miss fortune mystery (ff) - hiding in the bayou by riley blake Read Free Book Online

“Someone might see you.”
    She put her hands on her hips and straightened her back. “They’re out there watching us, Fortune. Never doubt that.” She slowly turned around as if she’d had a thought. “Where were you and Gertie standing again?”
    I pointed. “Over there next to the stop sign.”
    “And where was Carter?”
    “Here.” I stepped over the chalk outline and indicated Carter’s position. “And Peanut was standing where you are now.”
    “Point-blank range.”
    “It couldn’t have been.”
    “Did you see the body?” Ida Belle asked.
    “No. We were held for questioning. The medical examiner and his team hauled Rich out of here before I had a chance to see him.”
    “They wouldn’t have let you get close to this porch anyway. You’re an outsider.”
    “And I guess you would’ve been invited to take a look around and weigh in with an opinion?”
    Ida Belle smirked. “You’re learning, Fortune.” She frowned at the drawing and narrowed her eyes on a pool of dried blood. “But you’re not too good with forensics.” Before I could comment, she added, “He could’ve easily been shot at point-blank range.”
    “How do you know?”
    “I’ve seen my share of crime scenes, Fortune. This much of a blood splatter suggests Rich saw his killer. Now we have to ask ourselves this: Was anyone else on this porch?”
    “I was right over there,” I reminded her, indicating the stop sign again. “The man now known as Lorenzo jumped in front of us so it is possible that someone else could’ve darted across the porch, pumped a few rounds in Rich’s body, and rolled to the ground before anyone saw him.”
    “But?”
    “It didn’t happen,” I said, certain of the fact.
    “So we’re back to three. One ended up dead so we have two suspects—Carter and Peanut.”
    “My money is on Peanut,” I said. “She had motive.”
    “I don’t see where bandaging a relative’s knee is motive enough to kill someone.”
    “Apparently he ran around some.”
    Ida Belle grinned. “You’re starting to sound like a Southerner.” She laughed. “Just call him like you see him. He was a cheater.”
    “Okay. Rich supposedly cheated on Peanut.”
    “Supposedly?” Ida Belle cocked her head. “Honey, those two dropped their drawers so much, everyone in town knew what color and brand of underwear they wore.” She walked back inside, pacing from one side of the small living room to the other. “If these walls could talk.”
    “The first thing they would ask is, ‘What are you doing here?’ It would go downhill from there.”
    Ida Belle jumped. For once, I didn’t.
    “Deputy Carter LeBlanc in the flesh,” I muttered, thinking he probably shouldn’t be there.
    “Let’s try this again. Why are you here?”
    “I could ask you the same,” Ida Belle said. “You’re a suspect, Carter. Get out of here and leave the real detective work to the one who is watching out for you.”
    Carter stared down the gentle slope of his nose and said, “Ida Belle, you’re trespassing.”
    “And you aren’t?”
    “I’m a deputy. I’m investigating.”
    “A murder that some think you committed,” she reminded him.
    “All right, ladies. I don’t have time for this. Out with it. What are you doing here?”
    I looked at Ida Belle and she shrugged. “Isn’t it obvious?”
    “Want me to guess?” He grinned at me and I braced for it. “The town newcomer wanted to raid Peanut’s closet.”
    “You keep thinking that.” A beat later, I added, “Is that the best you can do?” 
    He looked all male then when his eyes flashed with something more than mischief. “I could do better but we’re in the presence of company.”
    “Don’t mind me,” Ida Belle said, sounding like Gertie then. “Give it your best shot.”
    “Consider this a free pass.” He then turned to Ida Belle and said, “You’d better have a good explanation for being here. Sheriff Lee is on his way over to conduct a more thorough