Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells: A clean read whodunit detective mystery (Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series Book 2) by Bruce Hammack & Bruce Hammack

Author:Bruce Hammack & Bruce Hammack [Hammack, Bruce]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780988440876
Publisher: Jubilee Publishing LLC
Published: 2019-09-30T00:00:00+00:00

25

Heather watched as Steve tucked a napkin into the front of what she knew to be his nicest shirt. He perched on a stool at the bar dividing his kitchen and dining room. With one finger inside the bowl, he poured milk onto frosted shredded wheat. The two percent touched his fingertip, and he stopped pouring. She said, “Don’t you look dapper today.”

He took a bite of cereal to avoid replying.

The porcelain cup made a slight clink when Heather set it on the marble countertop. The aroma of Sumatra dark roast blended together with Steve’s aftershave as he munched his cereal. Steve never splashed on aftershave.

“What are we going to do with Bella today?” Heather asked to get a conversation going.

“She’s a big girl, she can stay here,” said Steve.

Several seconds passed as he lifted another bite. Heather added a commentary to her question. “I need to drop you off at the office, take care of getting Olin Field out of jail, and find out what documents Detective Schmidt found.”

“You forgot something,” said Steve. “You have unfinished business with Captain Loving.”

Heather released something between a sigh and a moan.

Steve raised his head. “If you’d rather I call him, I will. I’m curious to know what he found out about the coincidence of Alexandria Ramos being at the pet store and then in front of the mall when Blake Brumley was killed.”

Steve took another bite of cereal. Heather remained quiet, something she normally didn’t do when planning out her day. After swallowing, he said, “You might as well get it over with.”

“Get what over with?”

Steve dropped his spoon in the bowl and huffed a sigh of exasperation. “You’re driving yourself crazy, wondering why Charles Loving and Alexandria Ramos were kissing. Ask him. Then you’ll know where you stand.”

Heather blew on the coffee to cool it. She also did it to stall for time while she pondered his straight-forward approach.

“You’re right,” she said with finality. “We need to know if she had advanced warning about the shooting, and I need to know if I should sharpen my hook for another fish.”

Steve let out a soft chuckle. “Don’t throw him back before you know what’s going on.”

The sound of coffee being poured into the sink must have reached his ears. He lifted his chin. “I take it you’ve made a decision.”

“Let’s go,” said Heather with determination.

Steve balked. “I’m staying here to work on Blake’s funeral arrangements.”

“I thought you wanted me to help with that.”

“You have other things to do today and I’d only slow you down. It makes sense for me to work on it.”

Heather considered his not wanting to leave his townhome. The real answer hit her. “You don’t want to leave because Gwen is coming over. I was wondering why you’re wearing your nicest shirt.”

Steve finished the last bite of cereal, rinsed his bowl, and placed it in the dishwasher. He turned to Heather. “Gwen called this morning and offered to help with the funeral arrangements. She and Bella know all the people to invite.

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.