Book Fair and Foul (Ashton Corners Book Club) (11 page)

My eyes locked with hers. “Good question.”

ROSEMARY AND CRIME
—GAIL OUST

L
izzie didn’t have time to think about Mark’s statement, although she realized he’d been very serious about it. Molly joined her outside a few minutes later. “Let’s take my Audi. It’s more spacious.”

“Good thinking.”

On the drive over to the Quilt Patch, they plotted methods to get the divas talking about their relationships with Ashley, deciding that they’d just play it by ear. The way those two talked, surely someone would introduce an opening. As soon as Molly pulled into the driveway, the two women appeared on the porch and made their way to the car. Caroline wore a green knit dress with short sleeves, while Lorelie had on cream pants with a multicolored flowing top. Lorelie grabbed the handle of the passenger front door.

“I do hope you don’t mind, Lizzie, but I find it so difficult sitting in the backseat of a car.”

“Of course not,” Lizzie said as she leapt out.

Lizzie settled in the backseat along with Caroline, who started talking the minute the door closed. Molly waited until she took a break and then said, “I can see you’re both up for having a good time of shopping. I thought we’d head straight over to the one really chic shopping area we have in town. It’s just a block long but I know you will just love the shops.”

“Well, I can hardly wait,” said Lorelie. “I need something to raise my spirits and shopping always does the trick. What about you, Caroline? You were much closer to Ashley than I.”

Lizzie breathed a sigh of relief that the topic had been broached. Now, she wouldn’t have to think of how to draw the two into a conversation about their publicity person.

“Why yes, she was a sweet girl and certainly did her best at getting me signings and the like. But I’ll just bet you were cooking something up with her, Lorelie. You two were huddled in the corner more times than not this weekend.”

Molly pulled into a parking spot on Yancy Street before Lorelie had a chance to respond. Lizzie was determined to get them back on track as soon as possible.

“Oh my, just take a look at that absolutely breathtaking negligee over there in that store window,” Lorelie squealed as she closed the car door behind her.

Caroline looked uncertain. “And why would you need something like that? Rather racy, isn’t it? For someone your age, I mean.”

Lorelie sniffed. “You’re only as old as you believe yourself to be, Caroline, and I am still in my twenties.”

Molly laughed good-naturedly. “I wish that worked. I’d like to shave a few years off, for sure.”

Lorelie walked over to the window and stared at the sexy black outfit. “I’ve been divorced four times. Never could find a man I wanted to keep seeing year after year. But I’m still young enough to enjoy myself. Why do you think my readers always just love all the romance I infuse into each of my mysteries?”

Lizzie heard Caroline mutter under her breath, “Just because you don’t have enough meat for a full-blown mystery.”

Molly grabbed Lorelie’s arm and pointed her toward the Designs by Dora shop. “I’d like to suggest we start shopping at this here quaint little store run by the daughter of an old friend. I’m sure you two will be more than delighted by what you find in here.”

They walked without comment the few steps to the shop but once indoors, Lorelie said in a loud voice, “Oh my saints, you are so right Molly Mathews. This shop is just heavenly. It was practically put together just for me.”

Caroline looked around at the designer sportswear. “I think it will suit me just fine also.”

They drifted in different directions while Molly went over to speak to the owner. Lizzie wasn’t in the market for any new outfits, nor could she afford the prices in the shop, so she wandered over to the array of scarves and sorted through them, while watching the two authors.

They’d often make eye contact and nod a tacit approval or the opposite when the other held up an item. Lizzie found that very odd for two women who were reportedly trying to outdo each other at every opportunity.

By the time Molly suggested trying out other stores, both authors agreed they were shopped out and looking forward to the high tea Molly had promised.

“I do believe you’ve bought the shop out, Lorelie,” Molly said, laughing as she held the door open for them.

“I did try my best. Caroline did very well also.”

Caroline laughed. “It’s so liberating some days to just spend money. Now, I’ll have to sneak these into the room. Carter does have a fit when he sees shopping bags galore. He’s such a grump sometimes.”

Lorelie replied, “You’re just not treating him right, sweetie.”

Caroline shot her an icy glare.

“We could walk to the hotel,” Lizzie suggested quickly. “It’s just a couple of blocks along.”

“That’s a fine idea,” Lorelie answered. “It’s a perfect day to be outside in the glorious fresh air. Just a perfect temperature, too. I’m sure fall is my favorite time of year.”

“You say that every spring, too,” Caroline pointed out.

Lorelie just smiled and sped up a bit to walk beside Molly. Lizzie and Caroline brought up the rear.

