The Sweet Taste of Murder: An Angel Lake Mystery by CeeCee James Read Free Book Online Page A

seem fitting.”
    “Speaking of fitting, Sylvia’s going to have your sibling. You ever think about that?”
    Lavina stared down at her with dark rimmed eyes. “Elise, I am far too old to get a sibling.”
    “But that’s what’s happening. It has nothing to do with age.”
    Lavina sighed and rested back into her chair. She tapped her long nails irritably on the table.
    Elise took a sip of tea. The frosty sweetness rolled over her tongue with just a hint of lemon. “Mmm.” She licked her lips appreciatively. “I’ll have to admit, you sure know how to make sweet tea. Almost as good as Grandma Babe’s.”
    “She still coming by your place?”
    Grandma Babe was the owner of the small Mom and Pop restaurant down on Main Street, tucked in between an antique store and a cupcake shop. She made the best biscuits and gravy this side of the state line. She was also Elise’s neighbor and convinced Elise was starving. Every Wednesday she came over with a plastic tote filled with the week’s various leftover dishes that Elise dutifully filed in her freezer. For this Elise paid Grandma Babe a measly sum and gave her the satisfaction that the poor skinny neighbor girl would be fed for another week.
    Win-win in Elise’s eyes.
    “Yeah.” Elise took another sip. A little chink of concern rifled through her. Today was Wednesday. She needed to get back home soon in case Grandma Babe came early.
    “Well, you sure have it sweet,” Lavina murmured. “I don’t know how you’ve always done it. You’ve always had people looking after you.”
    Elise smiled and shrugged as an answer.
    The breeze picked up and ruffled the pinky-white blooms of the magnolia tree out front. Elise was watching the flowers when a police car turned onto the street. It quickly grabbed the attention of both women.
    “Well, what’s he driving all slow like that for?” Lavina asked.
    They straightened slightly as the car stopped in front of the driveway.
    Brad Carter stepped out, making his muscles flex as he shut the door. Elise sucked in her breath. He immediately tucked down the front of his shirt and pushed his shoulders back as he walked up to the steps.
    Elise raised her eyebrows at Lavina and whispered, “Mmmm.”
    “Not bad, huh?”
    “He looks a lot different from high school, that’s for sure.”
    “Ten years and time spent in Iraq will do that to a person.”
    “Miss Lavina Chantly?” Brad asked, reaching the porch.
    “Why, hello there, Detective Carter,” Lavina answered in a smoky voice. “You drop by for a glass of sweet tea?”
    He cleared his throat, his gaze taking in Elise for a moment, then back to Lavina. “I have a few questions I’d like to ask you.”
    “Brad Carter, we’ve known each other since we were both knee high to a grasshopper. Why are you acting so formal? Pull up a chair and sit for a while.” Lavina smiled.
    Brad scratched the back of his neck before flipping open a notebook. “Just cooperate with me, Lavina. You were always so talkative before. Did you know you were in line to inherit over a million dollars of Mr. McMahon’s estate?”
    “Oh, poo. I don’t care about that. But, if it’s talking you want, there’s a place I know that would be just perfect to talk with you.” Lavina lifted an eyebrow provocatively.
    Brad cut his gaze to Elise again. “Focus, Lavina. Where were you on the night of the 27 th ?”
    Lavina’s mouth dropped open, and Elise’s did too. What was Brad suggesting? And why?

CHAPTER 10
    E lise balanced herself against the porch railing outside Mrs. Campbell’s house and stretched her legs. “Another day, another dollar,” she murmured. She’d just collected all three dogs who were now tugging in different ways. “Y'all hold your horses. Just a sec.” She stepped on all three leashes to free up her hands so she could scoop her hair into a ponytail. A vision of Wilma Rudolph—the amazing athlete who overcame polio to become the world’s fastest runner— swept through