Sarah Woods Mystery Series (1-6) Boxed Set by Jennifer L. Jennings Read Free Book Online Page A

six. Usual place?”
    “ Yeah. Thanks. See you then, Gab.”
    Later that evening, sipping margaritas with her at my favorite bar, Coco’s Cantina, I told Gabby about Lindy. So engrossed was she in the tale of my brief stint as private investigator that she’d drunk almost her entire margarita.
    “ So what happened after you followed her to the café?”  
    “ Nothing is what happened. Some guy knocked on my window trying to sell me something and when I looked back at her car, it was gone,” I shook my head. “She couldn’t have been in that café more than five minutes.”  
    “ Wow. Guess you better not quit your day job.”
    “ No shit.”
    “ What would you have done, anyway? Confront her?” Gabby licked some salt from the rim of her glass.  
    “ I hadn’t really thought it through. I was acting on impulse.”  
    “ Hey, look, maybe we should go to the police and tell them about all of this. Let them sort it out. It is not your responsibility, or your burden, to solve Beth’s murder.” Gabby rested a hand on my shoulder.  
    “ It’s not just about Beth, you know. Her killer attacked me, too. I need to figure this out,” I said, staring into what little was left of my own drink.  
    “ Yeah. I figured as much. You’re a stubborn bitch, you know that?” Gabby smiled and punched me gently on the arm.  
    “ By the way, did you know Beth has a gorgeous brother named Max? I met him the other day.”
    “ What? She never mentioned a brother.”  
    “ He must have known about me from Beth. I was at the coffee shop and he just came in, sat down next to me, and introduced himself.”  
    Gabby narrowed her eyes. “ How’d he know you’d be there?”  
    “ I don’t really know, come to think of it. He didn’t say.”  
    “ Sounds a little creepy to me.”
    “ He was nice enough.”  
    “ So what’d he have to say?”  
    “ He wanted to talk about Beth. He seems to think Jacob may have had something to do with her death. He’s not a big fan of Beth’s fiancé.”  
    “ But why would he think that? I mean, that’s a pretty big jump from not liking someone to thinking they’re a murderer.”  
    “ I agree. But he seems pretty sure of it.”
    “ Maybe he’s blaming Jacob simply because there’s no one else to pin it on right now.”  
    “ Who knows?”  
    “ So,” Gabby smiled slyly and drummed her fingers on the bar, “just how gorgeous is Beth’s brother?”  
    “ What do you care?” I teased. “You don’t do men, remember? By the way,” I added, desirous of changing the subject, “are you going with me to Beth’s service tomorrow?”  
    “ Sure. Can we meet at the office? I have a few massage appointments scheduled for later in the day.”  
    “ That’s fine.”  
    “ So when are you going back to work?”  
    “ Wednesday. I’ve scheduled three appointments. I’m not so sure I’m ready, but I need to make some money,” I said, finishing my drink.  
    “ Tell me about it.” Gabby pushed off from her stool, reached into her purse, and pulled out her car keys.
    “ Speaking of money, I was serious about you taking over the business someday.”
    “Why don’t you start meeting some of my clients? I need to start slowing down, you know. My body can’t take much more.”  
    “ Really? Are you sure? I mean, you’ve worked hard for the clients you have. You really want to give them away?”  
    “ I need to, Gabby. I’d rather have them go to you than to some other therapist. Besides, I trust you with my reputation.”
    “What would I do without you, Sarah? If you weren’t so nice to me, I’d still be living with my ex-girlfriend in that trailer.” Gabby pushed her stool out.  
    “ Don’t you want another drink?” I asked, sensing she was anxious to leave.  
    “ Thanks, but I’m meeting some friends over at this new gay bar in town called Veronica’s. Would you like to join us?”  
    I glanced at my watch.