Coconut Crunch Murder by Laura Pauling

Author:Laura Pauling [Pauling, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Redpoint Press
Published: 2024-03-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

When Lucas refilled his mug and headed to what Belle considered his office for the detective work, she took the hint. Time to see what Susie knew about all this.

She stood. “Should we get breakfast together?”

Susie stared at her, unblinking. “You know that’s why Molly used Daddy’s money to pay the big bucks for Gladys. That’s her job. To be honest, Gladys is like a kitchen witch, pretty particular about her food. Just a fair warning.”

“Oh.” Belle deflated. It would be easier to chat while moving about working, but she’d adjust. She poured another mug of coffee instead and sat back at the island. Susie jumped up and sat on the counter right near the source of the caffeine. Belle couldn’t tell if the baggy clothes she wore were her pajamas or her outfit for the day.

That’s when it hit her that Susie had just lost her sister. Here was Belle, playing detective when there were real people and genuine feelings surrounding Molly’s murder. Any kind of death was a shock—a slap in the face—never mind when it was blatant murder. “I’m sorry for everything.”

“What, Molly getting shot in the head? Yeah, it sucks. I’m sure my parents are flying home now and this place will swarm with FBI or CIA, at least a zillion detectives. Mummy and Daddy would do anything for their girl. Only the best for their darling princess.”

Belle didn’t miss the sarcastic emphasis on Mummy and Daddy, like she was mocking Molly. Or that it was clear Susie felt Molly was the favorite daughter. Unfortunately, Susie didn’t have the perspective to know how much worse it could be. Like losing both your parents and then moving in with an aunt and uncle who didn’t care a wit about you. She tried to find the right phrase in response, but Susie kept talking.

“But even with my parents, they’ll miss her, they’ll mourn. They might even cry, but I’m not sure what they’ll miss more—the actual daughter, Molly, or the fun and glamour of Molly. She was like my dad’s one hope to take over the company someday. Peter’s not interested in it, and my dad didn’t even consider me, the baby of the family. Why he considered Molly his best hope is beyond me.”

“Why do you think that?”

Susie let out a snort. With a toss of her head, she flipped the hair out of her eyes, but it fell right back where it was. “It wasn’t obvious? Molly was like a Disney princess who lost her story. Or she was waiting for it to happen. First, with Max. Then, with Chase. Both terrible choices.”

“With Max?” Belle asked, remembering Susie’s comment about putting her money on the guy.

“Daddy had Molly’s story all written out. He found a smart schmuck who’d fallen for his daughter, then attempted to push Molly into marriage with him.”

“What happened?” Because obviously that didn’t happen.

“Oh, Molly falls in love like a squirrel falls for nuts. She falls hard and fast, stars in her eyes, and yaps my ear off about it forever, then she loses interest.

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