Sand Scandal: A Sandy Shores Cozy Mystery Series Book 1 by Mimi Maren

Author:Mimi Maren [Maren, Mimi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-30T16:00:00+00:00

I called Chief Grady as soon as I could, and as soon as it was over, I waited with a funny jitteriness, a cocktail of nerves and excitement. This was more intense than the daily round of bingo at the center. When Grady’s pickup rolled into the parking lot, it felt like I was about to face a high noon shootout. Except my weapon was the steaming coffee I’d just brewed for him, a peace offering to ease into the conversation.

The center’s typical afternoon bustle seemed to hush as Grady’s imposing figure filled my office doorway. This was no small-town, doughnut-munching cop. No, Grady was one of those old-school, hard-nosed types that made you want to stand up straighter and confess sins you didn’t even commit.

“Chief,” I said, wearing my warmest smile. “Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule.”

“Daisy,” he acknowledged, his eyes slightly narrowed, hat in hand. I gestured toward the freshly brewed coffee, and he eased himself onto the visitor’s chair with a nod of appreciation.

I slid the menacing note across my desk toward him, then sat back, adopting a calm air while my heart hammered like a salsa beat. Grady scanned the note, his eyebrows furrowing into a stern line.

“Where’d you get this?” he asked, eyes never leaving the note.

“Oh, you know,” I answered breezily, twirling a pen in my hand. “Just mixed in with the rest of my fan mail.”

Grady didn’t laugh. He never did at my attempts at humor. Instead, he pinned me with a look that I suspected had made many a hardened criminal squirm. “This is serious, Daisy. I know you’ve been asking questions around town, and I asked you not to do that.”

I shrugged, maintaining my cool as best I could. “Chief, I ask questions all the time. It’s practically part of my job description. You know how it is in these parts – people love their gossip. Can’t help if I overhear things.”

He frowned, not quite convinced. “You need to be careful. This isn’t some town mystery for you to solve. We’re dealing with a murder.”

I waved his concern off with a flippant hand gesture. “Oh, don’t you worry, Chief. I’ve been around the block more than once. I know how to handle myself.”

Despite his stern demeanor, I caught a glimpse of grudging respect in Grady’s eyes. He gave a long sigh, shaking his head as he sipped the coffee I’d made.

“Well,” he conceded, “I can’t stop you from talking to people. Just remember, this isn’t a game. Be careful.”

Our meeting ended on that somber note, but as Grady’s truck faded into the distance, a strange energy buzzed through me. His warning, although meant to deter me, only spurred me on further.

With a twinkle in my eye and a renewed determination, I thought, ‘Game on, Grady. Game on.’

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