Agony of the Leaves: Tea Shop Mystery #13 Read Free

sight.”
    “I know that!” Theodosia snapped. “I’m the one who found him.”
    There were a few moments of hesitation on the part of the men, and then Morley gazed at Theodosia withsympathy-filled brown eyes. “Your call,” he told her.
    Theodosia nodded.
    Morley grimaced, then reached for the zipper tab on the black vinyl body bag. His big hand fumbled for a few moments, and then he gave a short jerk and tugged it down until the body bag was halfway open.
    “Oh jeez!” Haley clapped a hand to her mouth and stepped back. “Oh man!” she cried out again, spinning away. It was just too much for her.
    But Theodosia, her back ramrod stiff, stood next to the gurney, staring down at her ex-boyfriend. She took in his papery skin, closed but slightly bulging eyes, and white lips. And found it inconceivable that this relatively young man, always so full of life and big ideas, could suddenly be dead. And dead from drowning. A shudder passed through her and Theodosia wondered if poor Parker was resting safely in the Lord’s arms now. She certainly hoped he was. Believed he was. When she was alone tonight, back in her little cottage where she could grieve in private, she’d light a candle and offer some special prayers.
    “Okay?” asked the EMT. He seemed worried that she might faint. Didn’t know the steel she had in her. “Okay to take him now?” he asked.
    Theodosia continued to stare down at Parker’s body, even as she felt Drayton step up behind her. He was offering both sympathy and strength, and she appreciated that. But at the same time, he tugged on her arm, urging her to back away. To let Parker go.
    “Theo?” said Drayton.
    Reluctant to just turn her back on Parker’s body, Theodosia let loose a sigh of resignation. And noted that Parker’s mouth had been frozen into an O, almost as if he’d been surprised to be rescued, after all. Even though it had all come too late.
    The firemen and EMT shifted back and forth, nervously, restlessly. Probably, they just wanted to complete their job and go home.
    Finally, Morley said, “Just slipped off the overhead walkway, I guess.” He, too, seemed in need of an explanation.
    The other fireman nodded. “There’s a whole tangle of walkways over that main tank. All metal. Probably slippery as heck.”
    “Never should have allowed people to takebehind-the-scenes tours,” added the EMT.
    Morley bent forward to rezip the bag, but now the zipper was jammed. It didn’t want to close. He tried a second time, unsuccessfully. Frowning, he quickly unzipped the bag all the way down, creating a ripping sound. He meant to start clean from the bottom, but in so doing, revealed Parker’s hands, which were folded loosely across his chest.
    Instead of stepping away and letting the fireman fuss, Theodosia cocked her head and stared intently.
    What…on…earth?
    Her heart gave a lurch and a tiny hit of adrenaline surged through her as she studied Parker’s body in situ now. And what she saw made her suddenly question the grim circumstances of his death.
    “What if he didn’t fall?” said Theodosia. Her voice was quiet and even, practically drowned out by the mumble of the EMT, firemen, and now somenervous-looking aquarium employees who had edged in to join them.
    “What?” said Drayton, leaning in close to her. “What did you say?”
    Theodosia turned and gazedwide-eyed at Drayton. There was a flash of anger as well as incredulousness in her eyes. “We need to call the police,” she told him, in a hoarse, barely audible voice. Then she gathered herself together, put a hand back on the gurney, and said, in clear, firm tones, “Please don’t move him one more inch.”
    “What?” Drayton said again, still not understanding. “What on earth are you…?”
    “I don’t think Parker fell into that tank,” said Theodosia.“I think he might have been pushed. And then he was somehow…I don’t know…” Her voice wavered for an instant and then she found her