Trick or Deceit by Shelley Freydont Page B

could drive to work, but she walked to work every day, and everyone would know she had driven just so she wouldn’t have to talk to them. And, like the sisters, their feelings would be hurt.
    â€œWho died?”
    â€œLucille Foster.”
    â€œLucille?” Ida echoed. “Edna and I were just talking about her yesterday”
    Edna shook her head. “And the whole town will be talking about her today. What a shame.”
    â€œWhat on earth was she doing over there?” Ida asked.
    It was exactly what Liv had been wondering.
    â€œWell,” Edna said. “It wasn’t to see Barry Lindquist. Of that we can be sure.”
    â€œThey don’t like each other?” Liv asked.
    â€œI have no idea,” Edna said. “But we heard tell he lost a bundle of money in a hedge fund that Lucille’s husband, Carson, talked him into getting involved in.”
    â€œYou don’t think she saw someone vandalizing the museum and had a heart attack?” Ida looked concerned.
    â€œIda, I don’t think it was natural causes. Did the sheriff say?” Edna looked expectantly at Liv.
    â€œHe didn’t say. It was all so weird and horrible. Some poor girl in Henry’s play found the—found her. Thought she was a mannequin and tried to pick her up.”
    Edna cracked a laugh. “Sorry, but what a ridiculous situation.”
    â€œIt was pretty macabre and one of the actresses let out a scream to end all screams.”
    â€œWere there any signs of foul play?” Ida asked.
    â€œI confess I was so stupefied that I wasn’t thinking much of anything. I’d already called the police over the break-in. So Officer Meese was there when they found the—Lucille. Now, I had really better get to work.”
    â€œI expect you’ll have to move to Plan B,” Edna said and shook her head. “Everyone said Barry’s exhibit was so professional looking and the mannequins looked real.”
    â€œAnd taught a little history, too,” Ida added.
    Liv didn’t burst Ida’s teacherly bubble by telling her that Barry had played fast and loose with history in the typical, time-honored Celebration Bay way.
    â€œI’m sure you both will know more than I will by the end of day.”
    â€œDrop by and we’ll compare notes,” Ida said. “Do you want to leave Whiskey with us today?”
    â€œThanks, but I’m hoping I won’t be long.”
    â€œWell, you have a nice day,” Ida said.
    â€œAnd keep your ears open,” Edna added.
    â€œWill do,” Liv said, and she and Whiskey headed to the town square for coffee and pastries and a little gossip.
    The sun made a brief appearance. And if Liv hadn’t been concerned about murder and how the vandalism would affect the rest of the festival, she would have enjoyed the crisp fall day. The leaves that hadn’t fallen were brilliant red and yellow. There was an icy chill in the air; seriously cold weather would be sweeping in on them soon. And then the snow.
    But before Liv had gone two blocks, the sun had vanished and she began making contingency plans. She would have to talk to the mayor first thing about what, if anything, to do with the prize money. It would be a diplomatic nightmare. She didn’t see how Barry could get his museum back up in time for the official opening at the end of the week. How long would they wait to transfer the prize to the runner-up?
    And if Ernie Bolton had vandalized Barry’s exhibit, would he still be given the first-place prize money and official recognition for his haunted house? If that failed, it would have to go to Miss Patty for her friendly ghost house. A worthy effort on Miss Patty’s part, but not Liv’s idea of an official site.
    She would have to check with the mayor about that, not a duty she was looking forward to. Gilbert always got hysterical when things hit a bump.
    A bump?
Liv just hoped Ted had been wrong and