Skeleton Letters Read Online Free Page A

a bronzecolored tassel as a zipper pull.”
    â€œI think you’re right,” said a delighted Molly.
    Carmela gathered up all of Molly’s items, wrapped them in blue tissue paper, popped them into a kraft-paper bag, and rang her up at the counter. Then she went to assist another woman who claimed to be in dire need of handmade linen paper as well as some wildlife-inspired rubber stamps.
    Carmela and Ava worked for a good twenty minutes, helping customers, and finally clearing out the store for a much-needed break in the action.
    Finally Gabby emerged from Carmela’s cubbyhole of an office.
    â€œBaby’s pretty upset,” Gabby told them.
    â€œI can only imagine,” said Carmela. Her heart felt as if a lead weight were attached to it.
    â€œAnd Baby was quite insistent about talking to you,” said Gabby.
    â€œDoesn’t surprise me,” said Carmela. Of course, she’d want all the details.
    â€œDid you speak to Tandy, too?” asked Ava.
    Gabby nodded.
    â€œDoggone,” said Ava, folding her arms and pressing them tight against her body. “I suppose she’s real upset, too.”
    Gabby’s eyes fluttered. “You have no idea.”
    Carmela was suddenly aware that Ava was pale and seemed to be jittering on the balls of her feet. “Are you feeling okay?” she asked Ava.
    Ava clutched herself even tighter. “Maybe it’s this morning’s scare or this cool, drizzly weather we’re having . . . but I’m freezing to death.”
    â€œRun back and make yourself a cup of tea,” Carmela suggested. “There’s a pot of hot water in my office along with several tins of fresh tea leaves.”
    â€œFrom that little place in Charleston?”
    Carmela nodded. “The Indigo Tea Shop, yes. Really, go fix yourself a cup of Earl Grey. Do you a world of good.”
    â€œI think I will,” said Ava, skittering away.
    â€œShe’s really upset,” observed Gabby.
    â€œI think we’re all a little stunned,” agreed Carmela.
    The two of them turned in unison then, as the front door opened. But this time it wasn’t another eager scrapper coming in for a stencil or package of ephemera. This time it was Edgar Babcock. Tall, rail-thin, with close-cropped gingercolored hair and blue eyes that were pinpricks of intensity, Babcock exuded a kind of quiet confidence. The kind of effortless calm they dearly needed right now.
    â€œAm I ever glad to see you,” exclaimed Gabby. “And, boy, do we ever need your help!” Suddenly looking a little flustered at being so outspoken, Gabby said, “Well, I’ll leave you two alone. I know Carmela wants to talk in private.”
    Eyes focused only on Carmela, Edgar Babcock moved closer and put a hand on her shoulder. “I got your call,” he said.
    â€œI wish you could have come to the church!” Carmela said in a rush. Since they’d been snuggle buddies for quite some time now, she felt she had the right to prod him a bit.
    â€œWhen I found out you’d been a witness, I hurried right over,” said Babcock, “but you’d already left.” He paused. “You must have had quite a scare.”
    Carmela tapped him midchest with an index finger. “We need you on this case.”
    Babcock’s jaw tightened and his brows pinched together. “I can’t be the lead investigator on every murder that takes place in New Orleans,” he told her. “If I did that I’d be working 24/7.” Indeed, New Orleans had played host to almost 175 murders this past year.
    â€œBut this is super important,” Carmela told him. “The thing is, we know . . . we knew . . . the victim.” Feeling hot tears puddle in her eyes, she added, “It was Byrle, one of our scrapbookers.”
    â€œOh,” Babcock said, compassion suddenly seeping into his voice. “I didn’t realize the victim was a friend of yours.