Read Online Tippy Toe Murder by Leslie Meier - Free Book Online

notions in
their heads. We had one old bat call the station the other day saying spacemen
were living in her attic and they were driving her crazy with their Morse code.
It turned out her smoke alarm was beeping ‘cause the battery was running down.”
    “From everything I’ve heard about Caro, she
was pretty sharp.”
    “Well, that’s where someone like you could
be helpful. Why don’t you ask around and tell me what you hear? I’m not
supposed to, but whenever I get a free minute I pull out the case. I only wish
I had time to do more. Which reminds me, I guess I better get back to work. You
haven’t had any trouble with the Johnsons’ dog, have you?”
    “Nope.”
    “Good. Thanks for the lunch.” He stood and
put on his hat, then turned to Sara. “I’m glad to see you cleaned your plate.
Now I won’t have to arrest you.”
    Sara’s eyes grew very big, but when Barney
winked she decided he might be teasing and gave a cautious little laugh that
stopped abruptly the minute he left.
    “Time for your nap,” said Lucy, lifting the
little girl down from her booster chair. “I’ll be up in a minute to tuck you
in.”
    Five thousand dollars was a lot of money,
thought Lucy as she cleared the lunch table. What was it for? Maybe Caro did go
on a trip after all. But Lucy still didn’t believe Caro would abandon George.
    She remembered the last time she’d seen
them on the logging trail. Caro had thrown a stick for the dog, and he’d
happily retrieved it, tail wagging. When he brought it to her, she fell to her
knees and gave him a big hug. Lucy had been moved by the gesture.
    What did she need five thousand dollars
for? Lucy yawned and followed Sara upstairs. If only she weren’t so tired all
the time, maybe she could figure it out. These days, no matter how much sleep
she got, it never seemed to be enough.
    The roar of the school bus as it
accelerated for the climb up Red Top Road woke Lucy and she stood up,
stretched, and braced for battle. She heard the screen door slam, and then
heard the familiar sounds of Toby and Elizabeth scuffling as they fought to be
first at the cookie jar again today. This was getting ridiculous.
    “You don’t need to fight. There are plenty
of cookies. You may each take four, and don’t stuff them in your mouth, Toby.
Sit down at the table.”
    Elizabeth and Toby exchanged glances and
took their seats, expecting a scolding. Lucy poured them each a glass of milk,
and then noticing Sara standing in the doorway, still sleepy from her nap, she
poured a third glass. She sat down, took Sara in her lap, and began outlining
her strategy for the evening.
    “Tonight is awards night at the school. It’s
at six, so we’ll have an early supper at five. Don’t go too far from the house,
okay?”
    Elizabeth and Toby nodded.
    “After supper, you’ll change into your good
clothes—not before, because you might spill something on them, like ketchup.
Okay?” Elizabeth and Toby nodded again.
    “I laid your good clothes out on your beds,
and I want you to try them on right after you finish your snack.”
    “Do we have to?” groaned Toby.
    “You have to. You haven’t worn them since
Easter, and I’m worried they might not fit.”
    “What’ll we do if they don’t fit?”
    “We’ll improvise. Now off you go.”
    Lucy washed the glasses and set them in the
drain board, then she slowly climbed the stairs.
    “Don’t come in—I’m not ready,” warned Toby.
    “I see London, I see France,” chanted
Elizabeth.
    “That’s enough,” said Lucy, slipping a
dress over Sara’s head and buttoning it up the back. She turned the little girl
around, and leaned back to study the dress. “You look very nice. Now let’s see
if your Mary Janes still fit.”
    The little patent leather slippers were
tight, but Sara could still cram her feet into them. Elizabeth’s, however, were
hopeless.
    “Hang on, I think there’s a pair of white
sandals in that bag of clothes Pam Stillings gave us.”