Page 90 of Forbidden Whispers
“Awwwww, that’s wonderful news,” Rita said.
“Speaking of news,” Margot said, looking smug and smoothing a hand over her dress. “I’m really glad we ran into you. I was going to call you tomorrow, Maggie.”
“Really?” Maggie said. “Why?”
“I finally figured out the source behind all your mysterious bad reviews.”
***
“I still can’t believe it’s her,” Maggie said as Noah parked in front of the Little Lakeside Bookshop.
After learning about Margot’s discovery, Noah and Maggie picked up Boon and immediately left the beach to drive to the quaint shop.
“Margot’s research seemed solid,” Noah said.
“But I’ve never even had her as a client. And I didn’t really know her at all when we were at college together.”
“Well, for some reason she’s got it in for you, Mags,” Noah said.
Maggie took a deep breath. “And I’m going to find out why. Wish me luck,” she said, preparing to exit the vehicle.
“Uh, what do you think you’re doing?” Noah said, laying his hand on her arm.
“I’m going to go talk with her. And I need to hurry before she closes the shop.”
Noah gave her a look.
“This is about my business,” Maggie said, looking back at him. “There’s no need for you to get involved.”
Noah sighed and shook his head. “First of all, I doubt you could have gotten any deeper into my business than you have this weekend. And second of all, I think we’ve already established the fact that I love you, Maggie. Your business is my business. Besides, we have no idea if this woman is some kind of psychopath. I’m not leaving you alone with her.
“Hmmmm,” he added with a glance at the dog in the back seat. “I wonder if we should take Boon in with us.”
Maggie laughed. “I’m sure dogs aren’t allowed in the bookstore. It’s tiny, and his tail is a weapon that could clear the shelves.”
“All right, but I’m coming with you no matter what.”
The bell above the door tinkled as Maggie pushed it open. Inside the tiny shop, the shelves were high and packed with books, all neatly labeled by genre. They made their way up one of the narrow aisles to the back of the shop where the register was located.
Amy Jude sat behind the counter, typing on a laptop. She looked up as they approached, her friendly smile melting away at the sight of them. “I’m closing,” she said sharply.
“We’re not here to buy anything,” Maggie said, coming to stand in front of the counter. Amy’s hazel eyes radiated hostility from behind her black-rimmed glasses as she looked at Maggie.
For the life of her, Maggie couldn’t imagine what she had done to offend this woman.
“Look, I’m going to get right to the point. I know that your name is Amy Jude and that you’re the one who’s been sabotaging my business by leaving bad reviews under multiple pseudonyms.” She paused a moment, letting it sink in. “I haven’t gone to the police to press libel charges against you yet. But I plan to.”
“I—I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Amy said, but her voice quavered.
“There’s no point in denying it,” Maggie pressed on. “IP addresses don’t lie. The...er, investigator I hired assured me that every one of the negative reviews, regardless of the reviewer’s name, leads back to an IP address at this location.
Amy opened her mouth, then closed it. Maggie watched with interest as Amy’s expression transformed from hostility to uncertainty to fear. The color had leached from her face, and she was now the color of paste under the fluorescent store lighting.
“Do you have anything to say for yourself before I go file a report against you?” Maggie pressed on.
Amy’s lips tightened, her expression turning bitter. “Oh, go ahead and file it. It’s not like you haven’t already ruined my life.”
“What are you talking about?” Maggie said. “How have I ruined your life? We barely know each other!”