Page 60 of Honey Drop Dead

“Of course it was,” Theodosia said. “Which means Ben was set up.”

Tidwell rocked back on his heels. He wasn’t swayed by Theodosia’s argument but did continue to listen to her. “By who?”

“I’d guess by the real killer,” Theodosia said.

Drayton nudged her arm. “Theo. Look who else is here.”

Theodosia spun around to find Pete Riley striding down the middle of the street toward them.

“Oh, thank goodness,” she murmured as she bolted off in his direction.

Then Riley had her in his arms. “I came as soon as I got the call,” he whispered into her ear.

“Just in the nick of time,” Theodosia said as they walked back to where Tidwell was standing, still looking grouchy. “This thing isn’t just a misunderstanding, Haley’s been pulled into a sticky mess.”

“Are you filing charges?” Riley asked Tidwell immediately.

Tidwell was reluctant to answer the question. “We’re still investigating,” he said.

“Ben was set up,” Theodosia said to Riley.

“Somebody stashed a beekeeper’s outfit in his house,” Drayton said.

“Actually, it was on his back porch,” Tidwell said.

Riley wiped the back of his hand against his chin. “Seriously? That’s what this is about?”

“Pretty crafty, huh?” Theodosia said.

“Pretty nasty,” Drayton said.

“Excuse me,” Tidwell said. “Detective Riley, when you finish here I need a word. We have business to tend to.”

“Of course, sir,” Riley said as Tidwell slid away from them.

Theodosia turned pleading eyes on Riley. “What did you find out about Booker?” she asked.

“Not much. It’s been several years since he worked at Apple Springs.”

“But from what you know about Booker, do you think he could have done this? Tried to set Ben up?”

Riley nodded. “It’s certainly possible. Unless Ben really is guilty as sin.”

“He isn’t.”

“You say that with such assurance. But you really don’t know.”

“I do know,” Theodosia said. “Because I know Haley and I trust her judgment.”

“What do we do now?” Drayton asked.

“Go home. Let me try to bat cleanup on this,” Riley said.

“We want to take Haley with us,” Drayton said. “We don’t want anybody shining bright lights in her eyes and hammering her with questions.” He crossed his arms in front of himself, projecting an air of finality.

“That’s not going to happen,” Riley said.

“Maybe not the rude interrogation part,” Theodosia said. “But can we take Haley home with us anyway?”

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