Nipped in the Bud by Susan Sleeman Read Free Book Online Page A

looked at Lisa. “Ready to give your statement?”
    Ack ! What was with the cooing tone all of a sudden? Why did Lisa get the good cop when all I saw was the bad one?
    Perry put his hand on Lisa’s shoulder. “I’m not leaving Lisa alone. We’ll get your clothes once this is finished.”
    Mitch pointed toward the far side of the park. “Wait over there.”
    “Since you put it so nicely.” I let my sarcasm float over Mitch then gave Lisa a reassuring smile. “I’ll wait by the concession stand.”
    “You better.” She offered me the same look her twins received when trouble befell them, which might I say was far too often for Lisa’s liking.
    I shot across the clearing. I was going to owe Lisa big time for involving her in another one of my messes, and she would make me pay. Not this minute. No, now that she’d worked through her initial shock, she’d move on to mothering me. But later, oh yes, much later, when this day was a bad memory, she’d pounce, and I’d be helpless.
    I moved to a table farther away from the onlookers hanging at the park perimeter. Seated, I watched Mitch question Lisa. Even at this distance, I could see the softness in his eyes. This was the Mitch I knew. The Mitch before our falling out. Now here he was accusing me of murder and heaping kindness on my best friend. He was playing the good cop, bad cop routine all by himself. Why didn’t he offer me a smidgen of that respect?
    An officer’s threatening voice coming from the fence area snapped my gaze in his direction. “Fence, oh my g osh , Ned!” I’d forgotten all about him. I glanced at my watch. Why hadn’t he called? I snatched my cell from the cli p and frantically clicked to his number.
    “Hey, Paigey girl,” he answered on the third ring. “Sorry I’m not there yet. I’m running a little behind. Just loading the truck now.”
    “Don’t bother with the fence.” In short, choppy sentences to keep my tears at bay, I told him about Bud.
    “Man. . . seriously ? Killed. . .that’s rough. I don’t know what I can do, but I’ll come over if you need me.”
    What a nice guy. See, Paige. You do have people who care about you. How many people would offer to show up at a crime scene to support you? “Thanks, Ned. I appreciate the offer. Perry and Lisa are here, and there’s really nothing you can do.” His kindness made me want to cry, but I couldn’t afford to feel that way right now. “I’m sorry I put you to all this trouble. And even more sorry for trading on our friendship like this.”
    “Hey, no biggie. I’m still raking in the dough from the contract you got me. Feel free to call if you change your mind about needing the fencing or needing me to come over there.”
    It’s not often you made lasting friends in the business world, but I was proud to call Ned my friend and hoped he’d be one for years to come. I stowed my phone and spotted Lisa shaking hands with the traitor, Mitch. We would definitely have a talk about that. My best friend should not be cordial to the enemy. Perry stood, braced his slim hips against the table, and pulled out his cell, hopefully calling his lawyer friend.
    Lisa charged my way, her face changing from irritated to tender as her feet pummeled the grass. She reached out and folded me in a hug that I so desperately needed.
    “You doing okay?” she whispered.
    “I guess. How about you?”
    “I won’t forget seeing Bud for a long time.” She pulled back, searching my face with concerned eyes. “You sure you’re okay? You don’t look so good.”
    I snorted. “Neither do you, and it’s all my fault. If I weren’t so focused on getting this business off the ground, you wouldn’t be here. Sorry I got you into this mess.”
    “Don’t be. The only time I ever have any excitement is when I hang out with you.” Her eyes sparkled.
    “And who’s to blame?”
    “I know, I know. I should loosen up, but hey, now’s not the time to work on my issues. You’re the one in