Murder of a Bookstore Babe

“Two thousand three.” Hugo’s smile displayed impossibly straight white teeth against his deeply tanned skin. “And she only has seventy-three thousand miles on her.”

As he pointed out the car’s features, Skye noticed they were in front of the new bookstore. The display window was still covered on the inside with brown paper, but the words Tales and Treats were painted in gold across the glass. Rumor had it that the owners had purchased the entire building and were living above the shop.

As Skye examined the second floor for signs of occupancy, the front door slammed open, and a petite woman dressed in faded jeans and a T-shirt with NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS MOVIE ~ J. W. EAGAN printed on the front came running out. “Mr. Leofanti, a word please.”

“Mrs. Erwin, as you can see, I’m busy right now.” Hugo hid his scowl and said, “Perhaps we can talk when I have more time. Why don’t you send your husband over later?”

“It’s Ms. Vaughn or Rise, as I’ve told you before.” In an aside to Skye and Xenia she explained, “I kept my maiden name when I got married, which seems to confuse Mr. Leofanti to no end.” Turning her attention back to Hugo, she said, “And for the tenth time, you need to deal with me, not Orlando, on this matter.”

“Well, Miz Vaughn.” Hugo grabbed Xenia’s elbow and tried to steer her away from the woman. “I’ll speak to you later.”

“Back off! You’re bruising my aura.” Xenia shook off Hugo’s hand, crossed her arms, and refused to budge. “I’m not in a hurry. Go ahead and talk to Ms. Vaughn.”

Xenia’s expression suggested that Hugo was rapidly losing any credibility he’d had with her. If Skye had liked her cousin, she would have told him that the teen was a feminist and his condescending attitude toward the bookstore woman would not improve his chances of selling Xenia a car.

“No. Ms. Vaughn can wait.” Hugo made another attempt to move Xenia away. “I know just what you want.”

“Oh, yeah?” Xenia snorted. “Yet, despite the look on my face, you’re still talking.”

Hugo’s ears turned red, and he snapped, “Young lady, you have an attitude problem.”

“No, I don’t.” Xenia smiled, clearly pleased she’d provoked him into losing his cool. “You have a perception problem.” She patted the laptop case that hung from her shoulder. “Now that we have that settled, I need to check the Internet about this car.” She turned to Rise. “You got Wi-Fi?”

“Yes.” The bookstore owner nodded to the door behind her. “Help yourself.”

“Phenomenal.” Xenia fluttered her fingers at Hugo, and said, “Later.”

Skye was torn. Should she go with Xenia or stay here? Since Skye was technology challenged and would be of no help with the computer, she remained where she was.

“Yes?” Hugo heaved a put-upon sigh and turned back to Rise. “What now?”

“Our grand opening is tomorrow, and you still haven’t moved your automobiles.” Rise gestured to the half dozen vehicles parked in front of her store, all with various messages in yellow lettering on their windows. “I asked you a week ago to put them somewhere else.”

When Hugo had bought Scumble River’s old hardware store a couple of years ago and turned it into a used- car dealership, the buildings surrounding it had been vacant, which meant he’d been able to use all the parking spaces on the block to stow his inventory. The bookstore was the first business to move in since then.

“And I told you when you asked me the first time, these spots are public property.” Hugo’s smile was smug. “You don’t own them.”

“True.” Rise reached into the pocket of her blue jeans and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “But I’ve been doing a little research.”

“Good for you.” Hugo leaned back on the hood of a blue Dodge Charger with ONE OWNER written across its windshield.

Skye’s attention was riveted to the drama playing out in front of her.

Rise grabbed center stage by shoving the paper into Hugo’s hand and saying, “According to the town statutes, no vehicle may remain parked in the same space for more than twelve consecutive hours.”

“So?” Hugo’s shoulders stayed relaxed under his gray pin-striped suit jacket. “Who’s to say my cars haven’t been moved around?”

Skye watched Rise’s hands tighten into fists. Should she call the police now or wait for the woman to punch out Hugo’s lights? One thing was for sure—this wasn’t her fight, and she wasn’t getting involved. Taking a step backward, Skye put a white Mercury Sable whose sign read LOW MILEAGE between her and the possible combatants.

Rise noted Skye’s movement and shook her head, causing her long brown ponytail to sway back and forth. “I’m not going to hit him,” she said. “Except in his wallet.”

“What do you mean by that?” Hugo sputtered.

Rise held up a finger. “The first parking offense is a fifty-dollar fine—per car.” She held up another finger. “The second offense is a hundred dollars.” A final finger joined the other two. “And the third is impoundment.”

“Again, so?” Hugo sneered. “There’s no way to prove how long my cars have been parked in the same space.”

“Isn’t there?” Rise smiled thinly. “Do you really want to take that risk?”

“There’s no risk involved.” Hugo shoved his hands in his pockets. “Do you know who my father is?”

“Santa Claus?” Rise shrugged. “The Easter Bunny?” Her lip curled. “What? There will be a lump of coal in my stocking or I’m not getting any chocolate eggs in my basket?”

“You’re so funny.” Hugo narrowed his cool green eyes. “My father’s the mayor of Scumble River.” He jerked his thumb at Skye. “And my cousin, here, is engaged to the chief of police.”

Skye cringed and hurriedly said, “Not that I’d try to influence him in any legal matters.” She’d been hoping she and the bookstore owner could be friends. Besides, she really didn’t want to be aligned with Hugo.

“Of course not, cuz.” Hugo glanced at his watch. “Anything else? I’ve got to move some metal.” He made an impatient face. “Some of us need to make a living from our business.”

“What do you mean by that?” Rise demanded.

“Let’s just say”—Hugo smirked—“you’re not the only one who’s done a little investigating.”

A faint line dug between the bookstore owner’s brows but was instantly smoothed away. “Scum-sucking bastard,” she declared, then turned on her heel and marched into her shop.

“What was that all about?” Skye demanded.

But before Hugo could respond, Xenia stepped out of the building and said, “Ready to deal, dude?”

While Hugo and Xenia worked out the details of her purchase of the Volkswagen, Skye sat in Hugo’s office and thought about the encounter she had witnessed between her cousin and Rise Vaughn. So far Tales and Treats was two for two. Skye had had only two encounters concerning the shop, and both times the people concerned had a problem with the new business.

All in all, it was not looking like an auspicious beginning for the bookstore.

CHAPTER 3

Remembrance of Things Past

Once the purchase of the Beetle was completed, Skye followed Xenia home, driving the Craughwell family car, which Xenia had borrowed for her trip to Better Than New Autos. Once Skye parked the Sebring in the garage and got into the Volkswagen, Xenia suggested they stop for ice cream before she dropped Skye back at the high school.

“Sounds good.” Skye fastened her seat belt. “Don’t forget to buckle up.”

“Seat belts are too confining.” Xenia put the VW into gear.

“Not as confining as a wheelchair.”

Xenia harrumphed but clicked the belt into place.

“Wasn’t the warning bell bugging you on the drive over?” Skye asked, then realized she hadn’t heard the irritating dinging when she got into the vehicle.

“Nah.” Xenia accelerated. “I disconnected it before leaving the used-car lot.”

Skye opened her mouth to ask how but realized she didn’t really want to know. Instead she changed the subject. “You were pretty rude to Hugo.”