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Back Murder Past Due Save as PDF
Chapters (36)
  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Acknowledgements
  4. ONE
  5. TWO
  6. THREE
  7. FOUR
  8. FIVE
  9. SIX
  10. SEVEN
  11. EIGHT
  12. NINE
  13. TEN
  14. ELEVEN
  15. TWELVE
  16. THIRTEEN
  17. FOURTEEN
  18. FIFTEEN
  19. SIXTEEN
  20. SEVENTEEN
  21. EIGHTEEN
  22. NINETEEN
  23. TWENTY
  24. TWENTY-ONE
  25. TWENTY-TWO
  26. TWENTY-THREE
  27. TWENTY-FOUR
  28. TWENTY-FIVE
  29. TWENTY-SIX
  30. TWENTY-SEVEN
  31. TWENTY-EIGHT
  32. TWENTY-NINE
  33. THIRTY
  34. THIRTY-ONE
  35. THIRTY-TWO
  36. THIRTY-THREE

“Talking about book tours made me think of it,” Julia finally said, focusing on me again. “When I was leaving the hotel earlier today, I saw somebody at the front desk with a box of books.” She shrugged. “At least, that’s what I thought it must be, because I saw the name of Godfrey’s latest book on the side of the box.”

“Who was it?” A potential new suspect, I hoped. All the better for Justin and Julia.

“That woman who owns the bookstore on the square, Jordan Thompson,” Julia said. “And I know for a fact she hated Godfrey with a passion.”

TWELVE

TWELVE

“I didn’t think ministers’ wives listened to gossip.” I said it teasingly, but Julia didn’t take it that way.

“I don’t run around gossiping with anyone.” Julia’s tone was frosty enough to make me wish I was wearing a sweater. “But people tell me things, even when I don’t ask them to. Besides, Melba Gilley’s niece Patty works there. Has since she got out of high school five years ago. She used to babysit Justin, and whenever I run into her, she always wants to talk.”

I nodded. I knew Melba’s niece, Patty Simpson. Plus, I knew Melba. If Patty was at all like her aunt, she knew what was going on around her within a ten-mile radius.

“Okay, let’s say something happened between Godfrey and Jordan Thompson.” I regarded Julia warily. “Something that pissed off Jordan so much she wanted Godfrey dead. How the heck are we supposed to find out what that was? Other than calling up Patty Simpson and asking her, since she seems to know everything.”

“I’m not suggesting that.” Julia scowled. “Although I have no doubt Patty would be happy to tell you that, and a dozen other things besides.” She paused. “I know you go into the bookstore. I’ve seen you there myself, several times.”

“Yes, I do. I go in there at least every couple of weeks.” I have always loved bookstores, and though I have plenty of access to books through the two libraries where I work and volunteer, I can’t resist the lure of the bookstore.

“Then go by there tomorrow and talk to Jordan,” Julia said. “She’s fond of older men, from what I’ve seen. You can probably get her to talk to you.”

“Julia, I can’t believe you’re suggesting such a thing.” I pretended to be shocked, but I was more amused than anything. I couldn’t see myself in the role of homme fatal, persuading attractive young women to spill their secrets.

She didn’t respond. Instead, she turned in her chair and peered in the direction of the kitchen. “What’s taking so long? Shouldn’t they be done by now?” She started to rise.