The Devil Wore Sneakers Read Online Free PDF Page A

to hold NRA meetings.”
    “Hey, I don’t discriminate even though I gave up hunting.” He pointed over the bar. “Did you notice Morse the Moose stayed?”
    The fake moose head hung above the rows of bottles. Between his antlers, the animal wore a green plastic hat with a Boston Bruins emblem. Beneath the wall decoration hung a sign: Free Beer Tomorrow.
    “Quite manly. Morse is a hockey fan with free beer in his future.”
    “Hope lives eternal.”
    She glanced at the customers. A group of silver-haired women enjoyed lunch at a table by the fireplace, and two mothers with toddlers sat near the window. The Moose was a mixture of the town, from the less fortunate living at the Happy Mobile Homes Park to the well-off vacation homeowners.
    “No one came from the funeral to eat.”
    “Means more food for us.”
    “How was the service, boss?” the beefy, bearded man behind the bar yelled to Liam. He wore a blue work shirt with the name of the bar in purple letters.
    “Hank Jackman, this is Lucy Watson, Ryan’s sister.”
    The bartender winced. “Sorry, Miss Watson, I didn’t recognize you.”
    “I don’t think we’ve met.” She held out her palm.
    He gave her hand a shake and released it. “Your brother was an okay guy. I liked him.”
    His straightforward words put her at ease until she remembered she was here about a murder. Keep your guard up. Sullivan hasn’t arrested anyone yet.
    “Can I get you something from the bar, Miss Watson? Liam and I are working on a signature cocktail. I created one called Moose on the Loose. Want to try it?”
    “Call me Lucy, and no thanks. I don’t drink.”
    Liam stepped up beside her. “Hank, we’ll need another victim to sample our concoctions.”
    “Liam, you should be the judge,” she said.
    He shook his head. “Hank and I are creators. One of us will invent the next big drink. We’re the Barley version of the movie Cocktail . Hank’s our Tom Cruise. Though I confess, I have a drink I’m pretty sure is going to be a winner.”
    “You guys are impressive. Hank, have you lived here long?”
    “Hank is Bella’s brother, Luce.”
    “Bella? Oh, Isabella.” Ryan’s last girlfriend. “Yes, we met at the funeral.”
    “She told me she was hoping to meet you. I moved into an apartment on Goat Hill almost a year ago. Bella came to town a month after me. I shift my truck into neutral and roll down the road to work.”
    “You must save money on gas. I left Barley a while ago.”
    “That explains why I haven’t seen you around town. Don’t listen to Liam. My biggest goal is saving up and holding a steady job. Got a lot to prove to gain custody of my daughter.”
    “I’m sorry, Hank.” He came across as a straightforward, hardworking guy.  
    “Don’t be. I’ll do it. Liam, what can I get you?”
    “We’re set, Hank. Lucy and I will sit in the back.” He guided her to the rear, where they slipped into a corner booth.
    “I hope you didn’t make tons of stuff expecting a crowd.”
    “Nope. We’re eating off the menu. How long are you staying?”
    “I’ll be hanging around until they arrest the person who shot Ryan. I took a month’s leave. If the case isn’t closed by then, I’ll reassess.” She tapped her fingertips on the table and groped for another topic. “I can’t believe your folks moved.”
    “Dad woke up one morning, decided to retire, and picked the Grand Canyon State. They sold the house and put mom’s furniture from her antique shop in storage. I guess she hopes they’ll return.”
    “You must miss having family nearby. Whenever I thought of Barley, I imagined Ryan and me.”
    Liam laid a palm over hers. She went still at his touch.
    “Ryan was my friend.” His voice roughened with emotion. “Whoever killed him will be punished. I want it as much as you do.” His hand tightened over hers.
    Her mouth went dry at Liam’s intensity. Was he just sad and angry, or had their old attraction been added to the mix?
    His voice