Murder on the Vine by Jenna St James

Author:Jenna St James [James, Jenna St]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2016-08-13T03:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

The parking lot was pretty full for a Tuesday. I had a sudden attack of conscience, leaving Gramps all alone.

“Well hello, Inspectors,” Gramps called from the bar.

Cathy looked around. “Who’s inspecting?”

Tillie snickered as they staggered their way over to an empty spot of comfy chairs.

I’d stopped off after visiting Bonnie’s and bought cheeseburgers to help sober them up. I thrust the bag of burgers at mom.

“Ha, ha…very funny,” I told Gramps. “Can I have some coffee and waters, please?”

Gramps grinned. “Coming right up.”

I surveyed the room. There were about fifteen customers, most of them from the Stay-at-Home book club. “I see the Mommies are still here,” I said.

“Yep. They raved over Jax’s frou frou eggs.”

I smiled. “Quiche. It’s called a quiche.”

“Whatever. They liked it. They’ve also been tossing back quite a few drinks.”

I looked at him with concern. “Anything we should be worried about?”

“Nah. Just a little more drinking than usual.”

I walked over to the Mommies. There were six women in all shapes and sizes sitting in a cluster of chairs and sofas. They were casually dressed, and all were sporting smiles.

“Oh, Jaycee,” Maggie, said. “We were just talking about the murder. I heard you found the body, is that right?”

The other girls murmured in excitement while I thought about what to say. I liked Maggie…she just had a tendency to gossip like everyone else in this town.

Maggie pushed her sofa partner over and patted a tiny space next to her. “Come sit down.”

I bit back a laugh. I hated to tell her I didn’t do yoga. There was no way I was fitting my curvy ass on that tiny section.

I opted for the arm of the couch. “Yes, that’s right. I found Rebecca.”

She put her hand to her heart. “It must have been awful.”

I nodded. Glancing around I figured that’s why they were drinking more than usual…they were sitting around gossiping about the murder and waiting for me to come in for the day.

Well, two could play this game.

“Did anyone here know her?”

The group all shook their heads.

“I heard she was from Santa Rosa,” Maggie said. “I also heard there was a suspect in mind.”

This was news!

“Who?” I asked as casually as I could.

Maggie paused, as though she were holding court, then whispered, “Landon Harper!”

The women gasped. I rolled my eyes. While I admit I was a little worried how it looked, no way was I ready to say Landon was the killer. Especially after meeting Berta.

“I’m not sure about that,” I said diplomatically. It was one thing for your customers to always be right…it was another to let them accuse someone of murder.

“Oh,” Tina Larkin said. “That’s right…he’s always had a thing for Jax, hasn’t he?”

I could tell by the glimmer in their eyes they were wanting something juicy. I’d die before I let something slip.

There was a brief awkward silence.

“Speaking of men,” Betty Masters said excitedly to the group. “I heard the new detective at Traveler’s Bay Police Department is quite a looker.”

I saw instant matchmaking whirling around in their brains.

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