Raisin the Dead Read Online Free PDF Page A

blue. His funeral is the day after tomorrow.”
    â€œHe was in his late seventies, mom. Dropping dead isn’t out of the realm of possibility. I guess murder isn’t, either. By the way, I met Serafina the other day when she came in to the bakery. She eerily reminded me of Calista, not in looks, but in her demeanor and attitude. Isn’t it weird how strangers can remind you of someone you know, or knew? Anyway, she didn’t seem upset about his death. I wonder what she’s really doing here.”
    â€œMaybe she didn’t know him that well. The paper said she had business with him, that’s all I know. He never mentioned her to me.”
    â€œI know what the paper said, but what business?”
    â€œI have no idea. He didn’t mention that, either. I don’t know that it matters since he’s gone.”
    â€œIt might matter if she came to town to kill him.”
    My mother looked doubtful. “That does sound far-fetched. I think Calista’s murder is still affecting us. Didn’t you just say he could have dropped dead? Not everyone who comes to town is set on killing someone, right? We’ve had plenty of visitors who haven’t killed anyone while here. Maybe they’ve littered a little, run a stop sign. That’s about it. What possible reason would she have to kill her great-uncle?”
    â€œI’m sure she didn’t. You’re right, it’s far-fetched, and Calista’s murder did affect us. I know I’m much more wary of people now. Do you have a notebook and pen handy?”
    â€œSure. What are you writing down?” She got up and made her way to the antique desk where all the important papers were, including my grade school report cards, organized by year.
    I took the notebook and pen from her when she returned. “I thought I’d take a few notes on what’s going on.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “Like the research you did at the library when Calista was murdered? You’ve been bitten by the mystery bug again, only I hope there’s no mystery to solve. Please, don’t be kidnapped again, that’s all I ask. I aged ten years when that happened. I’m still not sure I’ve recovered.”
    â€œDon’t worry. I don’t plan on being kidnapped,” I assured her. The mystery-solving process did intrigue me, I admit. Not so much the details but why. We humans are so complex. “I’m pretty sure he wasn’t killed.” Mostly sure, I added to myself. I popped the cap of the pen. “How well do you know Philip? Does he have enemies? I don’t know that much about the library expansion; did he ruffle feathers? What was his involvement?”
    â€œWhoa! One question at a time! You sound exactly like Sean, excuse me, Detective Corsino, did. I think I mentioned this before, I only knew Philip professionally, but I don’t think he had enemies. Not the kind who would hurt him. Then again, he may have had a whole closet full. The advisory board itself ruffled feathers with the expansion, not only Philip. It wouldn’t be a lie to say his money was a huge factor in the expansion. That’s why I didn’t want him to pull his support.”
    â€œWhat do you mean his money was a huge factor?” I continued scribbling as she talked, hoping I wouldn’t get home later and not have a clue as to what all my notes meant.
    I planned to discuss said notes with Sean, whenever we caught up to each other. Considering there was some kind of nasty flu going around, which I had managed to avoid so far, but had much of the Destiny Police Department indisposed, I was sure he’d appreciate my assistance.
    Our police department was small to begin with. We had a chief, one sergeant, three full-time officers, and two part-time officers. I’m not saying our little town is perfect; we have our share of miscreants, some homegrown, some visiting temporarily, but most crimes committed