Puzzled 4 Murder by J. C. Eaton

Author:J. C. Eaton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mysteries & Thrillers
Publisher: Beyond the Page
Published: 2025-02-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

“Mr. Williams says thanks for texting him that name last night. He got in super early and is already tracking the lobster woman down.” Augusta retrieved a K-Cup of dark roast from the Keurig and added sugar.

“You’re as bad as my mother. A langostino isn’t a lobster. Or a shrimp.”

“No, but this one could be a killer. Maybe she and Samantha had some ugly business between them and that’s why the woman doesn’t sit at the table like everyone else.”

“Or maybe she’s just quirky.”

“Oh, before I forget, you got a message from Paul.”

“Again? Now what?”

“He wanted you to know that he and Mini-Moose fished at Lake Pleasant last evening and ran into the Bellowses from the puzzle group. They were just returning from a dinner cruise and he overheard them talking about Samantha and Carl.”

“That’s not unusual. They used to date until she bid him adieu.”

“Dumped him. And according to what Paul overheard, it was because she had her eyes on Drake, of all people. The Bellowses were arguing about it. And that’s not all. Paul heard Norva say, ‘It’s a good thing she’s six feet under or you’d be the one pushing up daisies.’”

“Whoa. The jealous wife. We hadn’t considered that motive.”

“I always do. Crimes of passion are the worst. You’d be surprised what these cherubic housewives can do with a filet knife.”

“The first thing I’m going to do is let Nate and Marshall know.”

“I already texted them. No sense wasting valuable time and no sense gutting one fish when you can gut two.”

“Aarugh. By the way, I’m expecting a call from my mother. She and Shirley are going to be flies on the wall at the weight-watching women’s meeting this morning. That group may be the one sabotaging the puzzle so they can have the big room.”

Augusta broke out laughing. “The weight-watching women, huh? And they need more space? That’s hysterical.”

“Space for their weigh-ins and their meetings. Not for—oh, goodness, you’re terrible, Augusta.”

She grinned and sipped her coffee.

Oddly enough, the entire morning went by without a peep from my mother. It was the first time in days that I was able to work without interruption. Then, at eleven forty-five, Augusta ended my bliss when she shouted, “I thought your mother would never call. She’s on the line.”

“Thanks,” I called back as I took the call.

“It’s me, Phee.” I rubbed my temple and mumbled something as my mom spoke. “Shirley and I went to the weight-watching women’s meeting and got an earful. Way too much to tell you on the phone. So Myrna, who joined us for coffee, said we should all go out for lunch at Cheddar’s, which is near you. But I think the reason is because they give you free cinnamon buns while you wait for your order. So, have you eaten lunch yet? If not, we’ll meet you in a half hour. Or we could eat and come to your office and—”

“Cheddar’s in a half hour is fine.” I couldn’t spit the words out fast enough.

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