Caffeine & Killers (A Roasted Love Cozy Mystery Book 3) by Cam Larson Read Free Book Online

mind. What if I lost Daniel over all of this?
    My heart sank at the thought. He was my anchor
most of the time. We had a history between us and our relationship
was based on trust and respect. Tonight, I had let that crumble. It
was my fault and I knew I'd have to give Daniel time to cool off.
    Looking for the nearest distraction, I reached for
the TV remote control. And wouldn't you know it – the first thing I
saw on the screen was one of Calvin Carpenter’s campaign ads.
    He'd chosen his favorite subject for the ad, and
went on and on about the dangers of homelessness and drug abuse in
West River. He sure seemed to have a one-track agenda. He made it
sound as if the city of West River was overrun with people who lived
on the streets and used drugs.
    Before I'd met John, I didn’t know anyone who
didn’t have a bed to sleep in at night. Carpenter’s approach sure
did the trick of scaring the people of our town about the homeless.
    It was true that I'd felt fear when I'd talked to
that drug dealer downtown. It didn’t take Councilman Calvin
Carpenter to put that feeling inside of me. But it wasn’t as if I
had to live down there. I could choose to go back there for more
information, or choose not to.
    I turned the TV off. A decision had to be made.
Either I could keep my relationship with Daniel intact, or risk
losing him if I returned to Skid Row to get the truth about John’s
life.
    As the evening stretched on, I waited for Daniel
to call me. I wanted things to be good between us again and I was
sure he did, too.
    But no call came.
    I lay down in my bed and closed my eyes. Once I
got more information, I'd be able to convince Daniel that I was right
about John’s death. But I knew, even as a tear formed in the corner
of my eye, that there would be no more discussion of John's murder
with Daniel.

Chapter Eight
    It was my day to come in early at Roasted Love,
and I got there right when my boss, Jacob, got there. We greeted each
other and got right to work prepping for the morning rush.
    I was glad to keep busy, and it looked like we
would be nice and busy today. It was chilly and damp and a light rain
was beginning to fall from the grey skies. Perfect coffee weather.
    "You look like you could use a little extra
caffeine yourself," said Jacob, and handed me my favorite
espresso.
    I sure needed something strong today, and this
would do the trick. "Thanks. I’m okay. I just stayed up a
little late last night.." I smiled at Jacob, and he winked at
me. Then I realized what he thought I'd said. "Oh, no, no! I
didn't mean – "
    "Don't worry about it, Laila," he said,
chuckling. "Just get that French roast going, will you?"
    Pretty soon, the first three customers of the day
walked into the coffee house. As the bell on the door jangled, I
glanced back to see Gary Inman, along with two men I didn’t know,
taking their seats at a table for four.
    I knew Gary worked in construction and presumed
the other two did as well. All three of them appeared a lot more
awake than I felt.
    "Morning, Laila," said Gary.
    "Good morning," I said. "I’m
surprised you’re working today, with all this rain."
    "Oh, we’re doing inside work on the new
office building going up a block north of here," he said. I took
their orders for French toast and bagels and then returned to the
kitchen to give the orders to Jacob.
    In a moment I was back at their tables with two
espressos for the unknown men and a latte for Gary. "This is
Michael and Kevin. Drywall guys."
    "Nice to meet you. Let me know if you need
anything."
    More patrons came in, and I turned to greet them.
Most worked in shops along the Piazza and they were regulars. I tuned
into the moods of the people around me, and felt a little better. The
other folks made the day a little less cloudy.
    Then the bell jingled again and I saw Councilman
Calvin Carpenter and his campaign manager Ronald Larch walk in.
    Larch wouldn't look at me, but Carpenter acted as
if we were old friends. My fake smile