Murder, Sonoran Style: An Adventure Calls Mystery by Kathy McIntosh

Author:Kathy McIntosh [McIntosh, Kathy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dogged Kat Press
Published: 2019-04-26T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: Two Sleuths Strategize

G abe woke early and hurried to the bathroom he shared with Jesse and Ben. He cut his shower short even though the stream of water on his head and body felt like heaven after their desert outing. He wanted to get down to the kitchen and talk with Madrone before others straggled in. He had no doubt she’d be there, fixing breakfast for the crew, despite their late arrival back to Tripp’s Tucson home from the casita the previous night.

The drive back had been tedious, with Gabe making an effort to stay awake for driver Madrone, talking over the snores of Ben and Frances and the occasional sleep-induced yelp from Heather.

Before they left the casita, Tripp announced he’d be home later, that he had some things to do before he could call it a day. As if the rest of them were slugs. Tripp assured them Flicker would be there to greet them and that the housekeeper had come and prepared all their rooms.

If a laconic, over-the-shoulder as she headed upstairs, “You know where your rooms are,” was a greeting, then Flicker delivered it. Of course they knew, since they’d stayed there until the training test in the desert had begun three days earlier. Being extra helpful, Flicker-style, she added, “The fridge is stocked with food. Don’t wake me before ten tomorrow.”

The crew staggered to their beds. Because of her kitchen duties, Madrone had her own room. Gabe had lucked out and had a room of his own, because he was, after all, part owner of Adventure Calls. Screw Ben’s snarking about age before beauty. He valued his privacy higher than forced camaraderie with his employees.

He found Madrone in the kitchen, whistling, pulling things from the fridge. He moved silently behind her and kissed her cheek. She squealed and turned toward him, clutching eggs and meat against her stomach. “Ack, you idiot. I almost dropped our breakfast.”

Unrepentant, he smiled and took her burden from her. “Nothing better than pre-scrambled scrambled eggs,” he said. He placed the egg carton and the sausage on the island with exaggerated care. “See? Everything’s back to normal.”

“Except my blood pressure.” She gazed at him for a moment, obviously trying to glare, but her lips twitching. “Sleep well?”

“Feeling almost human. Is it sick to be in love with a mattress?”

“If so, I have the same malady.” She withdrew a large bowl from the cupboard beneath the island. “Since you’re here, you can help. Coffee’s made. Set the table.”

He moved to the drawer that held the utensils. “Happy to help, but I’d hoped you and I could discuss this so-called investigation. Compare notes.” He transferred forks, knives and spoons and to the huge pine table in the nook area off the kitchen. “Before the rest of the crew gets here.”

“Of course.” She poured coffee for both of them. “No telling when they’ll drag themselves in here. They can wait for me to cook.” They sat on the stools that flanked the island,

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