Read Online 6 A Thyme to Die by Joyce Lavene - Free Book Online Page B

Shakespeare the next morning to find her son invading her kitchen.
    “Good morning. I didn’t know surveillance meant eating all my food.”
    “I’m starving.” Paul pulled out some hard boiled eggs and cheese from the refrigerator. “I had to leave before breakfast, not that Mai eats breakfast anymore. I’ll be glad when her morning sickness is over. I like the food situation here better since Steve moved in. At least there’s always something to eat.”
    Peggy put the kettle on the stove to boil. “It seems odd that Al would assign you to keep an eye on me.”
    “I volunteered.” Paul sat down and poured some orange juice. “I thought it might as well be me. I know you. I know how sneaky you can be.”
    “Sneaky?” Steve joined them. “Your mother? Only when she isn’t sure if she’ll get to do something no one else wants her to do.”
    “You two can stop talking about me like I’m not here anytime.” Peggy got down a cup and a peach tea bag. “I’m not sneaky, and adults get to do whatever they want, as long as it’s legal.”
    Paul laughed. “Funny you don’t feel that way about me.”
    “Me either.” Steve took Shakespeare outside for his morning walk.
    “Do you have any English muffins?” Paul asked as he peeled an egg.
    “You’re so like your father,” she remarked. “Always hungry. It used to make me so mad that he stayed skinny no matter what he ate.”
    “Maybe you don’t eat enough.” Paul rummaged around until he found two slices of bread that he slid into the toaster. “Mai is always telling me the same thing. That’s why we never have anything good to eat at our house. Of course now we only have food that’s good for the baby.”
    “Dr. Beck called me in to work on the botanical finds on the murder case. It will be nice to spend some time with Mai at the lab. Otherwise, I only get to see her when we have dinner once a month.”
    Paul groaned. “I’m looking forward to that. After she spends ‘quality’ time with you, she picks up a lot of your opinions. Quit trying to brainwash my wife.”
    She smiled at her son who looked more like his father every year, except for the red hair and green eyes. That was all from her and her family.
    “I’ll be sure to tell her you said that.”
    He grabbed his toast when it popped up. “That’s exactly what I mean.”
    Steve brought Shakespeare back in and fed him. “What did I miss?”
    “Nothing.” Paul buttered his toast. “Same old mom.”
    “If you’re watching out for your mother today, why aren’t you in uniform?” Steve asked.
    “The captain thought it would be better for me to blend in.” Paul looked down at his jeans and T-shirt. “All I need is some dirt on my hands and no one will know that I’m not an excited gardener.”
    “Good call.” Steve reached above Peggy’s head to grab a bag of donuts. “Breakfast of champions.”
    “That’s what I’m looking for!” Paul’s hand made a quick snatch and grab when the bag of donuts was close enough. “So do we like anyone for the murder yet?”
    “Not that I’ve heard.” Steve sat down with a cup of coffee. “Did they fill you in on why Al wanted to keep an eye on your mother?”
    “Something about her being harassed by people who might be involved. Nothing definite.”
    Peggy and Steve filled him in on the women who’d approached her about Dr. Abutto’s bag.
    “Nice. So I’m there to protect you from some cute, young thing?” Paul smiled.
    “I’m definitely going to tell Mai you said that.” Peggy stirred honey into her tea.
    “By the way, while we’re on the subject, I got an email this morning. Dr. Abutto’s daughter is in London at the university. Scotland Yard will keep an eye on her while we work the investigation.” Steve popped a donut into his mouth.
    “Well, maybe they’ll approach me again today and Paul can grab whichever version of Tanya comes to ask for the bag again. She might have some information. I’d like to get this