Murder in the Past Tense (Miss Prentice Cozy Mystery Series Book 3) Read Free Page A

arms and legs working together in that unique and amazing way he had. Elm moved easily, as if he didn’t even know how wonderful he was.
    I let out a long and trembling sigh.
    “Yeah,” said Lily, and did the same.
    There was a whirring from the jukebox and another tune began playing.
    “I like that song. It’s from the new Broadway musical Ivanhoe .”
    Lily nodded. “Yeah, it’s sweet. And so romantic. When I have a boyfriend, it’s going to be our song.” She sang along, “My knight in shining armor, he sees the same bright moon . . . ”
    “You know, keeping my cool would be easier if Elm wasn’t so friendly.” I gazed across the room at the knot of athletes. “None of the other basketball players ever says a word to me.”
    Lily followed my gaze. “Yeah, but you know what I say: So what? Who cares? I don’t like sports anyway. We’ll show ’em.” She pulled money from her purse and slid out of the booth. “Someday we’ll be Broadway stars. Then they’ll be sorry.”
    I shrugged and sucked up the last mouthful of my float with a loud rattle before I followed her.
    ~~~
    “I don’t know, Amelia,” said my father when I announced my plans for the summer at the dinner table that evening. “It’s not a real job. They don’t even pay you, do they?” He reached for the gravy boat.
    That afternoon, with Lily nagging me, I had been a bit apathetic. Now that my participation was in doubt, I was suddenly passionate on the subject.
    “That’s just it, Papa! In summer stock the apprentices are never paid. They work for the experience. It’s how they learn about the theatre!”
    Papa put down his fork and looked at my mother. “What do you think, Janet?”
    He never made decisions without her approval. They were an incorruptible, immovable, exasperating team.
    Mama salted her potatoes thoughtfully. “She’s right about the wages, I think. I read it somewhere. And Sarah McIndrick did tell me that working in the summer theatre really boosted Lily’s confidence.”
    My sister and I looked at each other across the dinner table. Barb rolled her eyes. As if Lily McIndrick needed more confidence!
    Papa chewed up a bite of Swiss steak and swallowed. “Well, Clancy Jamison was a mighty nice fellow, and if his son’s running it, I suppose it’s all right.”
    “Terence Jamison’s practically famous! He’s been on Broadway and everything!” I waved my fork, quoting Lily. Until this afternoon, I’d never heard of the man.
    Mama frowned slightly. “The only thing that bothers me is that Sarah said they practice into the wee hours. I don’t like the idea of Amelia walking home so late at night. Barbara, elbows.”
    My sister sat up and removed her elbows from the table.
    “It’s only three blocks away,” I protested. “Look, I’ll only do one play, not all four. I just want to try it. Please?”
    Mama’s expression remained troubled. She shook her head slowly. If she exercised her veto, there would be nothing I could do, I knew from long experience. Mashed potatoes reconstituted themselves in my middle and began turning to lead. My show business career hung in the balance.
    Then Papa said something that utterly astonished me. “That’s no problem, Janet. We’ll see she gets home okay.” He smiled at me. “I think it sounds like fun. Just make sure if you start this thing, you finish it, right?”
    Barbara put her two cents in. “Not like those violin lessons.”
    I kicked her gently under the table, just enough to let her know I was within range. She pulled her feet back and narrowed her eyes at me.
    “Of course, Papa, I promise. I’ll stay with it to the bitter end. I promise.” I drew an X on my slightly burgeoning chest.

CHAPTER THREE
     
    The weather was warm for early June in the North Country.
    “You do, too, remember Terence Jamison,” Lily said to me as we walked together to tryouts a week later, “He was the one who always danced last at the recitals. There’s a big picture of