Deadly Start by Clark Nefri (summer beach reads .txt) 📕

“Rosie, did the ute look familiar?”

“I’m too mad to think about it!” Rosie wheeled back inside with short, jerky movements of the chair.

Charlotte wanted to reach out and help but didn’t know how to without offending the very capable woman in it. She trailed behind and went straight to the kitchen. “I’m getting us some water.” she called over her shoulder.

She filled two glasses with ice from the freezer and then water and added a slice of lemon in each. When she carried them out, Rosie was on the phone.

“Nobody should be racing along the streets of a shopping precinct, officer, not even in the pursuit of a murderer! And for all we know, this was simply chasing someone who’d stolen a Christmas tree.” She listened, her face red. “Yes, you heard me correctly. Some person has stolen a number of Christmas trees from Kingfisher Falls over the past few days and it would appear our designated police officer requires assistance.”

After setting Rosie’s glass down near her, Charlotte perched on the edge of the counter. She’d never seen Rosie upset this way.

“You may laugh but had one of those vehicles hit a person you’d be investigating a different crime. Exactly. Very well, I shall. And thank you.” Rosie hung up with more force than was required. “She laughed at me.”

“Is she local? I got the impression Sid ran things here on his own.”

“He does. This was a complaint line and I probably should have let it go.”

“No. You were right. I’m pretty sure there are guidelines about pursuits in built-up areas, so Sid was in the wrong.”

Rosie picked up her glass with both hands and sipped.

“You’re shaking.” Charlotte pulled up her stool and lowered it, so she was on eye level with Rosie. “That was pretty scary seeing the cars at that speed.”

“You were right about me not being out there. I couldn’t have moved fast enough if one had…” Rosie gulped.

Charlotte took the glass and put it down, then wrapped Rosie’s hands in hers. “Nobody could. You are right to be angry about the risk Sid took in chasing the ute, but its normal to fear what might have happened.”

Rosie licked her lips, then bit the bottom one.

“My heartrate went through the roof as well.” Charlotte offered.

With a sigh, Rosie retrieved her hands. “I wish I had use of my legs again. That’s all. I’m just feeling sorry for myself.”

“Well, hopefully Sid will be questioned about his poor driving and he’ll be the one feeling sorry!”

Chapter Eighteen

Charlotte updated the Facebook page over a delicious dinner of pan-fried fish and salad. The page followers had doubled, and many people were commenting favourably about the giving box. After adding new photographs and reminding people how close it was to Christmas, Charlotte closed the laptop. She wasn’t risking a repeat of last night with unwanted emails.

There was a tap on her door, and she froze halfway between the balcony and kitchen. Who on earth would come visiting? Before she could even call out, a folded piece of paper slid under the door. By the time she opened the door, the person was gone.

The paper was a flyer.

Who is stealing our Christmas Trees?

Meeting at 8pm tonight at the fountain.

The community wants answers.

There was nothing else.

It was almost eight now, but should she go? Her phone buzzed a message.

If you didn’t get the note going around, there’s a meeting soon near the fountain. On my way there. Rosie.

Charlotte collected her house keys and ran down the stairs. It was understandable the townsfolk would be anxious about the recent break-ins, particularly following the car chase today. Had Sid even caught the driver?

A group of thirty or so people had gathered near the fountain. Rosie was at one side where she had a clear view of two people who had dropped a couple of crates on the ground.

“Has it started?” Charlotte squatted beside her. “Who are they?”

“Not yet. The man with the grey beard is Kevin Murdoch. His brother is Terrance who you met yesterday.”

“The councillor?”

“He’s also rumoured to be Octavia’s latest man friend.”

This should be good.

“The woman is Veronica somebody or other. I forget. She owns the little garden centre just out of town.”

“I haven’t seen it.” Charlotte said.

“Used to be owned by the nicest family but they moved on and she took over. She’s never been there when I’ve visited though.”

Kevin stepped onto a crate and clapped his hands. “Right. Let’s get started.” He waited until all eyes were on him. Unlike his brother, Kevin had some hair remaining which was styled in an unfortunate comb-over. Charlotte struggled not to focus on it, rather than his face.

“You may be aware of a recent crime spree in our town of Kingfisher Falls,” his voice boomed across the plaza. “No less than five Christmas trees have been stolen to date, including the beautiful one purchased by council at great expense, and erected on the roundabout. Three homes and Esther’s dress shop sustained damage during the robberies.”

A few people whispered and from the sidelines, Veronica loudly shushed them.

“Today, our ever-vigilant police office, Senior Constable Sid Morris, almost caught the alleged perpetrator of these crimes.”

Charlotte rolled her eyes.

Ever vigilant at hassling me.

“He was an idiot driving at that speed through town!” a woman called from the opposite side. A murmur of agreement rustled through the crowd, which was growing by the minute.

“As I said, Sid almost apprehended the criminal but lost him somewhere on the road to the Christmas Tree farm.” Kevin said.

“Then it must be true!” A male voice from the back.

Charlotte couldn’t see from her position, so stood. It was Jonas, the other councillor.

“I’ve spoken to everyone who’s had a tree stolen and guess what? Each of them replaced or plans to replace it with a tree from the Forests.”

Kevin beckoned for Jonas to come forward and people parted to let him. He joined Kevin on a crate.

“Don’t you all think it a bit suspicious that one business is profiting from all this misery?” Jonas