Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon Read Free Book Online

anything better to do than annoy the council with my lawn.”
    Amy started laughing. Jimmy stopped talking. Amy pulled out a tissue from her purse. “If I could continue.”
    He started again. “You put up with my ramblings, my stories, and my complaints with grace and love. I may not have had a daughter of my blood, but thanks to you, I had a daughter in my old age. I’m sorry I put you through so much bother.”
    Amy handed me the tissue as tears started to fall on my cheeks. Miss Emily had been the one who always believed in me.
    â€œFor your love, I leave to you my house, the entire contents of the house, my car, and the funds from my bank accounts, life insurance, and stock. My accountant assures me at least in liquid assets I’m rather quite wealthy, and now dear, so are you. My only request is that you move into the house and live there. Oh, and you need to get a dog. That’s it. Have a good life, my dear. I’ll miss you.”
    Jimmy set the will down on the table. “That’s all, folks. Miss Gardner? I’ll make time for you to meet with me and go over the specifics of the bequest next week after the funeral. I understand your store is closed on Mondays? Can you be at my office about one o’clock?”
    I nodded, not trusting my voice. I took the card he offered and put it in my purse. Get a dog. The woman left me her house. And she wanted me to get a dog.
    â€œYou okay?” Amy leaned into me and put her arm around my shoulders. “You ready for some pasta?” Amy always knew how to cheer me up. Anyplace that slapped bread down on the table as soon as you walked in classified as my favorite place to eat.
    â€œI’m fine. I’m just wondering what kind of dog I’m supposed to get.”
    â€œJill, I don’t think it matters. I think she just didn’t want you to be lonely.”
    â€œI’ve always been partial to golden retrievers myself.” Detective King stood by me. “I think my friend has a litter of pups if you’d like to go look at them this weekend?”
    I studied the handsome man standing by my side. “I’d like that.”
    â€œI’ll call you on Saturday, then?”
    â€œIt’s a date. I mean, that would be nice.”
    Sabrina Jones pushed her way past Greg. “This isn’t over, girlie, not by a long shot.” She grabbed George’s arm and pulled him out the door.
    â€œShe’s not happy.” I frowned as I watched the couple leave the chapel.
    â€œThat’s an understatement. Make sure you keep your doors locked for the next few days, maybe she’ll cool off.” Greg joined me in staring as the couple left the mortuary.
    And maybe she wouldn’t.
    I knew I had two more names to add to my list of suspects.
    The sun was setting as we drove back to South Cove from Bakerstown’s Italian mecca, Tuscany Garden. I’d ordered their seafood special with a bottle of white wine, of which, looking back, I think Amy had one glass. I polished off the rest. Wine, pasta, bread sticks, soup, the whole experience.
    â€œI’d planned to take off for a couple of days to scout out a new place for the competition next month. But I can put it off until after the funeral if you’d like.” Amy turned down the stereo, watching for my reaction.
    â€œLife goes on. I’m going to be swamped around here. I’ll probably not even notice you’re gone.” I laid my head back on the headrest.
    Thank God Amy drove because I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Blame it on the pasta, the stress, or even the warm summer sun coming in through the windshield, but I fell asleep soon after we headed for home. I woke when I realized we weren’t moving anymore.
    â€œHey, how long have we been here?” I glanced out the passenger window. We were parked on the street outside my shop.
    â€œJust a few minutes. You looked so cute with the drool coming out of your