A Sinister Sense Read Online Free PDF Page A

Reaching the door of the Raven’s Nest, she glanced back, just in time to see Roberta disappearing into the hardware store.
    “Good timing,” Molly said from behind the counter. “I was just getting ready to leave.”
    “Sorry,” Clara said again, letting the door close behind her. “I was talking to Rick about the murder.”
    Molly halted her rush to the door. “What’d he say? Do they know who did it? Who the victim is? Do they think Rick did it?”
    Clara leaned her back against the counter. “No, no and especially no. They’re still looking for the murder weapon.”
    Molly gave an exaggerated shiver. “It’s hard to believe we have another murder in Finn’s Harbor. At least this one wasn’t in our store.”
    “Neither is it anyone we know.” Clara moved behind the counter. “I guess that’s some reason to be thankful.”
    “Yeah, but there’s still a murderer running around out there.” Molly paused again on the doorstep. “I’m lockingmy windows tonight.” She wagged a finger at Clara. “Just be careful when you walk down the hill to your car. You never know who could be lurking about, looking for another victim.”
    “Personally, I think it’s all kind of exciting.”
    The soft voice had spoken from behind her, and Molly spun around so fast she almost lost her balance.
    John Halloran appeared at her side, his teeth bared in a grin. “Going somewhere?”
    Molly gave him her best scowl and disappeared into the street.
    Bracing herself, Clara greeted her customer. “What can I do for you?”
    John sidled up to the counter, looking over his shoulder as if checking to see if they were alone. “A little bird told me you had a new Wayne Lester book in.”
    “We do, though they’re not out on the shelves yet. If you want to wait a minute, I’ll go and get you a copy.” She moved to the end of the counter, then stopped as John edged up alongside her.
    “So, what do you think about this murder business then?” His dark eyes gleamed at her through the lenses of his black-rimmed glasses.
    She backed off a little. John’s attempts to comb his gray hair over his bald patch left it in little spikes along his forehead. He looked a little like an aging clown. Clara was not fond of clowns. “I hope they catch whoever did it and put him in jail.”
    “Strange that the body ended up in Rick’s truck, don’t you think?”
    Clara stiffened. She couldn’t imagine why Rick would hire John Halloran to work in his store. The man seemed to get a perverse delight out of other people’s troubles. “I guess the killer had to hide the body somewhere. It must be horrible for Rick.”
    “Even worse for the guy in the back of the truck.” John chuckled at his own ghoulish joke.
    “I’ll get that book for you.” Clara rushed past him and down to the stockroom. It took her a while to find the book, and by the time she carried it back to the counter, John was talking to another customer.
    Clara wasn’t really surprised to hear the two of them discussing the murder with disgusting relish. Mrs. Riley was a notorious gossip. She and Roberta Prince made a fine pair.
    The elderly woman was hanging on to John’s words as if he were reading a long-awaited will.
    “Can’t say I’m all that surprised,” John was saying. “Rick’s a bit of a mystery. Doesn’t talk much about his personal life. I always say quiet guys like that have something to hide.”
    “I heard he used to be married,” Mrs. Riley murmured. “Wonder what happened to his wife.”
    “She’s alive and well,” Clara said sharply. She darted behind the counter and rang up the purchase, then waited for John to swipe his card.
    “Do you know her then?” Mrs. Riley’s sharp eyes probed Clara’s face.
    “I know she just gave Rick a dog.” Clara bagged the book and handed it over to John with his receipt.
    He took it with a smirk. “Guess you know him better than any of us.”
    Clara scowled. “What exactly does that