Black Thursday by Linda Joffe Hull Page B

for a second.
    â€œIf CC and Cathy Carter are, in fact, the same person, and she did meet her end at Bargain Barn, I have to wonder if Alan Bader might be right that there’s more to the story than a random pallet of toasters falling on an innocent bystander in his store.”
    â€œAs in, she was such an unpleasant person, someone knew she was going to be at Bargain Barn and timed it just right so they could sneak unnoticed up onto an upper shelf and crush her by pushing a double pallet off the edge?”
    â€œI know it seems far-fetched, but it really is a little strange that the person who happened to die last night just might be CC as opposed to, really, anyone else in my Frugarmy.”
    Detective McClarkey put down his pencil. “Agreed.”
    â€œSo you think it’s worth looking into too?” I asked.
    He raised his caterpillar of an eyebrow once again. “Sure you want us to?”
    â€œWhy wouldn’t I?”
    â€œMaddie,” he smiled kindly, “there’s no doubting what a great job you did with the DeSimone case, and for that I’m incredibly thankful. I’m still sorry I didn’t believe you much sooner, but what are the odds you’ve chanced into two homicides in the past three months?”
    â€œNot great, I’ll admit, but—”
    â€œBut if, for the sake of argument, you’re right and it was the case that CC not only is Cathy Carter but also the victim of foul play designed to look like an accident while in line at Bargain Barn, who do you think would be the most likely suspect, or even suspects?”
    â€œJudging by all the comments to her negative posts, there could be a number of people who might feel inclined to let her know how out of line she’s been.” The butterflies flittering across my stomach began to migrate toward my throat. “Although I can’t really imagine that anyone in my Frugarmy would go so far as to try and kill her over something like that.”
    â€œMe either,” he said.
    â€œWhoever might have done such a thing would need a much more compelling motive.”
    â€œExactly,” he said, turning off his tape recorder. “Like, for example, someone whose business she was threatening with her criticisms, perhaps?”
    My heart began to pound harder than it had since the last time I’d been at the South Metro Police Department being accused of a crime I didn’t commit. “You’re not trying to imply that I … Why on earth would I tell you she was my heckler and implicate myself if I—”
    â€œMaddie, you’re the last person I’d suspect, but I’m not heading up this particular investigation. If I pass along what you’ve told me, I have no way of controlling what the detective in charge will think or decide to do with it.”
    â€œSo you think I’d end up as the prime suspect again?”
    â€œA group of highly trained investigators have looked into the incident and the victim and have ruled this to be an accident.” He patted the back of my hand with his. “No sense looking for trouble where there isn’t any.”
    â€œBut …”
    â€œI’ll definitely give you a buzz if I have any further questions.” Detective McClarkey pressed the erase button on his tape recorder and winked. “So don’t go fleeing the country or anything.”

eleven
    While fleeing the country for somewhere warm and tropical where no one could possibly find out I’d just made a fool of myself at the police station sounded appealing, I couldn’t even figure out how to sneak past the boys on the way to the relative escape of my bedroom.
    â€œWhat did Detective McClarkey say?” FJ asked, deigning to look up from the Xbox as I walked past.
    I stopped and recounted the conversation.
    â€œThe primary suspect?” Trent’s incredulous voice boomed across the family room. “Again?”
    â€œShh!” I