"Shirley Damsgaard - Ophelia & Abby Mystery 1 - Witch Way to Murder" - читать интересную книгу автора (Damsgaard Shirley)

And most important, my childrenтАФEric and Cathleen, Shane and Christine, Scott, and Sara. Thank you
for thinking maybe Mom's not crazy after all!


WITCH WAY
TO
MURDER

Prologue



Rising panic clenched my stomach. Clammy sweat made me itch underneath my arms. The high heels of
my boots beat a staccato rhythm on the empty sidewalk as I rushed to the door. Why hadn't I just gone
with him?

Once inside, I scanned the hazy bar. Dim light reflected on the men standing either alone or in groups
against the bar. "Dudes row," Brian had always called it. The perfect place for the men to scope out
women as they entered the room, and whenever a new woman walked in their heads would turn,
synchronized. At the tables around the edge of the dance floor, I saw couples, their shoulders touching
and their heads tilted toward each other to hear over the loud music. Others milled around the room,
looking for a place to sit down.

I searched each face, looking for his, but all I saw were the faces of the Friday night regulars. I pushed
my way past them to the bar.

"Pat," I said as I gripped the edge of the bar. "Has Brian been here yet?"

From behind the counter, Pat leaned closer and cupped his hand around his ear to hear me over the loud
music and conversation. "What, Ophelia?"

"BrianтАФhave you seen Brian? We were supposed to meet here, but I'm late."

"No, I haven't, but I could've missed him. We've been pretty busy. Ask Misty; she's been waiting tables
all night. Maybe she's seen him."

On the other side of the dance floor, a tall girl wearing a University of Iowa sweatshirt waited tables.
Misty. I bullied my way through the crowd to reach her.

"Misty," I said, grabbing her arm.

"Hey, watch it. I almost spilled this drink," she said, frowning.

"Sorry. I'm looking for Brian. Has he been here?"

"Nope, haven't seen him." Her eyes studied my face. "What's wrong? You look scared. Has something
happened?"

How could I explain? I felt the tears gather in my eyes as grief seized my heart and squeezed. I'd