Murder of a Wedding Belle (34 page)

“Those bodice rippers are nothing but pornography.” Pru’s watery blue eyes scrunched to slits and her pointy nose twitched, making her look like a nearsighted possum.

“That isn’t true. They’re full of love and hope and happy endings.”

“Nonsense. They’re obscene. And I have it on good authority that those young adult books you’re referring to are anti-Christian. They encourage the occult and demonic activity.”

Skye clamped her mouth shut, chanting silently,
Don’t laugh. Don’t laugh. Don’t laugh.
It would be so easy to make a smart-alecky comeback, but she finally managed to swallow her giggles and say, “I’m sure that’s not true either.”

Pru tsked. “I’m surprised that you, a psychologist, aren’t aware of the danger posed by those kinds of books.”

“Danger?” The word slipped out. Skye did not like where this conversation was going, and she shouldn’t have allowed herself to get sucked in.

Pru licked her lips as if she was about to sample a tasty morsel. “I heard that over in Clay City some boy bit his mother on the neck and tried to suck her blood out after reading some of those vampire books.”

“Really?” If that had actually happened, Skye was sure she would have heard about it. After all, she was the police department’s psychological consultant, and her mother was a police dispatcher. “Who told you that?”

Pru puffed out her cheeks. “I don’t remember.” Her irritation with Skye for daring to question her was obvious. “What does it matter?”

“Rumors can be so harmful,” Skye said evenly. “I just like to make sure my source is reliable before I believe what I hear.”

“Well”—Pru sent a quelling look in Skye’s direction—“I also heard that a girl in Brooklyn sacrificed her baby after reading some book that glorified witchcraft.”

“Now that’s totally unbelievable.” Skye shook her head. “Surely that would have made the paper, not to mention the TV news.”

Pru tilted the Pepsi can she had been gripping and finished the last few drops before answering, “I hear that it was hushed up.”

“By who?”

“I’m sure I couldn’t say.” Pru got up from the sofa. “Everyone knows I never gossip.”

Skye nearly choked on a suppressed
Ha!
but managed to keep her expression neutral.

“Anyway, I’ve started a petition,” Pru went on, “and I expect you to sign it.” She disposed of her trash. “Unless, of course, you don’t care about our kids.”

Skye refused to be cornered. “This weekend I’ll talk to the new bookstore owners and find out what kind of books they’ll be selling and to what age groups. I’ll let you know Monday after school what I find out.”

“Now, unlike you, I have to get back to my classroom.” Pru glanced pointedly at Skye. “The bell is about to ring, and the little darlings might burn down the building if they’re left unattended.”

Skye stared at the door after Pru Cormorant’s departure, then turned and cut an extralarge slice of birthday cake. After what she’d just been through, she deserved it. And besides, if Pru was going to stir up trouble for the new bookstore, Skye would need all her strength to make sure the school’s queen bee didn’t sic her swarm of drones on the defenseless owners before they even had a chance to open for business.

Signet

 

When Skye Denison left Scumble River years ago, she swore she’d never return. But after a fight with her boyfriend and credit card rejection, she’s back to home-sweet-homicide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available wherever books are sold or at
penguin.com

S394

Kate Collins

Abby Knight is the proud owner of her hometown flower shop. She has a gift for arranging flowers—and for solving crimes.

 

 

—Maggie Sefton

 

 

S914

 

Looking for a fresh start, divorcée

Lee McKinney moves back to Michigan to work for her aunt’s chocolate business—and finds that her new job offers plenty of murderous treats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available wherever books are sold or at
penguin.com

 

S585

Ever wonder how to find out about all the latest Berkley Prime Crime and Obsidian mysteries?

 

Mystery Solved.