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

reporter?"
    I decided his sense of humor was better than him
just getting up and walking out on me.
    "No, I’m not a reporter. I am curious about
your reaction when you brought Michael’s body out on the stretcher
that day. You appeared sad."
    Daniel’s face grew somber. His muscular hand
that encircled the cold glass of coke tightened and then relaxed.
    "I’ve known the Simms family for quite a
few years. It goes back to when James first ran for a local office in
his district in New York City. He was running for the office of
Mayor, the one of few elections he lost. Someone in his campaign
office suffered an asthma attack," he said. "I was in the
car with my dad who was a paramedic at the time. He got the word
someone needed assistance and he drove there right away. We were only
a few blocks from the office and he was off-duty but the closest
paramedic to the scene. Watching my dad perform CPR that day clinched
it for me that I wanted to follow in his footsteps."
    I still wasn’t sure that knowing the brother
brought him close to Michael. He went on to tell me he had met
Michael off and on since then. The man who had the asthma attack was
James’ campaign manager and friend, John Andrews.
    "The Senator and John were the only ones in
the office at the time. All three of those men were good friends. It
was just hard to see Michael dead that day."
    "I’m sorry," I said. "That makes
sense that it hit you especially hard." I glanced at my watch.
"I apologize but I really need to get back to work."
    Daniel reached for both tickets before I could
pick mine up. After thanking him, I said, "I am interested in
clearing my boss’s name. Jacob Weaver is a suspect in Michael’s
death."
    He expressed a sincere sympathy and a genuine
understanding. Once more I was drawn in to him in more ways than I
wanted to think about at the moment. The connection was broken when
the skies turned dark and a clap of thunder was heard in the
distance. Rolling clouds told me sheets of rain were about to pour
and I was stuck at Sam’s Sandwiches with no car and no umbrella.
    "I’m walking and I have to hurry back to
Roasted Love before I get caught in a downpour," I said. "I
have to check on my dog, too. I left him outside."
    I grabbed my purse and headed for the door.
Daniel’s hand grabbed my arm sending a jolt through me.
    "What? You are a reporter and you walk
everywhere?" he said smiling at me.
    The twinkle in his eye caused a slight pink in my
cheeks. I couldn’t remember how long it had been since I blushed,
but thought it must have been back in high school or earlier. The
laugh that escaped my lips couldn’t be helped.
    "Come on, Laila Rook, Reporter, I’ll give
you a ride back. What kind of dog do you have?"
    I didn’t want to answer that, so ignored his
question and braced myself for the rain that had begun. The paramedic
opened the passenger side of his Rav and I hopped in just as the sky
opened up. By the time Daniel plopped in the driver’s seat his dark
hair glistened with drops of rain. The rain pummeled harder and we
agreed that we got to shelter just in time. When we passed Mary
Lynne’s Beads and Bangles she was standing in the window of her
shop watching the storm. It was as if she expected me to pass her
shop while riding in a Rav with a man I didn’t know. She recognized
me right away in the blinding rain and lifted her tapered hand in a
greeting. She seemed so sure of her proclamation, but I didn’t have
a clear view.
    I wanted to ask Daniel a million questions about
the murder of Michael Simms but in no time at all we had arrived at
the back door of Roasted Love. I scanned the area for Thor who was
nowhere in sight. He must have found shelter someplace, I thought. I
was sure the neighborhood was familiar enough for him to do that.
    "Come on in for a latte or espresso and get
dry," I said.
    He had jumped from his side and raced to my door
to open it. We were both drenched and he looked like a wet rag
waiting to be