Delivering Death: A Novel (Riley Spartz)

Read Delivering Death: A Novel (Riley Spartz) for Free Online

Book: Read Delivering Death: A Novel (Riley Spartz) for Free Online
Authors: Julie Kramer
blood. With only a split second to spare, Nick shoved me away as the thing hit him full in the chest and I fell flat on the floor.

CHAPTER 10
    A pplause and cheers filled the air around us as I turned in shock.
    Nick was clutching a bridal bouquet.
    Did he rescue me as a friend, someone he harbored feelings for, or as part of his cop duty? I decided his motivation didn’t matter. The sight of him, holding roses and ribbons, was so comical, I stopped being mad and started to laugh.
    “Well, Nick, I think that catch means you’re the next to get married.”
    He was reaching a hand down to me, when a woman’s voice interrupted any reconciliation. “Who do we have here?”
    I recognized her as Velma Roberts, part of the mall’s public relations team. She recognized me as a local television reporter. Whether she knew about my personal relationship with Garnett was unclear, but I’d interviewed her a couple of times as a mall spokesperson about consumer shopping trends.
    “So, Riley Spartz,” she said, “I heard talk you were around the place. But since you didn’t stop by our office for media credentials, I’m quite certain you’re not here on Channel 3 business, although I don’t see a shopping bag.”
    From her trendy shoes to her blunt-cut bangs, Velma resembled a walking fashion plate in figure and dress. Her job was to promote all the mall had to offer. With auburn streaks throughshoulder-skimming hair, she even looked good enough to anchor TV news, except that Velma had an irritating manner of speech in which she gave each word equal emphasis. I found her difficult to listen to, but apparently viewers could handle her in ten-second sound bites. I’d heard she was seeing a voice coach, but whenever she was nervous, Velma reverted back to her old habit.
    Apparently, I made her nervous.
    She didn’t wait for me to answer, instead turning her attention toward Nick, who had seemed to forget I was still on the floor. She took the flowers from his hand and savored the scent of the fresh petals.
    “Sweet.”
    Velma seemed momentarily wistful and I noticed her left ring finger was bare. I remembered hearing some gossip about her and a divorce. But her personal experience with marriage didn’t seem to sour her on the idea of weddings in general. She waved the bouquet enthusiastically toward the mall’s newest bride, who was skipping down the corridor in glee.
    “Congratulations!” Velma called. “Come back on your anniversary!”
    She glanced at an ornate wristwatch that seemed more decorative than functional, before tugging playfully at Garnett’s sleeve in a way that conveyed familiarity.
    “I’m almost off duty, Nick. Why don’t we grab dinner and I’ll fill you in on the mall’s upcoming venture. It might pose some special security challenges.”
    That sounded like news so I scrambled to my feet and put myself back into the conversation. If I couldn’t deliver a curfew story, maybe I could appease Bryce with some other Mall of America idea. Preferably one I could hand off to another reporter.
    “So what’s ahead for the mall, Velma?”
    “You’ll find out soon enough,” she said. “But here’s a hint: Hollywood loves weddings.”
    They both said good-bye to me, following in the bridal party’s shadow, I waited, just in case Garnett glanced back at me to wink, or even roll his eyes. But he kept walking, so I headed in the opposite direction alone, resenting Bryce for making me come there.
    At the mall entrance, a security guard was still checking teens for curfew. A woman with a large pile of packages and bags with designer labels waited for a ride. She was leaving, proud of her shopping spree, while I was leaving heavyhearted and empty-handed.
    I ducked back inside to buy some gourmet chocolate caramels from a shop near the door—even though I suspected St. Apollonia would disapprove.

CHAPTER 11
    T he drive south to my high school reunion the next day took me past the headquarters of Hormel

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