Bernadine Fagan - Nora Lassiter 02 - Murder in the Maine Woods Read Online Free PDF Page B

and Campground. In the past few years he did a lot for the veterans. I don’t know as Ray approved of him using the camp facilities for them. There was some talk.”
    “What facilities?” I asked.
    “I think he took a group of veterans white water rafting and used camp boats. I don’t see the harm. I heard they weren’t being used at the time anyway.”
    “How about Lenny?” I asked.
    “He plays in front of a computer all day,” Ida said.
    “Plays?”
    “He does accounting for Rhonda,” Hannah explained as she rearranged the bowls on the table to make room for the bowl of macaroni and cheese that Ida held. “And for a few other businesses around here.”
    “What did you use in place of the salt pork?” Agnes asked.
    “A little olive oil and a bit of pancetta,” Ida said
    as she filled a small basket with rolls.
    “Who’s Rhonda?” I asked.
    “Rhonda Racanell i. She and her husband Ray run the wilderness camp. Well, mostly Rhonda runs it. Ray only works there when they’re very busy ‘cause he’s the pharmacist in town,” said Hannah.
    “That must keep him busy,” I said.
    “What are you going to do now, Nora?” Agnes asked. “Wasn’t Buster Verney your prime suspect in the dog poisoning?”
    “He was. So I guess the case is closed.” I paused. “Vivian will be satisfied now that Verney’s gone. I can return to the city.”
    I should return. I know that.
    We all took a seat.
    “You could take another case,” Ida said.
    I shook my head. “No more cases. I need a full-time job with regular pay, something in the computer analyst field. Much as I’d love to stay with you guys, I have to head back home.”
    All three stared at me. Agnes’ hand flew to her heart; Ida grabbed the edge of the table; Hannah, strong Hannah, merely studied me.
    “What are you going to do about the property Great-Grandma Evie left you?” Hannah asked. “You’ll have to continue to pay taxes on it, you know.”
    “I’ll sell it. Fifty acres should be easy to sell.”
    “You can’t sell to an outsider.” Agnes warned. “Remember.”
    “Lassiters keep their land in the family,” Ida said with a nod to affirm her statement.
    “Tradition. An unwritten family law,” Hannah added.
    “Yes, I’ll sell to someone in the family.”
    With all the Lassiters in Silver Stream that should be a piece of cake. There were cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces galore. I don’t think I’ve met all of them.
    “Remember what Great-Grandma Evie asked you to do, Nora,” Hannah reminded.
    “I know,” I said with a sigh. “She wanted the impossible. But I think my mother will never come back up here and make peace with the family. And my brother Howie’s not looking good on that front either.”
     
     
    In between cleaning and packing for my return trip to New York, I spent the next week calling relatives and telling them that the fifty acres of land I inherited from Great-Grandma Evie were for sale. Everyone I spoke to said they’d get back to me if they were interested, or knew anyone in the family who was. A lot of wishy-washiness going on, I thought.
    A shocker arrived in the mailbox on Thursday, a tax bill with my name on it. This, plus the rent on my apartment, would make my meager savings a memory. Wonderful. I needed to get back to New York City, and get a real job, fast.
    By Friday, with no takers for the property, I was feeling just a tiny bit sad that my time in Silver Stream, Maine, home of my birth, home of the Lassiter clan since Jed Lassiter founded the town in 1842, was almost up.
    I was going home tomorrow.
    I called my friend Lori in New York, and she told me she’d sent out my resume to thousands of firms this past week. Probably closer to ten or so. Lori exaggerates.
    I called Ida’s oil burner guy about the hot water. He said he’d be by when he had the chance. Might not be till next week or the week after. I figured he might schedule this place by next spring.
    On my final Ma ine morning