Read Bernadine Fagan - Nora Lassiter 01 - Murder by the Old Maine Stream for Free Online Page B

Percy suspects for a second you’re tailing him, he might get rough. He’s different from most folks around here. He’s … tougher. Can be ruthless.”
    I’d never considered that. “Has he ever been abusive to Mary Fran?” Hard to picture, recalling her finger-bending ability.
    “Not that she’d ever acknowledge, but I’ve suspected it on more than one occasion.”
    I nodded. That gave a new dimension to the case, another reason to catch him.
    Case. I had a case? I couldn’t believe I’d committed myself.
    “You shouldn’t do this.”
    “I want to.”
    “Yes, I see. I just wonder why. You’re putting yourself in jeopardy.” He paused and took another sip. “You really should know what you’re doing first.”
    Oh, crap. He had checked me out.
    “You know, don’t you?”
    “I’m the sheriff. I know everything.”
    “You plan to expose me?” As soon as the words were out, I rephrased, “Tell Mary Fran?”
    “Expose you?” He grinned down at me. “It’s crossed my mind.”
    Ignoring the double entendre, I twirled a lock of hair around my index finger, giving my best dumb blonde imitation, and said, “I know what I’m doing. I’m a detective-show fanatic, you know. Murder, She Wrote. CSI. Law and Order. All the reruns. I’ve seen them all lots of times so I know lots of investigative things.”
    The corner of his mouth tipped and he nodded, then he pulled out a scrap of paper and wrote a number on it. “Keep this handy. Call if you run into trouble. Any trouble. Anywhere. Anytime.”
    Even though I was warmed by his gesture, I made no move to accept the paper. “I don’t think I’ll need your private number.”
    “Who said it was my private number?”
    He looked at me with his dark bedroom eyes. I read the subtle challenge there, and took the damn paper.
    “I cannot imagine ever having to call you. What trouble could I possibly get into, Nick Renzo?” I smiled sweetly.
    When Mary Fran arrived, she introduced me to her husband Percy immediately. He was a big man, overweight by about fifty pounds, with slicked back hair, a red vest, and a salesman’s phony smile.
    “Shame about Al,” he said to the sheriff and me. “Ay-uh. We’ll all miss him.” He shook his head, his mouth dipping down in sorrow. “Can’t imagine who would want to kill such a great guy. If I can be of any more help, Nick, you just let me know. Don’t want any killers running loose in Silver Stream.”
    Phony, phony, phony.
    The word swirled in my head like an F-5 tornado. That said, he invited me to view some used trucks. “I just picked up some kick-ass trucks at the auction,” the man bragged, clearly not interested in the murder of his partner. “You might be in the market. I heard you’re renting a car. Not economical. Renting and leasing? For suckers.”
    “Auction?” I said, not really interested, as Nick drifted away.
    “Car auction. In Framingham, Massachusetts. My job takes me to the auto auctions.” He smiled. “Pick up lots of good stuff there.” He glanced at Mary Fran who seemed to be deliberately ignoring him. And me.
    “JT already tried to get me to buy,” I said, looking around for Ida, Hannah or Agnes. Anyone.
    Like the angel she was, Hannah came over and told me she wanted me to meet another cousin.
    Mary Fran managed to leave Percy’s side for a few minutes and whispered, “See you in the morning.”
    When Nick was putting on his shoes to leave, he motioned me over. Once more, he repeated his warning. “Stay away from Percy.”
     
    FIVE
     
    The interior of Hot Heads Heaven was everything I’d expected, and then some. The ceiling and walls were silver. Someone had run amuck with a magenta paint brush and done some freeform design damage.
    It was exactly nine-thirty Monday morning. This would have been my last day in Maine, but I had to get the evidence—the emails and the photos—so I’d probably be here until Tuesday.
    “Hi, Nora. Come on back and have a cup of coffee with