Sally Berneathy - Death by Chocolate 01 - Death by Chocolate by Sally Berneathy Read Free Book Online Page A

indicating you already knew.”
    “I nodded as a polite acknowledgement that I’m listening to what you’re saying.”
    I lifted a skeptical eyebrow. Sometimes I’m not positive when he’s teasing, but I never let him know that. As I finished my sandwich, savoring every crumb, I told him about the cops’ visit.
    “I’ve always wondered why any woman would want to color her blond hair brown,” he said when I finished.
    “You noticed that, too? She didn’t have any references when she moved in. Rick didn’t want to accept her application to rent the house, but I insisted. I think she had an abusive husband, and she’s hiding from him. What do you think?”
    He nodded slowly.
    “Is that a nod of agreement or just a polite nod to show you heard me?”
    “It’s a contemplative nod. I’m considering the possibility. She is pretty obsessive about keeping to herself , and she’s extremely protective of the kid. Would you like more tea?”
    “Yes, please.”
    While Fred poured tea, I peeled the plastic wrap off the plate of still-warm peanut butter chocolate chip cookies I’d brought over.
    “Well,” he said, selecting the most evenly rounded cookie on the plate, “I guess it’s none of our business. If Paula wants us to know what her problem is, she’ll tell us.”
    “Unless she’s too scared to make a rational decision. She may need our help.” I told him about the hole through the hedge and the cigarette butt. “Have you noticed any activity over there? Anybody skulking around?”
    For several moments he gazed out the window, then finally shook his head. “I don’t think the police would be watching her through a hole in the hedge. That’s not really their style.”
    “I know that, but it might be her ex-husband or somebody he’s hired to find her. Her unlisted phone number is listed somewhere or that Lester Mackey wouldn’t have it on a piece of paper in his apartment.”
    “Have you told her about this suspected stake-out site?”
    “Not yet. She’s already terrified. I don’t want to make it worse until I know for sure there’s something to worry about.”
    “Okay, so we forget about it until we know for sure there’s something to worry about.”
    “That’s just like a man! Don’t call the fire department until the house is burning.”
    “I think that’s standard procedure, yes.”
    “Okay, that analogy didn’t come out quite right, but you know what I meant. Why don’t you run a check on your computer, see what you can find out about Paula?”
    “Because that would be invading her privacy.”
    “It’s for her own good.”
    “You don’t know that.”
    “You don’t know it isn’t. She could be in danger. The fire could already be smoldering under the roof and any minute it’s going to burst into flames and then it’ll be too late.”
    He didn’t answer. I hate it when he does that. If he’d keep arguing, I might have a chance of convincing him.
    I took another cookie, more chocolate to inspire me to figure out what to do next.
    “Okay, I’ll run a check on her,” he suddenly agreed, much to my surprise, “if you’ll promise not to do anything else.”
    “What else? What could I possibly do?”
    “I’m not going to answer that. I don’t want to give you any ideas. Do you have Paula’s social security number and date of birth?”
    “Sure, in my computer records at home.”
    “Call me with it and I’ll see what I can find, but I’m not promising anything.”
    “Thank you.” I pushed my chair back, stood and planted a kiss on his cheek, partly because I knew it would make him blush and partly because I really was grateful to him for being my friend.
    When I walked in the front door of my house, King Henry rose regally from my recliner, stretched, rubbed against my legs, then ambled over to reach up and pat the door handle.
    “You’re right. It’s time for you to go home. We had a nice visit, but you know what they say about cats and visitors.” I