MURDER ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK by Shawn Reilly Simmons

Author:Shawn Reilly Simmons
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy mystery;mystery series;culinary mystery;Henery Press
Publisher: Henery Press
Published: 2019-07-31T16:34:25+00:00

Chapter 19

Penelope watched one of the forensic techs place Mirabella into a cat carrier and slip it into the back of one of the crime scene unit’s vans. The CSU team had arrived just as Detective Adalbert was escorting Penelope and Joey back to her house to retrieve the cat.

Official vehicles lined the cul-de-sac, and people in a variety of uniforms went in and out of the Popes’ house, carrying empty bags inside and then full ones out. Joey brought two mugs of coffee out onto the front porch and handed Penelope one of them. The sun had just begun to rise and it lit the sky in shades of orange and pink.

“It’s all clear now,” the forensic tech said as she emerged from Penelope’s house. “I took a few samples from your bedspread, photographed the trellis outside. Thanks for your patience while we collected the blood. I know you must be tired.”

“It’s okay,” Penelope said. Her eyes felt sandy at the edges and she wondered how long she’d be able to stay awake before crashing into a nap. She blew on the hot coffee and took a small sip. “Where are you taking the cat?”

“To the crime lab to collect blood samples, then Animal Control will hold her until the owner can claim her.”

“Oh, well I can take care of her,” Penelope glanced at the house next door. “Until things get figured out.”

The tech shrugged. “That’s fine with the city. You just have to get the okay from the owners, fill out the paperwork, and claim the animal.”

Joey glanced at her with raised eyebrows as the tech headed down the steps. “I asked you if you had a cat now…” he teased.

“Stop,” Penelope said. “I just don’t like to think about her being held in a cage somewhere,” Penelope said. “She’s going to be scared, I think.”

“You’re such a softy,” Joey said with a smile. “One of the reasons I love you.” He sat down on a wicker chair next to the front window and cradled his coffee mug in his hand.

Penelope sat next to him in the matching chair and sighed. “How do things like this happen?”

“Things like what?” Joey asked.

Penelope tilted her head toward the Popes’ house.

“Domestic violence, if that’s what this is, is very common, unfortunately. One in three women and one in four men will experience it in their lives, statistically speaking.”

“That many?” Penelope asked.

“Unfortunately it’s true,” Joey said. “We heard them arguing. Obviously, every marriage has moments that aren’t perfect. Sometimes we don’t know how bad things are, looking in from the outside.”

“I know,” Penelope said. “But I’ve gotten to know Calvin and Brogan…I can’t picture them being violent with each other. Or Calvin trying to take his own life. He’s seems so carefree and confident.”

“A confident older man married to a much younger woman,” Joey reminded her. “Maybe there was tension because of the age difference.”

“Poor Scarlett,” Penelope said. “Do you think I should call her?”

“Sure,” Joey said. “But give her some time. She’ll be at the hospital with her father probably.

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