This Old Murder Read Online Free Page A

wants you to see his point . . . to get to know . . . to understand . . .” Sam stopped and took an un-characteristically loud gulp of the wine he had carefully chosen. “I’m blowing this for Tyler, Josie, and I hate to do that. I promised him I would help prepare you.”
    “For what? Why would I have to be prepared for any job Tyler would take?”
    “Now don’t start imagining all sorts of horrors.”
    “I won’t have to imagine anything if you tell me what’s going on.”
    “Look, it’s a great job for Tyler. He knows a lot about . . . well, about the subject. He’ll get to be around people. The pay is good—”
    “It’s off island, isn’t it? My son isn’t even going to spend the summer with me! That’s it, isn’t it, Sam?”
    “No, it isn’t. Now, see, you’re doing exactly what I thought you would. You’re imagining problems that just are not going to happen.”
    “Sam . . .”
    “Josie, I’ll tell you, but you must listen to everything I have to say before going nuts.”
    “Just as long as I can go nuts when you’re done.”
    “I really think you won’t want to when you hear what I have to say. Tyler got a job at Family Video.”
    “But, Sam, that’s wonderful! He’ll be able to ride his bike to work and he’ll be just a few blocks away from you, so when it rains maybe you’ll be able to drive him home. Why did either of you think I’d object to him working there? I’ll even be able to see him in the evening when we drop in to pick out a video— Oh, no!” she cried, realization dawning. “It’s a night job, isn’t it? He wants to work the night shift.”
    “Josie, we’re not talking about overnight in a ghetto convenience store. Tyler has been asked to work three full days and three evenings a week. The evening shift runs from three to midnight with an hour off for dinner.”
    “Midnight! Why midnight? The store’s only open until eleven.”
    “I asked the same question. Apparently there’s a lot to do after the customers leave. Tapes to check in. Shelves to clean up.”
    “He can’t do it. He can work days, but not the evening shift.”
    “I suggested that, too, but the store’s policy is that no one gets preference. If you work there days, you work there evenings. But, Josie, it’s not as though he’s going to be miles away from home. And he’s not going to be hanging out on street corners, for heaven’s sake. He’s going to be working.”
    “But it’s at night, Sam!”
    “Look, I didn’t say anything to Tyler, but I have to admit I think he’s right about this. What difference does it make if he’s home by ten-thirty or twelve-thirty as long as you know where he is, what he’s doing, and that he’s safe? If he were home, he’d probably be sitting in front of his computer or watching TV. In any case, you’ll be in bed. So what difference could it possibly make to you if he’s at the video store instead of in your living room or his bedroom?”
    “I just like him to be home before I go to bed. I know it doesn’t make any sense, but it makes me feel better knowing he’s around.”
    “Then why did you send him to boarding school?”
    “Because he’s so smart he was ahead of most of the teachers on the island. When Noel’s will was read and I found that he had not only left me Island Contracting but had put aside enough money for Tyler to go to boarding school, I was incredibly relieved. It’s important that he get a good education. But I miss him! And that’s part of the reason I like him to be home in the summer. He only gets short vacations the rest of the year. And if he’s working nights, he’ll end up sleeping all morning. We’ll hardly see each other. Besides, I don’t like him riding his bike late at night. The bars will be closing and there will be drunks on the road.”
    Sam refilled their glasses thoughtfully. “Look, I didn’t mean to get involved in this, but since I am, let me suggest a compromise.”
    “Go ahead.”
    “What