Trouble Under the Tree (A Nina Quinn Mystery) Read Online Free PDF

Santa’s Cottage. He saw toys go in, like
Game Boy games and those dolls everyone’s so crazy about this year,
but when he emptied the chest, those toys were gone. He’s afraid
that because he’s in charge of the toys, someone is going to think
he’s stealing them.”
    I was outraged on his behalf. “That’s
crazy.”
    “You know that. I know that. But someone else
might be trying to frame him.”
    “Well, we have to figure out who and stop
them.”
    It was his turn to grin. “ I have to
figure out who.” Placing strong hands on my shoulders, he spun me
around. “ You have to leave now.”
    “Hey!”
    He brushed against the tree and glittery snow
sprinkled onto his shoulders. “You being over here is only going to
call more attention to me. I’m trying to blend in.”
    I laughed. “Yeah, because a tall, dark,
handsome, sparkly elf is the norm around these parts.”
    His eyebrows waggled. “Handsome?”
    “Get over yourself.”
    “You’re the one who said it.”
    “I’m leaving now.”
    “It’s about time.”
    Shaking my head, I turned and headed toward
the atrium. Kevin was on my heels (I was pretty sure he wanted see
for himself that I really left) as Fairlane came running out of the
cottage, nearly knocking us both down.
    Her Mrs. Claus wig was askew as Kevin reached
out to steady her. Tears streamed down her face in dark rivulets.
Mucus dripped from her nose.
    “What’s wrong, Fairlane?” I asked.
    “I—I’ve been fired!” she wailed.
    “Why?” Kevin asked.
    I had a fairly good idea.
    Using her sleeve, she wiped her nose. “An
incident between me and Mr. Claus, is all. Jenny
misunderstood.”
    “Did that incident have anything to do with
you touching him inappropriately?” I asked. Hey, it seemed like a
reasonable question to me.
    She stomped her foot. “We were under the
mistletoe! And it was consenting, I might add.”
    “Isn’t Santa married?” Benny had said
something about Santa being married to Jenny’s aunt.
    Fairlane waved a dismissive hand. “Hardly
anyone can resist my charms. Especially under the mistletoe. I’m a
fantastic kisser.”
    Ugh . I was starting to feel
queasy.
    Kevin said, “This just happened?”
    “Yes. In there.” Nodding, she motioned to the
cottage.
    His eyebrows dipped. “There’s no mistletoe in
there.”
    With cheeks bright red, she pulled a sprig
from her pocket. “I might have been holding it.”
    “Oh, Fairlane,” I said.
    She wiped her nose again. I took a step away
from her sleeve. Gross.
    “A misunderstanding,” she mumbled.
    Kevin said, “Who’s going to take over as Mrs.
Claus?” He threw a look my way. “You might have to fill in,
Nina.”
    “I’m not touching that costume,” I said. “No
offense, Fairlane.”
    She glanced at her snot-covered sleeve and
looked sheepish. “There is another costume, but you don’t have to
worry. Lele will take over.” Watery eyes blinked, and Fairlane’s
lips curved into a tremulous pout. “I can’t believe Jenny fired
me.” Fairlane tipped her head. “I’m a fantastic worker. A people
person. People love me.”
    Modest, too.
    “I just don’t understand,” she said, trying
to frown but the face-filler wouldn’t let her. “Lele never gets
fired.”
    Maybe because Lele could keep her hands to
herself? But there was no point in rubbing salt in Fairlane’s
wounds. “Something else will come along.”
    “There won’t be a need. All I have to do is
talk to Benny. He’ll fix this.”
    I rather doubted Benny would win that
argument with Jenny.
    “How can you be so sure?” Kevin asked.
    Batting her eyelashes, she patted her hair
and realized that her wig was off-kilter. She hurriedly
straightened it. “Like I said, hardly anyone can resist my
charms.”
    I wanted to gag.
    Kevin goaded her. “I can understand why.”
    I frowned at him—no plastic surgery for me,
so he got the full effect.
    He winked.
    Ugh .
    “I better go change and find Benny.” Fairlane
again batted her