Chocolate-Covered Crime by Cynthia Hickey Read Free Book Online

viewing, less than ten people, spaced sporadically, arrived to pay their respects. Boredom overtook me. I picked at my cuticles and wished Ethan hadn’t been too busy to come with me. My aunts huddled in the first row of chairs and whispered together. Occasionally, Aunt Claudia’s wails drowned out w Rthe music.
    Forgive me, Lord, but I’d had enough. I dashed outside to the parking lot where my uncles hid out beneath one of the magnolia trees. Smart men. I made my way over to them.
    “Mae Belle looked beautiful, didn’t she?” Uncle Fred wiped his sleeve across his eyes.
    “Yes, she did.”
    “Not much of a turnout, but my little girl had trouble making friends. Too much like her ma.” I must have looked shocked because Uncle Fred shrugged and clapped me on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I might keep my mouth shut around the women in my life, but I’m not deaf or dumb. You just find out who killed her, okay?”
    I nodded.
     
    Thursday morning, Aunt Claudia thumped down the stairs wearing a black muumuu with pink flowers and silver flip-flops. I smoothed a hand down my own black dress, shook my head, and turned away to avoid her seeing my expression. Uncle Fred wore an outdated-looking but fitted gray suit, and Uncle Roy looked dapper in a navy one. Aunt Eunice appeared behind her sister, wearing a full black skirt and gray blouse. The only similarity between the two, other than their body shape, was the shape of their noses and the gray curls on their heads.
    Aunt Eunice’s red-rimmed eyes, as befitted the day of grieving, met my gaze over her sister’s head. Aunt Claudia’s eyes were suspiciously bright and dry. They didn’t appear to be suffering from any lack of sleep.
    I’d written her name at the top of my suspect list the evening before. It would have been impossible for her to make it here from Oklahoma and get home again before we called to tell her about Mae Belle, but I’d bet the candy store the woman was involved somehow.
    We stepped out of the house into sunshine. The uncles escorted the aunts into my car, and I sat on the porch swing to wait for Ethan. I’d chosen not to squeeze in the back seat with the other women. Not after yesterday’s squashing experience.
    And Mr. Anderson became my number-two suspect after that meeting.
    A warm rush of confidence washed over me. Less than a week and I already had two suspects. This mystery should be wrapped up and tossed away before another seven days passed. My eyes would be open and peeled at the funeral this afternoon. In the movies, the killer always showed up to view the results of the evil deed.
    Ethan’s truck rolled into the driveway, and I bounded from my seat. He looked gorgeous. The royal blue of his shirt set off his azure eyes and golden curls. The slow, sweet smile he gave me as I slid in beside him sent a flush of heat up my neck.
    “Good morning, beautiful.” He reached over and squeezed my hand.
    “Morning, Ethan.” If he didn’t stop looking at me with those smoldering eyes, we’d never make it to church. That reminded me of another fee I’d have to pay. Transportation back and forth from the funeral home. I sighed.
    “What’s the matter, Tink?” Ethan’s large hand engulfed mine.
    “I offered to pay half of Mae Belle’s funeral. I don’t regret helping. It’s just that Aunt Claudia spared no expense, and I’ve got the feeling her grief is all an act.” I proceeded to fill him in on her tearless sobbing.
    “Have you mentioned your suspicions to Joe?”
    “Of course not. He thinks I’m a doofus. Aunt Claudia is staying in our house—for way longer than we’d like. I’ll get to the bottom of this.” Ditching the woman when I was investigating Mae Belle’s death would probably be the biggest challenge.
    We arrived at church before the aunts and uncles exited my car. Ethan pulled into an empty space beside them. I glanced around the parking lot. Not a crowd. Less than twenty cars. Sadness engulfed me. Mae