Read Online The Ghost and Mrs. McClure by Alice Kimberly - Free Book Online Page A

here?”
    I could see Brainert’s thin chest swell as his face turned scarlet with indignation. I took a breath and waited for the explosion. But before it came, Officer Eddie Franzetti of the Quindicott Police hurried through the door and practically threw himself between the lieutenant and Brainert. Behind Eddie came four more officers of the State Police, and Eddie’s partner, Officer Tibbet. Beyond them I could see the shocked and surprised faces of the crowd still waiting on the sidewalk to enter the store.
    “I think you should leave now, Professor Parker,” Eddie said diplomatically as he took hold of Brainert’s arm. “Let’s give Lieutenant Marsh the space he needs to do his job.”
    “I . . . I . . .” Brainert stammered.
    As graceful as a dancer, Eddie sent Brainert into his partner’s arms, who led Brainert out the door. Then Officer Franzetti turned and faced us. “Detective-Lieutenant Marsh needs access to any foods or beverages left over from last night’s event,” he explained, looking at me. “And his forensics team will need to see where the garbage was dumped.”
    I stammered, unable to help Detective-Lieutenant Marsh for the simple reason that I was in an alcohol-induced slumber when the community events space was cleaned and the chairs folded. Fortunately, Aunt Sadie stepped in.
    “There are some bottles of water in the storeroom,” she said. “And the garbage from last night was thrown into the Dumpster in back.”
    Detective-Lieutenant Marsh nodded to his team, and two uniformed officers took off—presumably to the back to retrieve our suspicious garbage.
    “Lock that door,” Marsh barked.
    “We’re due to open—” Sadie said.
    “Only when we’re done here,” Detective-Lieutenant Marsh said. “Not before. Right now these premises are considered a crime scene and are closed to the public until my forensics team gathers evidence and completes their initial investigation.”
    Aunt Sadie nodded.
    The plainclothed detective turned and scanned the sidewalk. “Looks like death was good for business,” Marsh said meaningfully. Then his eyes fixed on me once again.
    “I will also need to interview”—he doubled-checked the warrant in his hand—“a Mrs. Penelope Thornton-McClure.”
    I nodded, getting more and more uncomfortable under the lieutenant’s suspicious gaze.
    “If you need to see the leftovers, just follow me,” Sadie said. She turned and marched to the storeroom.
    Marsh and the last of his uniformed Staties followed Aunt Sadie. When they were out of sight—and earshot—Eddie turned to me. We both let out sighs at the same time.
    Officer Eddie Franzetti, the eldest son of Joe Franzetti, was one of my late brother’s best friends back in high school. Though now a family man, he still retained his boyish charm. And he was quite handsome—especially so in his dark blue police uniform. Unlike his brothers, who were content to sling pizza dough at the family restaurant, Eddie wanted something different out of life. A stint in the military was followed by a job on the local police force—and marriage to the most popular girl in Quindicott High School. I always liked Eddie and knew I could trust him to be straight with me now.
    “So what’s going on?” I asked in a soft whisper.
    Eddie tilted his hat back and scratched his head. “Apparently, Councilwoman Binder-Smith made a few phone calls last night after she heard what happened here. When the police chief was less than responsive to the councilwoman’s ‘suggestions’ she went over his head.”
    “To the State Police!” I said. “She must have called in a lot of favors to get them involved.”
    “Not really. All it takes is a request from a town official—the mayor, the police, or a town councilman—to bring in the Staties,” explained Eddie. “And if the circumstances require it, a warrant can be issued within minutes.”
    “Great. Thanks for the civics lesson.”
    I told myself it didn’t matter.