Murder Is Binding Read Free

understand leases are an issue with the booksellers. I’d like to better understand the problem in case I can be of some assistance. I’m no attorney, but as an independent insurance agent I’ve read my share of pretty complicated contracts.”
    Tricia studied his face, noted the fine lines around his eyes, the slight graying of his fair hair around the temples. He was maybe five years older than herself—putting him in his mid-forties, but without the girth so often associated with his age group. She’d escaped middle-age spread herself, thanks to inheriting genes from the paternal side of the family—about the only perk of growing up a Miles. Angelica hadn’t fared so well and had never forgiven her for it.
    She shook away thoughts of her sister, focusing again on the man before her. How had she gone six months in this town without meeting this feast for the eyes?
    â€œI’m afraid the leases aren’t an issue with me. You might want to visit my neighbor to the north over at the Cookery. She can give you all the facts as she perceives them.”
    Mike frowned. “I’ve already spoken with Ms. Gleason. She has…an interesting perspective on the subject.”
    â€œYes.” Tricia left it at that.
    â€œI take it you’re new to our little village?” Mike asked.
    â€œI’ve been here almost half a year. But I can’t say I’ve seen you in my store before.”
    â€œI’m not much of a fiction reader,” he admitted. “But I’ve spent a bundle over at History Repeats Itself. I’m fascinated by anything to do with World War Two, military aircraft being my special interest. As a kid I wanted to be a fighter pilot. That is until I figured out I have a fear of heights.”
    Tricia laughed. “I can recommend some wonderful novels that take place during the war. Books by J. Robert Janes, Philip Kerr, and Greg Iles. And I’ll bet I’ve got most of them in stock.” She indicated the tall oak shelves surrounding the walls and their lower counterparts that filled the center of the long, narrow store.
    Mike dazzled her with his smile again. “Some other time, perhaps. I’m taking a day off work to introduce myself to all the merchants on Main Street. Very nice meeting you, Tricia. I’m sure I’ll be back.” He offered his hand again, this time holding on longer.
    â€œI’ll look forward to it.” Tricia held on, too. Their gazes locked and she dazzled him with a smile of her own.
    Â 
    Tuesday night: the slowest night of the week. Like most of the other merchants on Main Street, Tricia closed an hour early. That meant that she might actually get a chance to eat a decent dinner or truck on over to nearby Wilton to see a movie if she felt so inclined—which she usually didn’t. More often than not she’d retire to her third-floor loft apartment, select a variety of CDs for the player, heat a frozen pizza, settle in her most comfy chair, and read. Since her divorce a year earlier, she hadn’t often felt a need for male company. Then again, when she thought of Mike Harris’s smile…
    Angelica’s arrival in Stoneham, however, had put a damper on her usual Tuesday-night routine.
    Ginny had hung up her apron and grabbed her purse to leave. “You’re going to be late meeting your sister, Tricia.”
    â€œI know,” she said and sighed. “I didn’t get to vacuum or anything.” She retrieved her purse from the cabinet under the display case, slipped past the register, and noticed Doris’s glasses still sitting on the counter. “You would’ve thought she’d miss these,” she said and stuffed them into her bag. “I better drop them off on the way to meet Angelica.”
    â€œBetter you than me—on both accounts.”
    â€œI’ll give you a hundred dollars—cash—if you do both.”
    Ginny laughed and shook her