After a few minutes of quiet, Lizzie said, “I find it very interesting that you two seem friendlier this afternoon.”

Caroline shrugged. “You noticed. Well, Lorelie is very mercurial, to say the very least. I never know what or who to expect. It all depends on what review or bestseller list she’s just read. And, just between you and me, she had quite the spat with Ashley on Saturday night after the fair. Lorelie told Ashley she wasn’t putting enough time in promoting ‘an author of her stature.’” Caroline snorted in disgust. Lizzie could almost see the quotation marks.

They’d arrived at the restaurant and Lizzie watched carefully as the two made their way into the Echo Lounge.
Two times in one month.
The birthday lunch for Stephanie was the first time in years that Lizzie had been there and now here she was again just two weeks later.

After they’d filled their plates, Molly asked Caroline if she had anything she’d like to specifically do while they were still in town.

“It’s really such an inconvenience having to stay on longer. On the other hand, it’s high time I took a little break. I’ve had such a rugged writing schedule for the past year. A few more days off are most welcome,” she said, nodding as if agreeing with herself.

“Well, you are right about that, Caroline,” Lorelie jumped in. “We’ve both been slaving away without much playtime. I think I, too, am ready to just relax for a few days.”

“I hope you won’t mind, in that case, but as I mentioned earlier to Lorelie, we were thinking of setting up a couple more events while you’re here. Maybe something at the library for starters,” Molly suggested.

“Oh, that would be delightful,” Caroline gushed while Lorelie nodded happily.

“We’re always ready to do a reading,” Lorelie added.

Molly smiled. “Well, I’m so glad you agree. Lizzie and I will get right on it and see what we can get going.”

Lizzie nodded, took a bite of her watercress sandwich and asked, “What do you know about Ashley’s job?”

“What do you mean, dear?” Caroline asked.

“I’m just wondering if she mentioned how she liked the job or if there were any problems either with her coworkers or any authors in particular.”

“You mean, aside from us?” Lorelie asked with a laugh. “Don’t look so surprised. We can be exasperating now and then. Ashley had traveled with us a couple of times early on in our careers with Crawther but she said she wasn’t meant to be a mediator, so she left us to our own wiles.”

Caroline took up the thread. “She was good at lining up events for us and media opportunities but I always got the impression she had bigger fish to fry, so to speak.”

“Like anyone or anything specific?” Molly asked.

“Oh, not that I could say for sure. She didn’t get to work with their top mainstream authors, I know that. So that was probably her goal. Although those
authors
are highly overrated. I truly believe that those of us who write genre are just as capable and creative as the rest of them. And, we’re so much nicer to our fans,” Caroline said. “I did think that Ashley had a lot of drive and wanted to get ahead.”

“But she joined you down here,” Lizzie stated.

“Yes, that was a surprise. It could have been because of Gigi. I think they’ve got big plans for her. She’s already been nominated for a couple of awards this year.” Lizzie was surprised at the hint of maliciousness in Lorelie’s voice. “Of course, if Gigi wins, that’s good for the company and I’m just so certain that Ashley would have made it all about herself. You know, how she’s managed to boost sales, get more readers, la-dee-dah.”

“I think she was making a play for Carter,” Caroline said after finishing a mini watercress sandwich.

“What?” Lorelie sounded shrill. “That’s the most foolish thing I’ve ever heard you say.”

“What makes you think that?” Lizzie asked Caroline.

“Because I’ve seen her approach him a couple of times, even grab him by the arm. And I think she looks the part of the innocent-looking but scheming young businesswoman who’d do anything to get ahead.”

“You’re starting to believe your own mysteries,” Lorelie snapped. “You know that Carter would never look at another woman and besides, Ashley was young enough to be his daughter. And furthermore, what could he do to further her career? You’re the one in power in that marriage.”

Caroline turned beet red but kept her voice deceptively calm. “Nicely done, Lorelie. Two jibes in one sentence.”

Lizzie finished the small sandwiches in silence, wondering why Lorelie was defending Ashley in the first place, as Molly and Lorelie discussed the décor in the room. Caroline had turned her full attention to the two-tiered dessert dish.

“Lizzie?” Lorelie was talking to her.

“Oh, I’m sorry. What did you say, Lorelie?”

“I just wondered if you knew Ashley’s fiancé, seeing as you and she went back so far.”

Lizzie cleared her throat. “Uh, no. We hadn’t been in touch for many years so I have no idea what’s been going on in her life. Did either of you know him?”

“Only that he’s an editor at Crawther,” Caroline answered, almost back to her old self. “I’ve never met him.”

Lizzie nodded.

“I wonder if anyone has told the poor man?” Lorelie asked.

