Half-Price Homicide Read Online Free Page B

said.
    “No, the detective thought my boss killed King Oden.” She had to stop this conversation now, before it got too personal. “I know Lauderdale’s fancy shops are on Las Olas. As the boulevard goes east toward the beach, there are a bunch of man-made islands with high-priced homes and yacht docks—Nurmi, Isle of Venice, Isle of Palms and Hendin Island. I didn’t think Hendin Island’s jurisdiction went this far west on Las Olas.”
    “Probably political rejiggering to get another crook elected,” Vera said. She’d kept her alternative view of politics.
    “Maybe we’d better call the police now,” Helen said. “What if a customer walks in? We can’t put her in a dressing room.”
    “You’re right.” Vera punched in three numbers.
    “If you’re calling 911, I’d better change,” Jordan said. She had run barefoot out of the front dressing room and was wearing a half-zipped pink satin strapless dress.
    “Your dress is smashing for a police interrogation,” Helen said. “That shade of pink will set off the officers’ dark blue uniforms.”
    “Why are you so sarcastic, Helen?” Jordan looked hurt and ready to start weeping again.
    Helen felt like she’d kicked a puppy. “I’m sorry. That was out of line.”
    “Apology accepted.” Jordan managed a smile through her tears.
    “Thanks,” Helen said. “That dress looks nice on you, even when you’re upset.”
    Helen heard Vera tell the 911 operator, “I think the woman committed suicide. Unless she was murdered. I’m not sure what happened, except she’s dead. No, I can’t stay on the phone. Just send someone, quick.”
    Vera slammed down the phone and said, “The 911 operator gave us our orders. We’re not supposed to touch anything, sell anything or change anything. We’re not supposed to change our clothes or wash our hands. I’m not supposed to admit any customers or let anyone leave.”
    “Can I at least get out of this dress and into my own clothes?” Jordan asked.
    “I don’t think you’d better,” Vera said.
    “The police might want to take the dress and check it for hair and fibers,” Helen said.
    “Why? ” Jordan said. “I didn’t kill Chrissy.” More fat tears slid down her cheeks.
    “But you were in the store when Chrissy was murdered,” Helen said. “Of course, so was the developer Daniel Martlet, Roger, and Loretta, the county commissioner. But Loretta wouldn’t hurt a voter. She’s a rising star.”
    “Danny wouldn’t kill anyone, either. He’s too gentle,” Jordan said, her voice suddenly fierce. The tears dried up like a summer rain shower.
    Danny? Helen wondered. Did Jordan know him?
    “Gentle?” Helen said. “You weren’t here when ‘gentle’ Danny dragged his wife back to this dressing room. His fingers bruised Chrissy’s arm. The cops will see his finger marks when they investigate this murder.”
    “She wasn’t murdered. She committed suicide,” Vera said.
    “Maybe,” Helen said. “I still say she was murdered.”
    “I can’t believe Danny would kill his wife,” Jordan said.
    “That’s for the police to decide,” Helen said.
    “Can I put ten dollars down on this dress so no one else takes it? I really like it,” she said.
    “Why are you buying a dress when we have a dead woman in the store?” Helen asked. “What’s wrong with you?”
    “I don’t know how to react,” Jordan said. “The only dead person I ever saw was my grandma. She was old and sick. We knew she was going to die. I saw her at the funeral parlor. I didn’t find her hanging in a store. I’ve never seen someone who died unplanned. I’m twenty-one.”
    I’m twenty years older, Helen thought. She opened her mouth to say something when Vera interrupted—or erupted. “Helen, you told me you’ve been under a lot of strain. I’ve made allowances for the fact that your wedding was canceled at the altar and your mother is in a nursing home. But I won’t have you attacking my customers.”
    She’s