Requiem Murder [Book 2 of the Katherine Miller Mysteries] Read Free

happened before."
    "The substitute and I will bumble along. We won't have a new organist before fall."
    "But the Passion Sunday Evensong —"
    "I've found an excellent quartet, but I have to let them know this week."
    His pout reminded me of one from a child who has dropped his candy in the mud. “If you must. This is such a disaster."
    "Hardly.” I rose. “Should I submit bills for our expenses or will you give us money from petty cash? We'll need money for gas and meals."
    "Submit the bills. The Vestry prefers that. This group isn't as trusting as others in the past have been."
    I left the office and headed home. Sunlight glared off the banks of snow lining the walks. Bits of old ice formed ragged patches on the concrete.
    "Watch your step, Mrs. M.” Pete Duggan, my neighbor and a local police officer, fell into step beside me. His down jacket nearly matched his dark red hair. “Last time you had an accident, you got involved in a murder."
    "Then I'm glad you're here. Once was enough."
    His hazel eyes twinkled. “What happened to the knife?"
    "What knife? I don't remember."
    "Right.” The knife he referred to, the one used to kill my tenant, lay on the bottom of the Hudson River.
    We reached the corner. “I'm crossing here. I have to see Beth Logan about church business."
    "Beth Logan?"
    I laughed. “Don't tell me there's an available woman in town you don't know. She's a widow. She and her six-year-old son live in the old Perkin's house. Sings in the choir and is a nurse at the hospital."
    "Haven't had the honor.” He grinned. “Church business—missing robes—vanished communion wine?"
    "Nothing criminal.” I studied him and wondered when he'd settle down.
    "So what are you up to?” he asked.
    "Acting as temporary choir director and heading the search committee for a new organist."
    "Good for you. Should keep you out of mischief."
    "I'm crushed."
    He laughed. “I don't believe you. Let me walk you to her house. Maybe you'll introduce me."
    "Beth is not to be trifled with."
    His eyebrows lifted. “You wound me. When I'm involved with a woman, I'm serious."
    "For a limited engagement."
    "Someday I'll surprise you.” He held my arm and steered me across the street.
    A child's laughter rang clear. “Bigger. Let's make it bigger."
    "Then how will we get the head on the body?” Beth asked.
    "Maybe I can help,” Pete said.
    Beth whirled. Her eyes narrowed. Then she saw me and her expression relaxed.
    Robby eyed Pete. The boy's blond hair stuck out around the edges of his blue knit hat.
    "Beth, this is Pete Duggan, a friend of mine. He decided to help an old lady across the street and found me instead. You're home early."
    "It's a comp day. I have to work this weekend."
    "Then I'm glad we don't begin our visits until next week. Just left Edward. He wants us to finish the search yesterday."
    While Beth and I talked, Pete lifted the snowman's head and placed it on the body. “Why don't you wait in the house?” she asked. “The snowman is my project. Your friend seems to have taken over."
    "He has a habit of doing that. Let me help, too."
    When the snowman had button eyes, a radish nose and a bright green scarf instead of Beth's favorite blue one that her son had tried to liberate, she invited us in for hot chocolate and cookies. The sight of a box of store-bought cookies made me wince.
    "Pete, here's my key. There's a tin of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies on top of the refrigerator."
    He caught the key ring. He looked at Robby. “Want to come with me? I think they want time for women talk.” He winked.
    "Egotist. It's church talk."
    "Can I go, Mommy?” Robby asked.
    "Let him. He'll keep Pete honest."
    Pete laughed. “What's the matter? Don't you trust your favorite cop?"
    "Are you really a policeman?” Robby asked.
    "A policeman?” Beth echoed.
    "I'm surprised you never met him when you worked in the ER. I'm sure he's been there a time or two. He's all right. Used to be my paperboy."
    Beth tucked a