Page 69 of Christmas Mittens Murder

“What do you know about her?” he asked.

“Not much. She’s an organic farmer from Massachusetts. She has a husband—also a police detective, but with the state police out there—and a young daughter. Cam’s here to look into newer farming techniques. She arrived only yesterday, and I met her for the first time at the wine bar. Why?”

“Merely gathering the facts, ma’am.” He stood. “Have you spoken with your sister about her altercations with the deceased?”

“No, and I don’t intend to. She didn’t kill Val Harper, sir. And you can put that in your notes.”

Chapter Six

I came downstairs at nine that night after reading my nephews to sleep in their bunkbeds. They were both fluent readers, but they loved listening to a chapter of Harry Potter before bed—and I loved being their audio narrator. I found Allie on the couch in the family room adjoining the kitchen, feet up on the coffee table, working her tablet. She patted the cushion next to her.

“I’ll put this away. Come sit with me.”

I sat.

“Or, better yet, let me get us each a glass.” She jumped up and came back a moment later with two snifters of cognac.

“Korbel?” I asked.

“Always.” She held her glass to clink with mine. She swirled and inhaled the fumes before sipping. “Thanks for doing dinner, Cece. It was a real treat, and the boys loved it.”

“Even if Arthur did pick out the olives.”

“Yes, but Franklin ate every one of them.” She smiled. “You know what he whispered when he said good night to me?”

I shook my head.

“He said it would be super awesome if you lived in Colinas. I think so, too. What’s keeping you in Pasadena, sis?”

I counted things off on my fingers. “House. Garden. Job. And the only home Zoe has ever known.” Move up here? It had never occurred to me.

“I suppose. But new surroundings might be the change that girl needs to finally move beyond Greg’s death.” She elbowed me. “And you could be near family. Think about it, okay?”

“I will, if you tell me what on earth you argued with Val about.”

Her face fell.

“I didn’t get a chance to tell you,” I went on. “Quan was here when I showed up with the groceries.”

“He was?”

“Yes. His primary goal seemed to be to get me to admit I could not swear you didn’t go out last night.”

“Cece! I didn’t go anywhere. I can’t believe you wouldn’t vouch for me.” She moved away on the couch.

“Listen. I insisted under no circumstances would you have gone out without telling me where you were going and when you’d be back. Not with the boys asleep. But you know I wear earplugs when I sleep. And this is the law, Al. I couldn’t lie to him and say I knew for certain you were here all night.” I reached over for her hand. “I also made it quite clear you would never, ever kill anyone.”

She let me take her hand, but she wouldn’t make eye contact.

“Hey, come on,” I murmured. “Don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad, honest.” She twisted to look at me. “I’m scared. What if this sheriff dude doesn’t believe me? What if they make me go to jail?”

“That’s not going to happen, Al. I’m going to help, and I think Cam will, too.”

“Sheesh, I forgot all about her.” Allie gave her head a shake. “Some innkeeper I am. I hope she has what she needs.”

“She’s in the new suite. I’m sure she’s comfortable.” Allie and Fuller had carried out extensive renovations a year or two ago, part of which included adding a downstairs B&B suite with a small sitting room, a mini-kitchen area, and a private entrance from the outside. I would move in there after Cam left. “She went off to another farm after lunch. She probably grabbed a bite of dinner out and let herself in. She must still have jet lag.”

---