Free Sentenced to Death by Lorna Barrett Page A

opened.”
    “I’ll have to hire someone else,” Tricia said reasonably.
    “But not everybody knows about mysteries—especially vintage mysteries.”
    “You didn’t know a thing about them before you came to work here,” Tricia reminded her. She made sure to keep her voice steady as she asked her next question. “Now, when will you take over running the Happy Domestic?”
    “If I accept the job, as soon as the paperwork goes through. Antonio thinks it’ll be a couple of weeks—maybe a month.”
    “You will accept the job. And it gives me plenty of time to find someone to take your place.”
    “What about Mr. Everett? Couldn’t he work more hours—?”
    Tricia shook her head. “He isn’t interested in working a full-time job.”
    “That’s right,” Ginny said quietly. “I suppose you’ll have to call an employment agency.”
    “I suppose,” Tricia said. She knew putting up a HELP WANTED sign in the window wouldn’t work. At least it hadn’t worked for Angelica when she’d been looking for help at the Cookery. But times were different. With so many jobs being shipped overseas, the locals seemed a tad more interested in the shops along Main Street and the retail work they offered. Before she made one call, though, she’d ask Frannie. She was still the best source of information in the village, and she might know of someone who’d like to take the job. And it would give Tricia an excuse to talk to Frannie about Deborah.
    So there, Angelica!
    Tricia turned her mind back to the problem at hand. “What will happen to Elizabeth?”
    Ginny sighed. “Antonio says she can stay on as long as she likes—part-time, of course. I think that’ll suit her, as she intends to stay a part of Davey’s life. That is, if David will let her.”
    “Have you spoken to her?”
    Ginny shook her head. “Antonio was going to do that.”
    “When?”
    She glanced up at the clock. “Right about now. I don’t think she’ll be very happy about the situation. I have a feeling she hoped she’d be kept on to manage the store. But would she have the stamina to do that and take care of Davey, too?”
    “You’re probably right,” Tricia said, and felt even worse for Elizabeth. First losing her daughter, then her daughter’s store. And was there the chance David might take little Davey away from Stoneham?
    Tricia stood. “I think I’ll head over to the Cookery to see if Frannie knows anyone looking for a job. I’d like you to train whoever takes your place.”
    “Oh, sure,” Ginny said, and Tricia noticed the tears had dried. Well, did she expect Ginny to pine and wail over her decision to leave Haven’t Got a Clue? If she was honest, Ginny had put her career on hold to stay at this job for far too long.
    Tricia took three steps toward the door before Ginny’s voice stopped her. “Tricia?”
    She turned.
    “I just wanted to say how grateful I am for everything you taught me about running a business. It’s because of you I want to make this my life’s work. You’re my role model.”
    Tricia’s smile was halfhearted. She’d lost Deborah, and now she’d lose Ginny, too.
    Some days it didn’t pay to get out of bed.

    Frannie stood behind the Cookery’s cash desk, waiting on a customer. “Oh yes, Ms. Miles’s next cookbook will be out early next year. Here, would you like a bookmark?”
    The man accepted it and gave a parting smile before he turned to exit the store.
    “Tricia, what’s up?” Frannie said in greeting.
    “Sad news, I’m afraid.”
    “Oh, no,” she said, with a catch in her voice. “After yesterday, I don’t think I can take much more bad news.”
    “Sad,” Tricia corrected her, “not bad. Ginny’s leaving Haven’t Got a Clue.”
    Frannie’s hand flew to cover her mouth. “Oh no! What happened?”
    “She’s been offered another, better job.”
    “What could be better than working for you?”
    Tricia smiled at that. “Managing the Happy Domestic.”
    Frannie frowned. “I