1 Death Comes to Town by K.J. Emrick Page A

And those cute freckles across his nose were begging for her to kiss them.
    Her breath stalled as he moved in closer until their bodies were just touching. She watched in fascination as his head lowered towards hers. The first touch of his lips to hers felt so right. The kiss was soft and sweet and electrifying and everything a first kiss should be.
    Darcy couldn’t remember the last time she had felt like this, or if she had ever felt like it before. For a moment she was able to forget about all of the doom and gloom that had been hanging around her lately. There was nothing but this moment.
    When they broke apart Darcy laid her head on Jon’s chest for a moment. This was perfect. Like a story from a book. Then she suddenly gasped.
    Jon leaned back and held her by her upper arms. “What’s wrong?”
    “I know what Millie has been trying to tell us. That book. The only person I know who is reading that book right now is Helen.”
    “But…you said the killer was a man. Remember?”
    That was right. Darcy didn’t know where Great-Aunt Millie was leading them, but she was sure it had something to do with that book. Helen was the key.
    Jon and Darcy headed to the police station to see if they could findany information on Helen. She still didn’t know where Millie was guiding them. Darcy just couldn’t believe that Helen would have killed two people. She was the nicest person that Darcy knew. There was no motive.
    Wait. Yes there was.
    She sat with Jon at his desk. “Helen told me she was having trouble with the rent on her shop. She didn’t know if she and Steve would be able to keep it open. Maybe she stole money from the town and then Anna and Jeff somehow found out.”
    Jon scratched his head. “Maybe. It’s as solid a theory as anything else we have. I’ll trail Helen about for a while and see if I can get any hard evidence on her.
     

Chapter Nineteen
     
    Darcy was distracted at work the next day. She wanted to know what Jon was finding out. As she put some new books on display she dropped an entire rack. Sue came over to help her with an odd glance but no comments. Darcy couldn’t help it. She really didn’t want Helen to be guilty.
    The bell over the door jingled to announce the arrival of a customer. Darcy watched Linda come in and right up to the counter.
    “What can I do for you today Linda?” Sue asked in her usual bubbly voice. Darcy moved over to stand behind the counter with Sue.
    Linda shook her head. “Oh I’m not in here to buy anything. I just wanted to ask both of you to a little last minute memorial at my place tonight. I know that everyone has been so on edge lately, but I really want to honor the memory of Anna and Jeff.”
    Sue and Darcy exchanged a look before saying that they would be there. Darcy was dreading going to it, especially since Helen would be there also. But on the other hand it would be a good opportunity for her to observe all of the suspects in one place.
    Kind of like in “And Then There Was None.”
    ***
    Darcy had gotten to the memorial at Linda’s house early so that she could observe everyone as they arrived and mingled. She was hovering with Linda and Sue when Mark walked in, eyes darting one way and then the other. He looked really unsettled.
    “Mark looks really nervous doesn’t he?” Sue noticed.
    Linda nodded. “Yes, he does.” Darcy agreed with them but then reminded herself that he did have a firm alibi.
    As she watched the crowd, Darcy saw Jess making her way towards them.
    “Hello all,” she greeted them. Jess was once again dressed very fashionably with another lovely designer dress and matching expensive shoes. Darcy saw the look Sue gave to the outfit.
    Darcy decided to do a little digging. “Jess, can you confirm a rumor for me?”
    Jess shrugged. “I will if I can.”
    “I heard you have a new fellow. I wanted to know who it was.”
    Jess flushed and shook her head, her red locks bouncing. “You must be mistaken, Darcy. There’s no one