Read Online School's Out for Murder (Schooled in Murder Book 2) by Tracy D. Comstock - Free Book Online Page A

school carnival shut down. What had led to this animosity now? Was the superintendent worried about his status as a suspect and trying to shift the blame to someone else? Before she could decide what to think, she heard footsteps heading toward the office door. Panicked, she looked around for a good hiding place. Her box of stuffed ravens was thankfully out of sight at the bottom of the stairs, but the only place for her to hide was in the nearest restroom. Unfortunately, the only restroom at that end of the hall was the men's. Still, Emily ducked inside and hightailed to a stall just in case one of the men headed in there next. Once again squatting, only this time on the lid of a stool, Emily heard the door slam open and Larry's angry voice when he called back, "This isn't the end of this conversation, Ed."
    The superintendent didn't respond and Emily wondered if he had stayed in the office or followed Larry out. Not sure whether to go or stay put, Emily stayed crouched until her legs were asleep and could no longer hold her up. Limping to the restroom door, she opened it a crack. The light was still on in the superintendent's office and Emily could see his silhouette seated at his desk. She decided to get while the getting was good and raced as quietly down the hall as she could, scooping up the box of ravens as she went. Her sudden burst of adrenaline at the fear of getting caught eavesdropping made the box feel much lighter than it had before. In seconds, she was stuffing the big box into her backseat. Slipping behind the wheel, she started to call Tad to tell him the latest, but decided it would be easier to explain in person. Besides, she needed to tell him about their plans for the evening. Gunning the engine, Emily headed her Nissan toward the carnival, anxious to hear Tad's take on her morning's findings.

CHAPTER SIX
     
    When Emily got back to the carnival, she replenished their stock of prizes and then helped out during the afternoon crush. She felt like every child in town must have stopped by to play the Whac-A-Moles at least twice, by the way her feet were aching. She was looking for an excuse to sit down for a moment when she saw Helen and Barnes headed her way. When Helen waved her over to a nearby bench, Emily heaved a sigh of relief and slipped out of the booth to join them.
    The second she was within earshot, Barnes blurted out, "Well, was I right about Superintendent Johnson or what?"
    "What?" Emily asked, puzzled, until she remembered Barnes mentioning the night before that the superintendent had clearly had reason to be angry with the mayor. "Has something happened?"
    Helen laid a hand on Barnes' arm, and he smiled down at her fondly. Emily tried to repress a shudder. It was wonderful to see Helen look so happy, but for Emily, the thought of Barnes touching her was the equivalent of being crawled on by a spider. Helen said softly, "We ran into Principal Matthews earlier, and he told us that Superintendent Johnson had been called into the station and that Detective Welks had asked you some questions about him. What was your perception of the situation, dear?"
    Helen looked concerned, and Emily wanted to alleviate her worries, but she was afraid that Gangly-Arms definitely had an issue with Superintendent Johnson. Before she could tell the couple that, however, another voice spoke her name from behind her. Emily spun around to see Susanna Fowler standing there, looking as pale and thin as she usually did. The town librarian was normally smiling brightly, but today her smile was conspicuously absent. "Emily, I wanted to let you know that I put you on the waiting list for the latest Carolyn Hart book. I know how much you love her Annie and Max Darling."
    "Oh, thank you, Susanna," Emily answered. She turned to include Helen and Barnes in the conversation, but with a small wave, Helen let her know they would catch up with her later. Emily turned back to the unhappy-looking woman beside her and asked softly,