“Oh, he knows,” Caroline answered. “In fact, he’s in town.”

“How do you know that?”

“Well, I happened to see him Sunday afternoon. He was just leaving the bed and breakfast when I came back from my afternoon walk.”

“Well, why didn’t you tell me?” Lorelie sounded almost angry.

“Why should I do that? I just saw him, that’s all.” Caroline glared at her.

Lizzie wondered what that was all about.

“Maybe you should offer to console him, dear,” Caroline said.

That sounded a tad catty to Lizzie.

“One at a time, darling,” Lorelie said, with her Cheshire smile.

“I know,” Molly said, “but everything’s out of whack.”

A RARE MURDER IN PRINCETON
—ANN WALDRON

L
izzie thought about the afternoon’s conversation as she was getting ready for the literacy class she was teaching that night. She was having a tough time figuring those two out. What had all that interchange been about? She had the feeling there was a lot more going on just below the surface. She doubted it had anything to do with Ashley’s death but her curiosity was piqued.

Maybe A.J. Pruitt would know. She’d try to have a talk with him tomorrow.

In the meantime, she had some essays to hand back tonight to her class of four students. All were in the twelfth grade and all were in serious risk of failing their GEDs.

The weekly classes were held in Molly’s house. Lizzie taught a class of four and Sally-Jo had five in her group this year. The literacy program, Words for Change, had been using Molly’s mansion for five years now since she was on its board of directors and very committed to helping the young adults in their quest for a higher degree of literacy or that evasive GED. It was just one of the many philanthropic interests that Molly was involved in. Her house, given its size, turned out to be ideal for many ventures and events.

Lizzie mentally ran through a list of possible assignments for tonight’s class. She’d decided to wait until the discussion was in full swing before choosing which of the three possible tasks she had prepared. The assigned reading was an essay on writing short stories and Lizzie had hoped it would inspire some of them to suggest their own topic for a very short story based on their own interest. The students were unpredictable, though, and often didn’t flow the way she envisioned.

First thing Lizzie noticed when she arrived in the library, now her classroom, was that Tyler Edwards had skipped the class. She hoped the reason was a valid one because she’d been working hard to spark some interest there. Tyler had his own agenda, though, and often surprised Lizzie either by being totally engaged or else spending the evening texting.

“Are we going to do a Rapid Read anytime soon?” asked eighteen-year-old Priscilla Ingersoll. Her dark brown hair was streaked with an almost fluorescent purple, reminding Lizzie of Andie’s former look.

“We can,” Lizzie answered, grateful for the show of interest.

“Can I ask a question about the book thingy on the weekend?” Noelle Ward asked. Her straight blonde hair had been fastened to one side with a blingy black clip and cascaded over her right shoulder. Long, thick bangs draped over one eye. They reminded Lizzie of the photos of the 1940s starlet Veronica Lake, one of many whose photo her mama had cut out of the movie star magazines she brought home from the five-and-dime.
Silver Screen
had been her favorite. Lizzie used to look forward to the quiet times she’d spend with her mama looking through her scrapbook.

“Sure.” Lizzie was surprised but pleased.

“My mama made me go with her. She thinks I tell such great stories I should know something about writing them down and one of her favorite writers was there. That Lorelie Oliver. Huh. I didn’t really think she was so hot but I gotta admit, I don’t read what she writes. But my mama thought she was awesome. Now that Gigi chick looked more my style, especially in that getup. So, I heard that one of them had been murdered.”

Lizzie heard a gasp from the others. Obviously not up on local news.

“That’s right,” Lizzie answered hesitantly, wondering where this was leading.

“Do you think it’s one of them? The murderer, I mean. Do you think one of the writers killed her?”

Lizzie wondered if it was ghoulish interest that made Noelle ask the question. She thought about her answer before speaking. “It’s possible but then there are lots of other possibilities, too. It’s a long, involved process for the police and they’re busy investigating it all right now.”

Priscilla’s hand shot up. “That’s right, there was a murder last year, too, and you caught the killer, didn’t you?”

Lizzie had everyone’s attention now.

“The police caught the murderer but I was involved, a bit.”

“Do you think you can catch the killer this time?” Noelle asked.

Oh boy.
“I think we’re getting a little bit sidetracked here. What about the essay?”

“What about if that was our research topic? We could talk to the police and witnesses and everyone and do our papers.” Priscilla paused to look around at the others. “It would be way more interesting than anything that’s in the book.”

Lizzie was tempted for a nanosecond. Great to have more minds working on it and good for building research skills but not practical or safe. “That’s not a good idea. The police are way too busy to be interviewed right now and they wouldn’t want anyone else talking to witnesses until they’ve completed their investigation.”

