Slip and Go Die (A Parson's Cove Mystery) Read Online Free Page B

isn’t locked so you can go right in and start on the furnace.”
     
    “Okay. I’ll have a look and give you an estimate before I start the work.”
     
    “Well, that would be nice, Bob. I’d kind of like to know how much this stupid furnace is going to cost me.”
     
    I hung up and phoned the police station.
     
    “Parson’s Cove Police Station. Sheriff Reg Smee speaking. How can I be of assistance?”
     
    “Reg, it’s me. Mabel. Since when did you start answering your phone like that? I thought I had the wrong number for a minute.”
     
    “Well, once in awhile we try to act professional around here. What do you want anyway? I’m busy.”
     
    “Hate to say it, Reg, but I think you’ve already lost your professional touch.”
     
    “All right, Miss Wickles, how can I be of service?”
     
    “That sounds much better.” It sounded better but I had to admit, it sure didn’t sound like the normal Reg Smee. At least, he hadn’t hung up yet. “I understand you’re looking for information about Beulah.”
     
    “I might be. Why?”
     
    “Well, it’s just that I know a little about her, that’s all.”
     
    “How would you know?”
     
    “Because, Reg, don’t you remember that every year she sells things outside my shop? Or, I guess I should say, she used to.”
     
    “Forgot about that. So, you say you and Beulah were real close friends?”
     
    “No, I didn’t say that but she did tell me a little about herself. For instance, I know she has no family.”
     
    “Not even a long lost brother, sister, cousin or something?”
     
    “Nope. She was an only child. Her parents died when she was quite young and she never knew of any other family. I think she said she was in some orphanage or something like that until she was ready to be on her own.”
     
    “Never married?”
     
    “She didn’t mention a husband. I guess she could’ve been a widow. I never thought to ask. You’d think she would have said something though.”
     
    There was silence on the other end.
     
    “You still there, Reg?”
     
    “Yeah. You’re sure about this?”
     
    “I told you everything she told me. Why?”
     
    “Hmmm. Someone else gave me different information, that’s all.”
     
    “What information? Who gave it to you?”
     
    “Well, I think it’s confidential, Mabel. You don’t have to know everything that goes on in Parson’s Cove, you know.”
     
    “Of course, I don’t have to know everything but I’ll tell you one thing, Reg Smee, whoever told you that is wrong. She had no relatives. If some start popping out of the woodwork now, it just means that someone thinks she’s worth lots of money and they want a piece of the pie, that’s all.”
     
    “Boy, you are such a cynic. In the first place, I doubt that Beulah had very much. She lived a simple life. That cabin wasn’t even hers. Did you know that?”
     
    “No, I didn’t. How would I know that? I told you we weren’t that close.”
     
    “That’s my point. If you didn’t know that, how would you know if she had relatives or not?”
     
    I sighed. Sometimes trying to help the Law could be very trying, especially when a person had to deal with Reg Smee. Knowing if you have relatives and knowing if you have money are entirely two different things.
     
    “Okay, Reg. I only wanted to help. All I know is what Beulah told me.”
     
    “Well, thanks anyway, Mabel. I appreciate the thought. By the way, I hear you have to have a new furnace at the shop.”
     
    This is one of the wonders of Parson’s Cove: Everyone knows everything about everybody–sometimes before the person in question even knows.
     
    “I need a new furnace? Can’t Bob fix my old one?”
     
    “Apparently, not. Furnaces don’t last forever. Yours is so out of date that Bob can’t even get parts for it.”
     
    “Oh phooey. I can’t afford a new furnace. You’re sure that’s what he said?”
     
    “Yep.”
     
    That was all I needed to hear. My little shop