A Puzzle of Murder: A Seabreeze Bookshop Cozy Mystery Book 4 by Brooke Penny

Author:Brooke, Penny
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

I called Andy from the car and put the call on speakerphone as I pulled out onto the street.

“Rue.” He picked up right away. “There’s been a…development, let’s say, with Thomas Carroway. We’re scrambling over here, so I only have a moment.”

“What development?” I asked.

“I’ve been speaking with the maid. There were words, apparently, between Honey and her uncle not long before she died. Very heated words. As in he accused his niece of undermining…how did he put it, now? Of undermining what he called the ‘crowning glory’ of his time in business. His final legacy for Carroway Fine Honey. His pièce de résistance, he said.”

“Well, that’s some fancy praise for honey-ginger sauce.”

“Honey-ginger sauce?” He paused. “Rue, what do you know that I don’t? According to the maid, Thomas Carroway was livid.”

“Did Thomas make a threat? I know how bad it sounds. But listen to me, Andy. You need to look at Bea. Because, Andy, here’s the thing…”

“Rue, we have discussed this. I am well aware the sisters had their issues, but I really need to go. In addition to the thing with Thomas, we’re trying to track down who may have taken Honey home that night. Crucial information! And it’s been assigned to me to contact anyone I can in regard to that.”

“But, Andy…”

“Lyft, Uber, cabs. I have to call them all. As well as any merchants near Honey’s place of business who might have surveillance footage that could help. Roger Eaton called in sick this morning with a hundred degrees of fever. Strep throat’s going round. So it all falls to me.”

Sheesh. Andy, take a breath! He had someone on the phone with the answer now. No more calls would be required.

“A good investigator, Andy, knows when to drop the questions and listen for the answer.” I paused. “It was Bea. It was Bea who picked her up.”

A stunned silence filled the car, then he let out a breath. “You have my attention. Talk.”

I described my visit with the Caseys and their stunning revelation. “Neither Clem nor Helen saw Bea’s car arrive,” I said, “but Honey said she thought her sister could swing by. And soon after that, her phone buzzed and out the door went Honey.”

“That changes everything,” said Andy. “Bea seemed stunned to learn Honey’s car was not outside at the mansion—which means Bea is hiding something.” He paused to clear his throat. “Thank you for that, Rue, and now I really have to go. I need to inform the chief—and then major change of plans.”

I stopped for a light. “I guess you will be going to the service in the morning.”

“Pick you up at the store? Then we can go for lunch. I owe you a lobster roll for investigative work. Quite the development.”

“With fries and dessert—and you’ll be getting off real cheap.”

I heard murmurs in the background, then he called to someone. “Be right there,” he told them before returning to the call. “See you at a quarter till.” It was the rushed tone of a man who had things to do.

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