Read Online Old Maid's Puzzle by Terri Thayer - Free Book Online Page B

was amazing how long it takes to watch a pretty woman walk awayand with such concentration. I was just about to jump into his line of vision when he followed her to the door.
    He paused in the doorway to let me go through first. "They can go once I've talked to them."
    He took a stance alongside Ina at the podium, legs spread and hands on his hips. Superman pose.
    "People, this is an official police investigation. I appreciate your cooperation. I'm sorry to put you out, but your cars are in the midst of a crime scene and will not be released until the investigation is complete. That could take several hours. You may want to secure alternate means to get home."

    The group turned to me, standing in the doorway. I held up my hands helplessly. "I'm sorry. You can use the phone in here or in my office to call husbands or friends to come get you. Just dial nine for an outside line."
    That satisfied most of the customers, and they spread out and began to make their calls. Two remembered their cells and retrieved them from Ina's basket. Tim Shore was the lone holdout. He was angry and not budging. Typical male. Even though there was nothing to be done, he wanted something done.
    Tim opened his mouth to complain.
    I tried to forestall his scene. "I will provide cab fare for anyone who can't get a ride home."
    His face slowly creased into a smile, and he gave me a thumbsup. He was quite handsome when he smiled.
    Vangie came into the classroom to give Alice her credit slip, just in time to hear my offer. When she heard what I'd said, she nudged me hard and whispered, "Do you know how expensive cabs are? We've got exactly eighty bucks in petty cash."
    "Can you drive anyone home?" I whispered.
    "On my bike?" Vangie laughed, and started humming the music to The Wizard of Oz. "That would be a sight."
    I had the last laugh. "Isn't your bike part of the crime scene?"
    She stopped humming. "Damn"
    Ten minutes later, I was out on the sidewalk in front of the store. Vangie and I had carried out sewing machines and schlepped bags and rulers. Most of the students had gotten rides home from family members. Ina was dropping off the remainder.

    Only Tim Shore was taking me up on my offer of cab money. I held out the petty cash. Tim plucked a twenty from my fingers, like I'd told him to Go Fish.
    "I live in Santa Cruz," he said.
    After a moment's consideration, he pulled out one more.
    I saw Vangie roll her eyes. This was money I could ill afford to give away. I bit back a retort when he came back for one more. My heart sank, but I gave Vangie a brave look.
    He walked away, saying he would get closer to downtown to catch a cab.
    Vangie and I didn't wait for him to get out of sight before we locked the front door. The store was quiet, serene even. It was hard to believe what was going on in the alley.
    There was a loud rap. Vangie and I jumped. The rap came again, and I could see Buster standing in the front window, fist raised, college ring tapping on the window. I was so glad to see him, I covered the distance in a few steps and flung open the door.
    "Are you okay?" Buster said, gathering me in his arms. I let myself rest there a moment. "Sorry, I just got your message. I had my cell off," he said, and greeted Vangie.
    She acknowledged him with a nod and a grin. She was glad he was there, too.
    "I can't compete with laundry, I know." I managed to stick to a teasing tone, but I was a little peeved. It had been only an hour since I'd called him, but it felt like forever.
    "Do you know the vic?" he asked.
    Vangie shook her head vehemently.

    I said, "He looked sort of familiar, but you know how it is in this neighborhood. There are tons of people that I say hi to on the street, but I don't know them."
    I moved Buster over to the cushy chair in our book section. A hand-me-down from my parent's den, it was a well-broken-in leather recliner. Buster sat, and I perched on the arm. Vangie leaned on the book rack.
    Buster was dressed in a sky blue SJPD Pistol