Murder in the Mix Boxed Set 28-30: Cozy Mystery Addison Moore (the reading strategies book .txt) 📖

I sure do. But can I? I mean, let’s get real. Nobody goes snooping around the Elite Entourage unless they have some serious cash they want to part with, and with lascivious reasons to do so.

“We did.” Riley shrugs. “Last summer. July, I think. It was for a friend we work with. I can’t give you his name because he’s married, but for kicks we all created a profile. Nothing came of it.”

“Really?” Fiona raises a brow. “I was able to use one of my connections, and it turns out that in July of last year one of their girls was sent to meet with someone who worked at your dealership. Was that person Carter Cameron?”

“No.” Riley doesn’t miss a beat.

Fiona bucks with a silent laugh. “You’re still protecting him. You’ll protect him forever, won’t you? You’re a very good friend, Mr. Ellis. And a lousy witness.”

Mr. Wolfe jumps to his feet. “Objection, Your Honor. Leading.”

“Sustained.”

Fiona shrugs. “The defense is through with this cross.”

The prosecution brings forth two more witnesses, a woman and man who both happened to work with Carter Cameron. The woman also dated him on and off and testified that he was nothing but a gentleman, not one note of anger in his voice, not one wayward look came from him.

The young man who worked with him attested to the fact he was prompt, loyal, and often looked after other employees as if he were a brother. And not only that, he spearheaded three fundraisers at the dealership where all proceeds went to the homeless shelter. They made him sound like a saint—as if he had a heart of gold.

As it stands right now, I think an irate girlfriend slaughtered Carter Cameron. Fiona’s questioning of the two witnesses was rather benign.

The day in court ends, and Everett reminds us not to speak a word about the proceedings to anyone, including each other right before he dismisses us.

“Thank goodness.” Flo drags herself off the table as the two of us head outside and Everett comes around from the side door sans his robe. I quickly pick up his hand in the event she has something else to say.

“All right, Mr. Sexy”—Flo honks out a laugh—“your courtroom provided just the right environment for a nice long nap. Now that we’re all rested, it’s time to have some fun. Scooter Springs, here we come.” Her glowing eyes sharpen over mine. “It’s time for Nicky Knuckles to pay for what he’s done to me.”

Chapter 10

Delfino’s is a rather snazzy joint in Scooter Springs with a club vibe yet a gourmet menu.

Scooter Springs sits a little north of Honey Hollow just past the quaint little town of Starry Falls. However, there’s nothing quaint about Scooter Springs. It has all of the rough and tumble appeal of Leeds, not to mention dicey clubs and rowdy bars. I can see why the mob would find it appealing.

Carlotta, Everett, Noah, and I are quickly settled at a round table in the center of the action. Delfino’s is dimly lit, save for ambient lighting, the sound of country music croons through the speakers, and there’s an entire group of women dancing, mostly by themselves, fully clothed, each dressed head to toe in rose gold dresses—I have no idea what their deal is, but they definitely look like entertainment of some sort.

I’m not really sure what’s going on here, but as soon as I saw they had fried pickles as an appetizer, I ordered three servings. Let’s get real, appetizers are hardly enough for one human, let alone four and a half. And not only that, I ordered a full antipasto platter, along with a side of ranch and buffalo sauce. It’s not like I’m going to sit around eating salami without being able to dip it into two of my favorite sauces. I’m not a monster.

Everett and Noah are heavily embroiled in a conversation regarding the construction of the new house, and every now and again I hear them say Bear’s name in a disparaging light—not that I can blame them after that stunt he pulled at Nell’s old place—the stunt he’s still pulling there.

Flo pops up in all of her pink finery, along with that sparkle of dark stars caught in her hair.

“He’s here,” she crows as she gives a nervous look around. “I can sense him. And don’t get me started on the fact I’m still craving a bite out of that rock-hard—”

“I get it,” I say. “Actually, I don’t,” I’m quick to recant. “Flo, he could be your killer.”

“I can’t help it. Nicky and I had a very twisted relationship. I’ll see you later, Lottie. I’m going to hunt him down.” She floats into the crowd while dancing with her arms up high over her head.

“Tell me when you find him,” I shout after her.

“I can’t blame her, Lot.” Carlotta offers up a forlorn look in her direction. “I once felt that way about Harry. Why do you think I came back to Honey Hollow?”

“Harry didn’t kill you. And I happen to know you came back to Honey Hollow for the reading of Nell’s will. Although I’d like to think I had a little something to do with it.”

“No, but you had plenty to do with why I was missing all those years. As it turns out, you were nothing to be afraid of. If I knew I could have all the dessert I wanted for free, I’d a come back sooner. And let’s face it, Harry’s freaky side is the glue that keeps my feet stuck to that one-horse town.”

“Nice to know,” I say, making rosettes of a variety of Italian lunchmeats and swiping them through the ranch dip before shoving it all into my mouth. A hard groan comes from me. “You know, this wouldn’t taste bad in a cruller,” I say through a mouthful.

One of those dancing damsels clad in shiny rose fabric shimmies up to our table, and both Noah and Everett cease their conversation and