If the Shoe Kills by Lynn Cahoon Page A

waver out of my voice when I spoke. “I didn’t know anyone was watching me. I haven’t even found out anything.” A vision of Marie’s face at Lille’s filled my mind. Could she have done this?
    â€œYou know Ted was murdered. Why do you mess with things that aren’t your business? One of these days, you’re going to get into something you can’t get out of.”
    â€œLike drug dealers trying to kill me in my shop?” I chided him. When Craig had been murdered last year, I’d been targeted by his murderers because of my inability to stay out of things. I laughed, not feeling the humor. “You’d think I’d learn.”
    This time Greg laughed, too. He squeezed me gently. “Your heart’s in the right place. I guess I am just going to have to keep you closer to me when trouble visits South Cove.”
    â€œBeing close to you isn’t a hardship, you know.” I laid my head on his chest. “Thanks for putting me to bed the other night.”
    â€œI was on a Boy Scout mission, to help a woman in distress.” He put up three fingers. “I didn’t even steal a kiss.”
    I leaned back and stared at him. “You let me fall asleep without a kiss?”
    â€œOkay, so that part I lied about.” He chuckled and put his hand on my head, laying it back down on his chest. “What do you say I take you to dinner? You feel up to heading down to Lille’s?”
    Lille’s. I sat up and pushed the quilt aside. “I need to tell you something.”
    When I added the conversation I overheard at Lille’s to the list of evidence that had me, at least, convinced Marie Jones was the missing wife, he narrowed his eyes. When he didn’t say anything, I couldn’t stand it and burst out with “Well?”
    He glanced at me. “Possible. At least it’s a lead. This case is dryer than the Mojave.” He tapped my leg. “You ready to get dinner?”
    I nodded, stunned. I thought I’d been giving him a viable lead and yet he couldn’t be bothered with checking Marie out to see if she was the one throwing threats at my front door? It had to be her, there was no one else.
    I figured I was dressed good enough for a dinner in town so I put Emma out the back door with a bowl of water, more food, and her bone. I grabbed my book off the swing and set it on the kitchen table after locking the door. Greg picked it up, glancing at the back.
    â€œNot your typical reading material.”
    I swung my purse on my shoulder and stood waiting. “I wanted to see what the fuss was about. I’ve sold more copies of that one book than anything else in the last three months. And next month, they’re releasing a movie based on the books.”
    â€œI’ve heard about this.” He set the book down and put his hand on my back. As he led me out my front door, I glanced at the place where I’d dropped the note. The porch was empty.
    Lille’s was quiet for a Sunday night, but as soon as we’d ordered, Mayor Baylor and his wife made an entrance. As soon as Tina saw us, she dragged Marvin through the tables and stood in front of our booth. “Jill, I’m so sorry about your little mishap. I hope you’re doing better.”
    It took me a few seconds to realize she was talking about my finding Ted’s body not the rabbit. “It was quite a shock, but I’m fine now. Thanks for asking.”
    She leaned closer. “We’ll have to talk soon. I want all the details.” Tina glanced at Greg. “Especially since your boyfriend refuses to tell me anything.”
    Mayor Baylor cleared his throat. “Now, Tina, you know Greg can’t talk about an open investigation. It would be”—he paused and glared at me—“unethical.”
    Greg turned his pizza-and-a-game smile on Tina. “That’s why I’ve been staying away while you decorate. You know I have