Charm & Deception by Stephanie Damore

Author:Stephanie Damore [Damore, Stephanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pink Sapphire Press
Published: 2018-07-24T05:00:00+00:00

I pulled into the parking lot of Sweet Thangs and saw Detective Brandle sitting on a bench outside, waiting for me. The flowering azalea bushes lining the street reminded me of the parade float building party that was scheduled for tomorrow. As if on cue, I sneezed three times rapidly into the crook of my arm. Have I mentioned how much flowers make me sneeze? I sincerely hoped Mrs. J. wasn’t planning on using fresh blooms to decorate the float. Please tell me she wouldn’t. If that was the case, it didn’t matter how mad it would make her, but I would not be much help tomorrow at the fire station.

I put that thought away as Detective Brandle stood to greet me.

“You holding up?” he asked me, concern evident in his basset-hound eyes.

“Surprisingly, yes,” I answered. The fact that I had just talked with Finn was partially to credit. Knowing he was alive and now having a mission before me made it much easier to think about tomorrow.

Detective Brandle held the door open for me as we stepped inside the whimsical sweet shop. It might sound pathetic, but I seriously missed the place while living in Tampa. No one brewed a better cup of chai (or coffee, so I’m told) than Sweet Thangs. Not to mention their sweet treats. If Sugar & Sass ever folded, I was marching right over here and asking Marigold for a job.

Speaking of Marigold, I was happy to see her working behind the counter. I swapped out her freshly laundered shirt, courtesy of Aria’s butler, for an iced latte and a frosted sugar cookie in the shape of a flip-flop. As promised I picked up Detective Brandle’s order as well.

“And he’ll have—” I left it open for Detective Brandle to fill in the blank.

“A skinny latte,” he added.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. His wife would be proud.

“And an oatmeal raisin cookie,” he added with a wink. “I figure it has whole grains and fruit,” he turned and said to me. I wasn’t sure if that made it a health food, but I wasn’t going to argue.

With our drinks and cookies in tow, we sequestered ourselves at the far end table—the one I usually chose when discussing cases with friends. How weird was that? I’m betting most people didn’t have their own favorite table to talk murder at their local coffee shop.

“Okay, so here’s what I have for you. Last night a woman attempted to break into the pool house at the Delgado’s where I’m staying. I’ve already showed it to Agent Cooper, but he was less than forthcoming if you know what I mean. Seeing you know you can trust me, I’m hoping you can steer me in the right direction.”

I handed my phone to Detective Brandle and was silent while he watched it a few times. Instead of talking, I swirled my drink and took some time to just be.

Finally, Detective Brandle looked up at me and said, “How much do you know about Alexia Denisovich?”

That was easy.

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