Page 9 of June's First Murder
As the festival came to a close in the late afternoon, vendors began packing up their booths with the tired efficiency that came from a long but successful day. Families drifted toward the park's gazebo area, settling onto blankets and lawn chairs, where a local band would play as the festival's closing event. The sun started its descent, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold that made June think of watercolor paintings like the kind her late husband used to admire.
She stood at the library's booth, helping to organize the unsold books back into boxes with methodical care. Mysteries went in one box, romance in another, and children's books were carefully stacked so the spines wouldn't crease. After fifty years as a librarian, her hands knew these rhythms without conscious thought… sort, stack, protect. Always protect the books.
She was grateful that most books had sold. People had been generous at the book sale, and the librarywould have a nice sum to put toward new acquisitions for the fall. Considering they ran on a shoestring budget, this money would go to good use.
She stretched her back, feeling the kinks that came with age. Everyone had been so solicitous today, making sure she stayed in the shade with plenty of water, and sat every chance she got. But she loved the work, knowing that a hot bath and a good night’s sleep would put her right.
The festival had been lovely. The Garden Beautification Committee had outdone itself with the decorations. The enormous planters blazed with color, and the bunting draped across the gazebo fluttered cheerfully in the evening breeze.
And yet.
June paused, a hardcover mystery suspended in her hands, and looked out across the park. Something flickered beneath the surface of this perfect day… a current of uneasiness she recognized. Like standing on a riverbank and sensing the pull of water beneath the calm surface, knowing that currents ran deeper than what the eye could see.
Raymond was the obvious source, of course. The man had moved through the festival like a poison, contaminating every interaction. She'd watched him argue with his brother, insult Jerry, and throw crude comments at Barb. His silver flask had been a constant companion, catching the sunlight as he drank.
But it was more than just Raymond's obvious tauntings. It was the reactions he'd provoked. The way Diane looked when her gaze followed him. The way Lucythrew lemonade with fury. The way Helena fell pale and shaky at whatever accusation Raymond had made.
These weren't just reactions made toward an unpleasant man. These were reactions to someone who knew things and liked to hold power over people through the secrets he'd collected.
June set the mystery novel in its box and straightened, pressing one hand to the small of her back. Her body reminded her that she was getting older at the end of every long day. But her mind was as sharp as ever, cataloging observations, filing away details, making connections the way she'd been doing her whole life.
Near the coffee booth, Sara Lee was breaking down the canopy with Barb's help. June smiled despite her unease, watching her granddaughter laugh at something Barb said. Sara Lee's face was flushed from the sun and the day's work, and tendrils of hair, having escaped the clips she used to hold it back, were catching the golden light. She looked happy. Young and happy and completely unaware that anything might be wrong.
Carl appeared, carrying boxes to his truck, and June watched the way Sara Lee's whole body shifted when she saw him. A subtle thing, barely noticeable unless you were watching for it. Straightening her spine with the quick movement of smoothing her hair, and the smile that bloomed across her face without her seeming to realize it.
Oh, her granddaughter was definitely interested in the young veterinarian. Carl was no better with the way his eyes found Sara Lee immediately and smiled at her like she was sunshine personified.
June nodded gently, approving. Carl was a good man… kind, responsible, devoted to his work. He'd make Sara Lee happy if they could both stop dancing around each other long enough to actually acknowledge what was obvious to everyone else in town.
"Ms. June?"
June turned to find one of the library volunteers holding a box of children's books. "Should these go back inside?"
"Yes, please. We'll deal with them on Monday." June watched the woman carry the box toward the library's back entrance, then returned her attention to the festival.
The park was filling now, people claiming spots for the concert. She recognized most of the faces as this was her town and these were her people. She'd taught many of them to read when they were children, had helped them find books for school projects, and had quietly slipped troubled teenagers novels that might help them feel less alone.
She knew this community's heart. And she knew when something was wrong.
Movement near the side of the library building caught her eye. Raymond stood close to Diane, his posture aggressive. Even from this distance, June could see Diane's rigid body language, the way she held herself like someone bracing for a blow. It appeared he’d grabbed Diane’s purse and was taunting her about something.
June's jaw tightened. She moved quickly in that direction, but Sara Lee was already there, hurryingacross the grass with the kind of protective instinct that made June proud. Her granddaughter had a good heart and couldn't stand to see anyone threatened or afraid.
"Everything okay?" Sara Lee called out, and June was close enough now to hear the exchange.
Raymond turned, swaying slightly, with that cruel smile on his face. "Just having a friendly chat with an old friend. Isn't that right, Diana?"
June caught up to them, but her mind snagged on the name he’d used.Diana. Not Diane.
Diane's face turned chalk white, her hands trembling by her sides. "It's nothing," she managed, but even her voice shook with fear.
Raymond's smile widened. "Nothing at all. Just catching up on old times." He shoved her purse at her with one hand while the other hand moved to his jacket pocket. Then he straightened to his full height with exaggerated care and walked away, his silver flask now catching the fading sunlight.
Sara Lee watched him leave, then turned to Diane. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I don't… I… need to go." Diane practically fled toward the parking lot.
June watched her scurry away, her unease crystallizing into something more concrete.Diana.
