Dropping Like Pies (Apple Orchard Cozy Mystery Book 11) by Chelsea Thomas

Author:Chelsea Thomas [Thomas, Chelsea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-22T16:00:00+00:00

26

Interrogation Station

As we climbed the steps to the second floor Wayne and I made small-talk. I was polite but also on the lookout for an opening so I could pivot the conversation to a discussion of Coach Thornton’s murder.

First, we discussed the history of the farmhouse. Then we talked about how crazy it was that there was a blizzard in Pine Grove in October. At last, we found ourselves in a conversational lull. So I took my chance.

“Anyway,” I began, “it’s fun chatting with you about all this history and the weather and stuff. But I was actually hoping—”

“That we could talk about my beautiful blue-green eyes, instead?”

Yes. Please. “No.”

Wayne shrugged. “Your loss. Look, I can’t tell you anything about the case. We’ve done this dance a thousand times.”

“Last time we danced was fun, I thought. You gave me information that helped me catch the bad guy with Teeny and Miss May.”

“That investigation was the exception, not the rule.”

Wayne and I had stopped walking in the middle of the upstairs hallway. He surveyed the doors. “So which one of these is the john? Door number one? Door number two? Door number three? I feel like I’m on Let’s Make a Deal and I don’t wanna get zonked.”

“You can’t really think Brian is the killer,” I said. “You know him! The guy wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“That’s true,” said Wayne. “I once saw him rescue a fly from the Brown Cow and set it free outside.”

“So you admit it. You’re skeptical of the arrest.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Fine. You don’t have to give me any information. But if you’re still suspicious that the true killer is out there, like I am, let me share some information that might help you.”

Wayne’s eyes focused on me intently. I saw him switch into detective mode and I knew I was on the right track. “Go on.”

“If you’ve been investigating Thornton’s former basketball player, James, you can stop. He didn’t do it.”

“How do you know?” said Wayne.

“He’s got an alibi. It’s firm but…I can’t tell you any more than that. Too private.”

Wayne laughed. “You’re feeding me bogus facts hoping I’ll open up to you. That’s not how this works. Let’s hear the alibi.”

I shook my head. “Can’t. Sorry.”

Wayne crossed his arms. “When were you talking to this James guy so much, anyway? I didn’t know you’d even met him.”

“I’ve talked to him a few times. Ask the bartender at Murphy’s. He’ll corroborate that I was there, talking to James earlier today.”

“Hold on a second. You were at a bar with James the Giant? Like…on a date?”

“It wasn’t a date. It was a…rendez-vous. Did he have a crush on me for a minute? Maybe. I can neither confirm nor deny. But on my end, it was all for the case.” Was I trying to make Wayne jealous? Maybe. I can neither confirm nor deny.

“You shouldn’t be investigating this case in the first place,” said Wayne. “Flanagan seriously hates you. She has it out for all three of you.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.