Free Murder and Salutations by Elizabeth Bright

was trying to collect the errant papers. “I’m sorry I missed the parade. It must have really been something if that’s the size of the confetti. Do you want to tell me what happened?”
    “ No, I can’t afford to have you disappointed in me twice in one day. I had a little tantrum, but I’m all better now. What did Addie say?”
    “ Well, it took some time and a little feather stroking, but I finally convinced her that we meant well with our visit. In fact, she wanted me to tell you that she was sorry she destroyed your beautiful card. I helped her piece it back together, and she really was touched.”
    I shook my head. “I don’t know how you do it, but I’m hoping you’re willing to teach me. I thought it was hopeless when you said you were going back in there.”
    Lillian squatted down and helped me gather the rest of the paper. “You actually might have helped more than you realize. I had the distinct impression Addie needed to blow off some steam before she came apart, and you just happened to be handy.”
    “ Hey, what can I say? Everybody needs a special purpose in life. So what’s your gut reaction? Did she do it?”
    Lillian paused a moment, then said, “She could have. When I asked her about her alibi, there were at least ten minutes she couldn’t account for. She claims she ducked out of Hurley’s to get her inhaler from Heaven Scent, but nobody saw her go, or, more importantly, come back. The store’s worth quite a bit, despite their low sales at the moment. The two of them owned the building outright, and it all goes to Addie now. The only person left alive with any family connection to Eliza is Luke Penwright, and once they were divorced, she made sure to change her will. Addie said Eliza couldn’t wait to disinherit him.”
    I couldn’t believe the flood of information. “How did you manage to get all that out of her in just half an hour?”
    “ That just took five minutes,” Lillian admitted. “Your little tirade loosened her up, and by the time I walked in, she was dying to tell someone how wrong you were.”
    “ So what do we do now?”
    Lillian looked at the clock, then said, “I’m going to take a long lunch, and when I get back an hour before closing, I’m going to take over so you can go to your apartment and get ready for your date tonight.”
    “ It’s not a date,” I said automatically. “I was talking about the case.”
    Lillian shrugged. “I’ve got a few calls to make, but they can wait. Jennifer, you can’t let this ruin your evening. If nothing else, I don’t think Gail would ever forgive you.”
    “ I still think we should keep digging,” I said. “Proving that Sara Lynn is innocent is more important than my social life this evening.”
    “ That’s where you’re wrong,” Lillian said. “You don’t get out nearly enough, and I won’t let you cancel this. We can investigate more tomorrow, I promise, but just for tonight, I want you to concentrate on having fun. Okay?”
    “ Okay,” I agreed reluctantly.
    Lillian nodded. “Then I’m off.”
    She was gone again before I could stop her. I hadn’t eaten yet, either, and I didn’t want to wait until four o’clock to have my lunch. I should have known she’d realize that, though. Thirty minutes later, a waiter named Tommy from Hurley’s showed up with a hamburger and fries. As I offered to pay him, he said, “It’s taken care of, and the tip, too. I don’t know how you managed it, but I didn’t even think we delivered our food.”
    “ I’m special,” I said as I slipped him a five despite his instructions. Tommy was in college—I’d heard Jack saying something about it the night before—and while he put up a token protest about taking more money, I managed to convince him just the same.
    I felt worlds better after I’d eaten, but the threatening skies kept things quiet in the shop, and I couldn’t bring myself to make any more cards. I finally just gave up and grabbed the paperback