The Sweetheart Mystery by Cheryl Ann Smith

Author:Cheryl Ann Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2017-06-14T16:20:21+00:00

Chapter 24

“Oh, no.” Harper drove ahead for half a block and found a safe place to pull over. They were still in a neighborhood and she found a double spot between two parked cars. “Was I speeding?”

Noah looked over and then back to the police car behind them. “I don’t think so. They’ll probably ticket you for a broken…everything.”

“This isn’t my car,” she protested and dug for her license. “Can you check for registration and insurance?” Noah reached for the glove box. “It’s empty except for what I suspected is a mouse nest. It has fur.”

“Nice.” What was it about her and rodents lately? The only more prominent pest in her life had four hooves, unless she counted Alvin following her around. He wasn’t inconspicuous, even with dark shades he used to hide his face.

She lifted the license. Her hands shook. “I can’t afford a ticket. My funds are stretched enough.”

“I’m sure they can call the rental company,” he assured her. “They hold the insurance and registration.”

A tall and thin officer approached the window, his hand hovering over his gun. On the passenger side, another man in a suit did the same. It took her a second to realize the suit-guy was Detective Mignon.

“License please,” said the officer and took the proffered item. “Do you know why I stopped you, Ms. Evans?”

Interesting that he hadn’t looked at her license and knew her name. “Wait a second,” she said, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. “Did you arrest me the other day? You did. What a coincidence that you pulled me over tonight, don’t you think?”

A grin was his answer.

She smelled something fishy and it wasn’t his breath.

Mignon leaned on Noah’s window frame and peered over at her. “Why am I not surprised to see you, Detective?” She lifted a brow. “Have you been demoted to driving code violation enforcement?”

The uniformed officer snickered.

“We got a call that you might have evidence in the car from the Covington murder, Miss Evans,” Mignon said, ignoring the jab. “I’d like to search the car.”

“This is bullshit,” Noah said, but very nicely. As a former member of law enforcement, he wasn’t about to get into a pissing contest with the police. “Do you have cause?”

Harper was grateful for Noah. She had a witness in case of trouble and laid a hand on his arm. “It’s fine, Noah. Search away, Detective. I have nothing to hide.”

Mignon nodded and he stepped onto the curb. “Pop the hatch and please exit the car.”

Harper and Noah reconvened at the curb. Night had taken a chill and Harper didn’t have a coat. She rubbed her forearms and leaned against Noah. The two officers flicked on heavy duty flashlights and dug through the Yugo.

“Notice how I wasn’t asked for my ID?” Noah said.

“I was thinking the same thing. I suspect the good detective has been monitoring my activities.”

Noah circled his arms around her and whispered in her ear, “I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Me, too.” They were on the same page. “Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed to the request.

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