"A Murder In Milburn", Book 3: Death In The Library Read Online Free PDF Page A

enemies,” Dr Neil said. “Didn’t she just have a fight with what’s his name at the library?”
    “If you mean that little squabble with Tina, why--”
    “No, I meant the other author.” Dr. Neil clicked his fingers. “My memory is going. What is his name?”
    “Robert Foxworthy,” the Mayor supplied.
    “Yes, exactly.”
    “I escorted him out of town personally last night,” Sean said. “He’s long gone.”
    “Oh no he isn’t,” Dr. Neil said. “I saw him just today. He’s staying down at Buckle’s B&B.”
    “Are you serious?” Sean’s face turned red. He got up. “What time did you see him?”  
    “About 6am. There was an old lady who’d had a mild angina on the second floor. He came storming out of his room to complain about the noise, but calmed down when he saw the situation.”  
    “Excuse me,” Sean said. “I’ve got places I need to be.” He stood up, nodded at the others, and walked away.
    He hadn’t said a word to her, Nora noted. Not that she’d been particularly chatty herself, but still, she and Sean had been very good friends once. It was sad that ever since he got his new girlfriend, they’d both chosen not to talk. She supposed it was her fault, really. She could have been more supportive of him. Then again, maybe she was being very self centered. Sean must feel a lot of pressure now, and his friendship with Nora was probably the last thing on his mind.
    “The elections for sheriff got cancelled last year, what with JJ’s death,” May said to her husband. “But maybe it’s time to consider calling them in again, Brett.”
    “May?” The mayor looked surprised. “I thought you like Sean.”
    “I certainly did, but these days… especially with his new friend . I feel like he’s distracted all the time. It’s a tough job. Maybe he needs a break.”
    “So who do you think should be sheriff then?” Nora asked, a little angrily. “You?”
    “Don’t be silly, Nora.” May sniffed. “There’s proper procedure for these things. We have qualified men in this town.”
    “Ah, like your nephew Darcy, perhaps?” Dr. Neil smiled. “A nice boy. A little young to be sheriff though.”
    May turned red. “What you’re implying, doctor, is simply outrageous. I have always had the best interests of the town at heart.”
    “Of course you have,” Dr. Neil said. “It’s just coincidence if the town’s interests mesh perfectly with yours.”
    “We have work to do.” May stood up. “I don’t need to sit here listening to this.”
    “Yes, you have a memorial to organize, don’t you?” Dr. Neil said, “And you have to worry about how to attract tourists at the same time.”
    “Dr. Neil.” He’d taken May’s jibe at him to heart, Nora could see. Still, it wasn’t wise to tangle with May Almand. “Dr. Neil, won’t you order another round of coffee? I’m going to get some myself.”
    “No thank you, Nora.” The doctor stood up. “I’d better head down to the sheriff’s office to check on the forensics report.” He took out his wallet, but the Mayor waved it off.  
    “The bill’s on me, Neil,” he said genially, trying to make up for his wife’s behavior.
    “No thank you, Brett,” the Doctor said. “I prefer to pay for my own debts.”
    “Honestly May...” The Mayor looked exasperated.
    “Oh, he’s sore about Selena’s book still,” May said. “Doesn’t like mention of it.”
    “Was it really that bad?” Nora asked.
    “She wrote about a doctor who had an affair with his own patient and then condemned her to the funny factory,” May said. “What do you think?”
    “That’s not true! Is it?”
    May shrugged. “If half the things in her last book were true, I suppose Selena would have a lot more enemies than just Tina and Robert in this town.”

    *****

Chapter 6
    At Tina’s house, the shades were drawn. Family members stood aimlessly in the foyer, some spilling over to the kitchen and the TV room. None of them knew Nora, but none of