Murder of a Royal Pain

Voices rose as everyone in the group offered an opinion and Skye slunk away. The info about Dr. Paine had been enlightening, but she was fairly sure she had heard everything these four had to say. Maybe some other group would have more information she could use.

Skye walked down the steps and out the double doors. Another knot of people had gathered on the front lawn. She stopped near them, half-hidden by a large evergreen, and pretended to use her cell phone.

The three thirty-something women were talking about Evie Harrison, and Skye’s ears perked up. The leader of the trio was Andrea Pantaleone, a tall, lean brunette whom Skye had met a year and a half ago during the Route 66 hundred-mile yard sale. Andrea had been the health inspector assigned to the event, and Skye had found her both observant and intelligent. It would be interesting to hear what she had to say.

“It’s a shame about Annette Paine.” Andrea shook her head. “I didn’t like her, but I hate to see anyone that young die.”

The other two women nodded.

“I don’t know why everyone is acting so surprised to hear that Evie drinks.” Andrea folded her arms. “She’s done it since high school.”

“It’s one of those nonsecret secrets,” a shorter, slightly thinner woman stated. “Everyone knows, but no one says anything. Now it’s out in the open.” She turned to the third woman and demanded, “Isn’t that right, Kay Lynn?”

“That’s because no one wants to hurt her husband. He’s so distinguished.” Kay Lynn tsked. “And with him being a minister, it’s hard on him, having a drunk for a wife.”

“I wonder if Evie killed Annette and then blacked out.” Andrea asked the middle woman. “Laurie, didn’t you tell me that she was really ticked off about the whole head-of-Promfest thing?”

“Yes,” Laurie agreed. “She was really mad at Annette about that, but then she just let it go and even agreed to be Annette’s assistant. I think Annette had something on her and threatened to tell.”

“You’re probably right,” Andrea concurred. “And I bet Evie stayed on the committee to keep Cheyenne in the running for prom queen. If you’re not one of the Promfest movers and shakers, no way will your daughter be elected.”

Kay Lynn nodded, and Skye decided it was time to leave. If she stuck around much longer, someone was sure to notice and start grilling her about finding the body.

Because she had been so late getting to Mass, Skye’d had to park across the street. She stood at the corner, waiting for a break in the stream of cars pouring out of the lot. Finally an older sedan paused. The sun visor was down and a scarf obscured the lower half of the driver’s face. All Skye could see was a hand motioning for her to go.

Waving back, Skye stepped off the curb. While she walked, she dug her hand into her purse, feeling for her key ring. As she pulled it out of her bag, she glanced downward to separate the car key from the others on the ring. Immediately she heard an engine rev, and when she looked up, a chrome grille was roaring toward her. She stood frozen. A nanosecond later she flew into the air, sailed across the asphalt, and landed on the side of the road.

CHAPTER 15

Show Me the Meaning

“I’m fine, really.” Skye got up, brushed the dry leaves and dirt from her shins, and looked herself over. Her clothing had survived her fall better than she had. Her hands and her knees were scraped and bloody, but her skirt was pristine.

A concerned group of parishioners surrounded her, and Skye heard one man mutter, “We never used to have crazy drivers in Scumble River. There’re too many outsiders here these days.”

“What happened?” Skye directed her question at the three women she had been eavesdropping on a few minutes prior. They had managed to work their way to the front of the crowd, and stood facing her.

“You were nearly run over.” Andrea ripped open a packet of Wet Ones. “Here, you’d better clean up before you stain your nice outfit.”

“Thanks.” Skye gingerly wiped the blood from her palms. “I remember a car stopping to let me cross the street, but when I got to the middle of the road, it seemed to speed up and I couldn’t move.”

“Yeah.” Kay Lynn dug through her purse and produced a small tube of antiseptic ointment. “You were doing a deer-in-the-headlights imitation.”

“Then suddenly I was airborne.” Skye couldn’t stop talking, her heart was racing, and it felt as if she had chugged a triple espresso.

“You were lucky.” Laurie handed Skye a couple of Band-Aids. “Some guy came out of nowhere and pushed you out of the way.”

Kay Lynn gave a ragged little laugh. “I thought you were roadkill for sure.”

Skye looked around the circle. “Where’s the guy who saved me?”

Everyone glanced at his or her neighbor until Andrea answered, “He must have left.”

“Does anyone know who he was?” Skye asked. “I want to thank him.”

The group shook their heads.

“Did anyone get the license number of that car?” Skye tried again.