Sunshine State of Crime by Steph LaVigne

Author:Steph LaVigne [LaVigne, Steph]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Las Olas Creative
Published: 2024-03-20T00:00:00+00:00

13

UNUSUAL SUSPECTS

“All I’m saying is that we should head out to the Thomlynne Farm office and take a look around.” Sunny flipped the passenger seat visor down to block the morning rays bouncing off the BSO police cruiser. “It is the closest farm I could find that connects via waterway to where Granny Chomp hangs out.”

“And I am saying that I will go out there and investigate,” Bennett countered.

“But you’re so, cop-like. And people— even innocent ones— don’t like talking to cops. No offense,” she added, though it was the truth.

“You aren’t a detective. In case I haven’t reminded you enough.”

“I know, and you have. But I’m really good at sneaking around while you distract people. I mean, the way you take charge and ask questions?” She blew out an impressed whistle. “You command attention. And respect, I might add.”

He shot her an unamused look. “Forced flattery isn’t your strength.”

“What? You do!” She wasn’t winning points, so she indulged in a moment of fun. “You always have your little notepad. You write down every little detail. You drink your coffee black like a TV cop. I’d say you really have a knack for this detecting stuff!”

“Whatever.”

Sunny leaned back, satisfied. Not wanting to press too many of his buttons because finagling her way back into Bennett’s cruiser was reward enough. Best not to bite the hand that drives you.

When Sunny first awoke, she sipped an Earl Gray tea while pouring over the notes spread out on the houseboat’s small chart table. Sorting through which new details and potential connections she’d made would temp her reluctant partner. None stood out as surefire. Her gut told her just to jump straight to her Plan B.

Hence, her first call of the day had been to Detective Osceola, asking him to check and see if her wallet was, per chance, under his passenger seat. She explained how she couldn’t find it anywhere, then realized it may have “accidentally” tumbled out of her bag the day before.

Amazingly, it was there!

If he found the wallets placement, tucked safely underneath the car seat, suspicious, he didn’t let on. Since he drove past her neighborhood daily, he offered to swing by and return it. It took several minutes of pleading and cajoling, however, before he agreed to let her come along for the next set of interviews.

In truth, he got a call from the police chief, which led him to finally wave her into the car so she would stop talking, while he listened to his boss.

Johnny “JohnBoy” Sutherland and Arlynn Lowry were set to meet the detective at an outdoor coffee shop out west. Sunny was dying to continue discussing the case, but attempted to ride silently on the drive. Once they hit I-595 westbound though, she caved.

“So Johnny and Arlynn, being interviewed together, huh?”

“Yes. Let’s set some ground rules. First, I’m only bringing you along because, well, because you were being too annoying and I had to take that call. But also, your feminine presence could prove calming to a couple.

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