“Huh,” Priscilla said and folded her arms across her chest. Her face managed to look disappointed and defiant at the same time.

Lizzie did some quick thinking. “Maybe we could visit the idea again after the case has been solved. It would be just as interesting to track the process at that point.”

Priscilla brightened somewhat and Lizzie managed to divert them back on topic. After everyone left, Lizzie sat in Molly’s kitchen with Sally-Jo and Molly, sipping tea.

“You know, the kids were really hoping to get involved with the murder case,” Sally-Jo said.

“You’re kidding,” Lizzie exclaimed. “My class, too.”

“Too bad we can’t harness some of that energy and inquisitiveness and actually use it to figure this out.”

“No way,” Lizzie said. “Mark would have a fit, for starters. And secondly, it could be way too dangerous for them to even be thinking that way. Who knows who might want to carry it further and then we’d really have trouble.”

“You are so right, honey,” Molly agreed.

“I haven’t had a chance to tell you what Caroline said to me as we were walking over to the Jefferson Hotel. She said that Lorelie had an argument with Ashley after the fair, accusing her of not working hard enough on her promotion.”

Sally-Jo raised her eyebrows. “Yikes. I sure wouldn’t have wanted Ashley’s job, not for any amount of money.”

Lizzie had to agree.

“That certainly keeps Lorelie on the suspect list but not really a good motive for murder, I’d say.”

“You’re right again, but Ashley didn’t control the publicity machine and with her gone, there’ll be someone new who may or may not be what Lorelie considers better for her career.”

“For now, on to other matters. I think it would be good to get Sally-Jo’s input into the readings we’re planning,” Molly said and explained their task of organizing some events for the authors. “And I think that the library is a natural for a reading if they have an opening one evening or even an afternoon.”

“Okay, I’ll call Isabel first thing in the morning.” Lizzie pulled her iPad and started writing.

“How about something outdoors?” Sally-Jo suggested. “The long-range weather forecast is good. What about a reading at the band gazebo in the town square on Sunday afternoon? Of course it depends on how long Mark wants them kept here.”

Molly thought it over. “I’m hoping we won’t need to look that far ahead because the murderer will be behind bars but I think it’s a grand idea even if Mark doesn’t need them kept in town. I think we should plan on it anyway. October is usually a lackluster month in town.” She nodded. “Yes, it’s a great idea.”

Lizzie grinned, also pleased with the idea. “We’d be able to get something about it in the
Colonist
this Thursday. And put up some posters around town. Do we need to have food or anything?”

“I don’t think so,” Molly said after some thought. “I’ll be sure to have books set up for sale, though. Now, just let me call to Annie at the parks department tomorrow and make sure that it’s free, and if so, I’ll book it.”

*   *   *

L
izzie’s phone rang as she turned out the downstairs lights before heading to bed. It was Lorelie.

“I just thought, in all good conscience, that I should tell you about an argument Caroline had with Ashley on Sunday morning after breakfast. The boys had gone off to do their own things and it was just Caroline and myself finishing off a leisurely cup of coffee. Then Ashley waltzed in looking for her breakfast.”

“All right.” Lizzie couldn’t help but wonder why Lorelie had decided to spill the goods.

“Well, you know that it’s been many books since Caroline was on any bestseller list, whereas I might point out that I was in the top twenty of the Barnes & Noble list just last spring with my latest Fashionista book.”

Lizzie wasn’t sure if this required an answer. However, as she hadn’t known that fact, she decided to remain silent.

Lorelie continued as if Lizzie had acknowledged the fact. “And it just frosts her, partly because she so hates to be outdone by me. So she was on Ashley’s case, accusing her of not giving her enough attention and saying had she been doing her job properly, and helping to get the word out about Caroline’s book, she’d probably have made it to the top ten this time.” Lorelie snorted. “As if that’s going to happen. But that’s not the point of this story.”

“What is?”

“Well, you see, I think Ashley was mighty stressed out about something because she usually just takes that uppity tactic with us and makes it sound like it’s our own darned fault. Well this time she actually admitted Caroline was right. Imagine that.”

“That doesn’t sound like an argument to me,” Lizzie suggested.

“No? Well, Caroline kept on going, not knowing when she’d won, as she’s wont to do, and suddenly Ashley turns on her heels and stalks out of the room, throwing over her shoulder a comment about Caroline doing her own you-know-what promotion from now on and that she, meaning Ashley, soon wouldn’t have to worry anymore about such unimportant things. Imagine that!”

“What did Caroline do?”

“She said that the uppity Ashley would get hers.”