Bound To Be Dead: Cozy Mystery Bookshop Series Book 3 by Tamra Baumann (best historical fiction books of all time txt) 📗

He truly does accept me. Bad hair and all. “Thanks, but it can look better. See you tomorrow.”

“You will.” He sends me another grin as he disappears into the night.

My relationship with Dylan is another thing I need to figure out. He’s agreed to give me some space to work through our past, and I’ll do that. Once I have a moment to think. For now, I’m more concerned with figuring out what happened to Tina, how to defeat my uncle in court, and to figure out what the right thing is to do for Brittany.

Late Tuesday morning, Nan and I are filling online orders from some of the ancient books my mother had stored in the attic when the bell above the front door rings. It’s an actual customer. Hooray! I don’t know how much longer the online orders are going to last. We’re running through the attic stock at a good pace.

Nan says, “I’ve got this. You’ve got your hair appointment.”

That’s true. And Nan, being a former librarian, is actually ten times more qualified to help the pretty lady with a designer bag than I am. “Thanks. Want me to bring you back something to eat?”

“I’m good with my sack lunch. Enjoy your haircut.” Nan plasters on a big smile and approaches our customer.

Typically, I might enjoy getting my hair cut, but today I’m on a mission. To find out who Pattie is seeing and if he’s married.

I grab my purse, pat Cooper goodbye, and then head up the sidewalk to Bang Bangs. Just because Pattie lives for gossip, doesn’t mean she can’t keep her own secrets. I’ll have to be careful to keep my tone casual as I fish for information. And possibly give up a little gossip in return.

Mary is standing behind the front desk when I arrive. She smiles and says, “Hi, Sawyer. We’re almost ready for you. Pattie just has to finish up with Mrs. Greer.”

“Great.” I follow Mary to a chair in front of the mirror and sit. “How’s the measurement guide going?”

Mary wraps my shoulders with a cape. “Good. I’ll be ready for that quiz in a day or two. Thanks again for helping me.”

“No worries.” I lift a hand to greet Mrs. Greer, who used to be our postmistress before she retired. Flipping through all the hairstyle magazines, I find one that’ll have to do to pass the time. Luckily, my phone rings, so I have an excuse to toss the magazine I have zero interest in aside. It’s Brittany, who’s home from school again today. “Hi. What’s up?”

“I found my Uncle Andrew.”

This makes me sit up straighter in the chair. “Is he in San Francisco?”

“Nope.” Brittany sighs. “He moved to Vegas. To be near my mother, apparently. But they really don’t like each other.”

That makes a quick visit more complicated because it’s an eight-hour drive. But a quick flight is within the realm of possibilities. “Do you think he’d talk to me or Gage if we showed up on his doorstep?”

“Not necessary. I called him and asked where the money came from for my adoption. He said mom’s boyfriend, Mica, gave it to her.”

The news is a direct punch to my gut. “He’s certain?” I was banking on my uncle being the one who gave Stella the money. Gage says we might not have much of a leg to stand on otherwise.

“I didn’t tell him why I was asking, so I don’t think he’d lie about it. Want me to hack into Mica’s bank information to be sure?”

Man, do I ever. “No. That’s illegal. Let’s ask for some proof when he and your mom get here tomorrow. Did they say what time that’d be?”

“She said it’d be after three. She’ll let me know when their flight lands in San Francisco.”

Great. Now I might lose the trust, my bookstore, my house, my future restaurant, and Brittany all in the next twenty-four hours. Thinking about that makes my heart hurt. “What else have you found about Mica? Can you tell what he does for a living?”

Brittany is quiet for a few moments before she says, “I’m not sure. Either he’s hired someone really good to protect his data, or it’s been wiped.”

“That seems weird.”

Brittany says, “Not necessarily. He could’ve hired people to protect his online identity. Rich people do that all the time.”

It still seems shady to me. “Keep at it. I’m sure you’re better than anyone Mica could’ve hired. But keep it legal.”

Brittany laughs. “I’ll keep it in the gray areas. But if I find something—”

“You’ll tell Dylan, and he’ll use the proper channels. Deal?”

“Fine.” She huffs out a breath. “But my way’s much faster.”

“I know.” And time is something we don’t have much of in this case. But right is right. “That’s why you need to figure out how to put all that hacking skill to use for the good guys one day.”

“That’s the plan.” Brittany lets out a loud yawn. “By the way, Max and Meg both said they’d like your infamous fajitas for dinner. Want me to start marinating the chicken? I know you have the book club meeting tonight.”

Brittany has taken to learning how to cook like an artist to her first box of watercolors. It makes my chef’s heart proud. “I’d appreciate that. Want saffron rice too? Or Spanish?”

“I like Spanish rice better. I’ll make it all if you’d like. I’ve watched you do it enough times.”

“That’d be fun. Dad and Meg will be so impressed when they figure out you’re the chef.” A lump is forming in my throat. What if this is the last dinner we’ll have together? “Hey, Brit? You know I love you, right?”

“Yeah, yeah. Right back atcha. See you later.” She quickly disconnects.

Heavy despair washes over me as I toss my phone back into my purse. I’ve gotten used to having the kid in my life. I don’t want to lose her.

“So how short are