Ladle to the Grave (A Soup Lover's Mystery Book 4) by Connie Archer Read Free Book Online Page A

asked.
    Sophie shrugged. “I don’t really know. I don’t even have an address for him. Just an e-mail. He wrote once and said he was working for a private investigator. Doing some process service work in New York—somewhere near Utica, I think. I had the impression he was thinking of getting his own license.”
    “Hmm. Interesting,” Nate said. “Then, if that’s the case, it should be easy to trace him if he’s licensed with New York State.”
    Lucky and Jack had remained silent, watching their exchange.
    Nate hesitated. “We can’t be absolutely sure at this point, Sophie, but it’s definitely pointing in that direction. I’ll check out what I can with New York. If it turns out there’s no one who can identify him, I’d like to set up an appointment for a DNA collection in Lincoln Falls. It’ll just take a minute. A swab is all they’ll need.”
    Sophie sniffed and nodded silently.
    “I’m sorry, Sophie. Sorry I had to come to you with this.” Nate stood and walked to the door. “I’ll be in touch.” Nate exited without looking back.
    Sage followed Nate and locked the door behind him, making sure the CLOSED sign was still turned toward the outside of the glass. He returned to the table and sat, taking Sophie’s hand in his. All three were quiet, watching Sophie carefully.
    She looked around the table at them. “I don’t know what to say. I’m not really
feeling
anything right now.”
    “That’s understandable,” Lucky replied. “I guess he was a stranger to you . . . really.”
    “He was. But still . . . my only flesh and blood in the world. I feel like I should feel something.”
    Jack reached across and touched her shoulder. “If it really is your brother they found up there, you’ll come to grips with it. You’ll sort out your feelings.”
    Sage leaned closer. “Look, if you’re upset or want to postpone the wedding, we can. We’d all understand.”
    “No!” Sophie’s response was vehement. “No. I can’t sort it out, but I don’t want to be putting our lives on hold. I didn’t even know my brother and he’s been gone for a long, long time. If that was him, I’m real sorry, but putting off the wedding won’t help a bit. It’s a terrible accident but there’s nothing I can do about it.”
    Silence fell over the table. No one wanted to suggest there might be more to this death than an accident.

Chapter 10

    “ M AYBE I SHOULD take you home?” Sage offered.
    Sophie shook her head. “No. No, I’m fine.” She leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek. “You have work to do and Lucky needs to open. I’ll be okay. I have to get a few things done and I’ll come back later. I refuse to be upset. Especially since we don’t know for sure who that man in the creek was. No one could possibly identify him from his face anyway.”
    Sage seemed to accept Sophie’s decision. “All right. As long as you promise to call me if you’re not feeling well.”
    “I promise.” Sophie stood. “By the way”—she turned to Sage—“I need to use your car. Lucky’s going to borrow mine till she can have hers looked at.”
    “What’s wrong with it?” Sage asked Lucky.
    “Just wouldn’t start last night. Guy’s coming by soon to see what he can do. I can wait until he gives me an opinion, if borrowing Sophie’s car is inconvenient.”
    “No. It’s fine. Go right ahead. Let me know if you need any help with that.”
    “Thanks, Sage.”
    Sophie slung her purse over her shoulder. “Thanks, Lucky . . . Jack. I appreciate your concern with all this. I really do. But I don’t want you worrying about me. I’ll be fine.”
    Lucky smiled her encouragement and waved as Sophie headed through the swinging door to the corridor. A minute or so later, they watched as she pulled out of the alleyway in Sage’s car and turned onto Broadway.
    Jack sighed. “Keep an eye on her, you two. This could hit her real hard if it turns out Nate’s right.”
    Sage rose and, turning over