A Cup of Murder by Cam Larson Read Free Book Online Page A

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management.
That was the end of his formal education.
    "I wonder how he ever ended up with a coffee
house," I said under my breath.
    "You know it’s not good to talk to
yourself, Laila," said Sam. He stood there with an iced tea
pitcher in his hand and a grin on his face that told me he thought
his humor was his best asset. I smiled back.
    "I know that, but sometimes it helps to make
sense of things. You should try it sometime."
    He refilled my glass and went on to other
customers and I returned to my exploration of Michael Simms. It
turned out that his father was big on Wall Street and had retired as
an Analyst. In the bio, his father was mentioned, but his brother was
described in more detail than Michael himself. James Simms. I read
how the Senator became interested in politics from an early age and
climbed his way up. His constituents admired him and were loyal to
him all the way to the Senate. It stated Senator Simms’ best friend
had also been his campaign manager through several elections.
    There was nothing immediately said about Michael’s
mother until after his brother and father were described. It was
mentioned she had a career as an Accountant in a prestigious
financial institution and died a decade ago as a result of a car
accident while on vacation with friends in the Hamptons.
    While considering Michael Simms’ status in a
life of wealth and power, I sensed someone watching me. My eyes met
those of the paramedic who had been at the crime scene on the Piazza.
He was even more handsome up close and he hesitated when I caught his
eye.
    "Do you want to join me?" I asked.
    Usually I wasn’t so forward in inviting someone
I only knew from afar to sit at a table in a restaurant with me.
Instinct told me he was happy to get the invitation. My motive for
inviting him was an ulterior one. I wanted to get some first-hand
information about the infamous day at Sunrise.
    "Sure," he says. He strides toward me
and sits down across from me. I closed the notebook and waited until
the server took his order of roast beef with au jus sandwich, my
second favorite.
    "Just what did happen to cause Michael Simms’
death?"
    I wasn’t one to beat around the bush. If he
hadn’t smiled I would have controlled my breathing better. As it
happened, he drew me in like a magnet. I didn’t even know his name.
Perhaps that should come first.
    "I’m Laila Rook, by the way," I said.
    "I’m Daniel Jenkins, a paramedic as you
already seem to know." He leaned back comfortably. Amusement
danced in his dark eyes. "The investigation is still open and I
can’t give you confidential information."
    "I’m a reporter from the local newspaper
and aware that the media is allowed to ask and hopefully get
information. We have an obligation to keep the public informed."
    My brazen statements caused him to laugh out loud
and he leaned back even farther. I hoped the chair would topple as my
face turned to light pink. I squirmed realizing all eyes were on the
table in the corner.
    "You are no reporter and we both know that,"
he said. He spoke only when he caught his breath long enough to do
so. "I’ve been in Roasted Love more than a few times and I
happen to know you are the Barista there. More importantly, why are
you so interested in Michael Simms’ murder investigation?"
    "I’ll tell you that if you answer my
questions."
    There was an impasse that caused a silence between
us. The server arrived with a pitcher of tea in one hand and she
reached for Daniel’s glass to take it for a refill of coke. I
refused more tea and glanced at my watch. I had fifteen minutes
before I had to get back to Roasted Love. I broke the standoff.
    "I have only a few minutes until I have to
get back to work," I said. "I want information because the
murder happened across the street from where I work and because it is
a known fact that Sunrise was in fierce competition with Roasted
Love."
    "So you really aren’t a