Copy Cap Murder by Jenn McKinlay Page B

dead.
    â€œWell, I should say I thought I did,” he said.
    My little bird gave a hopeful chirp.
    â€œThought?” I asked.
    His gaze met mine and he gave me a rueful smile. “I don’t think I really knew what love was back then. I was ready to spend my life with someone, but she would have been the wrong someone. I have discovered since then that some people can make you preposterously happy just by walking into the room and smiling at you. She never had that effect on me.”
    My little bird was now flying loop-the-loops and wingovers, but I refused to lose my head. I had the horrible thought that if Harrison had been that ga-ga over Tuesday, I could be the dreaded transition woman. Oh, horror!
    Then again, if he was railroaded for Win’s murder and sentenced to prison, it really wouldn’t matter if I was his transition woman or not.
    The bells on the front door jangled and in strode Tuesday Blount. I wondered if talking about her had conjured her, sort of like a witch, which was an unnerving thought to say the least because I thought it was entirely too accurate.
    â€œHarrison!” She strode briskly, brandishing her phone like a weapon. “I’ve been calling and calling. Why haven’t you answered?”
    Harrison tipped his head to the side. “Didn’t you hear? The office is closed. We have the day off.”
    She waved her hand in the air like she was karate chopping his words. “There are no days off for us. You know that.” Shegave me a disgruntled look as if his lack of a work ethic were my fault. “Besides, I need to talk to you about other matters.”
    â€œCan it wait?” Harrison asked. “I’ve got some things to do here.”
    To my credit, I didn’t even flicker an eyelash at his bald-faced lie.
    â€œNo, it can’t,” she said. “It’s about the unfortunate incident.”
    â€œYou mean where someone strangled our colleague with his own tie?” Harrison asked. He seemed to be enjoying goading her.
    â€œShh,” she hissed as she looked around the empty shop. “There are ears everywhere.”
    â€œWell, that does
sound
like a problem,” I said. Harrison laughed. I felt like pumping my fist. I’d finally gotten him to acknowledge one of my puns. Oh, why weren’t the others here to witness this?
    â€œI hear it’s an epidemic,” Harrison said and winked at me.
    This time I laughed and Tuesday glanced between us as if we were crazy.
    â€œHarrison!” She stomped her foot. Yes, she really did with all the flair and drama of an outraged three-year-old. “I need to talk to you in private
right now
.”
    Harrison heaved a sigh. It was clear there would be no getting rid of her. He looked at me as he stepped back from the counter.
    â€œI’ll call you later,” he said.
    â€œOkay,” I said. “Remember I’m a really good listener.”
    He laughed again and I felt like everything was right in my world, even though he was leaving with her. I wonderedwhat she wanted. I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was not to be trusted and not just because they had a history together. She put off a devious vibe and I sincerely hoped Harrison picked up on it, too.
    The thought of Harrison taking the fall for the real murderer was completely unacceptable. I turned and went back into the workroom to talk to Viv. We needed to figure out how we could help Harrison whether he wanted us to or not.

Chapter 10

    â€œCall Harrison and see if he is still with her,” I said.
    Viv looked at me with an annoyed glance. “How am I supposed to do that?”
    â€œJust chat him up,” I said. I waved her phone in front of her face. “But sound casual.”
    â€œLike he’s not going to figure out that it’s you putting her up to it, yeah?” Fee asked.
    â€œHe might not,” I said.
    The three of us were standing in the front of the shop.