Page 28 of Poison Apple Crisp
Carlotta nods. “Now there’s a motive for murder.”
Rachelle looks surprised to hear it. “Hey, I think you’re right.”
Leave it to Carlotta to feed the Honey Hollow High rumor mill by pegging the principal as a killer. Not that I’m feeling sorry for Hungry-for-a-French-Kissing-Fox Cokie. I’d love nothing more than to see her tucked safely behind bars, far away from the Fox in question.
I can’t help it. Noah is vulnerable right now. He’s hurt. Who knows what he’s liable to get himself into? Having an affair with the principal of Evie’s new school would be devastating for everyone involved. Especially me.
“Well, I wouldn’t say anything to anyone,” I tell her. “I’m sure Detective Fox will winnow out the killer in no time—and the book thief.” I’m betting they’re one in the same.
I gasp. That means I had a killer in my house last night!
My hand rides over my belly protectively.
“What’s the matter, Lottie?” Rachelle glances down to where my hand is.
“No, it’s nothing. The baby and I are fine. I was just thinking about last night. It was frightening to say the least. I had Everett spending the night, and I had my gun, but it didn’t make a difference.”
She grimaces at the thought. “I’m sorry you feel so afraid. And I’m sure you’re right. Detective Fox seems very capable to handle both cases.” She glances to the girls one more time before leaning in again. “Make sure he talks to Alyssa Thomas.” She shrugs. “She and Brenda were in the middle of World War III.”
“About what?” I ask.
Rachelle tugs at one of her ashen locks. “It was before my time. Apparently, they were in some club together. I don’t know any details. Brenda was tight-lipped.”
“What about Alyssa? Did you ever ask her?”
Rachelle glances down a moment. “I wasn’t allowed to speak with her. Nobody was.”
Carlotta scoffs. “You weren’tallowed? What could Brenda do to stop you?”
“She’d kick me off the board. And she’s made sure my stepdaughter didn’t cheer at the next game. And have I mentioned the letters of recommendation from the teachers for college-bound kids like my own? Brenda had her hands all over that school. She had dirt on the dirt. She could make the mascot give up honey if she wanted.”
Ginger lets out a sickly moan. “My mother always did say Brenda had a bigger bite than the dogs.”
“Rachelle”—I look to the pretty blonde—“where can I find Alyssa?”
“She works down at some dive bar called Brew Ha Ha. I think her father owns it, or maybe it’s her brother? Something like that.”
“Hear that, Ginger?” Carlotta gives the cute canine a hearty scratch behind the ears, and Rachelle’s eyes widen with a touch of amusement. “We’re hitting a dive bar, after all.”
Rachelle laughs as she turns my way. “If you do speak with Alyssa, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this conversation. She’s every bit the stick of dynamite that Brenda was. I’d hate to see that visit blow up in either of our faces.”
“I won’t say word,” I tell her.
I wonder what secret Alyssa has lurking around in her closet? She and Brenda had one heated argument the other night. And according to Rachelle, Brenda had some serious dirt on her.
But then again, she did say Brenda had dirt on just about everyone.
I have a feeling it’s Brenda I need to get the dirt on, and by the sound of it, Alyssa Thomas is just the one to give it to me.
Chapter 8
Icalled ahead, and it turns out, yesterday was Alyssa’s day off. So much for that wholebrew ha haabout getting to go to a dive bar (I couldn’t resist).
But it’s a brand new day, the very next morning, Evie’s first day at Honey Hollow High. It might not be a big deal to a lot of people once their child gets promoted to the eleventh grade, but Everett and I haven’t had the privilege of witnessing a single one of Evie’s first days of anything, so we’re showing up—with a few extra people in tow—to watch her stride on into my old alma mater.
Everett took the morning off, so he came down with me to open the bakery and we made it back in plenty of time to have breakfast with Evie and drive her to school.
A few months ago, Evie mentioned she wanted her Uncle Noah to take her the first day in a sheriff’s cruiser, but last night, after talking to Carlotta, she had a change of heart. Carlotta told her a stunt like that would get herdisinvitedto all the right parties. But nevertheless, Noah has met up with us right here in the parking lot—sans the cruiser, of course.