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

up for a stroll?” Peaches jumped to the other side of the couch. Arnold came bounding into the living room when he heard his name. He nuzzled Ally’s shin as she rummaged around for the collar and leash. Once she had Arnold ready he lunged towards the front door. Ally couldn’t help but smile at the strength of the small pig.
    As soon as the fresh air hit her lungs some of the tension in her body eased. Maybe that was what she needed all along, a fresh perspective. Arnold seemed very interested in the grass and sidewalk. He sniffed everywhere as they walked. When they turned on to the next block Arnold’s demeanor changed. He pulled her along with more force than usual. She noticed that he had a certain direction he wanted to take. As she let him take the lead he trotted right past an overstuffed mailbox.
    “I told you, keep that pig away from here!”
    The voice from just beside her made Ally jump. She turned to see the cranky woman step out from behind a tree.
    “We’re on the sidewalk. We have a right to be here.”
    “I don’t think this neighborhood is zoned for farm animals. What’s next? A rooster?” She scowled. “As if there isn’t enough noise and chaos around here.”
    “I find it to be a fairly quiet area.” Ally studied her for a moment. It was easy to write her off as an unpleasant person, but she wondered what might have made her that way. Ally wanted to ask her about what she had been heard saying by the post office, but she didn’t think she would talk to her about it without gaining her trust first.  Ally was also worried about her, she wanted to know that the woman was all right. “Ma’am, are you okay? Do you need help with anything?”
    “Am I okay? Like I’m some feeble-minded beggar?” She glared at Ally with such an intensity that Ally took a step back.
    “I didn’t mean anything by it, I just wanted to make sure that you were cared for.”
    “Because having some nosy person to check in on you is so very important?” She rolled her eyes. “Look here, young lady, you’re the one that’s lost your mind if you didn’t hear that ruckus last night.”
    “Ruckus?” Ally blinked. All of a sudden Ally recalled seeing the woman across the street after she found Emma’s body. And she was the one who said it was a murder outside the post office. Ally’s heart dropped. Could Mavis have been involved? “Did you hear or see something last night?”
    “Before all of the sirens?” Mavis laughed, though it sounded more like a cackle. “Everyone’s in a tizzy about someone falling down the stairs. They’re talking about buying safety guards and special shoes to keep from slipping. So blind, so very blind, they are.”
    Ally tightened her grip on Arnold’s leash. “What are you talking about? You were overheard saying it was a murder at the post office. Do you know something about Emma’s death?”
    “Don’t you, pretty lady?”
    For the first time Ally looked into the strange woman’s eyes. They were a clear blue so crisp that Ally was lost in them for a moment. As wild as she acted, the woman’s eyes revealed a sense of confidence and peace that surprised her.
    “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Sure you do. I saw you there, just like you saw me. We’re the type that know things, aren’t we?”
    “Were you inside Emma’s house? Did she invite you in?”
    “Ah, I see. Maybe I was wrong. Just as blind as the rest. Off with you and your foul pig.” She turned and made her way back towards the house. Ally stared after her. She considered following her and trying to get more information, but she was certain the woman would not be forthcoming. She decided that no matter what, she had to find out more about her. Clearly she knew more about Emma’s death than she was willing to reveal. She wanted to know the woman’s full name.  She could ask her grandmother if she knew it, but as she looked at the packed mailbox she had an idea. She glanced around to see if anyone