Murder of a Royal Pain

Actually, Skye didn’t think the queen bee would be satisfied with anything less than a suite at the Ritz-Carlton. Skye smiled meanly, thinking, Welcome to the world of public education, where the motto is “Thou shalt not spend the taxpayers’ money on comfort or decor.”

Although Skye arrived a few minutes early, nearly every seat was already taken. There were only two empty spots, and one was next to Zinnia Idell. Shit! Skye’s gaze moved to the other opening. Crap! That seat was next to Kurt Michaels—much more agreeable company, but potentially just as dangerous. Skye shook her head. She was being silly. Kurt probably flirted with all women. Still, Wally had thought there was something shady about the reporter, and his instincts were usually on target. She hesitated; there were no good options.

Before Skye could decide what to do, Annette moved to the front of the room and called the meeting to order. She shot Skye an irritated look, and Skye scurried over to the seat next to Kurt.

As she pulled in her chair, he gave her a teasing smile. “Good choice.”

“What?”

“I hear Zinnia Idell would like to kill you.”

“How did you hear that?” Skye’s tone was irritated. Geesh, the whole brouhaha only happened half an hour ago.

“She got here fifteen minutes ago, and has been telling anyone who would listen how awfully you and the school are treating her.” Kurt kept his voice low as Annette asked for the last meeting’s minutes to be read.

“Great.” Skye slumped down, trying to become invisible. “No wonder they’re all looking at me funny.”

Kurt leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “Pretend you don’t notice.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“Anyway, I was saving this place for you.”

“Me? Why?”

“Because I wanted you to sit next to me.”

“Oh.” Skye stopped herself from smoothing her hair. Had she even combed it since that morning? “Sorry, I still don’t have any gossip for you, so I can’t pay my debt yet.”

“I’m a patient guy. I can wait.” Kurt flashed his dimples. “Something will come up.”

Annette moved on to the treasurer’s report, and Skye asked Kurt, “What are you doing here, anyway?”

“Same as last time. Looking for a good story.”

“Here?” Skye shook her head. “You know the definition of a committee, don’t you?”

He shook his head.

“A group that keeps minutes and wastes hours.” Skye grinned. “You write about this stuff and you’ll put your readers to sleep.”

“I’m not interested in the meeting per se, but the conversations before and after are usually good for a paragraph or two.”

“Oh.” Did that mean he was going to write about what Mrs. Idell had said?

“No.” As he had the day he fixed her tire, he seemed to read her mind. “I’m not putting Zinnia Idell’s ravings in my column.”

“Thank you.” Skye tuned her attention back to the meeting.

Annette was now exhorting people to work on the haunted house. Skye sank lower in her chair, attempting to avoid eye contact with the woman, but Annette’s stare had zeroed in on her. Skye was frantically trying to think of a good reason she couldn’t volunteer when the home ec room’s door flew open, and Jackie hurried in.

Annette snapped, “You’re late, Ms. . . . ?”

“I’m Jackie Jennings, the new social worker.” Jackie smiled apologetically. “I’m so sorry; there was a crisis, and the kids come first.”

“Yes, of course they do. Take a seat, Ms. Jennings.” Annette waited as Jackie sat next to Mrs. Idell. “I was asking for volunteers to be a part of our haunted-house fund-raiser.”

Jackie’s hand shot into the air. “I’d love to help.”

“Super.” Annette turned to Evie Harrison and handed her a clipboard with a pen attached. “Here. Make yourself useful and send the sign-up sheet around.”

As Evie complied with an exaggerated smile, Skye said to Kurt, “I’m amazed that Evie agreed to be Annette’s assistant. I thought she’d quit the committee after Annette forced her out of the chairmanship.”

“I asked her about that, and Evie said she was doing it just in case Annette couldn’t fulfill her duties. Evie wanted to be positioned to take over.” Kurt raised his right eyebrow a fraction. “She still has hopes of getting her daughter elected prom queen, and I’m going to find out what her plan is.”

“Interesting.” Skye teased, “I’ll keep my eye on your column for breaking news.”

Annette had been watching Evie pass around the haunted-house sign-up sheet, and as woman after woman waved it away, she glared and said, “My own husband will be taking time from his busy dental practice to play the role of Frankenstein, and my lovely daughter will be sacrificing her dance lessons in order to be the zombie cheerleader captain.”

Skye was surprised. Dylan Paine was her dentist, but she hadn’t realized he was Annette’s husband. They seemed like an odd couple—he was cheerful and easygoing, and she was intense and never seemed satisfied.