Have and Hold: (A Geeks and Things Cozy Mystery Novella #4) (Geeks and Things Cozy Mysteries) by Sarah Biglow Read Free Book Online Page A

mother’s worry.
    “As long as you’re sure.”
    Kalina could see people approaching the front of the shop through the blinds on the front windows. “Mom, I’ve got to go. Customers await.”
    “OK. I love you.”
    Kalina ended the call and yanked the door open. Her nephew’s rosy face greeted her. She quirked a brow at him but he said nothing, just stepped around her into the warmth of the shop. A few other people followed suit and, before she had closed the door, AJ jumped behind the counter and started taking orders. She settled in the corner and watched him dart around the shop like a pro. He kept a broad grin plastered to his face until the last customer had left the shop and the bell above the door quieted.
    “You aren’t supposed to be here,” Kalina chided.
    “I told Mom I left some stuff here yesterday.”
    “You shouldn’t be lying to your mother.”
    “I know. But I saw that article on the news… Mom hasn’t yet and I just wanted to see how you were holding up.”
    “I’m fine, kiddo. Chris is on the warpath but I don’t blame him.”
    “It said there was a source in the police. Is that true?”
    “I don’t know. He’s trying to find out.”
    On cue, her phone buzzed with a new text from Chris. “Leak in ME’s office. Ex-boyfriend of reporter.” “And it looks like they solved the leaky department problem.”
    “Why do you think she brought up Captain Cahill?”
    “To try to draw attention to what’s going on. It was a horrible thing for her to do. I should have realized she was going to write something even though I told her not to.”
    “It isn’t your fault, Aunt K.”
    Tears welled in her eyes. “I just feel like I could have done more to keep her quiet.”
    AJ pulled her into a tight bear hug and she tightened her grip on him too. She wanted to tell him the truth about what was making her so emotional but she wanted to wait to share that news until everything was over, the wedding included.
    “Do they have any leads?”
    Kalina relinquished her grip on her nephew and wiped at her eyes. “I’m not sure. From what I know, the fiancés are clear.”
    “So that reporter lied.”
    “Or she interpreted what she saw at the station when she was being interviewed.”
    “You and Chris will solve it. You always do.”
    She forced a watery smile. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Kalina gave his arm an appreciative squeeze. “Now, you should get home before your mother has a heart attack because you aren’t studying.”
    “Do I have to?”
    “Yes. Move it, mister.”
    He pouted all the way to the front door but cracked a smile before wrapping his scarf over his mouth and heading out into the cold. As the door swung shut, she spotted Chris’s car rolling up the block. He rolled down the passenger side window and leaned over. “You ready?”
    “You’re early.”
    “Didn’t you see my text?”
    “Yeah. But I thought you were going to try to talk to Beth again.”
    “I’ve got guys out looking for her. She’s not with the ex-boyfriend and there’s been no response at her house or office.”
    “Let me grab my coat.”
    The ride over to the jewelry store was short and quiet. Neither of them seemed to know what to say. Kalina still couldn’t shake the feeling that she should have done something more to stop Beth from posting the article. The anger that had made the lines of Chris’s face sharper a few hours ago had dulled a little. At least no one under his direct command had blabbed to the press.
    “I’ve got the fiancés coming back in to be questioned about their whereabouts on the days the other women went missing,” Chris said as he pulled into a free spot in the parking lot. He chose the middle spot, equal distance from the door and the edge of the lot. She assumed it was to conceal his presence for as long as possible. There was only one other car in the lot.
    “So how are we going to do this?” Kalina asked and unbuckled her seatbelt. She spotted a woman