Murder Is Binding

fondly at Tricia-'I'm sure I'd be just as devastated.'

Bob wasn't listening. 'She's already called in an attorney. Apparently Doris had sent her sister copies of the current and proposed leases. The sister threatened a lawsuit over my emptying the store. It may be easier for me to cut my losses and extend the current lease-as is-for another year and renegotiate at a later date. That way she would be up and running again in a couple of weeks. No matter what, it's going to cost me.' He shook his head. 'The damage that woman's death has done to Stoneham's economy will end up being in the millions.'

'Don't be ridiculous,' Tricia said.

'I'm not. The PR value of being the safest town in all New Hampshire was priceless. Losing it could affect future development here for decades.'

Angelica clucked sympathetically, but it took all Tricia's self-control to keep quiet on that account. Instead, she decided to move things along. 'How's that Stroganoff coming, Ange? It sure smells good.'

Angelica was not about to be hurried and topped both her own and Bob's wineglasses.

Resigned, Tricia tried another topic. 'What's this about a big box store coming to Stoneham?'

Bob choked on his wine. Angelica scurried around the island, thumped him on the back. 'Are you okay?'

'Who told you that?' Bob asked, anger causing his eyes to narrow.

'I heard it. Around,' Tricia offered lamely.

'I did, too, Bob,' Angelica said. 'Is it true?'

Bob cleared his throat, pounding on his chest before answering. 'No. Maybe. I hope not.'

'That's not much of an answer,' Tricia said.

'All I can tell you is that a nationally known company has put out feelers. That doesn't mean they're actually looking to establish a presence in Stoneham.'

'But you are talking to their representatives,' Tricia pushed.

'I've been approached, and so has the Board of Selectmen, on a number of proposed projects. That's all I can say.'

'Would candidates for selectman know about this interest, too?' Tricia asked. Maybe she could pump Mike Harris for information.

'No,' Bob said emphatically and gulped the rest of his wine. Angelica filled his glass again.

So much for that idea.

'Any news on Winnie Wentworth's death?'

'How would I know?' Bob looked up, aggravated.

Tricia shrugged. 'You seem to have your finger on the pulse of Stoneham. I wondered if they'd made a determination.'

'I have no interest in vehicular accidents unless they pose a threat to commerce.'

Talk about cold-hearted.

'Winnie was a citizen of Stoneham. Surely, she-'

'She didn't own property. She didn't pay taxes. She was little more than a pest to most of the shop owners, always trying to flog her junk. I had more than a few complaints about her over the years. Everything from vagrancy to harassment.'

'Yes, but-' Tricia tried to protest, but Bob cut her off again.

'She was an embarrassment to the village. It's hard to promote tourism when you've got her sort wandering about. She was a nuisance in life and a liability in death. No one's claimed her body. It'll probably be up to the taxpayers to bury her,' he finished bitterly and took another gulp of wine. He turned his attention to Angelica. 'Now, what kind of house were you thinking about buying or were you just interested in renting?' And Bob launched into his pitch for possible residential rentals and sales.

Taking the hint, Tricia busied herself by feeding Miss Marple and setting the table. Although Bob was her first official dinner guest since moving in, she decided not to use her grandmother's best china and tableware. For someone like Mike, however, she might be persuaded to pull out all the stops.

She would've liked to have returned Mike's call, thanking him for his support. Hadn't he said his mother's book collection included cookbooks? Deirdre Gleason would need additional titles to restock the Cookery. Perhaps Tricia could broker a deal for the books, which would at least keep the lines of communication open with her nearest neighbor.

When the crab puffs were finally gone Angelica declared the entrée ready to serve. She'd whipped up a romaine salad and homemade poppy-seed dressing as well. The three of them took seats at the table.

Bob dug in, chewed, and swallowed. 'Unusual flavor. What is it?'

Tricia took a bite and could tell the meat wasn't beef. 'Yes, it's different, but it's delicious,' she said and took another bite.

'Venison,' Angelica said, smug. 'Most people won't eat it, but I know how to take out the gamey flavor.'

'And how do you do that?' Bob asked, shoveling up another mouthful.

'It's a secret.' She sipped her wine. 'I'm sorry I had to use store-bought noodles, but there just wasn't time to make them from scratch,' she lamented and sighed.

Tricia watched as Bob stabbed another forkful, then savored the taste. 'This is absolutely delicious. Have you ever thought about opening a restaurant, Angelica?'

Angelica brightened. 'Well, actually, I have.'

Bob leaned in closer, his voice growing husky. 'I've got a couple of beautiful properties that could be converted into the most exquisite little bistros.'

Tricia cringed. Honestly, he sounded like the worst kind of used car salesman.

Angelica didn't seem to notice and fluttered her eyelashes. 'Do tell.'

Tricia cleared her throat, afraid they'd forgotten she was still there. She'd never seen Angelica turn on the charm for a man before-and she was sure she didn't want to see a repeat performance.

'Gee, it's too bad Drew isn't here. As I recall, Stroganoff was his favorite. And he has such a vast knowledge of architecture and renovation-which would sure be a big help if you're serious about opening a restaurant.'

'Drew?' Bob asked.

Angelica straightened in her chair, her expression souring. 'My soon-to-be ex-husband.'

'I'm still hoping for a reconciliation,' Tricia said, trying to look encouraging.

Angelica put down her fork. 'Well, I'm not. More Stroganoff, Bob?'

Tricia studied her sister's face. There was hurt behind her strained smile. Tricia still didn't know why her sister's marriage was about to end, and teasing her now, in front of Bob, really wasn't fair. Although, the last thing she wanted was for the two of them to start a relationship.

Tricia sipped her wine. Then again, why should she stand in the way of her sister's happiness even if she'd find it with someone like Bob Kelly? Wasn't she looking forward to seeing Mike Harris again? The pain of her own divorce was still fresh, and somewhere in the back of her mind she heard her mother scolding,'If something happens to Dad and me, you're all you've got.' Those words held new meaning for her after finding Doris Gleason's body, and suddenly Tricia found herself looking at her sister with kinder eyes.

'Tell me more about those hot properties, Bob,' Angelica cooed, lashes fluttering again.

Tricia's grasp on her fork tightened. If she didn't end up killing Angelica first.

Ten

Tricia lay awake half the night, disturbed by dreams of Angelica, radiant in a long white gown, and Bob Kelly in a tuxedo with a green shirt and tie, making goo-goo eyes at each other as they exchanged I dos, and vowing to live a life of wedded bliss in Tricia's home. The rest of the night Tricia lay awake, various scenarios of her future-none of them good-circling through her mind.

Regular coffee might not be enough to get her through the day. A double shot of espresso was what she needed, except there was no place in all of Stoneham to get a cup of that black-as-tar brew at this time of day.

After a half hour of running nowhere on the treadmill, a shower, and a Pop-Tart breakfast, Tricia and Miss