Candy Corn Murder Read Online Free Page B

her.”
    â€œLook at this,” said Ted, handing over his digital camera, which was displaying a photo of the mauled pumpkin. The giant gourd had been hacked open, and its fleshy interior, loaded with seeds, was spilling out.
    Lucy found herself wincing at the gruesome sight, and hoping that Priscilla would never be subjected to such a fate. “Terrible, just terrible,” she said.
    â€œI’m going to put this on the front page so everyone can see what this maniac did,” promised Ted.
    â€œAre you sure? Publicity like that might encourage the culprit,” said Lucy.
    Ted nodded gravely, considering the matter. “There’s always that possibility,” he said, “but I think we have a responsibility to show people what happened. We can’t hide it. We need to get this out there, no matter how troubling some people might find it.”
    â€œIt’s a family paper,” cautioned Phyllis. “It might be too upsetting for kids.”
    â€œThat’s a risk we have to take,” said Ted. “People need to know so they can take steps to protect their pumpkins. It’s more than pumpkins, you know. It’s a way of life, and we have to protect it.”
    â€œWe can’t have a Giant Pumpkin Fest without giant pumpkins,” said Phyllis. “The whole town is counting on this event. A lot of people are still hurting from the great recession.”
    â€œBusinesses especially,” said Ted.
    â€œThat reminds me,” said Lucy. “Corney Clark wants me to do a profile of Buck Miller. He’s Sam Miller’s kid, and he’s come back to work at Country Cousins. He’s got a fancy business degree, and they’re grooming him to take over, but for now he’s got some ambitious new marketing plan.”
    â€œSounds good,” said Ted, who was scrolling through his pumpkin photos. “Go ahead and set up an interview, but first, I need you to call the police chief and ask him if he’s got any leads, any suspects. Press him hard, and ask if we’ve got a serial pumpkin killer on the loose.”

Chapter Three

    Tinker’s Cove Chamber of Commerce
    Press Release
    For Immediate Release
    Â 
    The Event Schedule for the First Annual Giant Pumpkin Fest Now Includes a Catapult Hurl. Contestants Are Encouraged to Construct Catapults Designed to Hurl Pumpkins, and to Compete in Accuracy and Distance Contests. The Catapult Hurl Will Take Place at Earl Johnson’s Hay Field, Overlooking Jonah’s Pond, at Noon, Saturday, Oct. 29. Spectators Are Encouraged to Bring Picnics and to Enjoy Live Music by Local Bands. Beer and Soft Drinks Will Be Available.

    W hen Lucy got home that evening with Patrick in tow, she found Bill and Ev out in the garden, by the pumpkin patch, deep in conversation. Patrick made a beeline for his grandfather, who gave him a big hug.
    â€œHow was school, big guy?”
    â€œOkay,” said Patrick. “Can we play ball?” Patrick loved to play catch with his grandfather.
    â€œLater,” said Bill. “Mr. Wickes and I are busy right now.”
    â€œWhat’s up?” asked Lucy, joining them. Patrick was kicking at the ground, disappointed that his grandfather wouldn’t play with him. “Why don’t you let the dog out and throw a tennis ball for her?” she suggested.
    â€œOkay,” he agreed, then ran off.
    â€œI guess you heard about Buzz Bresnahan’s pumpkin,” she said after he’d gone. News, especially bad news, traveled fast.
    â€œBrutal,” said Bill. “Who would do something like that?”
    â€œA maniac,” said Ev, taking a long pull on the bottle of beer he was holding. As usual, he had a three or four days’ growth of bristly beard and was wearing the same plaid flannel shirt and jeans he’d worn for at least a week. Lucy made a point of positioning herself upwind of him.
    â€œNobody’s safe,” said Bill, with a wave