Death by Lime: A Key West Culinary Cozy - Book 5 by Summer Prescott Read Free Book Online

was slurring, so I think he was drunk. He either broke in, or I may have forgotten to lock the front door after Bill left,” she mused, feeling drained and sore.
    “Bill?” Bernard’s pen was poised over his notepad.
    “Bill Gibson, the repairman for the apartment complex. He fixed my bathtub drain,” she explained.
    “Detective, I’m sorry to interrupt, but we’re going to have to get her to the hospital. She may have sustained a concussion, and I’m sure the docs will want to run a scan to make sure that there are no skull fractures. Whoever did this packed a powerful punch,” the EMT’s jaw muscles clenched and he shook his head in disgust.
    Cortland nodded. “Safety first,” he said to Kelcie, giving her a reassuring smile. “I’ll check in to see how you’re doing, and we can finish this conversation tomorrow, when you’re feeling better.”
    “Okay. Thank you,” she murmured, blinking slowly. “Oh, Detective?” she called out as he turned to go. He gave her a questioning look.
    “Do you think I’ll be safe at the hospital?” she asked in a small, scared voice.
    “I’ll make sure of it,” he promised grimly.
    **
    Kelcie’s scans showed no fractures, but she did have a concussion, and would need to stay in the hospital overnight for observation. Bernard came by the next morning to finish questioning her about the incident, and let her know that Thomas had already been arrested.
    “Do you think he killed Cam?” she asked, her eyes brimming with tears at the all-too-fresh loss of her friend.
    “We’re looking into it,” the detective replied. “He certainly seems to have violent tendencies and enough of a motive to be considered a viable suspect.”
    “If he did kill Cam…that would make it my fault. He never would’ve even known who Cam was if he hadn’t seen him with me and put two and two together,” she said, tears slipping slowly down her cheeks.
    “His actions, if he did indeed take Camden’s life, were his own. He made his own decisions, which you couldn’t have predicted or prevented. It’s not your fault if he killed him, Kelcie, but let’s not jump to conclusions just yet,” he advised. “You get some rest, and let me worry about figuring out who the bad guy is.”
    “Then, there’s still the mystery of my stalker,” she muttered miserably.
    “I’m still looking into that as well,” Bernard assured her. “We’ll figure it out, these things just take time. At least now you’ll be safe from an ex-boyfriend with a wicked temper,” he reminded her.
    “I know,” she agreed. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.”
    “I understand completely. Just hang in there,” he said on his way out the door.
     

Chapter 12
    “Thomas is lucky that he’s in custody,” Tiara seethed, feeling protective of her fragile friend.
    “I just hate that Kelcie was hurt,” Marilyn lamented.
    “Yeah, me too,” her daughter agreed, wiping down the front counter after the morning rush.
    They both looked up when the door opened, admitting Sam, the yoga student/delivery guy.
    “Hi,” he said shyly. “I just wanted to stop in and make sure that Kelcie is okay,” he said quietly.
    “How do you know about Kelcie?” Tiara’s eyes narrowed.
    “I’m the one who called the police when she screamed. I had delivered food for her earlier, and then realized that I’d left out part of her order. When I went back and rang the bell, I heard her scream. I tried to get inside to help, but the doors were both locked, so I called the police. Is she okay?” he asked.
    Marilyn’s daughter relaxed visibly. “Yeah, sorry. Our nerves are just strung pretty thin around here right now. Kelcie has a concussion, but she’s going to be okay.”
    “Oh, that’s great news,” he smiled with relief. “She seems like such a nice person.”
    “She really is a sweetie,” Marilyn replied. “Can we get you anything, since you’re here?”
    “Well, now that you mention it, I’d love