Murder of a Sweet Old Lady by Denise Swanson Read Free Book Online

is really dumb in this day and age.”
    “Look, things are different on a farm. I know it doesn’t seem like it now, but usually . . . It’s hard to explain to a city boy. Can we do this a different time? Say anytime except right after my grandmother’s been murdered.” Skye felt tears pushing to overflow but forced them back.
    “Fine.”
    Her eyes had adjusted to the dark as they stood talking, and what she saw made her gasp.
    Simon grabbed her arm. “What’s wrong?”
    “Oh my God. My tires.” Skye pointed to the four flats on her car.
    “Shit.” Simon walked around the vehicle.
    “They couldn’t all go flat at the same time.” Skye moved closer, trying to get a better look.
    “No, they couldn’t. Someone slashed them on purpose.”
     
    Skye leaned her head on the leather seat back of Simon’s Lexus. The chief had told Skye he would dust the Buick for prints immediately, but she could wait and fill out a vandalism report when she came in to the police station the following morning. Jed had insisted he would get the tires fixed first thing the next day. Skye hadn’t been able to convince her father that she was capable of arranging for her tires to be replaced herself. And she was too tired to argue for long.
    The country roads were dark and Skye almost dozed until Simon stopped for the traffic signal at Maryland and Basin Streets. She shook her head; the only stoplight in town and she always managed to find it on red.
    Basin Street, Scumble River’s main thoroughfare, consisted of a six-block area that housed most of the town’s smaller businesses, including the bank and the dry cleaner. Larger establishments, such as the supermarket and hardware store, had moved to the outskirts about ten years earlier in search of parking.
    As the Lexus turned onto Stebler, the streetlights became fewer and fewer until they disappeared completely by the time Simon pulled into Skye’s street. She rented a small river cottage from a divorced couple who couldn’t decide who should get ownership. The cottage was ideal for Skye, and she hoped the couple wouldn’t settle their differences until she was able to save some money, find another job, and make her escape from Scumble River.
    Simon parked in her driveway and turned to Skye. “Would you like me to come in?”
    She frowned, misunderstanding his intent. “I’m really tired and just want to go to sleep.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “That’s fine, but wouldn’t you feel better, after all that’s happened, if I made sure the place is safe?”
    Skye began to slide out of the car. “Oh, well thanks, but I can take care of myself.”
    Simon followed her, watching as she tried unsuccessfully to fit the key in the lock. “Look, your tires were slashed and you’re the one ruffling everyone’s feathers about your grandmother’s death. Don’t you think there might be a connection?”
    “Okay, you’re probably right. I’m too tired to think straight.”
    The door finally opened and Skye trudged wearily inside. On her way into the great room that acted as her living and dining areas, she threw her purse on a table.
    She watched Simon scan the room. It was half of the large octagon shape that made up the cottage. The outer arc was comprised of windows and sliding glass doors that faced the river. He made sure they were all locked, with bars across their tracks, before moving on. Skye trailed behind him.
    The bedroom was a quarter of the octagon and also had a set of sliding glass doors with windows on either side looking over the water. He secured these and checked out the closet and bathroom.
    The only remaining space was the small kitchen/utility area that looked out on the driveway, and the half bath off the foyer. Both were empty.
    Skye, following Simon, bumped into him when he stopped in the foyer. “Sorry.”
    He put his arms around her. “Make sure you turn the dead bolt and put on the chain when I leave.”
    Skye nodded mutely, having trouble keeping her