Trouble and Treats (A Chocolate Centered Cozy Mystery Book 6) by Cindy Bell Read Free Book Online

throat. She tried to hold back the questions that bubbled up in her mind, but she just couldn’t resist.
    “Is that what you think happened, Jack? I mean, can you really picture Emma slipping and falling down the stairs?”
    He stared at her for a long moment. “Well, I try not to. But I suppose that’s what happened. That’s what the police said they think happened.”
    “But the medical examiner is investigating, right?”
    “Ally.” Charlotte placed a hand on her arm. “Take it easy, I’m sure that Jack doesn’t want to think about that.”
    “Wait, what are you saying?” He looked between the two women with wide eyes. “Are you asking me if I think it wasn’t an accident?”
    “I just mean, with the argument only a few hours before, and Emma’s not the type to be clumsy, is she?”
    The skin on his face drained of color and he looked down at his clutched hands. “I hadn’t even considered the idea that maybe it wasn’t. What kind of husband am I?” His eyes filled with tears just before he squeezed them shut.
    “Jack, don’t you know that she was having the yard sale so that she could sell the house? She adored you. She couldn’t wait to spend more time with you. She was happy to spend the time she did with you. Please don’t think that you’ve done anything wrong,” Ally said.
    “But I just agreed with the police that it was an accident.”
    “It may very well have been an accident.” Ally bit into her bottom lip.
    “It’s just hard for us to believe that she died from an accident, Jack, that’s all.” Charlotte sighed. “We should go, Ally.”
    “No, wait. Please.” He stood up from the couch and looked at both of them. “I think you might be right. Emma was never one to be clumsy. She’s never once even missed a step on those stairs. Maybe Gary was involved somehow.”
    “We don’t know that he was. We don’t know anything at this point.” Charlotte shook her head.
    “All we know is that he was angry,” Ally said.
    “The police will look into it.” Charlotte narrowed her eyes.
    “What if they don’t?” Jack’s lips parted in shock. “What if they just assume it’s an accident and never look into Gary at all?”
    “If there is something to find, I’m sure the police will find it. Now, we really should be going, Jack. If you need any help with the funeral, or any guests that are coming in for the funeral, please let us know,” Charlotte said.
    “The funeral,” he murmured and collapsed back down on the couch. “I hadn’t thought too much about that.”
    “Do you have family that can come help you during this time?” Ally offered a sympathetic frown.
    “No. I don’t have any family.”
    “None?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “No close friends?”
    “No. No one.” He covered his face with his hands. “I don’t need anyone. I can handle it. Thank you again for the candy.”
    “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call,” Ally said.
    He mumbled something and nodded. As she followed her grandmother out the door Ally found it hard not to go back to Jack and offer to stay. He seemed so alone, and there was no one to comfort him.
    “That was hard.” Ally frowned as she opened the car door for her grandmother.
    “Yes, very. He’s going to be grieving for a very long time.”
    The drive home towards Charlotte’s apartment was a quiet one. Ally tried to let go of the idea that Emma was murdered. When she stopped at the retirement community Freely Lakes, Charlotte looked over at her.
    “I have some chocolate cookies I made last night. Would you like to take some home? It looks like you need some cheering up.”
    “I’d love some.” Ally smiled as she opened the car door. “How did you have the time to make those?”
    “There’s always time to bake.”
    “Thanks Mee-Maw.”
    “I hope you understand why I stopped you in there.” Charlotte looked over at Ally.
    “I am always certain that you have your reasons. I know that before we went you