Murder Takes A Bow - A Betty Crawford Mystery (The Betty Crawford Mysteries) Read Free Page A

alright."
     
     
    Alright? It was alright? What was part of this situation was alright in any way, shape, or form? Betty’s emotions surged. Her control snapped.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER 4
     
     
     
    Betty’s couldn’t stop the jumble of emotions spewing out of her. She didn’t want to stop them. Everything from this morning, all the stress and panic and roller coaster of emotions was leaving her in an illogical mess at top volume. It felt wonderful. "It is not all right!" she yelled. "Doctors are thin and it was sunny but you were dead and now you’re being arrested and you’re wearing the wrong shoes!" Dimly, Betty wondered if she sounded a bit mad. "So don’t you dare tell me it’s all right! And you!" She rounded on Bill, pointing a finger upwards into his face. "I won’t go across the street! I’m talking to Clarise, and if you have a problem with that you can kiss my bonny behind! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Bill! Can’t you see she’s in shock? This is Lofton, not the city. We treat people decently here, even if they’re in handcuffs!"
     
     
    Bill crossed his arms. "Betty," he said, "you need to settle down."
     
     
    "I will not settle down!" Her voice had risen sharply and her breath came in gasps. In the back of Betty’s mind a little red neon sign flashed a warning. Betty ignored it, her mind spinning. Was that an earthquake? The world seemed to be tilting. Diabetes and death and Clarise in handcuffs… Who was dead? Did she know them? "Who’s DEAD?"
     
     
    Bill reached out to steady her, speaking calmly and looking in her eyes. "Betty, you need to listen to me. Can you do that?"
     
     
    Betty nodded, trying to focus on his face. Her eyes kept flicking between him and Clarise, who still stood on the theater steps. The policemen guarding her seemed to be spellbound by Betty’s outburst. "You need you calm down," Bill continued. "I don’t want to have to arrest you for disorderly conduct during the first time I see you in years. Okay?"
     
     
    The threat of her own arrest cut through some of Betty’s panic. Would he really? She studied his serious expression. Yes. Yes, he would. And, thinking back on her actions, he would probably be completely within his rights to do so.
     
     
    Bill tightened his grip. "You okay?"
     
     
    Blood rushed to her cheeks. She closed her eyes, painfully aware of the crowd behind her. She wanted to scratch her back and rid herself of the feeling of their stares. Doubtless, word of her very vocal minor breakdown was already starting to spread.
     
     
    She straightened her spine and nodded, missing the weight of Bill’s hands the moment he removed them.
     
     
    Clarise. Betty focused her mind and zeroed in on her friend. She hadn’t been hallucinating. Clarise was under arrest and looking at her with concern. The other woman’s face had a little more color, as though watching Betty break down had somehow helped snap her out of her own shock.
     
     
    Guilt flooded into Betty. Clarise was the one in trouble, not her. Here she was losing it, and Clarise needed her.
     
     
    Betty turned to Bill and said calmly. "I’d like to speak with Clarise before you take her into custody". Bill rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "Are you two related?"
     
     
    "Not technically. But she doesn’t have any relatives in town, or in North Carolina for that matter. We’re best friends. I’m the closest thing to family she has right now." She lowered her voice, now pleading. "I’m sorry I exploded. It’s been a… long day. I won’t yell, and I won’t take long. Please."
     
     
    Bill looked at the other officers. "Fine," he said. "But you have to talk to her here. I hear everything you say. And remember, anything she says can be used against her in a court of law. And," he said, holding out his hand. "I’ll need to hold on to your car keys. They’re a weapon, and I’m not taking any chances with either you or my men."
     
     
    Betty