Janet McNulty - Mellow Summers 07 - Two Ghosts Haunt a Grove by Janet McNulty Page A

remained mostly quiet that day. I guess the heat made it where people did not feel like shopping as they frequented the pool and waterpark. Can’t blame them. A part of me wanted to be there as well. The only customers we had were those looking for a way to escape the heat. They didn’t purchase anything or even pretend to browse our shelves. Talk about a long and boring day at work.
    I checked my watch. Three thirty was almost upon me and I had yet to think of a way to get off an hour early. What excuse could I use? We didn’t have much business, so I could just ask to be let go.
    “Mel,” said Mr. Stilton as he walked out of his office, “I need both you and Tammy to stay a bit late today so we can do inventory.”
    Well there went that idea. Of all the times to want to do inventory. Why now?
    “But, Mr. Stilton, I really—”
    “I knew you wouldn’t mind,” he said as he walked off staring at the sheet of paper on his clipboard. I don’t think he even heard the words coming out of my mouth.
    I checked my watch again. How was I going to get away?
    “Got somewhere to be?” asked Tammy; she had noticed me checking my watch repeatedly.
    “As a matter of fact, yes,” I replied.
    “Oh, is it another case?” She bounced up and down on her tippy toes with excitement.
    Since I had nothing to lose, I decided to just tell her the truth. “Yes.”
    “Really?” Tammy leaned closer resting her chin in her hands.
    “Remember when Mr. Kellmore came in a few days ago? Well, he insisted that someone was trying to kill him.”
    “But the paper said it was a heart attack.”
    “I know, but he was insistent. Anyway, I just learned that his son inherited all of his property and business, but his daughter has filed a dispute over it claiming that she was to receive a portion too. Also, last night, his son was out with some tramp at a time when most would be grieving the loss of a family member.”
    My story intrigued Tammy. “So why do you keep looking at your watch?”
    “Because some friends were going to help me investigate Kyle Kellmore at three thirty.”
    “Can I come?” Tammy’s face brightened.
    “No, they already have a plan worked out.”
    Her face fell.
    “But,” I continued, “you could help me get away from here. The smallest amount of help could catch a murderer.”
    Tammy’s face beamed again. “I got an idea. Lean over that garbage can and pretend to vomit.”
    “Wha—”
    Tammy had darted off to Mr. Stilton’s office. Getting an idea of what she planned, I pulled over the waste basket and leaned over it making retching noises, while hoping that I really didn’t bring anything up. Footsteps approached.
    “Mel?” said Mr. Stilton, with a note of concern.
    “I’m sorry, sir,” I said, doing my best to sound sick, “I don’t know what came over me.”
    Mr. Stilton frowned, but he seemed to be buying the story. “It has to be this heat,” he said. “It’s been making everyone sick. You go home. Tammy and I can finish up the inventory.”
    “Thank you, sir.” I stood up slowly pushing the waste basket back under the counter.
    “Don’t worry about it. You just go home and get some rest.”
    Thankful to be getting out of there, I walked to the locker room and grabbed my stuff taking one last look behind me. Tammy dumped some orange stuff in the trash can while putting her index finger over her lips. I had to hand it to her. She had actually thought this one through. If Mr. Stilton did look inside the trash, he’d see that orange stuff and just assume I had coughed it up.
    I jumped in my car wishing I had waited to let some of the hot air out. What an oven! Cranking up the AC, I sped down the road to where Kyle’s office was. The place wasn’t difficult to find since it was right off the freeway with a gigantic sign and the company’s name in big, bold letters. The crowd of parked motorcycles meant that Tiny and his gang had already arrived.
    I decided to leave the windows rolled