A Crusty Murder Read Online Free PDF

like.”
    “No thanks, I need some fresh air. You go along and don’t give it another thought,” I answered.
    Seanmhair shrugged lightly, finished her brioche, and tottered toward the sink with her tea cup. “I’ll be off. By the way, I cruised by Sharpner’s the other day and saw that nice Mr. Sinclair leaving by the side door. What do you suppose that’s about?”
    Sharpner’s was a company owned by its workers. They’d become a power to be reckoned with in Rhode Island’s liquor distribution business. I was curious as to why Seanmhair had been in that neighborhood.
    I opened my mouth to ask, when Seanmhair mentioned she’d had to take a detour to get home from her card game.
    “You don’t play cards anywhere near Sharpner’s,” I noted.
    “You’re right,” she admitted. “I dropped Henry off at his favorite bar.” Seanmhair turned away to button her coat.
    “That bar wouldn’t happen to be the strip club on Allens Avenue, would it?” I asked in a dry tone.
    Seanmhair turned slowly, her face a vision of innocence. My Spidey senses took over. I realized Henry had asked her to join him. Good God, my grandmother had gone to a strip club!
    “You did not go into that strip club, tell me you didn’t, Seanmhair,” I demanded.
    “Don’t get your knickers in a bunch. It was just for one drink.” Seanmhair chuckled and whispered, “Henry had a lap dance while he was there.”
    Why she whispered was anybody’s guess, but Seanmhair had just shown me that she wasn’t to be trusted when she was out with Henry.
    “A lap dance? How do know about such things? I guess I’ll have to have a chat with Henry. I won’t have you found in a place that’s constantly raided by the police. Heaven help me, what were you thinking?” I had to know. I brushed my fly-away hair off my forehead, blew out a sigh, and plunked onto the nearest stool.
    “I’ve been around a good many years, my dear. I know a thing or two, or three, about life and what happens in the best and worst places in town. I wasn’t afraid to go into the bar, but the bouncer guy sure was surprised to see me.” Leaving me speechless, Seanmhair laughed and headed out the door.
    Henry, it seemed, was a bad influence on my grandmother. This would never do. In a snit, I paced the kitchen until there was a knock at the back door. I glanced up. George peered in through the window.
    “Hi, George,” I greeted him as I swung the door open.
    George beckoned me and said, “Can you come to my store for a minute? I can’t leave it unattended for long and want to discuss the meeting we’ve planned.”
    “Sure, I’ll get my jacket and be right over.” I slipped my jacket on against the cool March air, left the kitchen door unlocked, and scooted along the narrow porch to George’s antique shop.
    I viewed the lovely, warm-toned hues of antique chairs, library tables, and corner cabinets. I favored a secretary desk that I knew I could never afford and had no space for in my apartment.
    “Have you spoken to the other tenants?” I asked George while I ran my hand across the smooth wood surface of the secretary.
    The front door opened and two customers entered the shop. I drifted away before George answered the question. I browsed first edition books stacked on a table while George addressed the needs of his customers. Once they were satisfied, they left, and George strolled toward me.
    “In answer, yes,” he said, “we’re set to meet tomorrow around five in the afternoon, if that’s a good time for you?”
    “Great. Where will we meet?”
    “I wondered if BettyJo would mind since she has more space than we all do. Her space is wide open by comparison to mine and truth be told, I don’t really want anyone sitting on my antiques. She won’t mind, will she?” George asked.
    I thought for a moment and then said, “If she agrees, fine, if not, we can have it in my kitchen. There aren’t that many of us, anyway.”
    “Let me know, will you, and I’ll