I pulled the shiny brass knob on the glass door and walked in to the tinkle of an overhead bell. As newly elected mayor of Karnak, KY, I felt it my duty to call on new businesses and this one, Monkey Business, promised to be fun. But what I saw wasn't funny. The merchandise seemed to have tumbled off shelves in an earthquake. Boxes and bags of dog and cat food, pet toys, leashes, and shattered glass aquariums were strewn on the concrete floor. From a back room I heard squawking. There was a strange, fusty smell. I stepped around the fallen supplies to the green Formica counter. A tossed pile of clothing behind it caught my eye.
My stomach clenched as I saw what looked like a human head sticking out of the jumble. “Oh, law. Not another dead body.” I shuddered remembering the mess I'd gotten into the last time I found a body—an aborted wedding and my arrest for murder. I stared out the shop windows, trying to think of a way out of this new mickle. Ignoring the beautiful spring morning, the swaying pink and red tulips in the grassy park across the street, I moaned, “There's gotta be another explanation.”
But I knew what I had to do. I couldn't run and hide this time. I pulled my phone out of my blue blazer pocket and hit #5. Because he'd insisted, Sheriff Buck Johnson was on my speed dial.
“Sheriff here, Eula May. What's up now?” His gruff voice hurt my ear.
“It's not my fault, so don't get any ideas...” I started to explain.
“What's not your fault?” he demanded. “Get to the point.”
“Oh dear, I seem to have found another dead body.” I grimaced, looking at the deceased.
“Not again! You shouldn't be allowed out on your own. Where are you? I'm coming over.”
“I'm at that new shop, Monkey Business. As mayor I thought I should welcome the owners to Karnak.” The shrill animal voice in the back kept shrieking. “Maybe you should bring someone from animal control, too.” [This book will be available this fall as an e-book.]
