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

her mind. She nodded grimly. If she can do that, I can definitely get this 5k done.
    Just then, Frodo tugged hard on the lead, knocking her off balance. She staggered forward trying to stay afoot as the dog darted behind her. Across the street, the neighbor stared at her curiously.
    Elise gave the neighbor a quick wave to let him know she was okay. Her face flushed. Curly from the Three Stooges replaced her daydream.
    Shaking her head, she pulled up the music list on her phone and hit play. After jamming in the earbuds, she hit the sidewalk with a smooth stride that somewhat saved her dignity.
    She was going to Ford Park.
    It was her first time back since the train accident. The dogs jogged by her side with tails wagging. In only a few minutes, her muscles had warmed up and her stride became more natural.
    There was something hypnotic about running. Each step felt like a heartbeat. One more, one more, one more, as her ponytail flipped back and forth. She took a deep breath in and reached into her pocket to thumb up the music volume.
    The morning air felt cool against her face and smelled like clover. She’d missed this, all those years living in New Hampshire with her husband. Mark’s face swam in her mind, and she squashed it down with a shudder. Instead, she let her memories draw her back to a time when she was a little girl, running out the door to Lavina’s house. Every morning, they’d meet and walk to school together, and every weekend found them exploring this very park.
    She was going to get Vi off the hook. Thinking back to Brad’s questioning, she’d seen Vi’s face flash the same broken look as back when her mother died when she was a little girl. So confused and hurt.
    Elise’s mouth tightened with determination. There was no way she’d let her friend be the fall-guy.
    How could anyone really think Lavina could have killed Cameron anyway? All throughout her school years she’d garnered a reputation being the first to take up for the underdog. Everyone liked Lavina.
    The question echoed over and over with the drum of her feet on the sidewalk.
    Up ahead was the park sign, complete with its hand painted bear done in the early 50’s. The dogs strained even harder on their leads at the smell of the water. Even the Pekinese was pulling ahead.
    Considering how early it was, she was surprised by the number of people already at the park. One walked his boxer, who growled as they ran by. A little further, a man cast his fishing line into the water dotted with white reflections from the clouds above. Neither person looked up as she passed.
    Her pulse thumped in her neck, and she unzipped the front of her jacket to cool down. Her thigh muscles burned. The halfway song began on the iPod and spurred her to pick up the pace. She needed to press on just a little bit more, and she’d pass the first point of fatigue. Just push through.
    Barely visible up ahead was the car lot and the train tracks.
    Where Cameron died.
    Her forehead broke out in sweat.
    Now, the edge of the parking lot was in view. First a busted curb and then faded white lines marking out parking stalls. A row of used cars still waiting for their turn to be run through the service station sat by the end of the building.
    Most likely all trade-ins.
    Elise slowed to a stop, ostensibly to give the dogs a break. She linked her hands behind her head to catch her breath and stared up at the sky. It was going to be another hot day. The dogs flopped down in the shade of a large maple tree with their tongues hanging out.
    Finally, heart rate slowing a bit, her gaze traveled to the line of cars. All of them were dirty, some marked with painted numbers on the windows.
    Something felt off, and she looked again.
    One of the cars had its trunk popped open.
    She glanced around to see if anyone was nearby. “Come on, pups,” she called. The dogs stood panting, then the four of them entered the lot. Frodo’s nose immediately went to the ground sniffing.
    Her footsteps