Read Online Town In a Lobster Stew by B.B. Haywood - Free Book Online

anything to do with the lobster stew recipe?”
    “Well, since you asked, yes.”
    “Is she giving it to you? Is that it? There are rumors all over town she’s giving it away.”
    “No, that’s not it. She’s not giving it away.”
    “Then what?”
    Candy leaned close to her friend and said in the lowest whisper she could manage, “The recipe has been stolen.”
    “Someone stole the lobster stew recipe?” Maggie said loudly before being shushed by Candy. More softly, she repeated, “Someone stole the recipe? Who could have done such a thing?”
    “That’s what we’re trying to find out.”
    “And she wants you to get it back for her?”
    “Yes.”
    “Ooh, fun. It’s the search for the stolen recipe.” Maggie’s gaze shifted toward the filing cabinet. “That’s why you were looking in Sapphire’s old files, isn’t it? You were looking for clues.”
    Candy nodded. “Something like that.”
    Maggie’s eyes shifted back to her friend. “What does that mean?”
    “It means,” Candy said dramatically, “that I’m searching for specific clues, in a specific file. Wilma Mae already has a suspect.”
    “Who?”
    “Don’t have a cow, but it’s Wanda Boyle.”
    At the mention of Wanda’s name, all the excitement and enthusiasm seem to drain right out of Maggie. The expression on her face instantly deflated to one of total disbelief. For a moment she sat in stunned silence. Then she reached out and took Candy’s arm, as if she were comforting a terminally ill friend. “Tell me I heard you wrong. Tell me you’re not serious.”
    “I’m serious.”
    “Wanda Boyle? Are you crazy? You can’t investigate her.”
    Candy understood her friend’s concern. “You think I’m kicking over a hornet’s nest?”
    “Honey, it’s much worse than that. She owns this town. She knows everyone . If she thinks you’re investigating her or that you’re plotting against her, she’ll ruin you! She’ll turn everyone in this town against you. And she’ll ruin me too, because I’m your friend!”
    Candy gave a feeble laugh. “You’re exaggerating.”
    But Maggie shook her head adamantly. “No I’m not. You have to stop this investigation right now. Because if you don’t, Wanda Boyle will destroy us both!”

SEVEN

    Twenty minutes later, as Candy walked outside and climbed behind the wheel of her Jeep, Maggie’s final words echoed in her mind:
    Avoid Wanda at all costs. Stay on her good side. Don’t ruffle her feathers. Or we’ll both pay for it!
    Candy blew out a long breath of air as she started the engine. She didn’t necessarily disagree with Maggie. But she hadn’t expected her friend’s strong reaction to the news of her latest investigation.
    A short time earlier, Maggie had made a quick exit from the Cape Crier offices, saying she had to get back to work. “Something’s brewing over there,” she told Candy. “I don’t know what yet, but I’m going to find out. Whatever it is, it’s sure got my boss on edge, so I can’t be gone too long.”
    But before she headed out the door, she pleaded with Candy to abandon the investigation. “You’re treading on dangerous territory,” she said ominously. “Just tell Wilma Mae you couldn’t help her, and let sleeping hornets lie.” She left with her final words of advice, her dislike and fear of Wanda Boyle evident.
    That fear had caught Candy off-guard, though she completely understood it. She knew well of Wanda’s influence around town, and the odd power the woman seemed to wield over its citizens. After talking to Maggie, Candy sensed that going up against a force such as Wanda Boyle, if it came to that, might be difficult and perhaps even disastrous—if Maggie was to be believed. Still, Candy couldn’t imagine why her actions would cause any trouble. She was just doing a little poking around. She was no threat to anyone.
    She decided, as she sat listening to the Jeep’s rumbling engine, that she’d have to be cautious and keep the