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

Armed with new liquid courage, I push my thoughts aside and start with the bill on top. I want to be sure all the invoices are paid in full when my uncle takes over the shop, even if that means I don’t get a paycheck. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of telling everyone I’m a deadbeat.

Just as I’m finishing up, Nan sits down across from me at the small bistro table. “That was a lot of bills. Especially on payday.”

“Yep. All part of something I really need to tell you.” I push her paycheck toward her. “I appreciate you so much, Nan, but my uncle is going to take the bookstore away from me soon. He’s eager to turn the space into something else, so you probably won’t have a job much longer. I’m really sorry.” The thought of my mom’s bookstore closing is breaking my heart. But I won’t cry. It’s Nan who’s losing her job right now.

Nan pushes the check back. “I get a nice pension from the library. Just keep it.” Nan slowly stands and turns for the door.

“No. Wait, please.” I hop up, waking up my snoozing dog, who thinks it’s time to play. “I appreciate the offer, but you earned this.” I reach down and pet Cooper, who is jumping on my leg to join in.

Nan shakes her head. “While you and your pals were trying to solve Tina’s murder, Carol called and told me what Frank is doing to you. It’s just not right.” Nan leans down and ruffles Cooper’s ears. “And this little guy needs to eat. So if it’s all the same to you, I’d be grateful if you’d let me help out around here for free until you close. It’ll get my old bones out of the house.”

“I don’t want to take advantage—”

“Carol asked me to help you, Sawyer.” Nan pats Cooper one last time before straightening. “She used to hide out in the library a lot when she was a kid. Over the years, we became great friends. She’s done so many nice things for me, and this is my chance to return the favor. So no arguing. See you tomorrow.” Nan turns and opens the front door.

“Thank you!” I call out to Nan’s back as she hits the sidewalk to make the short walk to her home.

I sit on the couch next to Cooper, who’s still trying to figure out why no one is willing to play with him after being so rudely awakened. “Sorry, pal. Not in the mood to play.”

At the word “play,” Cooper zooms off to find his ball. I guess I can muster the energy to throw it for him a few times. Even though I’d rather go home and pull the covers over my head.

Throw after throw, my dog happily chases the ball and brings it right back. I should stop and get busy working again, but then, why? Soon, my uncle is just going to shut down everything my mom built.

Instead, I continue to throw the ball as tourists pass up my shop on their way for ice cream or a T-shirt. I’m still staring out the window when two familiar men clad in khaki cross the park. Dylan’s strides are long and his forehead deeply creased as he walks beside Deputy Ben, sure signs Dylan’s not a happy camper. Something must be up.

I stand and smooth out my slacks, happy to see Dylan but worried he’s bearing bad news. As they cross the street, I whisper, “Cross paws they’re not arresting Dad, Cooper.”

My dog yelps when he sees his best buddy through the window. Sometimes I wonder who Cooper loves more, me or Dylan.

Dylan lifts a hand in greeting before turning up the street, and Ben walks into my store.

“Hey, Sawyer.” Ben kneels to pet Cooper, who’s still happy to have a visitor, even if it isn’t Dylan. “Got a minute? I need to ask you a few questions.”

“Me?” I lean around Ben to see where Dylan went, but he’s gone. “Sure. But I don’t know what I have to offer.”

“Maybe more than you realize.” Ben holds out a hand toward the couch. “Have a seat, and we’ll get started.”

A little peeved that Dylan sent Ben to do his dirty work, I have to remind myself that Dylan is trying to keep his distance from me. Particularly in front of the other men. After all, Dylan and I have officially broken up. “Okay. What can I help with?”

Ben pulls out his phone. “What did you do on the morning of the show last Sunday? And when did Max leave the house?”

Ah. They’re probably doing the same thing Madge, the Admiral, and I just decided to do. Go back in time before Tina had lunch with my father. “I woke up about seven, made coffee, fed the dog, drank my coffee, and messed around online until eight thirty or so. After my dad and Brittany appeared in the kitchen, I made us all some eggs. While we ate, my dad asked me to fill in as his assistant for his show because he was desperate. After trying to get out of it, but failing, I went upstairs and took a shower to get ready.”

“How long did that take?”

“I’m not sure. But Renee and I talked on the phone while I put on my makeup. Let me see what time that was.”

I grab my phone, scroll through the call list, then hand it over to Ben. “There, on the bottom. Ten twenty-seven.”

Ben studies the screen and then jots down the time. “How long do you suppose you talked?”

I shake my head. “No idea. Probably a half hour or so. Then I finished pinning up my hair and squeezing into that stupid costume. When I went back downstairs, Dad and Brittany were both gone.”

“I thought you looked nice in that outfit.” Ben’s cheeks flush red, and he clears his throat. “So, no way to know for sure what