Charlotte was just unlocking the door.She smiled at Sam.“Thanks again for doing this.I’m hopeless when it comes to social media and that design app.”
“That’s not true.You’ve done a great job keeping up with an online presence.”
Charlotte said ruefully, “Yeah, but it’s not obvious it’s coming from my shop.And I don’t feel like I’m consistent in the kinds of things I post.In other words, I need a plan.And you’re the best person I know for planning things.”
“I think I take it into the realm of obsessive,” said Sam with a laugh.“Anyway, I’m happy to help out.Let’s fire up your computer and we’ll get you started on Canva.It does a fantastic job with design.”
“Okay.Let’s head into the back room.I can put my laptop on one of the tables in there so we can both look at it.Do you want some coffee?I think I’ll make a pot.”
“Sure.”
They chatted for a few minutes while Charlotte started the coffeemaker and the java perked.Then Charlotte got a couple of cups and, after doctoring their coffee with cream and sugar, they headed for the back room.
Which was where they stopped short.Margaret Brennan was slumped in a chair, cup of coffee beside her.Dead.
Chapter Three
Charlotte gave a cryof dismay as Sam rushed forward to look for a pulse.Finding none, she said, “Charlotte, you’ll need to call the police.”
Charlotte, white-faced, gave a quick bob of her head as she fumbled to get her phone out of her pocket.
Sam stepped away from the professor’s body, her gaze scanning the scene.When she’d checked for a pulse, she had seen no signs of trauma on Margaret.And she hadn’t seen marks from a ligature around her throat.Had Margaret suffered a heart attack or stroke?She wasn’t a young woman.Sam looked again at the coffee cup next to Margaret.Had someone tampered with her drink last night?
“They’re on their way,” said Charlotte, sounding a little breathless.
“Let’s move outside the building,” said Sam.“The police may want us out of here.”
Charlotte silently nodded as they walked toward the exit.She turned the sign to ‘closed’ as they left.
Sam gave her friend a quick hug.“Hey, are you okay?”
“Not really,” said Charlotte in a trembling voice.“Margaret must have been in there all night, Sam.I just feel sick over it.”
“You didn’t know she was there.You must have assumed everyone had left when you locked up.”
Charlotte took a steadying breath.“For sure.I was just busy checking folks out at the register and straightening up before I left the building.”
