Poison and Party Hats: New Year's Eve (Holidays are Murder) by Madelyn Scott

Author:Madelyn Scott [Scott, Madelyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bad Baby Press
Published: 2022-12-26T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 3

“What makes you think anyone would want to kill Eliza?” I asked skeptically.

Darla shrugged, shaking her head. “I don’t know, but I’m willing to bet you’re the only person in this town who can figure it out.”

Finally, it was my turn for a pursed-lip scowl. Was that her attempt at a compliment, or was her trust in the local law enforcement that low? More likely it was flattery to get me to take the case—if there even was a case. That I wasn’t convinced of. Murders were my business; I’d made a name for myself writing true crime stories, so if there was anything unusual about Eliza’s death, my journalism senses would be tingling.

No tingles. And I hoped it would stay that way. I didn’t need more work. Was it so bad to hope that Aunt Eliza’s death was exactly as it appeared? Sudden and tragic, but completely mundane.

I had enough on my plate without an added mystery. Aunt Eliza had left me a whole buffet of crap to deal with, and I wanted to sell the shop and the house as soon as possible so I could get back to my life. Of course, once Darla planted the seed, it took root and started burrowing deep. Julian was waiting on a pitch for my next story—had one just fallen into my lap?

Don’t be ridiculous, I told myself. No one wanted to kill Aunt Eliza. Darla was bored and trying to make some excitement for herself. I wasn’t going to let her drag me into it.

“I need to change,” I said without further comment on her theories. “I assume you don’t need me here for anything?” I grabbed my handbag and fanned my wet blouse away from my chest to keep it from sticking.

“Aren’t you taking Ollie?”

I cast a sideways glance to the dog, gritting my teeth. “I guess you should come with me,” I told him, moving closer.

Ollie jumped up with a quick bark and yipped at me.

I stumbled back, glaring. “Fine, I don’t mind going home without you.” I preferred it, in fact.

“Don’t worry,” Darla said with a hint of amusement in her voice. “Ollie always finds his way home.”

“Sure,” I muttered. I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, but I wasn’t interested in a lengthy discussion about the dog. Maybe I’d be lucky and he wouldn’t find his way home. That would sure save me a lot of trouble. Guilt gripped my stomach. Aunt Eliza loved the little monster. I could at least try to tolerate him. “I’ll see you later then, Ollie,” I said, leaving the shop.

Aunt Eliza’s house was on the same property as the Dip & Clip. A breezeway connected the two buildings, but thank goodness they each had their own front entrances. I pulled out the keys the lawyer gave me and found the right one on the third try. Once inside, I kicked off my shoes and wheeled my suitcase into the middle of the living room, taking it all in.

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