Skating Around The Law by Joelle Charbonneau Page A

her mouth formed a perfect circle. “Now I think I see.”
    The problem was, she didn’t. “It’s not what you think,” I said. “He took me on a picnic to try to weasel information out of me about Mack’s murder. Speaking of which…”
    I debated how to approach Annette. Finally, I blurted, “When I was at Mack’s place, I found a note you wrote him about the money he owed you.”
    Annette’s smile disappeared. “I’d forgotten all about that,” she said, not meeting my eyes. “When Mack started avoiding my phone calls, I wrote that note and left it under his windshield for him to find. I hoped he’d give me back the money and settle the matter.” She looked up and shrugged. “You know me. I don’t like being angry with anyone.”
    â€œIs that why you threatened him?”
    Annette looked away.
    â€œAnnette, what information did Mack have that was so important you had to threaten him? Was he blackmailing you or something?” Maybe asking for fifty thousand dollars?
    â€œNo. Of course not.” Annette sprang out of her chair and walked over to the front desk. She opened the scheduling book and began flipping pages. “Why would Mack blackmail me? I just didn’t want Mack going around town badmouthing me because I insisted he give back my deposit. You of all people should know how gossip spreads in small towns. I don’t like my business being used as dinner conversation, and I let Mack know it.” Annette grabbed a pen. “So do you have time to get that haircut before you go back to the city? I can fit you in any day this week. I figure you’re going to be going back soon, and I want to make good on that promise.”
    I blinked, trying to adjust my brain to the change of subject. “There’s no rush. I think I’m going to be here a while.”
    Annette looked up from her book. “You’re staying in Indian Falls?”
    I nodded. “For now. This morning Doreen recommended I pull the listing until the murder is solved. So I’m stuck here until then.”
    â€œGo back to Chicago, Rebecca.” Annette’s eyes met mine. They contained no hint of her typical laughter or carefree attitude. At this moment Annette looked deadly serious. “You’ve worked too hard at creating a life of your own to stay here. Your grandfather will look after the rink until this mess is over. Let me give you a haircut, then pack your bags and drive back to the city. Trust me, it’s the best thing you could do for yourself.” Annette closed the book on the counter with a bang. “I have to do some inventory in the back, but you think about what I said and let me know about that haircut.”
    Before I could say anything, Annette gave me a tight smile and brushed past me, disappearing into the back room. That left me alone in the front of the salon, confused and strangely depressed. For the second time today, I had been made to feel like I wasn’t welcome in my hometown. My mother’s best friend, the woman who had held me together during Mom’s death, couldn’t get me out of town fast enough. Worse than that, I wasn’t sure I believed everything Annette just told me.
    Walking through town toward Pop’s house, I tried to get my mind off of Annette’s strange behavior by contemplating what Lionel had told me earlier. Mack’s money was missing—maybe. A tiny voice inside my head suggested I go back to Mack’s place and make sure Deputy Sean hadn’t made a mistake. Going there was the only way to find out for sure, right?
    I debated the issue until my grandfather’s blue two-story house came into view. The sight of its lawn stopped me in my tracks. Smack in the middle was a four-foot-tall scarecrow wearing a Santa Claus suit and a sign around his neck that read merry christmas. I blinked twice. Somehow I’d stepped into a festive