believe she was even thinking such thoughts. It wasn’t like she was susceptible to being cursed since she believed you had to be open to the suggestion. But here she was, feeling very cursed at the moment.
    Information was limited and Nightingale was frustrated, so she gave up for the time being, deciding to walk to the post office. As she was coming out of the post office, Latisha was just rounding the corner of the building.
    “Hey, girl! Looking good,” Latisha said, all smiles.
    “You, too. What’s up in your world?” Nightingale asked.
    “I was brought in for an interview at the Sheriff’s Office yesterday.” Latisha plucked at her collar with her finger tips when she spoke the words.
    “What on earth for?” Nightingale was aghast.
    “I used to work for Bradford Perry,” she replied, a serious expression joining her announcement.
    “I didn’t know that.” No one knew much about Latisha’s life, not even Nightingale.
    “Yeah, I was his personal secretary, scheduled everything for him.” She smirked a little. “I knew everything about that son of a bitch.”
    “Oh, well, then that’s why they called you in.”
    “Umm hmm, I knew it all. Every appointment, every lunch date, even his escapades, if you know what I mean.” Latisha glowed over her knowledge. “Nothing got passed me. I knew where he was twenty-four seven.”
    “Then you are a very valuable person in this investigation into his death, or murder.”
    “The police seemed to think so. ” Latisha looked smug as she gazed back at Nightingale. “I knew who he was sleeping with. All of the ladies. I knew his enemies, too.”
    “ Do you think one of them killed him?”
    Latisha glanced down at her feet. “I don’t know. Who can say why anyone would kill him? I sure don’t know. And that’s what I told them. I don’t know nothin’.”
    “You aren’t even suspicious of anyone? I mean, you knew so many of his cohorts—and girlfriends—surely one must have caused you to be suspicious?”
    “No. No one.” Latisha made the statement quickly and firmly, as if she didn’t want to reveal anything specific. Nightingale wondered if she was being evasive. Maybe Latisha didn’t want to share what she knew with her, or the police, for that matter. Perhaps Latisha was protecting Bradford, even in death. The loyal employee. Except she didn’t sound like she respected the man.
    “Do you think they’re any closer to finding the perpetrator?” Nightingale asked.
    “I don’t know. They didn’t say.”
    “Oh. Well, maybe something will turn up soon and we can get on with our lives here.” Nightingale shifted her mail from one hand to the other. “That would be nice for a lot of people, especially me.”
    “That’s right, you’re under suspicion, just ‘cause you’re his ex-wife. Bummer.” Latisha stared back at Nightingale. “I can see where you’d like them to find the killer. Hmm. Well, maybe soon, who knows?” Latisha smiled back at Nightingale.
    “Nice talking to you, Latisha,” Nightingale said as she turned to walk away.
    Nightingale noticed Ralph walking around toward the back of the bookstore as she was passing by the building.
    “Hey, Ralph!’ she called.
    Ralph turned around with a shovel in his hand.
    “Nightingale, hi!”
    “What are you up to? Digging holes today?”
    Ralph smiled broadly. He really liked Nightingale, thinking she was so nice and cute with her red hair tumbling down her back. Yes, even at his age, beauty attracted him.
    “Yeah, Chloe’s got me working