Murder in the Mist Read Online Free PDF

whistle, even though I can’t say much for his own personal hygiene.” Phyllis tilted her head to look at Laura. “Why the interest? Has he been out of the way with you?”
    Laura rubbed her thigh as she limped to her desk chair and sat down. “I’ve never spoken to the man. Just curious.”
    Phyllis waggled her eyebrows. “Beginning to miss the excitement of investigative reporting, poking around in dark alleys and smoke-filled billiard parlors?”
    Smiling, Laura ran a hand through her spiked blonde hair. “Aunt Philly, you read too many mystery novels. Even if I were getting a bit bored, my leg is a constant reminder of why I left New York. Cole Harbor is my home now. Besides, I’ve sunk my life savings into this newspaper. I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not looking for a story where there isn’t one.”
    “Well, you are certainly good at what you do. It didn’t take long for you to locate Sally Wentworth—which, by the way, has spoiled my chances of holding a séance.”
    Laura looked toward the ceiling and shook her head. “Mystery novels and mysticism. Aunt Philly, you are one in a million, and I adore you.” She placed a hand on her forehead, closed her eyes, and chanted, “Ohmmah. I see a customer in your near future.” The expression on her aunt’s face was priceless. “Truly, a woman just walked into the bookstore.”
    Phyllis shook her finger toward Laura. “If you’re funning with me, no more free coffee, or blueberry muffins.”
    Laura crossed her heart. “Hope to die.” She opened the bottom desk drawer and withdrew her camera. “It’s about time I start drumming up some front page news. I’ll walk out with you.”
    The sheriff’s office was first on her list. She walked the short distance to the town hall, which housed the courtroom, the city council office, the sheriff’s office, and a one-person jail cell. A gray-haired woman with a cherubic smile greeted Laura. Doesn’t anyone under fifty live in Cole Harbor? She offered the woman a business card.
    Before Laura could speak, the woman said, “Pleased to meet yah, and welcome. Maybe you’ll breathe new life into that ole rag Dan Fremont called a newspaper. He never printed anything worth reading.” She stood and offered her hand. “I’m Louise Highland.”
    The sheriff’s secretary had a strong grip. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Highland. Today is my meet-and-greet day. Is the sheriff in?”
    “’Fraid not. Sheriff Gilman is on her honeymoon. Deputy Carter is in charge until she returns.” The secretary winked, then sighed. “If I were younger, I’d give Mitchell Carter a run for his money. Anyhow, he’s down at the docks. There was a smidgen of excitement a while ago.” Louise’s overly penciled eyebrows lifted. “Say, maybe there’s a story for you.”
    Laura thanked the woman. What with her aunt and now the sheriff’s secretary swooning, Mitchell Carter must be more than she’d noticed that night on the road. “Thanks for the tip.”
    Laura hurried to the bookstore. “Okay if I borrow your bicycle, Aunt Philly?”
    Phyllis looked up from the circulation desk. “Ayuh. What’s up?”
    Laura waved. “Tell you later.”
    At the bike rack in front of the store she bit back a grimace as she straddled the bicycle. It took all the fortitude she could muster to set the pedal in motion with her bad leg. She told herself to push through the pain.
    As she pedaled toward the docks, Laura tried to remember the last time she’d felt this invigorated. Fearing she might lose control of the bicycle and fall if she lifted her arms in the air and shouted, she opted to simply breathe in the fresh, salt air and allow the smile on her face to widen.
    She braked before reaching the bottom of the hill. Her current vantage point provided a perfect view of the deputy sheriff’s car, an ambulance, a gathering crowd, several expensive yachts, and two men pushing a gurney up the dock. The sheet-draped body brought back vivid memories