Deadly Decorations: A Christmas Shop Mystery by Kathleen Suzette

Author:Kathleen Suzette [Suzette, Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kathleen Suzette
Published: 2024-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Debbie and I both got off work at noon and as we stepped out into the crisp afternoon, I turned to her. “I don’t suppose you’d like to get lunch?” I ventured, trying not to sound too eager. I’d only worked with her for a few hours, but there was something about her easy laugh and quick smile that felt like a warm invitation. She already felt like a friend, and it would be nice to have someone to share a meal with instead of eating alone in my motel room again. Detective Hayes had merely asked her a few questions about Sandra, then left. But his eyes were on me as he went.

She raised one eyebrow. “Lunch? I would love to get lunch. How does the Rudolph Café sound?”

“That sounds great. I haven’t eaten there in years,” I admitted. The Rudolph Café had been one of my favorite places as a kid, with its cozy booths and twinkling lights, not to mention their endless Christmas-themed menu items. I just hoped it still had that magical feeling I remembered.

We started walking down the sidewalk, hands tucked into our coat pockets. The sun was partially hidden behind a cloud, and the light filtered through bare tree branches and cast soft patches of light on the pavement. It was a perfect winter day, just cold enough to see our breath in the air.

Debbie glanced over at me as we walked. “Actually, would you mind if we popped into the men’s clothing store before heading to the café?” She bit her lip, looking almost shy. “I want to see if they have something suitable for a gift.”

I nodded, curious. “Sure. I don’t mind at all.” Then, unable to resist, I shot her a sideways glance. “For your husband?”

She snorted and shook her head, her blond curls bouncing with the motion. “Nope. I am footloose and fancy-free.” She laughed. The sound was light, almost musical.

I chuckled as we strolled along. I knew a little about her—she had two boys, both grown and off making their way in the world. I wondered who the gift was for, but it seemed nosy to ask. Her father, maybe? Or her sons?

We stopped outside the men’s shop, and she grinned mischievously, her eyes gleaming with a hint of a secret. “Sandra’s ex-husband owns this shop,” she said, tilting her head toward the door as if she’d just revealed a juicy tidbit.

“Oh,” I replied, stretching the word out, and grinned back, feeling like we were part of some small conspiracy.

Inside, I was immediately hit with the clean scent of new clothing. The store was organized in neat rows, one side filled with suits and ties, while the other was a mix of casual flannels and jeans. Toward the back, a middle-aged man was arranging stacks of jeans into tidy cubicles. He was balding, with a bit of a paunch, and had the weary look of someone who had spent a long day on his feet.

Debbie didn’t waste a second.

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