Page 3
Story: Lament at Loon Landing
Ellery gazed at her in alarm. “We who? We don’t sell children’s books. Do they even make mysteries for children?”
“They do, dearie, but we wouldn’t have to limit ourselves to mysteries.”
“We’re a mystery bookshop.”
“Yes. We are. We’re also the island’s only real bookstore. Which presents us with a unique opportunity to serve Pirate Cove’s smallest customer base.”
“Smallest and most financially strapped.”
Nora chuckled. “If there’s one thing people like to spend money on, it’s their children. And even more so, their grandchildren. As you’ve remarked once or twice, Pirate’s Cove does lean toward an aging demographic.”
“No offense intended.”
“None taken. What Pirate’s Covedoesn’thave are endless amusements for little ones.”
“These kids are the descendants of pirates. Maybe theypreferbrawling and boozing.”
Nora snorted. “While the children are listening to such classics asPete the PirateandThe Pirates Next Door, their parents can browse our mystery-themed gifts or pick up somethingtheymight like to read.”
“And who exactly would be conducting this story hour?” Ellery asked warily.
“Kingston.”
“Kingston?” Ellery relaxed. “Oh. Well, inthatcase, yeah. That’s not a bad idea. In fact, it’s kind of a good idea. Are we going to purchase copies of these storybooks?”
“A few. I’m sure we’d sell a handful or so.” Nora eyed him knowingly. “And you could probably come in an hour or so later on Saturdays. Kingston and I can easily handle the sales floor during that period. Especially during our slow season.”
Ellery considered the possibility of extra weekend time with Jack, and beamed at her. “Actually, Nora, that’s agreatidea.”
Nora’s smile was perhaps just a tad smug. “I’ll let Kingston know you’ve given us your seal of approval.”
* * * * *
Dylan Carter, one of Ellery’s closest friends in Pirate’s Cove, phoned shortly after Ellery returned from lunch on the pier.
“What do you say to lunch?”
Watson, with his tendency to bark at the ever-present seagulls—as well as other dogs, babies in strollers, and every stray piece of trash the wind picked up—was not always the ideal mealtime companion, but he was Ellery’s most frequent, so it was disappointing to have to turn Dylan down.
“I’d have said sure, but I already ate.”
“Ah. I see.” Dylan sounded more distracted than disappointed. “Well, what about joining the rest of us for dessert? Or a drink. Or both.”
“The rest of us who?”
In addition to owning the neighboring Toy Chest and managing the Scallywags, Pirate’s Cove’s local theater guild, Dylan was also one of the organizers of Pirate Cove’s annual Sing the Plank maritime music festival, but Ellery’s fear was that bythe rest of usDylan meant his girlfriend, September St. Simmons.
Dylan’s relationship with September had grown increasingly rocky over the past couple of months, and Ellery wanted to give wide berth to any potential public uproar. He still cringed for Dylan when he recalled the most recent eruption at the Salty Dog.
But Dylan said, “Lara Fairplay and her entourage, for starters. The Sing the Plank organizers—”
“Lara Fairplay?” Singer-songwriter Lara Fairplay was headlining Sing the Plank, and while in his previous life Ellery had not been a huge fan of folk music—Harry Styles was more to his taste—even he was aware that getting Lara Fairplay to appear at their relatively small festival was a huge coup for the island as a whole and the organizers in particular.
“Lara, her husband, her sister…Sue.” Dylan’s tone seemed to grow vague.
“Wait a sec,” Ellery interrupted. “Her sister Sueorher sisterandSue. As in Sue Lewis, my archnemesis.”
Sue Lewis was the owner and editor in chief for theScuttlebutt Weekly, Pirate Cove’s newspaper. Unfortunately, from their first meeting, Sue and Ellery had rubbed each other the wrong way—and things had gone downhill from there.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86