Page 34 of Murder on the Page

“That’s not true, Fern,” I said. “The police get it right ninety-five percent of the time.” I happened to know, because I’d viewed BPD’s statistics when I’d checked out Zach on the police forum. Yep, the moment I met him, I’d wanted to know more.

“All I’m saying, Allie, is she was your friend. Your mentor. And Tegan’s aunt.” Tegan was the only friend my mother had ever liked. “You have every right to investigate.”

“Okay, thanks, Fern. Say hi to Jamie. Um, where are you?”

“Timbuktu.”

“No, really.”

“Really. We’ve visited the Djinguereber, Sankoré, and Sidi Yahya Mosques. They’re from Timbuktu’s Golden Age. And we’ve viewed so many ancient manuscripts I’m starting to speak Korya Chinni. That’s a Songhay variety.”

Good to know. Not.

“Plus we visited the Grand Marché. That’s their bazaar. Jamie is an incredible haggler. He negotiated for a Tuareg knifeand paid half the asking price. I purchased auniquebangle.” She stressed the word, meaning it was not in the least rare, implying the vendor had tried to snooker her, but she’d been on to him. “You cannot get one-of-a-kind anything for ten American dollars, but it’s pretty.”

I considered Katrina’s bracelet fetish and wondered if that could have anything to do with her secret. What if she’d stolen a bracelet? What if she was a kleptomaniac and had lifted other things?

“You know, a fair rule of thumb,” my mother continued, “is to offer about a third of the first price they quote. That way, when they haggle, you counteroffer and wind up paying half.”

She’d shared this advice in the past, but I would never need it. I had no desire to go to a market and barter for anything. I’d wind up paying double.

The front door opened and Tegan strode in.

“Fern, I’ve got to go. Tegan’s here.”

“Tell her hello.”

I blew a kiss. She didn’t blow one back. I stuck out my tongue as I pressed End.

“Let me guess, your mother?” Tegan asked.

“Yep.” I loved Fern, but she could rattle me.

“Here are the things you requested.” Tegan handed me a cluster of three-by-five cards bound with a rubber band. “Man, Auntie was old school when it came to her records. Card catalogues. Rolodex. All of which she duplicated on the computer.” She shrugged out of her jacket to reveal a T-shirt featuring an angry-looking Pokémon Pikachu. My guess? She’d worn it to convey her inner feelings.“Mmm.”Her nostrils flared. “That smells fragrant. What is it?”

“My first attempt at white soup. I want it to be perfect for the memorial.”

“I’m detecting a hint of cloves.”

“More than a hint.”

“Where are your parents this time?”

I told her.

“Who the heck goes there?” She threw her arms wide. “Isn’t it dangerous?”

“So is Bramblewood. In our sweet little town, we have murder.”

“Allie, how . . . how Bingley sister of you. That was insensitive.” Tears sprang to her eyes and leaked down her cheeks. She mopped them with her fingers and licked them off her lips. “Honestly!”

“Sorry.” I rounded the counter and clasped her in a hug. “You’re right. It was crude and thoughtless. Forgive me.” I was testy because of the conversation with Fern. Was my mother right? Would the police mess up the investigation? Did I have to intercede? I released my pal and sorted through the packet of three-by-five cards. “Do you know the customers personally?”

“Every one of them. I can’t imagine any is a killer. I work with two of the nurses at the blood bank. One of the doctors delivers babies. The other one is a psychiatrist who treats PTSD. They’re all good souls. Why did you ask for their names?”

“It’s a hunch.” I couldn’t tell her about the tetrahydrozoline or the fact that Zach had been asking about Tegan’s science skills. He’d made me swear. “Look, this morning, I’ve been going over the clues the police have so far.”

She shuffled to the tuxedo-cat cookie jar I’d added to my work kitchen for a touch of home, reached in, and withdrew a sugar cookie. She downed it in two bites, then fetched anI Love Bramblewoodmug, one with a cute Deco image of the town’s buildings, and poured herself a cup of coffee from the Cuisinart beverage center.

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