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

door bells jingled. Rosie startled and spun around, though she already knew who it was before she turned.
    Libby cleared her throat. It was a sound Rosie knew well. It was never a quick thing, her mother always dragged it out, doing it multiple times, her voice pitched high as if she were begging for attention. Okay, so maybe she was biased. Her mother did a lot of things that drove her crazy, but most people would probably never notice.
    “There you are, Rosemary. I need help,” Libby started.
    “Mom, not now…”
    Libby ignored her daughter and nudged into the conversation. Nancy watched the two women interact and Rosie stiffen up. There was definitely tension between mother and daughter.
    “So, Peyton’s dead. Who do you think did it?” Libby posed to Nancy. “Obviously, you’re not going to fess up -- so if you had to figure it out, how do you think the two murders are connected?”
    “Wow, going right for the gusto,” Rosie groaned. “Classy, Mom.”
    “What? You want me to tiptoe around it, kiddo? A man is dead, a sheriff was questioning us, and business is slow. I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford for our business to tank. We’ve worked too hard for this. If Nancy knows anything, then maybe we have a shot of figuring this out.”
    Nancy's pinched nose wasn't doing a good job of holding her glasses up. They slid down the tiniest bit. Without thinking, she reached up and pushed them back in place. “Let’s say I did know something… Why would I tell you? Why wouldn’t I talk to the police? I mean, really, what are you going to do about it?”
    “How about helping one of your neighboring businesses,” Libby answered robustly, as if there was any other answer. “I thought we were friends.”
    “Is that what you’re calling it these days?” The woman sneered at Libby. “Let’s let the past rest where it belongs. Anyway, I was out of town when it happened, and I haven’t heard anything. I was in Gettysburg and Fredericksburg to look at antiques for the shop. I’ve already been questioned, and I have hotel receipts to prove my whereabouts, along with a gas station receipt.”
    Rosie sighed. “Thanks, Nancy. I’m sorry. It’s a weird situation. I’m trying to save my business, and until I can prove who did it, the spotlight will remain on me.”
    Nancy nodded. “Fair enough.”
    Rosie thanked Nancy for her time and then left the shop with Libby.
    Libby whispered. “I’ll bet she knows more than she’s letting on.”
    “I’m going to see if Jeff is over at the fire station.” She glanced at her watch. He would be taking appointments most of the day, but other days were slower. His veterinarian office was over one town, but his free time was usually at home or at the fire station kibitzing with the other volunteers.
    Libby smiled. “I can go with you. I’ve got nothing but time.”
    “Mom, please…” Rosie looked for a polite way to say no. “I’d sort of like to talk to him alone. Just the two of us, okay?”
    “Oh,” she said, nudging her daughter’s arm. “Finally going to make a move on the handsome guy?”
    “Really?” Rosie shook her head…so much for being polite. “Mom, please leave me alone for a few minutes, okay? You go barging in, spitting things out, and some of this stuff needs to be handled delicately.”
    Libby pouted. “It’s okay. You can go without me. I’ll go sit with Dash. At least he still likes my company.”
    Rosie groaned. How did she end up feeling guilty all the time?

Chapter 10
     
    When Rosie arrived at the fire department, Jeff was already gone for the day. She’d give him a ring later and see if he’d heard any news. A lot of the firemen and cops socialized together and word had a way of slipping out if interesting news or gossip came up.
    Rosie tried to focus on things she needed to do, but her mind circled back to the dead men. Disheartened that the sheriff seemed stuck, Rosie knew if she didn’t push for answers, somebody