Page 14 of Merry Murder Season
“I want to start making an impression in town. I mean a better impression. Especially after what happened to Chip. I know I’m probably high on your husband’s suspect list just because of my reputation and the fact the boys and I were playing in the tournament on Saturday night. I’ve talked to everyone in my club, one-on-one, and not one of them killed Chip. I’ll give you my word on that.” He and I walked over to where Gunter and Beth were chatting. “I haven’t seen him so involved in something for a while.”
“All these patches have a meaning. A loyalty or a place I’ve been. A group I belong to. It’s like writing a journal of my life.” Gunter held his jacket, pointing out different patches for Beth.
“So why does it look like some are gone? Did you lose them?” Beth asked.
Gunter and Dom shared a look. Gunter turned back and said, “We decided as a group to stop associating with the rougher side of bike culture. So some of the agreements and loyalty patches had to go. I’m sure there will be new patches soon to fillin the spaces.”
Dom slapped a hand on Gunter’s shoulder. “He’s been a real asset during this change. We have to take off. I told Lille I’d meet her for coffee before we left town. I have to say, I’m excited about next week’s book.”
Carrie came and stood by me as the two men went to buy the next book from Deek before they left. She glanced up and asked, “Do they know the next oneis a romance?”
“I guess. Dom said he was excited. Maybe he’s going to give it to Lille after he reads it.”
Carrie snorted a laugh. “I don’t think Lille’s ever even picked up a romance. She’s more into horror.”
“We’ll have to do something in that genre during October for Halloween. Maybe Lille will join us then.” I chuckled at the horrified look on Carrie’s face. “I was kidding.”
“Dom seems to assume that he’s on Greg’s suspect list. Is he?” Carrie asked, waving as the men left the store. “Doc says Chip bled out from all the cuts. He said it must have been torture. Whatever Chip knew, it took a long time for him to tell them. What could a small-town bar owner possibly know that anyone would want toknow that bad?”
After not answering either question, since I didn’t know the answers, I got ready to leave. As Amanda, Beth, and I walked back to the house to get their car, I wonderedthe same thing.
Chapter 6
Thursday was filled with already-planned family fun and frivolity. We were heading into Santa Barbara to go to the zoo and the beach, then we planned to have lunch at Amanda’s and Beth’s favorite Mexican restaurant. Amanda had fallen in love with the food when she visited Greg and Sherry, the first Mrs. King. Greg wasn’t going to be able to go with us, so he called his brother and asked him to bring the family to Diamond Lille’sfor breakfast.
Greg was still at home when I got dressed, so I hurried down to have coffee with him and wait for the rest of the family to arrive.
“Good morning, dear wife. Sorry I’ve been absent so much.” He held out a cup of coffee for me as I came down the stairs. “Howdid you sleep?”
“Who are you and what did you do with Greg?” I took the cup and had a long sip. Even though I worked the morning shift, it took a while for me to wake up and converse with anyone. It worked at the coffee shop since my early customers were usually a lot like me and just wanted some java to sip on while they drove into the city for work. I looked around for my dog.“Where’s Emma?”
“Outside patrolling the yard. She’s convinced a rabbit has been getting in somewhere. How wasthe book club?”
We sat at the table to talk. “Weird.” I told him about Dom and Gunter attending.
“I don’t understand what game he’s playing here.” Greg looked thoughtful as he sipped his coffee.
“Could he just want to go clean or whatever you call it? Maybe he’s planning on marrying Lille and having little motorcycle-riding babies.” I grinned at the image my words brought to mind.
Greg snorted and coffee went everywhere. He got up and got a dishrag to clean up the table. “That’s a picture, that’s all I can say. Anyway, he’s right. He’s on my suspect list, but no one’s the top contender right now. Unless you count Chris.”
It was my turn to choke on the coffee I’d just swallowed. “His ex-wife? Why on earth would you even look at that sweet woman?”
“It’s usually the spouse. No one can drive you to homicide quicker than someone you love.” He stood and refilled his cup. “Okay, so what else do you want to talk about that’s not the murder?”
“Beth and Jim?”
Greg groaned as he refilled my cup. “Another lost cause. My brother is an idiot if he lets his pride get in the way of marrying that girl. I think she’s the only one stupid enough to do it.”
“Beth is far from stupid,” I countered.
“If she still wants to marry my brother after his whole list of demands, I question that statement.” He looked out the window. “And that subject is over because they’re here. Did you take Toby off the bookstorework schedule?”
“No, but I need to. He doesn’t have a shift until this weekend, but I’m thinking I won’t get him back that quickly. Right?”
“I don’t think he’ll be back for at least another week. If not longer. Can you just slot him in when the murder is solved?” Greg looked out the window at the rental. “They’re not getting out of the car. Why do I think the fight has already begunthis morning?”
“Because you’re a genius. Go open the door and wave. Maybe that will stop it.” I finished my coffee and rinsed the cup. Emma was at the screen, waiting to be let inside. “You can’t go with us. We’re going to Diamond Lille’s and you know she hates everyone. Especially dogs.”
