Free Read and Buried by Erika Chase

over a list of recommendations Lizzie had made for presentations she could include
     in future professional development days for teachers. She was given a schedule, which
     would allow her to share Striker’s office on a more regular basis. That would make
     it much easier for her to slot in appointments with students and their parents. Lizzie
     mentally cringed as Vanda went over the plans for the upcoming Christmas pageant,
     for which Lizzie had been conscripted into the role of master of ceremonies. “It sounds
     like a lively program you’ve got planned, Vanda, but I would really prefer not to
     wear an elf outfit,” Lizzie said, trying not to sigh too loudly.
    “Nonsense, Lizzie. We’ll all be in one costume or another. I just thought an elf would
     be the most likely to emcee the afternoon, being Santa’s helper and all. One of the
     first-grade mamas has volunteered to sew it, so you don’t even have to do that. Mrs.
     Farnshaw will meet with you when she picks up her son after school today and take
     your measurements. You are here all day, aren’t you?” Vanda asked, suddenly concerned.
    Lizzie sighed. There was no escaping it. “Yes, I’m here. But I have a short meeting
     with the principal at two thirty.”
    “Oh, that’s no problem. He won’t mind waiting. This is important. I’ll just fix it
     with him, don’t worry.”
    Lizzie shrugged. She’d long ago learned the easiest way to deal with Vanda Striker
     was to leave the worrying up to her.
    * * *
    L izzie hung up her jacket in the entrance hall in the St. John’s Episcopal Church basement
     and shivered. They were in the middle of a cold snap and the church hadn’t yet adjusted
     its thermostat. Maybe she should keep the jacket with her. She left it where it hung,
     hoping she’d warm up after a short while of singing.
    Lucille Miller waved at her as she made her way over to the chairs, forming a semicircle
     with the well-worn grand piano at the base of the seating plan. Lucille gave her a
     big hug, surprising Lizzie. Not Lucille’s usual greeting.
    “Don’t mind me,” Lucille said, squeezing Lizzie’s arm. “I’m just getting so wound
     up about the concert. I can hardly wait. And to top it off, Bob actually has agreed
     to come. I can’t imagine what’s gotten into the old coot but I’m surely happy about
     it.”
    Lizzie wasn’t about to tell Lucille that her brother was coming because Molly had
     bought tickets for them both. Her early Christmas present to him, so he couldn’t very
     well refuse. Lizzie wasn’t sure where Lucille stood when it came to Molly Mathews
     and her brother. Not that there was anything going on. Not yet, anyway. Both Lizzie
     and Sally-Jo were hopeful, though.
    Lizzie was saved from further conversation when one of the tenors whisked Lucille
     away, asking for her help in setting up the coffee urn. Lizzie sat and pulled her
     music out, setting her water bottle on the floor beside her chair. She wanted a short
     quiet time to relax before singing. She’d hoped to have it at home but as soon as
     she’d pulled in the driveway after school, Nathaniel had appeared. He came bearing
     gifts in the form of butter tarts, a new recipe for him, and Lizzie had invited him
     in to share them along with a glass of wine.
    Nathaniel had barely left when her phone rang and a frantic Sally-Jo had asked Lizzie
     to track down Jacob and tell him she was being taken to the police station for questioning,
     and to ask him to meet her there. Lizzie eventually got hold of him as he returned
     to his office from court. She relayed Sally-Jo’s appeal and then debated going down
     to the station herself, but she was reluctant to face Mark, and she did have to get
     to choir.
    So, here she was, trying to focus on Benjamin Britten and his wonderful
Ceremony of Carols
, while her mind raced through possible reasons for Sally-Jo to be taken into the
     station, rather than being questioned at her own home. It could be