Killer Run Read Online Free Page B

hard-core book customers. “I’m sure you’ll have time to finish today. I don’t have a lot of prep to do.”
    â€œI’m not so sure. Last night, Jackie texted me a list of things that needed to be taken care of before this weekend. I guess she couldn’t reach you.” Sasha flipped on the lights and marched to the back of the shop, disappearing into the back room. She came back a few seconds later without her purse, brandishing a sheet of yellow paper in her hand. “Here it is.”
    I should have been happy my aunt had taken the time to make a list of the work needed to be done before the walk on Saturday, but honestly, I wanted some reading time myself. Diving in to a good book was my way to escape from the stress of the world. And even though my own shop had been ignored by the vandals and their non-helpful painting style, The Train Station’s attack had bothered me more than I let show. At least to Greg.
    â€œYou start on that list, I’ll handle the daily prep and any customers who arrive.” I washed my hands in the sink and then put on my apron, pausing for a second to breathe and feel my gratitude for Coffee, Books, and More’s escape from the random damage to Harrold’s place.
    By ten, the prep work had been completed and both Sasha and I were sitting on the couch, deep in our books with cups of coffee within reach. We both looked up when the bell over the door rang. Josh Thomas lumbered into the shop. The book dropped out of my hand, and I scrambled to pick it up and shove a bookmark to mark my place.
    He scowled at me. “Where’s Jackie?”
    I paused, taking in the new Josh. Instead of his usual funeral director look of suit and white dress shirt, he had on a navy blue tracksuit, complete with a company logo announcing to the world that he’d paid knock-off prices for the outfit. “ Neke ” didn’t make running clothes, but that worked for this outfit because Josh didn’t run.
    When I didn’t answer, I got a more determined glower, and I heard Sasha’s tiny giggle behind me. I stammered, “Upstairs in her apartment?”
    My aunt lived in the small apartment that took up the second floor of the building I’d bought six years ago to open Coffee, Books, and More. Before Miss Emily had died and left me her house down by the end of Main Street, I’d lived there, too.
    â€œI tried her door, no answer.” Josh glanced around the empty shop like maybe we were hiding my aunt from him in some kind of weird practical joke.
    I shook my head. “I swear, I haven’t seen her today.”
    And just then, mostly to prove my words a lie, my aunt sauntered out of the back office, her own tracksuit a bright pink with a designer label on the lapel. “Stop growling at everyone, Josh. I just came down to grab my backpack and fill it with bottled water.”
    Instantly, Josh’s demeanor went from annoyed to welcoming. The boy had it bad for my aunt. Which probably explained the tracksuit. I couldn’t help myself, I asked the obvious. “You two going running?”
    I got a second glower from Josh, but Aunt Jackie ignored my pointed jab. “Walking, actually. We’re going down to the beach for a few laps.”
    â€œI don’t know why you needed to go so early,” Josh mumbled. I guessed the activity hadn’t been his idea.
    Aunt Jackie came around the coffee bar and handed him the backpack. “Because I work at night and your shop opens at one. If not now, we’d never get time to do this.”
    Which I thought was Josh’s plan in the first place.
    Aunt Jackie stared at the book in Sasha’s hand. “Did you get my text?”
    Sasha flew up out of the couch, tucking the book behind her. “Yes, ma’am. I finished the entire list a few minutes ago. The boxes are all packed and ready to go near the back door.”
    Aunt Jackie’s glance went toward the