Shoot the Moon: A Kiki Long Mystery: Midlife, Murder and Mirth by Lynn JB

Author:Lynn, JB [Lynn, JB]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-30T05:00:00+00:00

13

“How’d they find the bodies at the Klim place?” Rachel asked.

After promising to watch over them, Moon and Nico had taken Henry and Paige to the diner. Rachel, deciding I shouldn’t be alone, was helping me clean up the mess left behind by the crime scene techs and whoever had broken in. She might be a wine thief, but she was also a good friend.

I scowled at the black fingerprint powder that seemed to coat every inch of the house. “I’m guessing because of the bush that burned.”

“A bush?”

“The fire was out by the time I got there.”

She fluffed the couch pillows. My house was a literal crime scene and looked like a disaster area, but at least the pillows weren’t flat. “But the bodies were inside?”

“Yup.”

“And one of the firemen happened to see one through a window?”

I paused my sweeping up of broken glass, considering whether that was even a possibility. Tonko had been in the garage. The burnt remains were in a second-floor bedroom.

“The kids were good sports last night,” Rachel murmured, picking up an old photograph of Henry and Paige wearing matching Little League uniforms.

“Yeah.” I hesitated before adding, “I’m thinking I should find them a therapist.”

Rachel looked surprised but then she nodded. “Might not be a bad idea. They’ve been through a lot. It could help.”

I nodded. “Same could be said for you.”

She glanced over at me, biting her lower lip worriedly.

“There’s nothing wrong with getting some help,” I told her gently. “You were traumatized. We’ve all been.”

She nodded.

Before we could continue, the doorbell rang.

Startled, we both let out frightened yelps. Then, we both giggled at our reaction.

“I’m guessing criminals don’t ring the bell,” Rachel joked weakly.

“Maybe the polite ones do.” I hurried to answer the door, yelling, “Coming!”

Opening it, I was surprised to find Deputy Grace Bailey scowling at Aaron Bensmiller. “Something wrong?” I asked nervously.

“I found Mr. Bensmiller creeping around back,” Grace explained.

“I wasn’t creeping,” the farm owner said with an exasperated sigh. “I was looking for Loki. I’ve tried to explain to Deputy Bailey that I’m just here to retrieve my property.”

“The goat is his,” I confirmed.

“And you’re okay with him just slithering around unsupervised?” Grace asked.

I blinked, confused. I’d never seen her be anything but professional and respectful, but now she was making no effort to disguise her dislike of Bensmiller. The rich farmer wasn’t one of my favorite people, either, but I couldn’t understand her rudeness. Trying to redirect the conversation, I remarked, “I’m surprised you didn’t send Jimmy over to get Loki, Mr. Bensmiller.”

He grimaced at the mention of his farmhand. “He—”

Before he could finish, a flash of white came charging out of nowhere. Loki headbutted the farmer, who fought for balance, but ultimately succumbed to the laws of gravity and tumbled to the ground in an undignified heap.

While I hurried forward to help Aaron to his feet, Grace Bailey guffawed with joy.

“So sorry about that,” I murmured, trying to cover for the goat and the deputy. “Are you hurt?”

“That’s it!” Bensmiller blustered, brushing dirt from his now filthy clothes.

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