Fever Rich: A Mercy Mares Cozy Mystery by Ava Mallory Read Free Book Online

staff nurse.
     
    “Must be nice to be rich,” the same person said.
     
    Detective Ortiz said, “Well, according to the maid, they probably won't be keeping too many of the staff members because of what happened here, so it might not be so great to be rich after all.”
     
    What? Are they going to let me go?
     
    *
    I'd never been so happy to see my house. At least that's what I thought until I saw the flashing lights in front of it. I clutched the steering wheel and pressed the gas a little bit too hard, sending my car into a stubborn fit.
     
    There was no way for me to get into my driveway. A police vehicle was blocking it. I pulled over, leaving my car double parked, and ran as fast as I could to see what was going on.
     
    Margie saw me and immediately ran to me to fill me in on what had happened. “I've been robbed again and good this time.”
     
    I let out a sigh of relief. I thought someone had been hurt. Being robbed wasn't a good thing either, but at least no one was dead.
     
    “What did they take?” My voice shook as I spoke.
     
    She noticed my body shaking and grasped my arm. “Honey, it's okay. I've just been robbed. No one got hurt.”
     
    The stress of the day had begun to take its toll on me. “Good. Sorry. It's been a long day.” I said. “What happened here?”
     
    She pulled me around to the front of her house and pointed to an empty spot where her patio set used to sit.
     
    “My patio furniture is gone. Just like that. I went for my afternoon walk and when I came back, it was all gone. What makes it worse is that no one saw a thing. How can that be? It's the middle of the day and not one of these busy bodies saw one single thing. What we need is a neighborhood watch or some kind of security here! I'm tired of this. Remember when you first moved in here? Everyone was so friendly and we all got along so well.” Margie shook her head at the memory.
     
    “There are still good people here. I can't imagine that any of our neighbors would have done this.” I said, hoping I was right. I'd hate to think that one of the people I'd come to know and love would have done something like this. Our community was safe. We all knew each other.
     
    “At this point, I don't know what to believe. All I know is that someone has taken this little game too far. They don't know who they are messing with, but they are about to find out.” She said.
     
    I looked back at my house. The doors and windows were closed and all looked to be intact. “Have you seen Tina or Noah today?” I asked.
     
    Margie shook her head. “No, I don't remember seeing them, but I saw that woman – your replacement. She was here earlier, but she didn't stick around too long.”
     
    Oh, great! Now, Kitty thinks she can just drop by anytime.
     
    “She was here?” I asked.
     
    “You're not too fond of her? Don't worry. It will get easier. It's always hard when your ex falls in love again. I've been there. You'll be fine. I just know you'll find your new Mr. Right someday soon.”
     
    I didn't get a chance to respond because a police officer called her over to talk. I quickly made my exit and went to my house to get some much-needed rest.
     
    When I stepped in, the house was quiet, but very tidy.
     
    Tina must have cleaned. What a sweet girl!
     
    “Hello?” I called out.
     
    There was no answer.
     
    I walked down the hallway to the room I'd set up for her. The door was open, but Tina and Noah weren't in there.
     
    “Tina?” I called out.
     
    The door to the other spare room was closed. I knocked lightly.
     
    No one answered.
     
    Figuring that they were probably exhausted from their trip, I walked away and let them rest. What I really wanted to do was take a long bath and erase the memories of the day.
     
    As soon as I stepped into the tub, I heard my front door open and what sounded like a parade of people walking in, talking and laughing.
     
    “Mercy?”
     
    The last person I wanted in my house was that