Death Vetoes The Chairman (Lizzie Crenshaw Mysteries Book 7) by Teresa Watson Page A

today’s young people weren’t raised to have better manners.”
    “Well, this is what happens when certain people act so shamelessly in public. Carrying on with two men at the same time? I mean, really, what do you expect from someone like that? She’s nothing but a shameless hussy, and a disgrace to her poor mother.”
    Gasps were heard all over the café, and everyone turned in our direction. I had crumbled up the piece of paper under my hand as the two of them had talked, and I’m pretty sure my face was red. “Let it go, Lizzie,” Jake warned me. “Don’t say anything that is going to jeopardize your chances of getting a TRO or bringing charges against Ethan.”
    “I’m not just going to sit here and let them say that about us.”
    “No, you’re not,” he agreed. “We’re going to get our pies to go, gather our things, and go to your house. We are going to walk out of here with our heads held high because we know the truth, and if they knew, they’d be ashamed of themselves for talking that way.”
    Maddie must have realized we wanted to leave, because she brought two small Styrofoam containers for the pies, and large cups with fresh sweet tea. Jake paid the check, we packed up our things and headed for the door.
    “There she goes,” Gladys said. “She can’t come up with a decent lie to cover up what she did, so she’s running away.”
    I stopped at Gladys’ table. “You know, most of the town wanted to send you to the electric chair when Harold died. They just knew you had killed him. But I stood by you; I defended you. It was you that asked me to help you find out who killed him, and I did. Not for one minute did I believe you did it, because I knew how much you loved him. I helped you, despite the fact that you are a royal pain in the butt to me every single chance you get.”
    “Well, I…”
    I bent over until I was face to face with her. “Know this, Gladys. There is more to this story than any of you gossip mongers know. And when the truth comes out, and it will come out, you are going to stand in the middle of this café, and you are going to apologize to the two of us. But you are going to apologize twice to me, because the second time will be for accusing me of sexually harassing a man to get an exclusive interview. I would never, ever, stoop to that level for any story.”
    “I know what people saw, Lizzie,” Charlene replied, “and they saw you and Jake go after Mr. Winthrop.”
    “Lizzie, let’s go,” Jake said, taking my left hand and trying to pull me away.
    I jerked my hand away and dropped my bag on the floor. “Really, Charlene? Did they also mention that my dress had been ripped? Oh wait, let me guess, I ripped it myself to make it look like your precious Mr. Winthrop attacked me, right?” I took off my jacket and pushed up the sleeves of my polo shirt. “Does this look like I attacked myself, Charlene? Gladys? Does it?” I showed her my wrist. “How about this? Let me guess; it’s makeup, right?” I grabbed Gladys’ hand and put it on my sore wrist. “Go ahead, Gladys, wipe off the makeup. Try it.”
    She glared at me, but did as I told her to. Her eyes widened when she realized the bruises were real. “I…I…”
    I dropped her hand on the table and put my jacket back on. “Next time, try getting all the facts before you start spreading rumors about someone, ladies. I’m the one who was assaulted here, and I’m the one who defended myself, not once, but twice. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.”
    “Really, Elizabeth, there’s no need to be so crude,” Gladys said huffily.
    Maddie was walking by at that moment with a full pitcher of tea. Grabbing it with my left hand, I poured the whole thing, ice and all, on her head, and thumped the empty pitcher on the table. “Shut up, Gladys, and for once, stay out of my business.” I picked up my bag and walked out the door ahead of Jake.
    He waited until we got into the car before saying anything. “Feel