Read Online The Chocolate Book Bandit by JoAnna Carl - Free Book Online

police’s lab men just to look the situation over. They were there last night. So while the scene was fresh, I imagine they went over it pretty thoroughly.”
    Miss Vanderklomp looked affronted. “I really cannot imagine that valuable police skills and time were spent on the scene of an accidental death.”
    “Yes, it’s hard to understand.”
    “That basement is extensive. My grandfather used to store produce in it.” Miss Vanderklomp chuckled. “I hardly think they would search the entire room.”
    “I wouldn’t want to guess at how extensive their search was. I know they were working there last night for several hours.”
    “Hmmm. The basement door is now marked as off-limits, sealed with that yellow tape. How soon do you think they will permit access to library board members and volunteers?”
    “I have no idea. Miss Vanderklomp, why are you asking me all these questions? You need to be asking Chief Jones directly.”
    Miss Vanderklomp gave a nervous laugh. “I didn’t want to bother him.”
    So you bother me instead? I resisted the temptation to throw something at her.
    “The chief is the only one who knows what’s going on in the investigation into Mrs. Montgomery’s death. If you want an authoritative answer, you’ll have to ask him.”
    “Why do they need some detailed investigation? It was just an accidental death!”
    “The cause of death won’t be official until the medical examiner rules on it. The medical examiner must have come last night, but apparently there won’t be an official ruling until they’ve completed an autopsy.”
    That was as close as I could come to telling her Abigail Montgomery had been murdered. But she didn’t seem to catch on. She looked horrified, true, but it apparently wasn’t the idea of murder that caused her reaction.
    “An autopsy?”
    “Perhaps not a complete autopsy, but a pathologist will be determining the cause of death.”
    “I’m shocked! I can’t believe that a man of Hart VanHorn’s influence will permit that.”
    “Hart’s an attorney. He knows that they have to follow the law.”
    “But you’re making it sound as if Abigail’s death involved some sort of . . .” Miss Vanderklomp paused and lowered her voice. “Some sort of foul play.”
    “Until the medical examiner rules on a cause of death and the state police report on their preliminary findings, that remains a possibility.”
    “But it’s ridiculous!” She lowered her voice some more. Apparently I was to receive an important confidence. “I have some important personal items stored in that basement. I need to access them.”
    “You can talk to Chief Jones. He might let you in.”
    “Would he want to accompany me?”
    “I don’t know.”
    Miss Vanderklomp bit her lip. “I need to visit the basement privately.”
    “Miss Vanderklomp, I really have nothing to do with all this. I’m just describing what I’ve learned by watching other investigations and by talking to Chief Jones in an informal way. You need to take this up with him directly.”
    “Oh no!” She leaped to her feet. “No, that would never do.”
    She left the office without another comment. I belatedly realized that I hadn’t even offered her chocolate.
    I also realized—as my temper cooled—that the whole episode cast an odd light on Miss Vanderklomp. She had acted unsure of herself. She had been hesitant to call Hogan and demand what she wanted. She didn’t seem to want to talk to him, much less request any favors.
    Why? Why was the dominant and domineering Miss Ann Vanderklomp—fabled for her imitation of a human bulldozer—hesitant to call her city’s police chief and ask a favor? Normally I’d expect her to march into the police station and make demands.
    A thought came to me, but I brushed it away. It was impossible. Miss Vanderklomp acted as if she were afraid.
    I assured myself that couldn’t be true. It would be completely out of character. But what else could explain her attitude? Miss