A Fatal Chapter

“It turns out he was all bark and no bite,” Tricia said.

Angelica’s eyes widened in understanding. “Really? Nothing a little blue pill couldn’t have cured.”

“If he’d sought one out. He didn’t.”

Angelica shook her head. “The poor woman.”

“She found someone else who could satisfy her.”

“Then at least it worked out for her,” Angelica said.

“But how sad for Pete,” Tricia lamented. “That also means he and Toni probably weren’t an item, either.”

“Platonic friends?” Angelica asked. “I suppose it happens. Back in the day my best friend was a gay man. Drew was so jealous, but honestly, he was more like a best girlfriend.”

“Are you still friends?”

Angelica shook her head sadly. “He died from AIDS.”

“What was his name?”

“Jeremy. I wish you could have known him. He was a lot like you. He loved nothing better than to read a good mystery—and hang out in gay bars.” Angelica finished decorating the basket and climbed down from the ladder. “Not many more to go.”

The next flowerless basket was in front of the Dog-Eared Page, and Angelica was just putting the finishing touches on it when Tricia pulled the last of the silk flowers out of the bag. “Finally.”

The lights in the pub winked out and Michele emerged, locking the door. She turned and nearly jumped. “Oh! You startled me.”

“We’re sorry,” Tricia said.

“What on earth are you doing on the street so late—and with a ladder?” Michele asked looking up at Angelica.

Tricia proffered a silk fuchsia. “Trying to bring a little beauty back to the village.”

“I did wonder what happened to all those glorious blossoms—and in such a short space of time.”

“Someone has made it their life’s work not only to cut off all the real flowers, but to remove the silk ones we’ve put up.”

“I imagine it would be frightfully expensive to replace all the baskets.”

“I’m afraid it’s too late in the season to do so,” Angelica explained. “This will have to do. And we don’t even have enough flowers to do all them all.”

“Oh, dear.”

“We’ve got just enough for this one basket, and then we’re calling it a night,” Tricia said.

“Well, it’s late. I won’t keep you ladies any longer. You must be just as tired as me. I’ve got a date with my soaker tub and a glass of wine, and then I’m off to dreamland.”

“Sweet dreams,” Angelica said.

“Good night,” Tricia called as Michele gave a wave and started down the street for the municipal parking lot.

Angelica climbed down the ladder and folded it while Tricia balled up the shopping bags and deposited them in one of the municipal trash bins. “And now, we wait,” Angelica said.

“I’m hoping they’re still in the baskets tomorrow morning.”

“And if they aren’t, I’m hoping that camera will capture whoever is ruining our baskets so I can call Chief Baker to make an arrest.”

“What if it’s just a kid’s prank?” Tricia asked as they started back up the street.

“Then their parents should take responsibility and make restitution. I like the idea of community service, though. Make the kids pick up litter or dig a ditch or something so that they will learn to respect someone else’s labor.”

They crossed the street, heading for the Cookery. “Speaking of community service, did you see Bob at Pete’s wake?” Tricia asked.

“No.”

“It looked like he was trying to keep a low profile. Bob bragged to me that he and Pete were great pals and that he was the one who forged the alliance between the Historical Society and the Chamber of Commerce.”

“I don’t think so. As far as I know, the Chamber and the Historical Society didn’t have a relationship until I came onboard. They were members in name only. Oddly enough, it was Pete who sought out the Chamber after learning of Michele’s interest in someone starting the ghost walks.”

A scream pierced the night.

The sisters looked up the street. “You don’t think . . . ?” Tricia asked, panicked.

Angelica dropped the ladder, and the sisters started ru

“Michele! Michele!” Angelica cried.

With very few cars in the lot, it wasn’t hard to spot Michele’s Mini Cooper.

“Help!” Tricia cried into the phone.

“Michele!” Angelica hollered.

A figure dressed in black with a ski mask to hide his face ran from the lot, jumping over the low metal barrier that rimmed the east side of lot, and bolted north up the alley.

Michele was huddled against the driver’s-side door, clutching her throat and gasping for air. “He tried to strangle me,” she managed between choked breaths.

Angelica crouched beside her. “Are you all right?”

“I think so,” she managed, but her words came out in a sob.

“Yes, there’s been an attack in the Stoneham municipal lot. Can you send someone?” Tricia demanded.

The 911 dispatcher asked what seemed like far too many questions, but in no time Tricia saw the flashing blue lights of one of the three Stoneham Police Department patrol cars as it approached. She stabbed the off icon as Angelica helped Michele to stand. Tears had muddied her mascara, giving her raccoon eyes where she’d rubbed them.

The cruiser pulled up alongside the women, and Officer Dave Hanson practically jumped from the car. “What happened?” he asked without preamble.

“A man tried to strangle her,” Tricia said. “We saw him run off down the alley.”

“Are you hurt, ma’am?” he asked, concerned.

Michele shook her head. “More frightened.”

“I’ll call for backup,” Hanson said, turned away, and spoke into the small microphone attached to the shoulder of his uniform blouse.

“Did he try to take your purse?” Tricia asked.

Michele shook her head again. “I would have gladly given it up. I was about to unlock my car when he came up from behind me with some kind of a cord.”

Tricia looked around but didn’t see any cord. The man must have taken it with him when he’d fled.

“Would you like to sit down, ma’am?” the cop asked.

“I want to go home,” Michele cried.

“You’ll do no such thing. The best room at the Sheer Comfort I

“Oh, please. I just want to go home.”

“Before that happens, I need to ask you some questions,” Hanson said.

“Can she do that in my store?” Angelica asked. “It’s just a couple of doors down, and it’s warm and much more comfortable than standing around this chilly parking lot.”

“I’ll walk you down there,” Hanson said, and the four of them started off with Angelica and Michele in the lead, and Tricia keeping pace with the officer. “We heard her scream and came ru

“You’re sure it was a man?”

“Yes.”

“Was it anyone you’d recognize?”

Tricia shook her head.

They arrived at the Cookery. Angelica already had her keys out and unlocked the door. Tricia paused to pick up the ladder when she heard footsteps ru

It was Christopher, of course, only this time he wasn’t clad in pajamas.

“Someone attacked Michele in the municipal parking lot.”

“And you were telling me earlier how you didn’t need an escort,” he said angrily.

“Angelica and I found her,” Tricia said. “It’s lucky we’d just finished the last of the baskets and were around to hear her scream.” She turned away. “I can’t talk to you now. I’m a witness, and I need to speak to the officer.”

“All right. But I don’t want you walking back to the Chamber office by yourself. I’m going to wait right here until you’re ready to go home. No arguments.”