Read Online Read and Buried by Erika Chase - Free Book Online Page B

So tell me, Ms. Turner, why you lied to the police.” Craig’s
     voice was deceptively low.
    “I didn’t lie.”
    “You were asked about Derek Alton and you weren’t entirely forthcoming.”
    “But I didn’t lie.” Lizzie shifted in her seat. “I just omitted telling you certain
     things.”
    Lizzie waited for Craig to say something, and when she didn’t, added, “For obvious
     reasons.”
    Officer Craig still didn’t comment. Lizzie kept her mouth shut. After a couple of
     minutes of silence, Craig closed her notebook and stood.
    “I’ll pass along the information to the chief. We’ll be in touch.”
    Lizzie bristled. Craig seemed to be enjoying this. “I don’t like your tone of voice,
     Officer Craig. You’re implying much more happened than did. It was a dinner. Period.
     Nothing more. And besides, the chief already knows.”
    “So tell me, did Mr. Alton take the hint when you hung the mistletoe?”
    Lizzie exploded. “No. There was no hint, no message, no kiss under it. I already told
     you, but in case you’ve forgotten, I was decorating the house when he stopped by.
     Unexpectedly.”
    “Right. That’s what you said. That’s all, for now.” Craig put her hat on and left.
    Lizzie didn’t know whether to throw a pillow at the bookcase or a book out the door
     at Officer Craig. She was so frustrated. She glanced out the window when she heard
     Craig yelling. In a few moments, Andrea Mason stood up on the other side of the police
     cruiser. Lizzie hurried to the door.
    “And just what were you doing? Tampering with my car?” Craig shouted at Andie.
    Andie sauntered past Officer Craig, toward Lizzie. “Nope. Nice seeing you again, Officer
     Craig.”
    Lizzie watched as Craig walked around her cruiser, checking it carefully. She got
     into the front seat, pulled out her notebook and made an entry before driving away.
    “What were you doing, Andie?” Lizzie asked as Andie joined her on the porch.
    “I was just walking past on my way to school and I saw her car and she came marching
     out the door so I ducked. Instinct, I guess.”
    “Uh-huh. Now what were you really doing here?’
    Andie looked around, up and down the street, and then answered. “I was just checking
     out your car, actually.”
    “My car?”
    “Yeah. You park it out there in the open. Anyone could tamper with it.”
    “What do you mean ‘tamper’?”
    “Well, you know. Let the air out of the tires. Break a window. Plant a bomb under
     it.”
    “A bomb! Where did you get that idea? Who would want to kill me? Oh no . . . not your
     theory about the killer thinking I got a look at him.”
    “Or her.”
    “Whatever. Your mind is working overtime here, Andie. It’s not going to happen. I’m
     not in any danger.”
    “How do you know?”
    Lizzie had to think about that. “Well, the killer used a rifle or shotgun, so he—or
     she—wasn’t up close. So how could the killer think I’d see him or her? It’s more likely
     the person would have been seen by a neighbor.”
    “But our killer might not be thinking straight.”
    “Our killer, as you call him—”
    “Or her—”
    “—is probably trying to keep a low profile right now. Hoping not to attract the attention
     of the police. Now, I think you should maybe put the Janet Evanovich books aside for
     a while, say, for the duration of this investigation, and concentrate on your studies
     instead.”
    Andie made a face. “Hmm, I gotta head to school. Just promise me you’ll check under
     your car before getting in each day.”
    “Andie . . .”
    “Promise me or I’ll quit book club.”
    Lizzie sighed. “All right, I promise. Now, off to school and have a good day with
     no more thoughts of killers and explosives.”
    Andie grinned, stuck her earbuds into her ears and sauntered off.
    Lizzie shook her head but glanced at her car before going back inside.
    * * *
    H er appointment with the vice principal, Vanda Striker, was a no-brainer. They went