Bound To Be Dead: Cozy Mystery Bookshop Series Book 3 Tamra Baumann (new books to read txt) 📖

“Monday. But I forgot to return my books there. Can you run them over whenever you get a chance? They’re all piled up on my bed.”

“Sure. How are things going otherwise?”

“Okay.” Brittany is quiet for a moment. “With Mica here, it’s not the same as it was before. He’s kinda bossy.”

“Bossy to you or your mom?” If he lays a hand on Brittany, I’ll put an end to this experiment in a heartbeat.

“My mom. But weirdly, she doesn’t seem to mind. And she waits on him hand and foot. When I asked her why she’d put up with that, she said she likes her new life just the way it is. And not to rock the boat.”

I’m not sure how to respond. “Relationships can be complicated.”

“I guess.” Gum popping and chewing sounds happen for a moment until she says, “You’d never let Dylan boss you around like that. Would you?”

“No, but I don’t mind his input on things. We actually work pretty well together…most of the time.”

Brittany laughs. “Except for the times you’re snooping into his cases, which is pretty much most of the time.”

I can’t help my smile. The kid is too perceptive for her age. “What’s your point, smarty—”

“Mom’s yelling for me. Gotta go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Wait.” The line goes dead, so I shake my head and put my phone back into my purse. I miss Brittany so much, but maybe it’s better she isn’t here for all the drama with my uncle and getting kicked out of our house. Hopefully, she’ll get tired of living with her mom and come home, wherever that might be.

However, I need to prepare myself if that doesn’t happen.

I tug on the bookstore’s door and am nearly bowled over by Cooper. “You’d think we hadn’t seen each other for days rather than an hour ago, you goofball.” I kneel to pet Coop, hoping his omnipresent love will fill the hole in my heart talking to Brittany just left.

After a good rub all over my pooch, I lift a hand. “Hey, Nan. Everything under control?”

“Yep.” Nan turns and goes right back to her dusting. “Slow as always.”

Sadly, that’s not going to be my problem much longer, so I head for the kitchen area to get ready for our eleven o’clock book club meeting. I grab a plate and some cookies from the tin and lay things out.

Just as I sit down with a much-needed mug of caffeine, Madge rumbles through the front door, slips into the chair opposite me, and says, “Brought us some lunch. Figured you had enough going on without having to worry about our stomachs too.”

“Thanks. But I just had four sugar cookies at my aunt’s house.”

“Oh.” Madge’s face falls. “I guess you can stash your sandwich in the fridge and have it later, then. Even though it won’t be nearly as good. On account of it’s still crispy from the toaster oven at work.”

“Well, in that case.” I don’t want to disappoint Madge, so I take the sandwich and unwrap it. “Wouldn’t want to spoil all your hard work.” I take a bite filled with Thousand Island dressing, sauerkraut, melty swiss cheese, and salty corned beef. “Great Reuben!”

“Thanks.” The front of Madge’s Christmas sweater puffs up a bit.

I think this homemade knitted wonder is supposed to have Santa and an elf on the front, but it looks more like a red grinch and his scraggly dog.

The Admiral joins us. “I hope there’s another one of those for me.”

“Of course, there is.” Madge slides a wrapped sandwich toward him. “Figured we’d have a working lunch today. Things are starting to hop at the station, so I have to get back soon. Wouldn’t want to miss out on an arrest or anything.”

“An arrest?” I stand and grab two cups of coffee and set them in front of my guests. “Did something new happen?”

Madge sets her sandwich down and whispers, “Beth called Dylan this morning. Said she had another dream last night. You know, one of those ethereal types, or whatever.”

I lean closer. “What was it about?”

The Admiral says, “Did she see who killed Tina?”

“Sort of.” Madge takes another bite and nods while she chews. Another of her annoying pregnant pauses. Then she takes a swig of coffee before she says, “Beth didn’t see her face, but it was definitely a woman.”

“A woman?” A warm flash of joy fills me that my father will be off the hook before my heart sinks to my toes. I was so sure it was my uncle. But then, Beth works for my uncle. “What if she just said that to throw Dylan off the trail? Could Beth be covering for my uncle?”

“Doubtful,” Madge says. “After all, Beth was the one who told your aunt about your uncle’s affair, right?”

“That was supposed to be a secret.” I send Madge a stern look.

“Ooops.” Madge’s hand covers her mouth. “Sorry.”

The Admiral waves a hand. “Your secret is safe with me. And I agree with Madge. Beth has no motive to lie as far as I can see.”

Madge takes another bite and mumbles, “But is Beth right?”

The Admiral frowns. “I know I didn’t do it. And it’s doubtful your father did, Sawyer. Max is many things, but a killer isn’t one of them. Your uncle had the most motive, being the one in a secret relationship with Tina.”

I nod as I sip my coffee. “I was thinking about that last night. My uncle was fully aware Pattie knew about his affair, so it was only a matter of time before the whole town found out. My uncle was under a lot of pressure, knowing how much he stood to lose if my aunt found out. I can’t take him off the list.”

The Admiral says, “So we’ll keep him on the list. But let’s assume Beth is right. Which women would have a motive? Apparently, your aunt, based on what Madge just spilled.”

I shake my head. “Aunt Carol