Chilled in Chattanooga (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Book 4) by Deborah Malone Read Free Book Online

needed to finish my interview.
    “Lighten up, Trix. It’s rude not to accept food when offered in someone’s home.” Dee Dee smiled to soften her words.
    “You’re right. What’s a few hundred more calories?”
    “Well, I know any calories that go through my lips are going to wind up on my hips, but I don’t want to live life worried to death about being a little overweight.” That statement was so Dee Dee. She strived to live life to the fullest and instead of wallowing in worry she looked at problems as challenges. What she couldn’t handle she gave to the One who could. The one time I thought she wouldn’t come out of the doldrums, was when she was accused of murder in Dahlonega, Georgia. I was so happy when Dee Dee was absolved of any involvement.
    She hit the target more often than I did though. I tried, but I still enjoyed a good pity-party every now and then. I have to admit, since I’d reconnected with Dee Dee my ability to handle difficult situations had become easier and my faith had grown in the process. Thank you God, for good friends.
    “Here ya’ go!” Tilly interrupted my musings when she returned holding a tray laden with cookies and a teapot. I jumped up to help.
    “Those cookies do look good, Tilly.” Suddenly I was hungry again. She served everyone then resumed her story.
    “Now where was I? Oh yeah, I was telling you about Tad’s death that left his poor daughter without a caring parent.”
    “Do you remember her name?”
    She gazed at the ceiling as if she’d find the answer written there. “Don’t hold me to it, but I think it’s Tabitha.”
    I wrote as Tilly continued.
    “Well, Bobby Lee stepped up and took over as her guardian. He and his wife raised her just like they would their own. She never lacked for anything. I heard she was hard to handle for a while during her teens. I suppose those years aren’t easy for any of us. Anyway, she went off to college until the unbelievable happened.”
    “What was that, Tilly?” Dee Dee and I asked in unison.
    Bobby Lee’s murder. It was terrible. They found him in one of his warehouses and I heard it was not a pretty sight. You’ve heard of people losing their heads. Well, he definitely lost his.” A little shiver shook her body.
    “And they never found out who committed the murder?” The sleuth inside me was intrigued.
    “No they didn’t, but the rumors flew. People were saying he was part of the Dixie Mafia, and they were cashing in on a payment.”
    I wondered if I’d gotten myself in deeper than was safe, and wondered what Beau would say about this new twist.
    “What do you think, Tilly?”
    “I guess anything is possible. One thing I know for sure is they lived high on the hog. The best of everything, nice house, new cars and that young’un had everything her heart desired. I’ve wondered from time to time if the furniture business was that lucrative.” She shook her head in wonderment.
    Dee Dee looked at her Minnie Mouse watch. Her clothes more likely than not, matched her personality – bold and colorful. Today she wore black pants with a bright red sweater covered in snowflakes. With the Christmas season arriving, she’d wear a holiday-themed outfit until the New Year arrived. I’d love to dress as bold, but I usually stuck to my brown, beiges, and pastel colors. I didn’t like to draw attention to myself, but that was a lost cause with Dee Dee and Nana in tow.
    She pointed to her timepiece. “We’d better be going if we want to get off the mountain before it gets dark. Do we need to go by the B&B to pick up your things?”
    “No. I’ve got enough for tonight, I just need to check in and let Detective Sams know where I’ll be staying. We can go by tomorrow and gather my luggage and car.”
    I hoped and prayed Nana hadn’t ordered the Elves to tuck us in tonight. I didn’t think I could handle them. “Thank you so much Tilly for taking the time to talk with us. You’ve been the perfect hostess. I’ll