Just in Time. Suzanne Trauth
METHOD OF MURDER
“I had Timothy take another look at Ruby’s exhaust system and he didn’t find anything unusual.” Bill looked agitated.
“That makes sense two ways,” I said. “First of all, it sounds like it’s easy enough for carbon monoxide to leak into the car; and second, I like Timothy a lot, but mechanically speaking he’s never been the brightest bulb in the chandelier. Now if—”
“Dodie!” Bill rasped.
“What?”
“I wasn’t completely satisfied, so I had the state police give the engine a second look…go over it with a fine-tooth comb.”
“And?”
Bill peeked over his shoulder, taking in the near-empty dining room. “This is why I need your discretion. The state guys found a hairline crack between the manifold and the tail pipe connection—except it wasn’t caused by a bad repair job or rusting.”
My stomach churned. “What are you saying?”
“Someone with a detailed knowledge of car mechanics cut a thin gap in the pipe so that fumes could leak out.”
“Ruby was…?” The words stuck in my throat.
“Murdered…”
Books by Suzanne Trauth
SHOW TIME
TIME OUT
RUNNING OUT OF TIME
JUST IN TIME
Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Table of Contents
METHOD OF MURDER
Books by Suzanne Trauth
Thank you
Dedication
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
About the Author
Just in Time
Suzanne Trauth
LYRICAL UNDERGROUND
Kensington Publishing Corp.
To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.
LYRICAL UNDERGROUND BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
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Copyright © 2018 by Suzanne Trauth
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Lyrical Underground and Lyrical Underground logo Reg. US Pat. & TM Off.
First Electronic Edition: September 2018
eISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0721-6
eISBN-10: 1-5161-0721-7
First Print Edition: September 2018
ISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0722-3
ISBN-10: 1-5161-0722-5
Printed in the United States of America
Thank you
Thanks to everyone who entered the Just in Time recipe contest, especially the winners: Debbie Proud, Ian Hughes, and Katherine Wortman. You’ll find your favorite dishes inside the pages of this book! I am grateful to everyone who offered advice for this latest Dodie O’Dell mystery—Kate Trauth and Ginny Gahl Trauth on Bye, Bye, Birdie rehearsal techniques, Christopher Cannizzo, Chief of Police, East Hanover, New Jersey on department procedures, and Grace McCormack on Dodie’s love life…
Dedication
…as always, thanks to Elaine for reading, guiding, and laughing.
1
“If the Etonville Little Theatre was doing Carousel instead of Bye, Bye, Birdie, I could sing ‘June Is Bustin’ Out All Over!’” Lola Tripper said, humming and sipping a cup of coffee in a back booth of the Windjammer restaurant, which also functioned as my office. “I love June. Such a gorgeous time of year.”
“You’re in a pretty chipper mood. Guess it might have something to do with the Creston Players?” I signed off on the inventory sheets for the week’s menus. Windjammer’s chef/owner Henry was experimenting with some new specials, and I had to order an unusual amount of avocadoes, cilantro, acorn squash, and curry paste.
“Should I speak to Walter?” Lola asked, a mesh of worry lines creasing her forehead.
“Why? What’s he done now?” Walter Zeitzman, the on-again-off-again ELT director and Lola’s former love interest was in a snit most days now. Professional and personal jealousy if you asked me, Dodie O’Dell, manager of the Windjammer restaurant in Etonville, New Jersey, a stone’s throw from New York City.
“You know how he feels about Dale.”
I knew. Lola scored a trifecta last month: She met Dale Undershot via an online dating website; Dale turned out to be a member of a theater company in Creston, the town next door to Etonville; they concocted a co-production between the Etonville Little Theatre and the Creston Players. Lola and Dale were the romantic leads in Bye, Bye, Birdie. Walter was chewing nails these days, as the designated director of the production.
“Last night when he was setting light cues, Walter made a snide comment about Dale that, according to Penny, had everyone screaming their heads off. Very unprofessional behavior.” She frowned.
Lola, actor, director, and ELT diva, had been my BFF since my arrival in Etonville from the Jersey Shore following the destruction of my home and place of employment during Hurricane Sandy. Henry’s cousin owned the restaurant I had managed down the shore before the hurricane and had recommended me for my current job. I thought about moving to New York as I’d headed north across the Driscoll Bridge from the shore. I got as far as Etonville and settled in—managing the Windjammer, Henry’s moods, and the staff. I’d also become an honorary member of the Etonville Little Theatre, celebrating its successes, commiserating with Lola when productions went off