A Pinch of Peril: A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Book 8 by Simone Stier

Author:Simone Stier [Stier, Simone]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-05-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

The evening of the funeral—ending with Gus’s lifeless body in the Winslow wine cellar—felt surreal, like I’d stumbled into the pages of someone else’s murder mystery.

Whit and I sat in my living room, a half-eaten pizza congealing between us, our appetites dulled by the day’s events. Major, sensing my unease, had curled up at my feet, his warm presence a small solace amid the chaos that had unfolded—a funeral transformed into a crime scene, leaving both Whit and me emotionally drained.

“I would prefer it if you took a step back,” Whit said, breaking the silence that had settled between us. “Two deaths in less than a week at the same estate. This is too much, Parker.”

I pulled my knees to my chest, balancing my mug of chamomile tea on them. “But who killed Gus? The same person who killed Reginald? Was it Colton—or someone close to him? Someone taking revenge on Reginald’s killer, if that killer was Gus?”

“Parker,” Whit said gently. “In my humble opinion, this has gone beyond out of hand.”

“Speaking of out of hand …” I showed him the latest text from my mystery correspondent. He read it, his brow furrowing.

“They were at the funeral and the house,” I said, stating the obvious. “I am almost certain it’s Kyle from Bun Appétit.”

“You know that for a fact?”

“No. But he happens to be in the exact location at the exact time when things are happening.”

Whit studied me for a long moment. “Did you tell Detective Holloway about it?”

“I did.”

Whit’s expression was a mix of relief and subtle irritation. “Good. I’m glad you’re taking it seriously.”

I could sense a hint of jealousy beneath his calm tone, but he quickly covered it with a smile. “I’m just glad you’re safe, Parker.” Whit reached over and squeezed my hand, though I noticed his eyes flickered momentarily toward my phone. “Promise me you’ll be careful. No more breaking into studies and contributing to the delinquency of Hazel.”

I interlaced my fingers with his. “Fine. No more breaking and entering. But Hazel’s delinquency is doing fine without my contributions.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

“I know.”

Whit reached for the remote. “Ready for our show?”

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed. Detective Holloway’s number lit up the screen.

“Just let it go to voicemail,” Whit said, his tone strained despite his attempt to sound casual.

I hesitated. “It’ll just be a second.”

The look on Whit’s face could have frozen water, but I answered anyway.

“Detective Holloway,” I greeted, trying to sound professionally detached.

“Is this a good time?” His voice came through the speaker, clipped and businesslike.

I glanced at Whit, who was now standing, arms folded, and said, “I got a second.”

“Autopsy came back on Gus Winslow. Mostly inconclusive, but there’s a possibility he was strangled after the fall down the stairs.”

I straightened. “Really?”

“You might have been onto something.”

“What’s that? That Colton didn’t kill Winslow?”

“Well, Colton didn’t kill Gus, that’s for sure. He was with his wife and Emmeline at that time Gus went down those stairs.”

“See, he’s innocent!”

“I’m not saying he’s clear for Reginald’s murder.

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