Chocolate-Covered Crime by Cynthia Hickey Read Free Book Online Page B

crowd.
    “The killer. Isn’t that why you’re here? Because you think he is?” I tried to determine where he looked.
    “I can’t discuss that with you. I’m here because Mae Belle was my cousin.”
    “Then I won’t tell you what I’ve discovered.” I folded my arms.
    “You can’t withhold information, Summer.”
    “Humph.” I marched away. There was no new information, and I knew he wouldn’t believe my suspicions about our aunt. I’d just have to investigate her myself.
    Ethan and I drove two car lengths behind the hearse. The early autumn fo FHuliage rolled past the slow-moving vehicles in a kaleidoscope of olive and forest green while the sun’s rays shot dapples through the colorful tree branches.
    Mountain Shadows Cemetery waited just outside town. Four cars pulled to a stop. Ethan, Joe, Uncle Fred, Uncle Roy, and two men I didn’t know hefted the casket from the back of the hearse and carried it to the grave site. Aunt Eunice sniffled background music to her sister’s sobs. As the casket was lowered into its new home, the back of my neck prickled.
    Maybe it was the chill of a breeze promising winter. Or maybe the scent of dried leaves already on the ground. But something disturbed the peace of the moment.
    I glanced over my shoulder. The silhouette of a man, or possibly a tall woman, stood in the shadows of a magnolia tree staring toward our small family cluster.
     
     
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    The cherries I dipped in the sugar coating lined the tray like round boulders lining a driveway. I grasped the first one by its stem and swirled it through the dipping machine. The loveliest shade of dark chocolate fell in rivulets from the fruit to join the rest in the tempering pan. If only mysteries were solved as efficiently. Covered as easily as cherries with chocolate. I sighed and allowed my mind to focus on my list of suspects as my hand performed the task I could probably do in my sleep.
    Who should I visit first? One of the two who had not attended Mae Belle’s funeral? I shook my head. Renee Richards would not be a pleasant visit. She’d be all sugar acting on the outside and acid corroding with her sweet words on the inside. Made me want to gag.
    I also wasn’t comfortable visiting Mountain Shadows’ playboy, Mason White. Not alone anyway. Aunt Eunice already warned me about the type of man Mason was. Maybe she could get away from her sister long enough to go with me.
    The two of them bickered behind the counter. Aunt Claudia insisted on helping pack boxes of assorted chocolates but ate more than she packed. Or else skimped on the candy, leaving the boxes at less than their intended weight. My customers were used to a certain standard of service. We’d hear from them if things weren’t up to par.
    “Just because you’re the oldest doesn’t mean you can boss me around.” Aunt Claudia yanked a box from Aunt Eunice’s hands.
    “It’s my store. That makes me the boss of anyone working here.” Aunt Eunice snatched the box back.
    I raised my eyes at her comment. Actually, I was the boss, considering I owned the place. I’d better go referee what threatened to become a full-scale sibling war.
    “Shouldn’t one of the perks of working in a candy store be sampling the merchandise?” Aunt Claudia plopped on a stool.
    “Yes, but you’ve eaten at least ten pieces, and you don’t technically work here!”
    I removed the box from Aunt Eunice’s clenched fists hoping the chocolates inside weren’t smashed. “Aunt Claudia, we’ll give you this box to take home with you. We don’t expect you to work while you’re grieving. I’ll call Uncle Roy to come and get you.”
    She stomped her foot. “Don’t bother. Seeing as how you’re more interested in making candy than finding out who murdered my baby, I think I’ll hit the pavement. Might scare up some information. You can just bring the stuff home with you.”
    She’d scare up something, all right. However, I doubted it would be clues.