Murder of a Bookstore Babe

“Me, too.” Skye crawled over and sat between Wally’s legs, resting her back against his chest. “So, what do you think about this latest development with the bookstore case?”

“Probably the same as you.” Wally pulled her closer and rested his chin on top of her head. “Burglary was not the motive for the murder.”

“I agree, but what makes you so sure?”

“The victim was hit over the head. Then the bookshelves were pushed over on top of her.”

Skye contemplated that piece of information for a moment, then said, “You’re inferring that if the thief had already knocked her out, thus enabling his or her escape, why also crush Kayla? The crook would only do that if he or she wanted her dead.”

“Exactly.” Wally nodded. “And even if the criminal killed Kayla so she couldn’t identify him or her, then why attempt a robbery in the first place when it was clear someone was still in the store? The lights were probably still on. And since we didn’t find any evidence of forced entry, the door was still probably unlocked, too. Which means anyone could have walked in and caught the bad guy in the act. Most thieves wait for the place to be empty.”

“Hmm.” Skye bit her lip. “Good point.”

“Those pieces of information, along with the books turning up in the library return box, make me think we’re after a murderer, not a thief who killed someone in the course of a burglary.” Wally’s voice was confident.

“Great.” Skye’s tone was resigned. Should she mention Xavier’s involvement with the bookstore? No. If Kayla was the intended victim, the fact that he had invested in the business wasn’t relevant.

They were silent for a moment before Wally mused, “The county crime scene techs have finished with the store, so I gave Risé and Orlando the go-ahead to open up tomorrow. Maybe I should stop them.” He paused, then said, “No.” He trailed his fingers lightly up and down Skye’s arms. “The techs already gathered all the evidence, and if the criminal was after Kayla, not the books, Tales and Treats probably doesn’t have anything to do with the case. And if it does, better to let it open up and allow whoever murdered that girl to think he got away with it.”

“Yep, keep an eye on the store and see what happens,” Skye agreed. “But what I can’t figure out is, who would want to kill a young girl like Kayla?”

“The usual motives are money, vengeance, and obsession.” Wally covered her hands with his. “What do you know about her?”

“She doesn’t seem to have any money. Her family is lower-middle-class and she needed that job.”

“How about revenge or passion?” Wally asked. “Anyone mad at her, or does she have a jealous ex?”

“Not that I’ve heard. She seems well liked and dated Chase Wren all through high school. They were engaged to be married. You saw how broken up he is about her death.” Skye twisted to look at Wally. “Do you want me to see what Xenia has to say?”

“That’s a good idea. And I’ll work on the forensic side.” Wally got to his feet. “Now, let’s stop worrying about criminals and concentrate on us.”

“Good idea.” Skye took his hand and pulled herself up. “Want to take a dip?”

“Sure.” Wally looked around. “Did you say you brought our suits?”

“Nope.” Skye unbuttoned her ecru blouse, revealing a cream lace bra. “Is that a problem?” She twitched her shoulders and the top dropped onto the sand.

“Guess not.” Wally grabbed the tails of his shirt and skimmed that garment along with his white T-shirt off over his head.

Skye shimmied out of her nut brown skirt. “I didn’t think so.” She fingered the top of her ivory satin panties.

He unzipped his uniform trousers and kicked off them and his Jockeys. “I’m ready.”

“Yes. I would say you definitely are.” Skye unhooked her bra and wiggled out of her underwear. “Race you to the raft.”

CHAPTER 14

The Turn of the Screw

Skye was still smiling when she arrived at work Tuesday morning. Her night with Wally had been fabulous. They’d gotten a lot of issues between them cleared up, and the rest of the time they’d spent together was better than she’d thought possible. Even the ominous note she found in her mailbox from Neva Llewellyn, the junior high principal, couldn’t wipe the grin off her face.

“Why are you so happy?” Ursula Nelson, the school secretary, watched her with suspicious beetle brown eyes. “Didn’t you see that message from Neva?”

“I saw it.” Skye refused to give the older woman the satisfaction of appearing concerned. “Please tell her I’m available anytime she’s ready to see me.”

“Go right in.” Ursula rose from her chair like a bird of prey and flapped her wing toward the principal’s closed door. “She’s been waiting for you.”

Skye glanced at her watch. It was barely eight o’clock and the staff wasn’t required to be at the school for another half hour. What in the heck had gotten Neva in such a state? She searched her mind for any recent offenses, but the first few weeks of classes had gone smoothly. Surely Neva didn’t share Homer’s aversion to Skye’s work with the police.