If the Shoe Kills by Lynn Cahoon Page B

trouble telling you no.”
    I almost gagged as I listened to him flirt with the woman. Greg was much better at this politicking game than I’d realized. Tina was still talking and now they were looking at me.
    â€œSo I’ll be over Tuesday morning to discuss your business’s contribution to the festival.” Tina arched an eyebrow. “Around ten?”
    â€œSounds good. I’m excited to see what you’ve come up with for a theme.” I felt a tad bit guilty for not standing up for Darla, but if Greg could be nice to the meanest couple in South Cove, I could give it a try.
    â€œIt’s not just decorations, you know. We’ll have to do a town charity project.” Tina glanced around the almost empty dining room. “I’m sure we could find some family who’s poverty-stricken to support this year. The Good Book says we’re supposed to take care of our neighbors.”
    â€œJackie’s doing, well, the shop is doing a children’s book drive for the Bakerstown Children’s Center. The entire town could help us with that, if you’d like.” Jackie would love the idea, well, once she got over the fact that Tina would bulldoze her out of being in charge. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut.
    Tina exchanged a look with her husband that clearly said, Can you believe this woman? Then she turned back to me, and in a calm voice like I was a child, said, “That won’t do at all. I mean, I’m sure it’s a fine project for your little store, but we’re going to do something that will change lives. Not just entertain a bunch of kids.”
    â€œStudies show kids who learn to read early are less likely to drop out of school and later stay out of jail or prison or worse.” I felt my back stiffen as my words sounded more and more clipped.
    â€œWhy, yes, I’ve read those sad stories, too, but if a family needs food and shelter and heat, giving them a book is just rubbing their noses in their inability to care for the family’s basic needs.” She focused her attention on Greg. “Don’t you agree?”
    Before Greg could answer, the ringtone version of “My Heart Will Go On” filled the café. I wondered if she realized how appropriate a sinking ship theme song was for her personal ringtone. I didn’t get a chance to ask as she answered the phone. “Tina Baylor,” she crooned into the mouthpiece as she motioned for her husband to follow her. They sat in a booth on the other side of the dining room, the mayor studying the menu like he hadn’t eaten here two or three times a week for the last ten years.
    â€œI guess we’re dismissed.” I took a sip of the soda Carrie had brought over before the visitors had arrived at our table. “Boy, she has you wrapped around her little finger.”
    â€œI’m used to the game.” Greg shrugged. “She’s always been like that. She didn’t even know my name the first three years I worked for South Cove. Now that I’m divorced and available for her to try to set me up with her friends, suddenly I’m interesting.”
    â€œAvailable, huh?” My blood was beginning to heat. I hadn’t liked Tina before; now I wanted to strangle her. “Why would she think you were available?”
    He grinned and put his hand over mine. “Well, I was interesting before I started dating you. Now I just think she’s confused.”
    Our food was delivered and for the next hour, we talked about anything but the case. He recounted Amy and Esmeralda’s day with the steamroller that was Tina Baylor. I told him about Aunt Jackie’s book drive and, because I knew he loved gossip as much as I did, about her fight with Josh.
    â€œThe guy needs to learn to shut up when he’s ahead. Jackie will calm down, but not if he keeps making himself a target.” Greg pushed away his plate, empty except for the crumbs of the bacon