Scrambled to Death: A Sage and Dash Cozy Mystery by Molly Dox Read Free Book Online

two blocks. Let’s go,” Rosie shot out before her mother ended up in trouble. Her mom’s habit of talking before her brain kicked in grew tiresome.

Chapter 9
     
    Christopher Banks and Peyton Darling had one thing in common. They both dealt with ex-wives. While Christopher and Dora’s divorce had gone through, Peyton had been dragging his heels and stepping on Nancy’s toes, crushing her dreams every chance he got.
    Nancy Darling wasn’t the kind of woman to make a scene. She was a mousy woman, but smart and savvy just the same. She liked people to underestimate her and could be a bit manipulative. Though, when it came to the pair of Peyton and Nancy, she was the person locals rooted for.
    Peyton, well, he was shady at times. He’d have a sudden back injury from out of nowhere and be collecting disability more times than you could count on one hand. Rosie only knew about it because Alyssa from the post office gossiped about him time to time, when he’d come in to sign for his checks. It was the only way he could get them delivered, due to his habitual patterns. The law was probably onto him, but without proof…
    Rosie figured it wouldn’t hurt to drop by and talk to Nancy. She owned a gift shop right down the road. It stood next to her brother’s smokehouse. Charlie Staggs made sure she was set up after Peyton destroyed her bed and breakfast. When their mother passed early, Charlie stepped in and watched out for his little sister.
    Rosie sent Libby back to the restaurant to open up, and told her she’d be there shortly. She wanted to have a quick talk with Nancy to see what she knew. Rosie thought it was better not to overwhelm her with too many questions, and her mother could be a little pushy. Libby reluctantly agreed and started back to the restaurant.
    Rosie turned the corner after she left the Sheriff’s office. The sheriff and police shared space in one common building. It’s not like there were many of either in their town. With a sheriff and a small police department, they were lucky to have their own emergency services in town, as plenty of areas around them were combining into regional group responders to save money on budget costs.
    Nancy’s gift shop displayed a small open sign that hung in the glass paneled door. Rosie tried not to notice that the sign was off-center and resisted the urge to fix it once she got inside. With a quick hop and step, she climbed the small set of concrete stairs, then opened the door. Bells jingled, letting Nancy know that a customer entered her store.
    She popped in from a back room. Nancy’s shoulder-length, straight, brown hair lacked any depth or sparkle. It’s as if she’d chosen a dull shade to tone down anything nature might have intended. She pushed her silver frame glasses up onto her nose and smiled. It wasn’t a warm smile. It was more like a condescending ‘what do you want’ smile. “Oh, hi Rosie. What brings you here? How can I help you?”
    “I was hoping we could talk,” Rosie started. She twisted her fingers together, not sure how to address the awkward topic. “Peyton’s death has become somewhat of a mystery. Do you know anyone who would want him…dead?”
    Nancy scowled at Rosie, then rambled out of discomfort. “Do you mean besides me? What are you really asking me? Did I do it? Well, I didn’t.”
    “I wasn’t insinuating… Okay, that’s not fair. Let me start over,” Rosie said as she tried to untangle her first mistake. “Nancy, Peyton dropped from his seat while eating breakfast at my restaurant. I have as much of a reason to want to find answers as you do. Don’t you want to show everyone that you weren’t the reason that he died? Most people know you’re involved in a messy divorce situation. Since you didn’t do it, don’t you want to know who did?”
    She eyed Rosie up and down and held her tongue. She wanted to zap and snip like a viper, but instead she remained calm. “I really don’t care who did it.”
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