By the Book (A Gracie Andersen Mystery 2) by Laurinda Wallace

director’s.”
    Terry looked at the floor, her feet shifted uneasily. “There weren’t any fingerprints in the director’s office, or at least no usable ones. The killer used a little Shakespeare bust to hit Dr. Aaron, but it was wiped clean of fingerprints. Anyway, that’s my sordid story, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t broadcast it.”
    “Of course not,” Tom was quick to say. “It’s just between us, the dogs, and these four walls.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Ten
     
    The bell jangled in the reception area, and Gracie could hear the unmistakable voice of her cousin Isabelle. Shoving the payroll reports into a tray, she straightened up her desk, wishing she had a bouquet of fresh flowers and some sort of antique on the desk to impress Isabelle’s discriminating taste. Unfortunately all the desk held was a pile of paperwork and a small, neglected violet that would most certainly rate a derogatory comment or two.
    “Gracie! Knock, knock.” Isabelle rapped her gloved knuckles against the doorframe and breezed in.
    “Hey, Isabelle. You’re out pretty early today.”
    Isabelle glanced around the spacious office and sniffed before deciding to plant her backside on a chair. She pulled off black leather gloves, holding them in her left hand.
    “When are you going to do something with this office? It really could use some professional touches. First impressions with customers, you know. What’s that awful recliner over there for? There’s a little antique shop outside of Batavia that has some—”
    Gracie breathed out a heavy sigh and interrupted. “What’s up?”
    “Oh. Your mother told me about the new librarian. She’s looking for a rental?”
    “That’s right. Do you know of any?”
    “Talk about serendipitous. I had a call from Maplewood Estates, and they have a two-bedroom house available. It’s for sale, but the market is pretty slow, and they may be willing to lease it.”
    “Really? They have that new subdivision just outside of town, right?”
    “Yes. Very upscale amenities. Professionally decorated and ready to move into.”
    Isabelle glanced around the office again. “It’s nicely furnished, too. The house was one of the models.”
    “How about dogs? She has two large dogs.”
    “Dogs. A librarian has dogs? I don’t know about that. Why would she have dogs?”
    “Isabelle. Lots of people have dogs. That’s why I’m in business. Look around.”
    “Unfortunately, I am. It’s such a … dirty business.” Isabelle shook her head without displacing one blond hair and pulled on her gloves. “Well, I’ll ask. Couldn’t you just keep these dogs? It would save a lot of time.”
    “Please check into it. I’ll have Terry give you a call later today, unless you’re unable to get the information that quickly.”
    Isabelle’s blue eyes narrowed. “No problem at all. I should have an answer by lunchtime.” Her boot heels clicked like icicles in the hallway. When the bell jangled Isabelle’s exit, Gracie exhaled with relief. With any luck, Isabelle would come through, and Terry would have somewhere to live. But after last night’s revelation, would she want to be on her own again?
     
    Terry called around 1:30 to let Gracie know that she was looking at the Maplewood house that afternoon. With a hefty pet deposit, Max and Sable would be welcome tenants. Gracie grinned, listening to the librarian chatter about the house. The bell jangled up front again, and she heard Jim’s voice. He’d want fresh coffee, and the pot was almost empty. He appeared in the doorway just as she hung up with Terry.
    “Just starting a new pot for the afternoon,” she said, grabbing the coffee scoop.
    “Don’t make one on my account,” he said, flopping into his ratty recliner.
    “What? Are you sick or something?”
    “No. Just got back from Midge’s. Had a little too much at lunch today.”
    “Well, I’ll need at least