Free Perplexity on P1/2 (Parson's Cove Mysteries) by Sharon Rose Page A

Flori says that’s not her fault because she should have had her adenoids removed years ago. Personally, I think she does it to get attention and to irritate everyone. I realize this could describe a very nice person but with Esther, that’s where the nicest part ends. With respect to her personality, she’s humorless, snotty, bigoted, abrasive, pig-headed and a nitpicker. One day I was reading a book and came across the word misanthropist. I looked it up in the dictionary and you can add that to the list.
         “I believe I have fifteen more minutes in which to shop,” she announced as soon as she opened the door. She stood, daring me, with her nose in the air.
         “No,” I said. “You have ten minutes in which to shop.”
         She upped her nose another inch as her glasses started to slide.
         “You would think, Mabel Wickles, since your business doesn’t seem to be all that lucrative, you would be pleased if your clientele came in even if it were last minute. Or, do you think you’re above us since you won that ridiculous trip?”
         “First of all, Esther Flynn, you are not what I call clientele. If you t’were, you would purchase something once in awhile. When was the last time you even anything? All you do is come in to see what I have marked down and then try to get it cheaper. What do you want now anyway?”
         “Hummph. If that’s your attitude…” She turned to open the door.
         “No, no, it’s not. You’re right,” I said. She gave me a surprised look. “No, I mean it, Esther. You take your time and look around.” I tried very hard to smile. “After all, I understand that you’ve been through a terrifying experience yourself lately. I really need to have more compassion for others.”
         “That’s very noble of you but trust me, I have not suffered through any horrifying experience. I take everything in life in stride, even murder, and I mind my own business, Mabel.”
         “Well, lucky you! I have to admit that finding out that you discovered my friend’s body in the woods has quite unnerved me. I’m afraid it’s made me a little irritable so you’ll have to forgive me and take it in your stride, Esther.”
         “One of your friends?” Her nose came down an inch. “You knew the woman who was murdered?” Her eyes widened and her glasses slid. “I know it was dark but I could see enough to know that she was a stranger to me. How could you know her?”
         “We don’t have to know each other’s friends, Esther. I’m sure you have lots of friends whom I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting.”
         “Oh well, I suppose so.” She turned and wandered down an aisle with a confused look on her face. In Parson’s Cove, everyone knows everyone’s friends. Esther has none.
         I waited by the register. She stopped every few feet to pick something up and then put it back.
         “Find anything yet, Esther?” I called out. I knew what she really wanted was to find out how I knew the murder victim but she would be too proud to ask.
         “Don’t rush me. You know they say that the customer is always right.”
         “Depends on the customer,” I said under my breath.
         “I heard that.”
         After ten minutes, she walked to the door. “Sorry, Mabel, you don’t have anything I’m interested in. Almost everything you have was made in some foreign country with cheap child labor. I thought perhaps you’d upped your standards and finally acquired some new merchandise. Something from Paris or Rome? But, no, there’s nothing outstanding or exceptional here at all.”
         “Oh, but I do have something extraordinary. Well, it’s not new. Used, but in very good condition and it’s gold.”
         “Gold? You have something in gold?” Esther’s eyes always light up when someone mentions the word gold.
         I reached in my pocket and pulled out the