Murder of a Bookstore Babe

“You sure couldn’t prove that by me.” Skye made a wry face. “He just grunted, told me to get back to work, then picked up the phone and ordered his secretary to get his wife on the line and cancel their trip.”

“Homer sounds like our mayor.” Wally ran his thumb down Skye’s cheek. “Your uncle isn’t too happy that we have another murder. The city’s in negotiations with new businesses for several of those empty storefronts on the same part of the street as Tales and Treats.”

“I wonder if Hugo knows that.” Skye leaned her head on Wally’s shoulder. She was so tired. She hadn’t slept well last night, and the stress of the last couple of days was catching up with her. “I just told you my cousin and Risé are in a big fight over parking spaces.”

Skye had been unable to reach Wally all day, so she was using this time to fill him in on what she’d forgotten to tell him the previous evening.

“Right.” Wally put an arm around her. “You mentioned she had disagreements with Flip and Kevin, too. I’d say it was odd that so many of your family members are somehow involved with that woman, except that you’re related to half the town.”

“Maybe more. Mom keeps coming up with new branches on the family tree.” Skye nestled closer. “It’s a good thing it was a burglary. If Risé was the intended victim without any other motive, a lot of my relatives would be suspects.”

“It’s pretty amazing that Risé has managed to tick off so many people in such a short time,” Wally commented.

Before Skye could respond, Father Burns walked in the front door and ushered them into his office. He was a tall, ascetic-looking man who had been the priest at St. Francis, the Scumble River Catholic church, for as long as Skye could remember. He had to be close to sixty, but he had an ageless face and a gaunt body that hid his age.

Once Skye and Wally were seated on the leather wingchairs facing Father Burns at his desk, the priest said, “As I warned you the first time we spoke, the annulment process isn’t usually smooth or quick, and I’m sorry to tell you, yours seems to have already hit a snag.”

“Oh?” Wally tensed.

“What’s the problem, Father?” Skye took Wally’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

“I’m afraid the address you furnished for your ex-wife isn’t any good.” He looked at them to see whether they understood the gravity of the situation. “Although declaration of nullity is still possible, without her input, the proceedings will be even more drawn out.”

“In other words”—Wally narrowed his eyes—“it would be best if I found her?”

“It would speed things up. Her involvement isn’t essential, but the Church does like to give both parties an opportunity to present their views of the marriage.” Father Burns sat motionlessly. “How long has it been since you’ve had contact with her?”

“A couple of years.” Wally’s hand tightened on Skye’s. “Since we didn’t have children, and the prenup she signed precluded her from claiming any of my assets or asking for alimony, or whatever it’s called nowadays, there was no need to keep in touch.”

“Fortunately, your line of work should assist you in locating her.” Father Burns smiled. “I’m sure God will guide you in your search.”

“Thank you, Father.” Skye was afraid this setback would cause Wally to try to persuade her to marry him without the process, so she asked, “Could you explain to us why the Church requires an annulment?”

“The Church’s stance is that matrimony is lifelong.” His dark, serious eyes studied them for a long moment; then he continued. “The annulment procedure is used to determine if an essential element, which prevented the sacramental union promised, was missing when the couple entered into the marriage.”

“And what are those elements?” Wally asked, glancing at Skye to see whether she knew.

“The most common is insufficiency or inadequacy of judgment,” the priest explained. “There is also psychological incapacity, and absence of proper intention to have children, be faithful, or remain together until death.”

“Since Darleen left me for another man, we should have that last one covered,” Wally said drily. “Not to mention her psychological problems, which I found out about during the divorce.”

“That will help.” Father Burns looked down at the rosary in his hands. “But the real question is, can you honestly state that you knew there was something missing, something radically wrong, right from the start? Did you have second thoughts prior to the nuptials or have serious difficulties in the early years of the marriage?”

Wally didn’t hesitate. “Yes. I knew I didn’t feel the way toward Darleen that I had toward someone previously.” He gazed into Skye’s eyes. “I wanted to back out of the wedding the night before, but I couldn’t humiliate Darleen in front of all her family and friends.” He stared at the priest. “We fought almost from the first day of our marriage. We were never a team.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Father Burns’s voice was gentle. “However, it will help your case.”