Murder Under the Covered Bridge Read Online Free PDF Page A

mistaking the twinkle in Charlotte’s eyes, but Francine wanted to put a stop to this idea before Marcy got too excited. “It is nothing like that. He’s just unconscious. And we’ve already recorded a segment that has us covered.” She explained herself.
    Joy spoke without looking up from the camera. “That is not what you argued for last time, Francine. Last time you argued that we should tell the authorities the whole truth. And what are you worried about? Look how well it turned out.”
    â€œIt didn’t turn out so well for Alice,” Francine said.
    In the aftermath of their skinny-dipping episode that ended with the discovery of a dead body, Joy landed the job reporting on the adventurous activities of senior citizens, Francine was a guest on Dr. Oz’s show about senior fitness, and Mary Ruth went on to become a contestant on the Food Network’s hit show Chopped . But the husband of their friend Alice was discovered to have had a long-ago affair that produced a child, and they were now separated.
    â€œI know it’s been a rough time for Alice and Larry,” Joy said, “but they’re on the road to getting back together. And Alice loves the idea of having a stepson. There’s nothing wrong with saying we were doing a photo shoot here. We can tell them we were doing it for a Good Morning America segment. I’ll clear it with the producers as soon as we’re out of here.”
    Francine eyes opened wide in alarm. “We don’t have to tell them about the calendar , that’s all I’m saying. Let’s just stick with the notion that it was a photo shoot. Good Morning America doesn’t have to be involved.”
    Charlotte surprised her by agreeing with Joy. “Even if it got reported, it would all be fine. It’s not like we got buck naked. The photos were tastefully done.”
    Francine looked down to see how Jonathan was doing. She found he was examining something else besides William’s wallet. “What’s Jonathan got?” she asked Joy.
    â€œI don’t know. Looks like it might be a book. He found it in the other back pocket in a plastic bag.”
    â€œWhat’s that you’ve got, Jonathan?” Francine shouted down at him.
    â€œI’ll tell you later. When do you think the ambulance will get here?”
    Francine turned to Marcy. “What did they say? Ten minutes?”
    Marcy’s hands were dug deep into her plaid wool coat and her shoulders were hunched against the cold. She might have been nodding her head yes, but Francine couldn’t tell. “About ten. The same for the sheriff’s department, but I don’t know how long ago that was. Maybe another five minutes?”
    Before Francine could tell Jonathan anything, he called back up. “I’m only asking because Joy needs to take down the lights and pack everything away before the ambulance gets here. It won’t be able to get through to this side. See if someone from the restaurant can hook up the horse and move the carriage out of the bridge. There’s a spot just off the road on this end where it can be parked.”
    Francine realized how much there was to do. “Oh my gosh! He’s right! We’ve got to get packed up.”
    â€œI grew up with horses,” Joy yelled to Jonathan. “I’ll take care of that.” Joy turned off the camera and handed it to Marcy. “Marcy, you’re in charge. Francine and Charlotte, do exactly what she says. You helped unpack; you know how to pack it up. We’ll be out of here in no time.”
    No time was exactly what Francine was worried about. How long would it really be before the ambulance got here? And how much time had passed since the shots were fired? Was someone in the cornfield still watching them? The shooting had stopped and they didn’t seem to be in danger. But Marcy had reported seeing the cornstalks rustled by William’s pursuer.