Murder in the Aisles Read Online Free

In case I remember something?”
    Mark fumbled around on the inside of his coat and pulled out a tattered brown leather wallet, then an equally tattered business card. He handed it to her with an apologetic look simmering in his eyes.
    She took it from him. “Thanks.”
    â€œCall anytime…if you think of something.”
    He turned to leave before he said something dumb, like asking her to meet him for drinks after work. But librarians didn’t drink. Did they?
    â€œIt wasn’t an accident,” she said softly. “I’m sure of it.”
    He stopped, started to comment but changed his mind. He kept walking until he found himself outside, relieved to be cooled by the icy January wind.

Chapter Four
    Felicia sat alongside her co-workers in the staff break room, waiting on the arrival of their boss, Dr. Wallington, while the police and the medical team finished up and took the body away. Conversation buzzed around her but she had difficulty making out the words. She couldn’t shake the image of finding Dr. Dresden. She felt one of her panic attacks coming on. She ran her hands up and down her arms and slowly began to count the people, the items in the room to calm herself. Finally Dr. Wallington, the Librarian of Congress, arrived, red-faced and flustered, especially, Felicia surmised, after answering what questions he could from the police. He stood in front of the room.
    Dr. Wallington could only be described as squat. He was a mere five-foot-five and a minimum of two-hundred pounds, possibly more. With a thick white mustache that completely covered his lower lip, short tufts of hair that protruded from his rather small ears and a rotund belly that was only held in place by a thick leather belt and suspenders, Dr. Henry Wallington resembled a very studious walrus—hence the nickname Wally.
    He adjusted his half-frame glasses on his rather large nose and looked out onto the gathered sea of inquiring faces with his small ocean-blue eyes. Felicia knew how hard Dr. Dresden’s death hit Wally. They’d attended college together, came up the ranks together and were closer than brothers. Paul Dresden was no longer a part of the librarian community or Dr. Wallington’s life and by the look of Wally it had shaken him to his very core.
    He cleared his throat. “As you all are probably aware, a great tragedy has befallen us,” he began. “This morning, Dr. Dresden was found,” his voice hitched, “dead in the aisles.”
    A gasp vibrated in the tight room, followed by murmurs of disbelief.
    â€œThe police believe it was a tragic accident.”
    Felicia shifted, using all of her self-control not to blurt out anything to the contrary. She squeezed her hands into tight fists.
    â€œIn respect for his loss, the building is closed today for customer service and only available to those who have appointments. Of course, we will serve the needs of Congress should it be necessary. I know that Paul…Dr. Dresden would have wanted it that way.”
    â€œWhat happened?” Emily Windsor, Felicia’s junior research assistant, called out.
    â€œApparently he’d taken a fall from one of the ladders,” Dr. Wallington said.
    Faces twisted at the image.
    Dr. Wallington cleared his throat again. “I will advise you all by memo about the arrangements. Please cooperate with the officer, who may have a few more questions.” He lifted his chin in the direction of the officer who stood to his left, then turned to leave.
    â€œIf everyone could take a seat,” the officer said, “I will need to get your names and basic information, then you can go.”
    The staff shuffled into available seats, talking quietly among themselves. Felicia gazed toward the aisle where she’d found Dr. Dresden. She was more convinced than ever that it was no accident. Unfortunately, she had no way to prove it.
    â€œFelicia.”
    Her head snapped in the direction