Bad Bites: Donut Mystery #16 (The Donut Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page B

stove.”
    “Excellent,” I said.   “In the
meantime, may I take your coat, Zelda?”
    “That would be lovely,” the new head librarian said as she handed it to
me.  
    After we both sat in the living room, I said, “You reacted oddly when I
asked you who might have wanted to harm Chester.”
    “I’m sure that I don’t know what you are talking about,” Zelda said,
refusing to make eye contact with me as she spoke.
    “It’s okay to talk to us,” I said in a calm, reassuring voice.   “You’re among friends.   Besides, Grace and I have done this kind
of thing before.   We can honestly help,
if you’ll just let us.”
    “Oh, you don’t have to tell me.   I’ve heard the rumors about your exploits,” Zelda said.   “After all, folks in April Springs do
tend to talk.   There’s nothing
official about your investigation, though, is there?”
    “Well, it might help you to know that the interim police chief has
approved of us conducting our own investigation, as long as it doesn’t
interfere with what he’s doing.”
    Zelda looked a little unsure about that.   “Does that mean that you’ll run and tell
him everything that I say?”
    “That depends,” I answered truthfully.   “If that possibility is a problem for
you, then maybe you shouldn’t talk to us after all.”
    Grace chose that moment to walk in and join us, and I had to wonder if
she’d been listening in from the kitchen all along.   And why wouldn’t she be eavesdropping?   I would have done the same thing myself
if our roles had been reversed.   “Zelda,” she asked, “what if we promise to talk to you before we share
what you tell us with anyone else, including Jake?   You can trust us to be discreet.”
    “How can I be sure of that?” the librarian asked.
    “Well, have you ever heard anyone claim that we weren’t?” Grace asked her.   “Surely in your official capacity you hear a great deal of gossip.”
    “People do like to talk, even in libraries,” she said.
    “There you go.   You must know
that you can trust us.”
    “Very well,” she said after letting out a sigh of breath.   “Besides, I have to tell someone.   Maybe it would be better if I just share
all that I know with you, and then let you two decide what the best course of
action is for me.   I’ve read a
thousand mysteries in my life, but this is real, and I’m beside myself as to
what I should do next.”
    The timer in the kitchen went off, and Grace stood quickly.   “Don’t start without me.   I need one minute.”
    “May we give you a hand?” I asked.
    “No, I’ve got it.”
    Zelda and I tried to make a little small talk about the weather while we
waited for Grace, but it quickly fizzled out.   I wanted to get started with the
interview, but one minute hadn’t seemed that long to wait.
    Apparently, I was wrong.   It
was taking forever.
    Finally, Grace appeared with a tray.   It held three cups and saucers, along with plates and a nice selection
of cookies.   “I thought that we all
might be able to use a bite, since the buffet was canceled.”
    Zelda nodded her thanks as Grace handed her a cup.   She took a sip before I could get mine,
and she made a contented little sound.   “That’s absolutely wonderful.”
    “It’s Suzanne’s special blend,” Grace admitted.   “I don’t know what she puts in it, but
it beats anything you can find in a grocery store.”
    “We can trade recipes later,” I said impatiently.   “Let’s talk about Chester.”   I turned to Zelda as I continued, “Now,
do you know anyone who might want to see Chester dead?”
    “Actually, I know of three people.   It’s shocking when I say it out loud, isn’t it?   Who could imagine that a small-town
librarian could raise such malevolence in some folks?”
    “It always surprises me when
anyone commits murder,” I said, “and yet they continue to do it.   Would you mind telling us the names of
the three people you’re talking