Maggy Thorsen Mysteries Box Set 4-6 by Sandra Balzo

Author:Sandra Balzo [Balzo, Sandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: coffee, cozy, mystery, omnibus, women sleuths
ISBN: 9781617508653
Publisher: NYLA
Published: 2013-09-24T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Pavlik gave me an odd look. 'So we'll apologize and release her. You have to understand what's at stake with all the drugs on the streets. Sure, mistakes are made, but we can't—'

'Wait, wait.' I waved my hands for him to stop.

He did.

I said, 'Flour.'

Pavlik seemed confused. 'Flower? The kind you plant?'

'No, the kind you bake with.' I leaned forward. 'Art Jenada is the caterer across from the train station. He was making biscuits when I rousted him for help after Sarah's car crashed into the depot.'

'And?'

'I know Jenada had flour on his hands when he was nosing around the car, because when I shook hands with him afterwards, I got it all over me.'

'At least your jeans.' Pavlik pointed to where I'd wiped my palms. 'I was wondering where that came from.'

Guess I should be grateful that I wasn't being drug-tested.

'Anyway,' I continued, 'I think he got flour in the car when he was looking at it.'

'But on the seat?'

'Sure, if he leaned in.'

Pavlik looked doubtful now, but almost immediately his phone rang. He picked up.

The sheriff listened for a while and pulled a pad toward him. Said, 'uh-unh,' 'uh-huh,' and a couple of two-syllable sounds that could have been either positive or negative. He jotted down a few words, then asked the person on the other side of the conversation to repeat something. Which he wrote on a corner of the page.

Finally he hung up. 'Sarah is being released.'

I nearly leapt from my chair. 'See? I told you she wasn't a druggie.'

'And you were absolutely right,' Pavlik said. 'Sarah tested negative for cocaine and any other illegal substance.'

I thought the sheriff was tempted to say more. Instead, though, he slid my handbag toward me. 'You might want to meet her. She should be downstairs in a couple of minutes.'

'Sounds good.'

When Pavlik came around the desk, I flung my arm around his neck and kissed him lightly on the lips. 'Want to come over for dinner tonight?'

He hesitated. 'Maybe you should have dinner with Sarah. As you say, she's having a rough time.'

'That's very considerate of you.' I studied Pavlik's face. 'Is everything OK?'

'Sure.' He gave me a peck back. 'Just got a lot on my mind. I'll call you tomorrow.'

'How about dinner then?'

Another hesitation. 'I'll let you know.'

'Great.' I wound my hand through the strap on my bag, not sure what to do.

There had been a distinct change in the atmosphere of the room. Had I done something to push the sheriff over the cliff? Asked one too many questions? Tripped over one too many bodies?

Or was Pavlik just, like the old joke goes, 'sick of my shit'.

I didn't want to ask, but I knew I'd drive myself crazy if I didn't. 'You said everything was OK. Did you mean with you, or did you mean with us?'

'Both.' He took a step toward me and drew me into his arms. This time when we kissed, it felt like we meant it.

Pavlik moved me back, hands on my shoulders so we could be face to face.

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