Free Murder in Merino by Sally Goldenbaum Page A

seen her jogging through town in those skimpy shorts. Asking questions, nosing around. I even saw her over at City Hall this afternoon.”
    “Oh?”
    “In the records library. How many tourists do you see in the records office?”
    Beatrice let her words hang in the air between them, casting them in an ominous light.
    “I think she makes the most of places she visits, absorbing the town’s spirit and history, getting to know people. It’s a good idea, don’t you think?”
    It was a thought that developed as she said it aloud, and hearing her own words, Nell decided there was probably truth in what she was saying—even though her intent was to keep Beatrice from imagining nefarious scenarios.
    Beatrice didn’t answer, but her lack of a reply, brief good-bye, and quick exit told Nell what she thought of her opinion. And of Jules Ainsley. And definitely of Karen Hanson.
    Nell watched her walk away. The councilwoman was unique, and in spite of her idiosyncrasies and sometimes irritating manner, Nell admired her. She’d undergone a tragedy in her own life when her then husband was found guilty of a murder in an attempt to cover up an affair. Somehow she had come out on top of it all, holding her head high and resuming her place in Sea Harbor’s political scene. Beatrice Scaglia was a survivor and Nell liked that about her.
    Through the shop window she watched her climb into her white Mercedes, as immaculate as the first snow. She slipped on her sunglasses, then sat still for a few minutes, staring across the street. Finally she started the engine and pulled quickly away from the curb.
    Curious, Nell looked across the street.
    Gus was in his usual spot, standing on the sidewalk in front of his store.
    Today he had company.
    Late-afternoon sunlight fell across the sidewalk, stretching the two shadows onto the street. Julia Ainsley, sunglasses pushed to the top of her head, stood next to the friendly hardware store owner.
    Gus was listening intently to whatever Julia was saying. Finally he nodded, then took her by the arm and walked with her to a doorway between his store and Scooper’s Ice Cream Parlor. The door, nearly hidden in the shadows, opened to an inside staircase and a second floor of small offices, including that of Nell and Ben’s dentist. Did Jules need a dentist? Being in an unfamiliar town and needing medical care could be difficult.
    When Nell looked out a few minutes later, Jules was still standing there, listening to Gus while she scribbled something on a piece of paper. Then she slipped the paper into her pocket, flashed Gus a brilliant smile, and sprinted down Harbor Road.
    Whatever she was up to didn’t involve having a cavity filled after all.
    Jules Ainsley looked more like a woman on a mission.

Chapter 8
    I t was two days later when Nell discovered what Jules Ainsley had written on that sheet of paper. And it came to light only after a head-on collision with Karen Hanson.
    She and Birdie were walking through Archie’s bookstore toward the exit, their arms filled with books and their heads bowed in conversation, catching up. Birdie had agreed that Jules Ainsley was an odd sort of tourist and her interest in the town did seem a bit peculiar, but there had been no recent sightings of her with Danny, and that pleased them both.
    Outside the bookstore, Karen Hanson, herself distracted, pulled on the heavy glass door just as Birdie was about to do the same. The unexpected movement as the door opened wide caused the small, white- haired woman to lose her balance, sending several of Danny Brandley’s mysteries to the sidewalk. She tottered, regained her balance, and stepped quickly to the side with Nell close behind, closing the heavy door behind her.
    Karen, muttering apologies, crouched down and scooped up the books. “So terribly clumsy of me,” she scolded herself. She looked up. “Are you all right, Birdie?”
    “Fit as a fiddle.” Birdie held up Danny’s newest release, diverting attention