Living Violet Read Free Page B

warm humming over my skin, and Alicia giving me the stink eye.
    Linda stayed behind to lock up, while outside an ambulance and two cop cars flanked a vehicle at the end of the lot. Aside from the employees’ cars, the parking lot was empty.
    Nadine leaned into me and asked, “What’s that about?”
    â€œYour guess is as good as mine.” I stepped to the side as the rest of the crew moved in to watch.
    Nadine’s eyes widened with excitement. “You think there was shooting or something? I would kill for action in this town.”
    She had a point, but I wasn’t sure if this was the way to go about it. Williamsburg was one of the most boring cities on the planet. It was a far cry from Mayberry, but this town still had some sleep in its eyes. It was a resort town, the hotbed for tourists for the summer, and most of its revenue banked on the hotels and restaurants in the area. So any sign of a skirmish proved enough to keep the townsfolk talking for a while.
    A group of skateboarders sat on the grass, watching the fallout from the opposite side of the lot as a heavyset officer took statements from each of them.
    I looked to the dark blue SUV parked near the store when the driver’s window rolled down. Mr. Holloway popped his head out the window. “Alicia, come on!”
    â€œComing, Daddy!”
    Alicia rushed from behind me and bumped my shoulder. Obviously, she took her book rejection personally and needed someone to blame.
    Reaching the van, I straightened my back and saluted Alicia’s dad. “Captain Holloway, sir!”
    My foolishness never failed to make him smile, no matter how hard he tried not to. The man was too serious, as was the military fade cropped close to his head. “At ease, soldier,” he said. “You guys are coming out late.”
    Alicia climbed in the passenger side. “Yeah, we had our book club tonight. Sorry you had to wait so long.”
    â€œHey, what’s up with the police?” Nadine asked before I could.
    Mr. Holloway turned his head to the flashing lights. “A woman had a heart attack in the parking lot. Some kids found her unconscious in her car; I guess they called the cops. God, for a minute there I thought it was my little girl.”
    â€œDaddy, I’m fine,” Alicia chided. “You’re such a drama freak.”
    â€œHey, kid, mind your elders!” I pointed a finger at her.
    â€œMy mom’s got me on lock like that too. It’s a parent thing.”
    Alicia snickered. “Whatever, thumb-sucker.”
    I spread my arms wide, inviting the challenge. “Anytime, training bra.”
    â€œLadies.” Dragging a hand over his face, Mr. Holloway lifted his head and sighed. “You two will never grow out of this phase, will you?”
    â€œWell, your daughter’s a bad influence,” I said in defense.
    He gave me a hard look. “And you’re not?” Not waiting for my answer, Mr. Holloway revved the engine. “You guys be safe going home—lots of weirdos out there.”
    â€œWill do.” I drifted up the lot with Nadine at my side. I dangled the keys on my finger, all the while trying to sneak a peek at the action without appearing too obvious. The emergency team eased a body out of the driver’s side. I recognized the slim build and long red hair right away. That was the same woman Caleb performed the poor man’s CPR on earlier today. From the look of her unconscious state, she needed a professional.
    Linda moved to the scene and talked to one of the officers by his car. A few head nods and shakes followed, but relayed no solid info to go on.
    â€œShe looks awful young to have a heart attack,” I told Nadine.
    â€œYou can have attack at any age. It depends on person,” she returned, riveted at the sight before her.
    Nadine held an affinity for all things macabre, so something like this was right up her alley. But behind her normal blank-slate