The Scent of Murder (Marissa Scott mysteries) by Jeffrey Marks

Author:Jeffrey Marks [Marks, Jeffrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Delphi Books
Published: 2010-02-25T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Marissa spotted Bonnie as she came down the escalator. The clerk had a customer pinned to the counter and was showing her the latest in eyeshadow. Where had they taught her wrestling as a sales technique? Bonnie let the woman slip away and walked over to greet Marissa. The customer hurried off, shaking her head. Bonnie's outfit today consisted of a bright floral-print sleeveless dress that emphasized her ample bosom. Anklets covered her patent leather shoes. Marissa was reminded of a child at Josh’s daycare who perhaps had been given a large dose of growth hormones.

“Hey, boss. Did you hear the latest? Can you believe about that guy getting killed in Harper’s office?”

Marissa nodded. “I came from seeing Ellen just now. I can’t believe there’s been another murder.”

“Me neither. That guy was just in the other day, asking questions about the store. He had this basic black thing going, way too weird for even me.” The clerk ran a hand over the fabric that covered her thigh. Marissa wasn’t sure if it was the questions or his simple taste in clothes that made him suspect.

Marissa decided to keep her thoughts to herself. Fashion advice wasn’t in her job description. “From what the police and Dan have told me, he was very possessive. He was probably trying to learn more about the murder. I was just upstairs with Ellen and Sergeant Bandarra, talking about that.”

“Well, Ellen’s boyfriend certainly could use some manners. I’ll tell you that.”

Marissa nodded. Truer words were never spoken. “When did you meet him?”

“Just now. He wanted to know if I knew Tiffany or her ex-boyfriend or Shawn.”

“Do you?”

Bonnie struck a dramatic pose. “I went to design school with Shawn, but all that’s ancient history. Not that I’m old or anything, just before I matured.”

Marissa decided that if Bonnie answered the police like this, she wasn’t the only one with a headache at the minute. She looked up to see the clerk waiting for a response. She smiled slightly and said, “I see.”

The woman moved closer to her. “So who do you think did it? You’re the one with the inside track with the police.” She gave Marissa a sharp nudge that made the department head wince. Apparently everyone here discussed her love life. When had privacy become an endangered species?

“They arrested Shawn Huxley for the murders this morning. They think he killed them because he’s gay and doesn’t like women.”

Bonnie waved her arm through the air, making the flesh quiver. “The police don’t know what they're doing. I ought to go tell them a thing or two. That boy couldn’t kill anyone. I don’t understand all that fuss about sexual ‘orientation.’ But I can certainly sympathize with why someone would want to sleep with men.” She gave a smile that spread across her face into a leer.

“I have to agree with you. I don’t think Shawn’s a serial killer.”

“And why would they think he’s a serial killer? You know, that term is so silly. It always makes me think of Cap’n Crunch or something.

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