Pains and Penalties: (A Geeks and Things Cozy Mystery Novella #1) (Geeks and Things Cozy Mysteries) Read Free

of the booth for thirty seconds before she followed suit. Kalina arrived at the tent to find people bunched together in a semi-circle around one of the tables. Wheezing and choking noises echoed from within the middle of group and Kalina shoved her way to the front. AJ bent over a writhing Mrs. Davies. She lay on the ground, one hand pressed to her stomach, the other gripped around her throat. She’d already started to lose color in her cheeks. AJ looked up, his facial features contorted into a mask of helpless terror, and he said, “I think she’s dead.”

 
    CHAPTER THREE
     
    Footsteps pounded on the hard-packed ground and Chris came into view. Kalina had no idea where he'd come from but he didn't look out of breath. On the other side of the table, Mrs. Grant pressed one hand to her chest, tears glistening in her eyes. She'd calmed down from her rant about the scones.
    "Dear Lord, this can't be happening."
    It was barely audible above the crowd yelling for help, but Kalina heard it. The statement seemed an odd reaction and it piqued her curiosity. She bent down and gently tugged AJ to his feet and away from the dead woman. Chris took up AJ's spot and studied Mrs. Davies. "Who saw what happened?"
    AJ raised his hand. His fingers trembled and he quickly closed them into a fist to keep from shaking. A few other people inched forward, mumbling that they had seen what happened. From across the tent Captain Cahill approached, cell phone in hand. He pressed it to his ear and, amid the rumbling of the crowd, Kalina heard him request an ambulance. Ellesworth wasn't big enough to have its own morgue. She'd no doubt be taken west to Salem. Chris stood up and waved people back. "Everyone, I need you to back up. Do not touch anything on this table." He turned to AJ. "I'm going to need to talk to you. Why don't you come with me?"
    "I'm coming with him," Kalina said.
    "Did you see anything?"
    "No. But you can't question him alone. He's only fifteen. He has a right to a parent or guardian present during questioning." She knew a little about criminal law, thanks to a law student she'd dated briefly during her first year of business school.
    Chris looked unhappy about the intrusion but didn't object further. They headed over to an empty table at the back of the tent while Captain Cahill set up a perimeter of folding chairs around the body. It seemed an odd thing to do unless there were suspicious circumstances surrounding Mrs. Davies' death.
    "Okay, AJ. Tell me what you saw." Chris produced a notepad from his pocket. He came prepared for anything.
    "I was in line for fried dough. Aunt K. wanted some, and Mrs. Davies was sitting there having a cup of tea. Everything was fine and then she just started choking and bent over like she was going to throw up." He put his head in his hands. "I never saw anyone look like that."
    Kalina took one of his hands in hers and gave it a firm squeeze. "It's okay. You did good."
    He looked up at her through watery eyes. "But... I should have done something to help."
    Chris leaned over. "Did you see anyone tamper with her tea?"
    "N-no. I don't think so. God, was she murdered?"
    Chris shook his head. "I don't know. But by all accounts she was in good health. Usually, when a healthy person drops dead it's not from natural causes. I'd like you go down to the station and give a full statement."
    "Does he have to do it right now? He's in shock."
    Chris's face softened. "No. Just make sure you get down there in the next day or so. If this turns out to be a murder investigation then we want to get people's recollections down as clearly as possible."
    Sirens blared, sounding a prolonged wail from behind the food tent. Flashing red lights cast a bright glow over the faces of the crowd still gathered to watch. Somehow the captain had obtained a bullhorn and held it up to his mouth.
    "Everyone, I need you to clear out and let the medics do their job. Please return to the fair and enjoy the rest of your day."
    Despite