Read Online The Mystery of the Moonlight Murder by Roderick Benns - Free Book Online Page A

he just started talking about his experiences. So I kept asking him more and more questions and then I saw you sneak out. I think I could have lasted another five minutes or so.” John slapped his brother on the back.
    â€œWay to go, Elmer. I knew you could do it.” Elmer beamed as they met up with their father who had just exited the land titles office. They entered the store, just as a stranger passed them on his way out. Elmer darted over to the marble bags that hung like bulging treasure from small metal hooks. Summer immediately drifted over to the candy jars up on the counter, while John tried to restrain himself from moving anywhere too fast. He felt he might be getting too old to immediately run toward toys or candy. However, his brother’s frantic calls for him to come at once to see the new marbles soon wore away John’s resolve.
    â€œWilliam! Good to see you!” said the Max Taggart that liked people. After also waving to John and Elmer and glancing at Summer, John tried to listen in to what William and Max were talking about.
    John realized Max was obviously curious about Summer, wondering what she was doing with the Diefenbakers. William explained what had happened, although the store owner had certainly heard about the murder of Hans Schneider, just like everyone else in town.
    Max’s voice was very low at first, and John couldn’t hear every word.
    â€œAre you sure? Innocent?” he asked skeptically.
    William nodded. “Of course. There has to…explanation,” William replied quietly, too, obviously happy Summer was out
    of hearing range. It bothered John that most people assumed that River’s Voice was guilty. He knew that it had something to do with the community mistrusting Indian people. Few people liked Hans Schneider. On the other hand, he was white, not Indian. This unfairness frustrated John.
    Max raised his voice slightly now and John could hear the conversation better.
    â€œâ€¦a tragedy, that’s what it is. You know, I hate to talk out of school, so to speak, but I just wonder if Gertrude’s going to be able to clear this debt off.”
    â€œDebt?” William asked obligingly.
    Max nodded. “They weren’t doing so well, financially. It’s hard for everyone but they seemed to have an especially hard time, after that fire last year knocked off half their crop. Lucky you weren’t swept up in that, too.” William nodded his head. “I remember.”
    Max pulled on the ends of his long dark moustache, which curled at the ends. “Yes, I felt sorry for them so I started to run a tab. I finally had to quit, though, because they just weren’t making an effort to pay me back. Old Hans wasn’t too happy with me, but you know what? I wasn’t too happy with him either. I mean, times are tough for everyone, right? I tried to do them a favour but I’m not running a bank here.”
    â€œIt was nice of you to try and help out,”
    William said diplomatically.
    This seemed to satisfy Max a great deal. He helped William find the various supplies he needed to take back to the homestead. Mary had given him a small list that included coffee, flour and a few canned goods, as well as grain for the chickens. Although John, Elmer, and Summer lingered at the counter near the candy sticks, William was firm.
    â€œSorry you three, there’s no money for that today,” William said.
    Max, feeling generous, reached over for the jar of red-striped candy sticks.
    â€œIf it’s okay with you, William,” he said looking his way “then it’s on me today. How does that sound?”
    Elmer and Summer looked with anticipation at William, who nodded and gave them a wink.
    â€œYes, thank you! Yes, please!” said the two of them with looks of delight on their faces.
    Max held the jar in front of Elmer and then John but seemed to pause for the briefest of moments before holding it in front of