Read Online Rest in Peace by Frances Devine - Free Book Online Page A

my shoulder as the leash tightened against my hand, yanking me hard. I knew if I didn’t do something, I’d end up being dragged across the ground on my rear end, so I loosened my hand and dropped the leash. When he realized he was free, he took off, the leash trailing after.
    It would be useless to try to keep up with him, so I headedback to the sidewalk and leaned against an oak tree to catch my breath.
    “Yoo-hoo! Victoria!” Mrs. Miller waved from her car window, then turned into her driveway. Maybe she’d go on inside. I could hope, at any rate.
    I groaned inwardly as she slammed her door and started across the street in my direction. Of course, she had imparted an interesting piece of information about the horse theft. Sort of a thin lead, but at this point anything was better than nothing.
    “Hello, Mrs. Miller. How are you this afternoon?” At least she wasn’t gasping for breath this time.
    “Fine, fine. I’m fine.” She waved her purse at me. “But I have something else for you. I knew there was another article about Mr. Anderson’s prize horse.”
    “Oh?” I glanced around. Where in the world was Buster?
    “Yes.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a sheet of copy paper.
    “Here. Take a look at this.” Her nod could only be called triumphant. Apparently she’d realized I hadn’t taken her accusations about Clyde seriously.
    I took the paper, gave it a quick glance, then did a double take. C LYDE F OSTER A RRESTED FOR H ORSE T HEFT .
    I skimmed the article. “Did he serve any time for it?”
    “No, some shyster lawyer got him off. But he was guilty, all right.”
    I held the article out toward her, but she waved it away. “You can keep that. I have two more copies, and if I need more, I’ll go back to the library.”
    “Thank you. But I still don’t see how it could be relatedto his death. Surely you don’t think old Mr. Anderson could have killed Clyde.”
    “No, but guess who I saw at Hannah’s the night before Clyde’s body was found?” She pressed her lips together.
    “Who?” I asked, impatient with her dramatics.
    “Gabe Anderson, that’s who.”
    Okay, that was interesting. Gabe, Mr. Anderson’s youngest son, was known to have a violent temper. This deserved looking into.
    From the corner of my eye I saw Buster slink around the corner. I turned and sent him a glare. Head down, he walked slowly to me and shoved his woolly head under my hand.
    “All right, you reprobate, I forgive you.” I rubbed his head and grabbed his leash.
    “So what are you going to do about this, Victoria?” Once more, Mrs. Miller stood, hands on hips. I figured that must be her favorite pose.
    “I’ll look into it, I promise. Thank you for the information.” I smiled and turned to go. “I really need to get home now. We have guests coming for dinner.”
    Her eyes gleamed. “Yes, I know. What is Jack Riley doing back here so soon?”
    Now, how did she know it was Mr. Riley? Because she knew everything, that’s how. With her around, we didn’t need the
Gazette
.

    Mabel’s fried chicken had been a great success. But the caramel pies were the crowning moment. I was hard-pressed not to close my eyes and sigh when I put the first bite in my mouth. Or to make
ummm
sounds. Maybe I should havesaved this and served something else for dessert. Ashamed of the selfish thought, I forced myself to leave the last bite on my plate.
    Phoebe and I removed the dishes and refilled coffee and tea for those who wanted more. Jack was seated between Miss Aggie and Miss Georgina. I darted a glance at them every few minutes to make sure he wasn’t being rude to them. Oh, who was I kidding? Crook or not, Jack Riley was the epitome of courtesy and kindness.
    Miss Aggie was oohing and aahing over a new picture of her great-niece he’d brought her. Martin, seated across from them, sent furtive glares in their direction. A giggle started somewhere in my sternum, but I managed to stop it before it reached my