Ginny Gold - Early Bird Café 01 - Rise and Die by Ginny Gold Read Free Book Online Page B

know for sure.”
    “You reported it, right?”
    Kori shook her head. “I spent the afternoon getting new tires and then went back to work to get ready for today. Oh, and then I was brought in for questioning. So it didn’t really cross my mind to file a police report. Now it would probably look too suspicious.”
    “Maybe not. Ask Zach what to do tomorrow night. I’m sure Jay still has the tire. Call him later to make sure.” Nora held out the kettle of hot water for Kori.
    “No thanks. I’ve gotta get back to the café. I’ll talk to you tomorrow I’m sure.”
    “Have a great night. You deserve it.” Nora put the kettle back on the stove and hugged Kori before she left.
    Back in her car, Kori sighed in relief. She didn’t know what she would do without Nora to help her through this. She drove slowly back home in the near darkness and didn’t even realize that the door to The Early Bird was unlocked when she had locked it earlier. She let herself in and locked up for the night.

CHAPTER 6
     
    The next morning, Kori woke up with her alarm earlier than usual. She’d been so drained after the events of getting arrested and making a plan with Nora that she’d eaten a quick dinner and fallen asleep on the couch with her book. At some point she’d dragged herself to her bed but she didn’t remember brushing her teeth.
    She threw on the same jeans from yesterday and a clean t-shirt and headed downstairs to the café. Tuesday’s menus were still on the chalkboards, so she erased those and headed to the kitchen to figure out what she’d be able to offer.
    The oatmeal was finished and the pot was soaking in the sink—she hadn’t even had the energy last night to clean it after getting home from Nora’s—but she still had more granola that she could offer with yogurt and fruit. There was more arugula and pesto, so egg sandwiches and wraps would be on the menu. The stuffed French toast was finally gone but she would make cinnamon French toast. And finally she would offer waffles with whipped cream and strawberry sauce, or just with maple syrup. With another side of bacon wrapped leeks. It was a smaller menu than the last two days but not out of the ordinary for her.
    Kori was completely wrapped up in her work when her mot her attempted to open the still-locked front door. In her impatience on her way to spin class, she started pounding on the glass and Kori came running.
    “Since when do you lock this?” her mother asked as soon as it was opened.
    “Good morning to you, too,” Kori replied sarcastically.
    “Good morning , dear.” Gale headed past her straight to the kitchen where she helped herself to a glass of orange juice. “Thanks,” she said, holding it up as if she were toasting something.
    Kori nodded her acknowledgement.
    “Are you locking your door now because of that murder? Didn’t you know her?” Gale asked once she’d downed the juice and Kori was back to work getting everything prepared for the day.
    “Yes I did know her. Her name was Tessa,” Kori told her mother. She was glad to hear that word hadn’t traveled far about the details of the possible murderer. If anyone knew that Kori had been arrested, her mother would. “I was just tired last night and had a lot of work to do this morning so I hadn’t unlocked it yet. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
    Gale waved her off. “No problem at all. I just wanted to make sure that I was still welcome.”
    Kori let her mother’s concern sit in the air between them.
    “So. Jay. Have you found anything out?” her mother asked.
    “I didn’t know you were waiting on information from me. But since you brought it up, what’s your angle?” Kori asked directly. “What makes you think Jay is a father? He asked me about you bringing up past girlfriends the other day and I didn’t know what to say. That his mother doesn’t trust him?”
    “It’s nothing like that. You know I love both of you,” Gale said evasively. “I got a letter in the