Free Murder on the Bucket List by Elizabeth Perona

you,” she said. “Charlotte, thanks for getting rid of the tourists.”
    â€œIt was my pleasure, believe me.”
    â€œDo you need us to stay?” Francine asked.
    Alice waved her off. “That’s okay. You’ve done enough, and I’m sure you’re all hungry. I just need to be by myself for a while. I’ll lock the door, retreat upstairs, and pretend no one’s home.”
    â€œI’m not hungry,” Charlotte said. “Remember, I had a Jimmy John’s sub—at least the half Toby didn’t eat. I could stay.”
    â€œPlease don’t be offended, but I’d prefer to just wait for Joy to come back. She helped all morning dealing with the press, and I need her right now.”
    Francine moved quickly to take any sting out of Alice’s words. “Do you have a way home?” she asked Charlotte. “I could get the car and drop you off at your house.”
    â€œNo need. Toby took me home and I drove my car back.”
    Jonathan started up the stairs. “Alice, I’ll just gather up the financial records and head home.”
    â€œThanks for looking them over. I know we’re going to need guidance from both you and the lawyer.”
    Charlotte still had out her notebook. “What financial records?”
    â€œI can’t tell you. Client confidentiality.” He disappeared into the study.
    The doorbell rang. Francine stared at the door. She’d just watched Jud leave, and she hadn’t seen any other cars outside. Who was it now?

seven
    Alice looked through the peephole. “It’s Darla.”
    â€œDon’t let her in,” said Charlotte. “She’s already had the crime scene tour.”
    Alice took a step away from the door. “She’s carrying a clipboard. You know what that means.”
    The women groaned. “The homeowners’ association,” they said in unison.
    Francine had dealt with Darla before in this capacity. “Better let her in and head off any trouble now.”
    Alice opened the door. Darla sashayed in with her clipboard and an iPad. “Hi, Alice.” Then she noticed the others. “Well, it’s probably best you’re all here together.” She exhaled noisily, like this was an unpleasant thing she needed to get out of the way. “Can we sit down?”
    â€œSure. Would you like some tea?”
    â€œNo, I won’t be here that long. Thanks anyway.”
    Alice indicated the front room. Francine couldn’t help but remember that fourteen hours ago they were sitting in this very room waiting for the police to arrive. It felt less ominous in the daylight without whirling red and blue lights shining in the windows, but Darla’s visit was likely to stir up more trouble. She was the perfect homeowners’ association president, since she liked to be in everyone’s business. Those who had been on the receiving end of a visit, however, had a different opinion.
    â€œIf it were up to me,” Darla said, “I wouldn’t be here. It’s not like you intentionally violated the homeowners’ agreement. But I’ve gotten lots of calls, and I want to be able to say that we’ve talked about it.”
    Charlotte took a seat. “About what? The dead body? I don’t think there’s anything about dead bodies in the homeowners’ agreement.”
    â€œTechnically, there is. Don’t you remember the roadkill clause we added a year ago? We had to put it in when Denise Faulkenberg hit that squirrel and the furry thing made it up to her lawn before it died? She wouldn’t touch it and birds pecked at it for three days?”
    â€œI recall the incident,” Alice said, “but I hardly see how it applies.”
    â€œThe membership overwhelmingly approved the idea that a dead carcass on a homeowner’s property must be removed within twenty-four hours of its death.”
    Francine could scarcely believe what she was