Page 71 of Dead & Breakfast
Quinn didn’t blink.
So it was going to be like that. Arthur sighed and leaned forwardon his forearms. “They took a backpack full of spray paint, one you’d previously confiscated from Brody Young.”
Nora’s gaze snapped to Quinn, apparently done pretending not to care about the conversation. “You took Brody Young’s backpack?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Quinn said.
“Yes, you do.” Arthur placed his napkin beside his plate and rose slowly to his feet. “You took his backpack, and when you discovered it was gone, you tracked him down and took your revenge.”
“Youdon’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Why is this the first I’m hearing of a break-in?” Nora’s voice wavered for a moment before she continued in a more stately manner. “You really should report things like that to my office.”
“I don’t see a need to report anything to you—your office.” Quinn stared down at her still mostly full plate as she spoke. “It’s not like you’ll stick around for long. You never do.”
“We’ll see about that,” Nora muttered.
Quinn turned her back on Nora, speaking more to the ground than to Arthur. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I confiscated Brody Young’s backpack because I caught him outside city hall planning to graffiti the walls. He broke into my office to take it back, I assume.”
Arthur cleared his throat. “Brody didn’t break into your office.”
Quinn looked up at that, a tinge of pink remaining in her cheeks. “What do you mean? Of course he did.”
“Thought you might find that interesting.” Arthur moved his plate aside and folded his hands atop the table. He didn’t want to come on too strong, but he also didn’t want her to dismiss his line of questioning. He needed to assert himself without scaring her. It was a delicate needle to thread. “But, no, it wasn’t Brody Young. His friends were the culprits, but Brody wasn’t with them.”
“Bet you don’t feel so good about trying to kill him now,” Salsaid with a smug smile. “Don’t try to deny it. We read the text you sent him with our own four eyes.”
So much for the delicate needle.
“I know what you did. This isn’t over,” Arthur repeated from memory. “Not exactly something an innocent person would send to a teenager.”
Quinn stood up. “I won’t sit here and let you accuse me of attacking Brody Young. I had nothing to do with any of this.”
“Then why are you being so cagey about it?”
Arthur was surprised to hear the question come from Nora, who stood as well.
“Seriously, Nora?” Quinn shot her a look sharper than whatever had punctured Brody Young’s jugular.
Arthur held up his hands and motioned for them to sit. “Now, now, we can be civil about this.”
“Civil?” Quinn’s gaze snapped to him. “I think we passed civil when you and your husband accused me of attempted murder! Maybe we let everyone do their jobs—you two should stick to making pancakes and turning down beds, and I’ll stick to government work. We let the police handle this like they’re supposed to.”
Sal snorted. “Oh, my dear, there’s so much more to running a bed-and-breakfast than the bed and the breakfast.”
“That’s hardly the point,” Arthur said, gently tugging on the sleeve of Sal’s shirt. He needed everyone to settle down so he could get back to the plan. “Besides, the police aren’t doing their jobs, which is exactly why we’ve had to step up.”
“So you accuse the first person you can think of and call it a day?” Quinn huffed.
“Well, what were we supposed to do? You threatened Brody, and then he was attacked.” Sal picked up a slice of bacon and pointed it at Quinn like a magic wand. “J’accuse!”
“Really, you can’t blame them for thinking the worst,” Nora said. “Arthur and Sal are just following the logic.”
“In what universe is it logical to try to kill someone over a break-in where all they stole was their own bag? I may not beyourfavorite person in town, Nora, but I’m not a monster.” Quinn glanced at Arthur and Sal before adding, “Sorry…no offense to the monster community.”
“None taken!” Sal flashed her a fangy grin and a thumbs-up.
“We’re just trying to get the facts,” Arthur said with a sigh. “Please.”
