Read Online Nun the Wiser (A Deadly Habit Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Morgana Best - Free Book Online Page B

just done the normal kinds of jobs, like retail and such.”
    “Oh, that’s respectable,” he said. He then headed toward the back area.
    “Sorry, but customers aren’t allowed back there,” I called after him.
    Pete turned, apparently a bit startled. “Oh, I’m sorry. I was just curious about the place. Is there no second floor?”
    “Excuse me?” I said.
    “I noticed when I was walking in that this building is a lot taller than it seems to be when you’re actually inside,” he said.
    “Oh. That’s because there’s an apartment above the shop, but access to that staircase is off limits to the public.”
    The man walked over to the counter and gently rested his arms on it. I noticed his strong, muscular arms. They were almost intimidating. “So, is that where you live?” he asked.
    I was now truly afraid. I eyed the shop door, but the man was blocking my way to it. “Yes it is, but I don’t feel that where I live is relevant to our conversation.” I had done my best to sound brave, but I could hear the tremor in my voice.
    “Fair enough,” he said, sliding his arms off the counter. He shot me a strange look and cracked a crooked grin. He raised his right hand quickly, scaring me, until it went to his head and his fingers combed back his already slick hair. “I think I might be interested in that large chest over there, but I don’t know when I’ll be back for it if the wife allows.”
    “Great,” I said, still eyeing the exit.
    To my relief, the man headed to the door. He turned back at me and pointed. “See you later,” he said. His tone was ominous.
    I clutched the counter, and then as soon as he shut the door, I ran to it and locked it, flipping the sign to Closed.
    As soon as I did so, I made the connection. I had seen that face before, and right then, I knew why he had looked familiar in the first place. He was one of the bank robbers that I had seen in the photos.
    I let out a loud shriek, upset at myself for not remembering such crucial information when he was still in my store. The way he was interrogating me had given me reason enough to suspect that he wasn’t who he claimed to be.
    I walked toward the front of my shop and looked through the window, to see where the man was headed. To my horror, he was standing across the street watching the shop. He waved to me, a satisfied expression on his face.
    I was sick to my stomach. I hurried back to the front counter and picked up my cell phone. I called Adam right away.
    “Hello?”
    “It’s Rose. I think we have a problem.”
     
     

Chapter 11 .
    “My husband’s going to love this little table,” the tall, thin woman said with a smile.
    I smiled back and handed the woman her change and the receipt for the purchase. The woman turned and walked out, and just moments later, the business phone rang.
    “Hi, this is Wendy Carter,” a husky female voice said. “I was wondering if your shop was interested in purchasing a large assortment of old wooden furniture real cheap. My husband recently passed away and he was such a hoarder, but now that he’s gone, all of this stuff is just taking up unnecessary space on the farm. I’m not much of a furniture expert, but some of these pieces look very nice, a bit dusty, but nice. It’s all in good condition, but it’s old-fashioned, you know? Not antique, but old. I don’t want much for it all — I just want it gone fast ‘cause I’ve sold the place and I’m moving soon.”
    I was excited about the prospect of a large amount of furniture, and cheap at that. “Yes —” I said, as soon as she paused for breath.
    “Actually, I need the stuff gone very soon. I was hoping that you could at least come by today and quote me a price for the lot,” the woman continued. “Like I said, I don’t want much for it. I just want it gone.”
    I pulled a face. I really didn’t want to drive out of town today in the cold, but I also didn’t want to lose out on the purchase. I looked out the front