Page 17 of Merry Murder Season
But if I killed Jim, Greg would have another murder to solve and I’d never see him. Besides, if I acted on my gut reaction, too many people would have witnessed the event.
As I thought about wanting to kill my brother-in-law and the flaws in my non-plan, I started thinking about Chip’s death. The bar was usually busy on a Saturday night, but not as busy as it was the night he was killed. So either the killer knew about the dart tournament and wanted to take advantage ofthe chaos of all the extra people there, or he, or she, had been unaware of the event and thought the bar might be quiet since it was a holiday weekend.
Either answer had merit, but maybe one would clear Chris’s name off the suspect list sooner rather than later.
I pulled out my notebook and started writing down scenarios as they came to mind. Maybe thinking like a killer was the key to solving this crime.
Chapter 7
Greg was still at home and in the kitchen the next day when I headed downstairs. He handed me a plate with a waffle with maple syrup and bacon on top.
“I heard you coming down the stairs. I figure I owe you one for shepherding around the family this week. Sorry about that.” He went back and got the coffeepot and filled my cup as I sat down with my plate at the table. “Mom called last night and said Jim was being acomplete butt.”
“That’s one way to describe it. Honestly, I’m not sure they are going to be able to get past this hurdle. Were you ever that mad at me?” I dug into the waffle, watching the melted butter mix with the syrup. Whatever I did to deserve this man, I neededto keep it up.
“A few times around investigations, but Bill helped me understand I wasn’t mad, I was scared for you. So since real men don’t show fear, I reacted with anger instead.” He sat down and sipped his warmed-up coffee. He’d probably already eaten breakfast.
Sometimes, he’d leave my plate in the microwave with reheating instructions if he had to leave so he didn’t wake me. I tell you, the guy’s a keeper. “You talked to Pastor Bill about this?”
“We did pre-marriage counseling, remember? I told Jim he should talk to Bill about this but he says his pastor agrees with him. I think his pastor just doesn’t want to lose his best church secretary ever.”
“Huh.” I thought about what he’d said about the counseling. I hadn’t told Pastor Bill much about my feelings. I’d talked more about blending our lives together, especially our financial lives. Greg, on the other hand, had opened his heart to make sure he was seeing me clearly. Another reason my guy was perfect. At least until I got mad at him for not knowing where the laundry basket was when he got into the shower.
I decided to change the subject. “Beth should be here this afternoon. Are you sure you’re okay with her being here?”
“I’m not going to be around much until I solve this murder. It will be nice for you to have someone to talk to and eat meals with. Just please don’t talk her out of marrying my brother. I’m pretty sure she’s the only person left on earth that’s perfect for him. He just needs to realize that.” Greg finished his coffee, then stood, putting the cup in the sink.
“I’m heading to Bakerstown to talk to the district attorney. I’m not sure why, but I think he wants me to put Dominic in jail sooner rather than later. With or withoutany evidence.”
“Oh, speaking of Lille’s bad boy, we saw him and her at the beach. He says he didn’t do it and neither did his gang.” I finished off my bacon.
“Okay, well, if he says so, I’ll just take him off the list.” Greg shook his head. “What was he thinking, talking to you about this?”
“Lille started it. I don’t think you’re on her good list right now. He just clarified that he was innocent and why.” I pushed my plate away. At least I wouldn’t be eating cookies at work all morning. Maybe just one or two. “She didn’t seem happy with him at the dart tournament.”
“Lille’s never happy. Unless she’s torturing one of her employees, or you.” Greg kissed me and headed out the door. “I’ll try to come home for dinner tonight. I’ll text you if I’m not going to be here.”
“That will work.” I took my empty plate to the sink and rinsed off the maple syrup before I licked it off. I had to face facts. I had a sugar addiction. “Emma, you and I will have to put off our run until later. Maybe your Aunt Beth willcome with us.”
She thumped her tail three times, then lay down in her bed. She understood about half of what I said, and since I was dressed in my work uniform, a nice T-shirt, and a pair of jeans, she knew I was heading to work, not ready for a run. I rubbed her head and gave her a treat. Then I headed out to walk up the hill to work. I could have asked Greg for a ride since he’d just left, but I liked walking outside first thing in the morning. Especially after abig breakfast.
When I got to work, my regulars all greeted me like I’d been gone for weeks, instead of just a holiday. “So, how was the first married Thanksgiving?” asked Candice, a lawyer who lived outside of South Cove and drove into the city most days. “My first turkey I cooked so long it about exploded into dust when we cut into it.”
“The food was good.” I grinned as I made her order. “The mix of people made it interesting.”
“It’s always that way at my house too.” Candice stuffed a twenty into the shop’s Christmas for Kids collection. I’d forgotten to take the jar home to give to Carrie. And from the way it looked, we would be helping several more kids when I finally took the moneyto the agency.
The next few hours went fast and I was just settling onto the couch with a mocha and a book when Evie came into the shop. I started to stand but then realized it wasn’t a customer. “Hey, girl, how was the trip to the city? How are Sasha and Olivia?”
Evie poured herself a cup of coffee and then sat across from me. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Sasha’s engaged. She swears this guy is the one. He’s really sweet, has a great job. And Olivia adores him. Although she did ask about when she was coming to South Cove tosee her Toby.”
“Ouch, that had to hurt.” I set the book down. “Does Toby know?”
Evie nodded. “Sasha met him for coffee about a week ago before she accepted Brick’s ring. Can you imagine some mom naming her baby boy Brick?”
I’d heard worse names, but it was a little weird. I decided to avoid the question. “I wonder what she’d want for an engagement present. Is she having a party?”
“I don’t think so. It’s kind of low-key. But I bet she’d love a call or a FaceTime chat.” Evie stood. “I’ve got some accounting to catch up on from being gone last week. If you need me, I’ll bein the office.”
