Fruit of All Evil by Paige Shelton Page B

of shoppers. It was going to be a beautiful day.
    I wouldn’t say I thought my plan for a surprise wedding was perfect, but at the moment it seemed harmless enough. The wedding, if it occurred, wouldn’t be lavish by any standards, but it would be perfect in its own way. The preparations weren’t going to be that hard on anyone except Stella, and she seemed fine with it. I attempted to look into the future, hoping to see that it might turn out to be the right thing to do. Of course, it might not to be, but I’d deal with that if necessary.
    Allison patted her stomach. “I’ve got to get to work, for real this time. You need me for anything else?”
    â€œYeah, I have a question.”
    â€œAsk away.”
    â€œCan you think of any reason that Madeline Forsyth would have called Jeanine Baker yesterday afternoon?” I asked. Jeanine’s stall was down the aisle from mine, but I had yet to see her this morning.
    Allison blinked. “That’s a strange question, Becca, and frankly, it worries me.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI have no idea why Madeline would have called Jeanine. You wondering why she did only adds to another issue. Jeanine didn’t show up today. I’ve been trying to reach her all morning. What do you know? How do you know Madeline tried to call her?”
    â€œIt’s a long story, but I looked at Madeline’s phone after we found her body,” I said. “Was Jeanine having any financial issues? Did she bank at Central?”
    Allison looked away from me. It was a quick maneuver, one she normally pulled off without a hitch. She was always very good at being evasive when she needed to be, but something made her hesitate in her maneuver this time.
    â€œAl?”
    â€œBarry was supposed to pick her up this morning, but she wasn’t home. It’s very unlike her to not be home, and it’s very very unlike her not to let Barry know that she doesn’t need to be picked up. And she isn’t answering her home phone or her cell phone. I’m really worried now.”
    My first instinct was to drive to her farm and see if she was okay, but I wasn’t in a position to leave Bailey’s. I’d promised to take care of Linda’s customers, and soon I’d have a decent crowd of my own.
    â€œWe’d better call Sam,” I said as I pulled out my cell phone.
    â€œBecca?” he answered on the first ring.
    â€œYeah, Sam. Hey, Jeanine Baker isn’t at Bailey’s today.” Without explaining, he’d realize I’d seen the number on the call list
    â€œThat’s interesting,” he said a few seconds later. “I’m in Bailey’s parking lot. I came by to talk to you and to Jeanine. I’ll be right in.”
    â€œWhy do you need to talk to me?”
    â€œI have some questions about your trip on the ledge of my building last night.”
    â€œOh.”
    â€œStay there, Becca. I’ll see you in a minute.” Sam ended the call.
    â€œWhat?” Allison said.
    â€œUh, well . . . Sam’s here. He’ll check things out,” I said guiltily.
    â€œBecca?”
    Fortunately, one of Linda’s customers had arrived, and my attention was diverted. Allison went to greet Sam as I waited and helped more customers. I wondered if he was going to make good on his constant threat—was I finally going to be arrested?

Ten

    My “trip on the ledge of Sam’s building” must have been far less important than Jeanine’s whereabouts. I didn’t see Sam for a long time. He was probably talking to Allison and Barry and whoever else might know more about Jeanine Baker.
    Jeanine had had her egg stall ever since I’d started working at Bailey’s. She was shorter than me, but very strong. I doubted she’d ever worn a stitch of makeup, her hair was cut boyishly short, and she had one of those faces that made her look like she was somewhere between the ages of