Breaking Ground Read Online Free PDF

overseeing a construction project before, and that was another reason she was glad Dalton was the chair of the committee. Dalton had given up his architectural practice near Boston and moved to Ryland six or seven years before Julie had. He was now the proprietor of the Black Crow Inn, and Worth Harding had wisely invited him to join the board of the Ryland Historical Society in anticipation of building the Swanson Center. She liked Dalton a lot, and she and Rich had quickly become friends with him and his girlfriend, Nickie Bennett. Dalton, in fact, had helped Julie solve the previous year’s apparent thefts at the society, and she valued his intelligence and good humor at board meetings, and especially in dealing with Mary Ellen over the project. So if Dalton recommended Luke Dyer, that was enough for Julie, even though she still was uncomfortable with him.
    Howard phoned to see if she had gotten his earlier message about the six o’clock meeting, but Julie knew he was mainly curious about any new events. Julie reported on her conversation with Luke and how he might be taking the backhoe for another job.
    â€œYes,” the board chair said, “Luke and Frank Nilsson are doing that big condo development out at Birch Brook. You must have heard about it. Mary Ellen sold Frank the land, in fact. Sort of surprised me because I always thought Luke’s family owned it, but it turned out Dan Swanson had bought it just before he died. Imagine Mary Ellen made a pile on that—it’s a big plot, beautiful site just above the river. Anyway, Luke won’t stiff us—old Ryland family, after all, very community-minded. If he said he could handle both projects, he will.”
    Looking out her window after the phone call ended, Julie saw Mike talking to a sheriff’s deputy and went out to meet him.
    â€œAny luck?” Julie asked when the deputy had headed off to the crime scene.
    â€œWith?”
    â€œThe shovel. It just has to be—”
    â€œWe don’t know that, Julie, and even if it is, whoever killed Mrs. Swanson wouldn’t be dumb enough to throw the murder weapon into the woods so close.”
    â€œThen you think it was the shovel?”
    â€œA working hypothesis, Julie, but let’s drop that.”
    â€œHow about my alibi?”
    â€œHaven’t had time to check. Was that what you wanted?”
    Julie didn’t like Mike’s abruptness but understood it. “No, I’ll let you go now. Sorry to interrupt your work.”
    She decided she was exhausted—physically and, especially, emotionally. It was time to go home for a break—and a nice glass of wine—before the meeting.

C HAPTER 7
    The members of the board of trustees of the Ryland Historical Society were assembled. Julie was relieved to see them—or most of them. There was Dalton, of course, and Loretta Cummings, also a favorite of hers. Julie couldn’t fathom Loretta’s perennial cheerfulness, but it was a canny, practical cheerfulness that Julie attributed to Loretta’s role as principal of the local high school, popular with parents, teachers, and even students. Henry LaBelle, an attorney, was equally canny and practical, but in a more sardonic, world-weary way. Then there was Clif Holdsworth, nearly as old as Howard and as well established in the community. Clif was normally polite with Julie, if slightly condescending. She knew he’d never fully accept her since, unlike him, she wasn’t a fourth-generation Rylander.
    â€œThis is a tragic day,” Howard said to the small group after they had settled into their seats. “We’ve lost a very valuable trustee and friend,” the chair continued. “I can’t tell you much, but this is what I know at this point in time.” After Howard briefly described what he knew, he paused to ask if there were questions.
    â€œWe’re sure Mary Ellen was killed?” Dalton began. “No chance of a