Free Murder Is Binding by Lorna Barrett

wouldn’t have been worried about renegotiating her lease. “That poor soul.”
    Angelica frowned. “I suppose that depends on your point of view. A quick death with little fear or pain, or lingering in agony: I’ll take the former any day.”
    Tricia reached for linen napkins from a drawer. “How did you find out about Doris’s autopsy?”
    Angelica went back to work on the salad as she spoke. “Didn’t I tell you? Bess, the Brookview Inn’s receptionist, has a cousin who works for the county health department, who has a direct pipeline to the medical examiner’s office. Isn’t it amazing how already I’ve met the most eclectic assortment of people here in Stoneham? Not many of them seem to know you.”
    â€œThat’s because nearly all my customers are from out of town.”
    â€œAnd I’m sure the fact that—except for today, apparently—you rarely leave the store also has a lot to do with it.” She paused in slicing a tomato and looked over at her sister. “I’m worried about you, Trish. You need to have a life outside your bookstore.”
    â€œI’m doing just fine.”
    â€œHave you made any friends?” Angelica asked, abandoning her knife to add spices to a little bowl of olive oil.
    â€œOf course I have,” she said, thinking of her conversation earlier in the day with Deborah.
    â€œAll booksellers, no doubt. They probably work themselves to death, too, with no real social outlets. Then again, you were right; aside from reading, there isn’t much else to do in this burg.”
    â€œIt’s the main draw. How I and all the other booksellers make our living. And in a world with so many other distractions, it’s getting harder and harder to find new readers.”
    Angelica shook her head sadly. “How typical you’d choose a dying trade.”
    Tricia ignored the jab. “Have you spoken to any of the locals about Bob Kelly?”
    â€œOf course. He’s a fascinating man and I want to know all about him. Although I’ve noticed people either seem to love him or hate him.”
    â€œAnd you’re choosing to love him?” Tricia asked.
    â€œDon’t be silly. I only met the man last night. But it seems something’s going on in town.”
    â€œOh?” Tricia thought back to Frannie, who hadn’t wanted to let on what she thought about Bob’s meeting the night before.
    â€œThere’s talk of a big box store wanting to open up right on the edge of town.”
    â€œAnd just who’s saying this?”
    â€œPeople.” She didn’t elaborate. “It’s a hot topic, and I wouldn’t want to get in between someone who’s for and another who’s against the idea. You could lose your life. Some of the locals don’t like all these tourists in town and don’t want to encourage any more change. If a big store came in, they might have to actually add a traffic light on Main Street.” She rolled her eyes.
    â€œIs Bob negotiating for the village?”
    Angelica checked the wine level in her glass, then topped it up. “He’s apparently exploring the idea, although I don’t know if he’s doing it for himself or the Board of Selectmen.”
    â€œWho told you all this?”
    Angelica’s smile was sly. “I told you, I’m sworn to secrecy.”
    Tricia frowned, growing grumpier by the moment. “That pasta will be gummy if you don’t serve it soon.”
    â€œOh, right.” Angelica switched off the burner and drained the penne. She placed the salad bowl, sliced bread, and dipping sauce on the table and within another minute had heaped their plates with pasta, ladling the sauce on thick. Tricia had to admit it smelled divine. Angelica took her seat across from Tricia, sighed, and smiled. “Isn’t it great to be back in each other’s lives again?”
    Tricia’s fork stopped