Fireworks, Family Feuds and Death by Patti Larsen

Author:Patti Larsen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy mystery series, murder mystery book, murder mystery series, small town cozy mystery, cozy murder mystery series, cozy murder mystery book, cozy mystery book
Publisher: Patti Larsen

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Chapter Fourteen

Whatever Robert said to Ace, it upset the other man further, enough that he stormed away from my cousin without replying. Robert followed and I was about to do so myself when I almost collided with Morgan. She erupted through one of the flower beds like she’d gotten lost in a jungle and only just then won her way free. Her frazzled expression and the way she stopped in shock at the sight of me had me reaching out for her, one hand on her arm to steady her. I tried not to wince at the mess her boots made, dragging dirt from the bed onto the walkway as I supported her a moment.

“Morgan, are you all right?” I used my best worried Mom tone because she really did it like a pro, but the young woman was either incapable of absorbing the compassion I layered on or saw through me. Either way, she tugged free of my touch and scowled, shaking her head.

“Mind your own business.” She stomped off then as though I’d challenged her instead of inquiring after her state of mind. Considering we’d been on reasonably nice terms last night when she’d filled me in on the ins and outs of her job, this shift toward animosity had me wondering. And torn, because I now wanted to go after her and try to convince her to talk to me even as I really, really needed to find out what Robert was up to when it came to the security guard he’d confronted. But even as I wavered there on the path, trying to decide which of the two took priority, the appearance of the last person I expected had me stopping in my mental tracks.

Karla Jensen hoofed her way up the walk toward me as though her sensible pumps were weapons, the scowl on her face boding ill long before she thudded to a halt in front of me. With her fists on her hips and hazel eyes snapping, she looked me up and down before her lips twisted out a question. “Why aren’t you doing your job?”

Um, excuse me, missy, check your tone. “I’d love to,” I said in silky retort, “but someone seems intent on ensuring I have no idea what’s going on.” I let that sink in a moment, Karla’s rage retreating somewhat though her guilt level didn’t seem nearly high enough for my liking. “Nothing would make me happier than to ensure Reading has a successful Fourth. In fact, I’ve spent the last six years of my life doing everything in my power to support the good of this town, Ms. Jensen, including having Olivia’s back during some very difficult and dangerous circumstances. So how about you rephrase your question and your attitude and let’s see what we can do to work together, hmmm?”

She wasn’t about to cut me slack. “I didn’t cut you out of last night’s test,” she said. “We discussed it during the meeting.”

We’d done no such thing. “Let me check my extensive notes,” I said.

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