Yvette's Death (Cara Daniels Cozy Mystery Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

atmosphere and his ready smile dropped. He
joined Yvette and Mr Banks at the counter. “Good morning, Mr Banks, I’ve got
your lease ready for you to sign.” Sol looked at Yvette and pulled some papers
from his jacket. He handed them to Yvette and said, “And here is your lease. I
meant to drop it off earlier.”
    Mr Banks said, “The lease? Do you mean
that Mrs Carter hasn’t signed the lease yet?”
    Sol forced a smile and said, “It’s just
a formality.”
    Mr Banks’ fake smile dropped. “That
changes everything.” He looked at Yvette and said, “I don’t need to waste my
time with you.” He fixed his eyes on Sol. “We need to have a talk, Mr Lewis.
Now.” Mr Banks put his arm around Sol and marched him out of the door. His
squashy-nosed friend followed.
    As soon as the door closed there was an
explosion of conversation amongst the customers.
    “Well I never! A gangster! He’s a
gangster! Right here in our town!” an old woman declared.
    “I thought he was going to shoot
Yvette! I didn’t see a gun but I bet he had one!” another cried out.
    Cara walked over to Yvette and said,
“Are you alright?”
    “I’m not sure. Did that just happen?
Did that man threaten me?”
    Cara said, “I think he tried to. He
wants this shop for some reason.”
    “Well, he’s not having it!” Yvette
opened up the papers that Sol had given her and straightened them on the
counter. With a shaking hand she signed and dated the agreement. She looked at
Cara and said, “No one is taking my shop away from me!”
    “Good for you,” Cara said, a slight
wobble in her voice. Yvette’s death line had grown even thicker.

 

 
    Chapter 8

 
    Cara made herself look busy as she took
photographs and talked to customers. She was planning on staying as close as
possible to Yvette.
    Yvette had other plans. At 1 p.m. she
called Cara over and said, “Would you mind nipping out for a sandwich for me? I
normally lock the shop up and go myself.” She laughed. “But I can’t throw my
customers out for the sake of a sandwich, can I? I feel cheeky asking you, say
no if you like! The sandwich shop is a two minute walk away.”
    Cara nodded, she could hardly say no.
She took Yvette’s order but refused her money. Cara walked briskly out of the
shop and down the hill to the nearest sandwich shop. She was practically
jogging by the time she arrived. Of course, there would be a queue! She sent a
silent prayer out for Yvette to be kept safe whilst she was gone.
    Cara announced her order to the
assistant and handed some money over. When the sandwich was ready Cara grabbed
it and told the assistant to keep the change. She set off at a run up the hill
which suddenly seemed steeper. A sudden pain shot through her side and she
yelped. Now was not a good time to get a stitch. She stopped and caught her
breath.
    Robin appeared at her side. His hand
shot out and he grabbed Cara’s arm. He yelled, “Quick! Yvette’s being
attacked!”
    “What?” Cara huffed.
    Robin pointed up the hill. “In her
shop! Quick, Cara!”
    Cara ignored the stabbing pain in her
side and raced up the hill. She dashed through the shop door and skidded to a
halt.
    The customers were still in the shop
but they had huddled into a protective group at the far side. Cara’s eyes
widened as she saw a well-built young woman holding a large knitting needle
against Yvette’s neck.
    Cara threw the sandwich at the young
woman. It hit her on the head and the woman stumbled slightly, her hand that
held the knitting needle dropped. She turned towards Cara and snarled, “Stay
out of this! This is between me and this thieving witch here!”
    Cara ran at the woman, her hands
outstretched. She pushed the woman away from the counter. The woman fell
backwards and Cara grabbed the needle from her hands.
    “What the hell?” the woman steadied
herself. Cara gulped as she saw the muscles in the woman’s arms. Was it normal
for a woman to have such big muscles?
    Cara held up the