Read Online Dead Ends (Main Street Mysteries Book 2) by Sandra Balzo - Free Book Online

does take one to know one,’ Mama said, moving aside the walker to get past. 'Sheree Pepper sure doesn't have a halo on that blonde head of hers.'
    ‘Not that kind of trouble,’ Mrs Peebly said, with a glint in her eye. The shrunken ninety-year-old loved a good dirty story that she could then declare ‘disgraceful’ even as she was laughing about it. ‘Sheree gave them number seven and eight, the best rooms in the inn, and the woman still found fault.’
    ‘Two rooms?’ Mama asked as she slipped onto the bench next to her. ‘She and her hubby don't sleep together?’
    AnnaLise felt her cheeks flame, having been wondering the same thing.
    ‘Now, hush,’ Daisy scolded. ‘That second room was probably for their daughter– ’
    The electric chime on the door rang out and Suzanne Rosewood, herself, entered, eyes red. She was with Joshua Eames, Josh's arm wrapped around her protectively.
    Mama stood up to seat them, but AnnaLise slid out after her.
    ‘I'll take them,’ she said, gesturing for Mama to sit back down.
    Not sure if she was trying to assuage her conscience or simply protect the two from ‘inquiring minds,’ AnnaLise pulled two menus out of the stack and greeted Josh, then turned to his companion. ‘I am so sorry about the accident, Suz – ’
    The young woman's face twisted. ‘I bet you are.’ She snatched the menus from AnnaLise's hand and pushed past her to a table at the back. Josh trailed after her, throwing AnnaLise a puzzled look.
    Well, that pretty much settled that. Tanja must have known about the affair and either told her daughter, or Suzanne had sensed it. AnnaLise closed her eyes, drawing in her breath slowly and releasing it the same way, before she opened them.
    Daisy and Mama were staring at her from opposite sides of the booth. Phyllis said, ‘Now what in the world was that all about?’
    Daisy just sat, her lips tightened into two narrow – and probably disapproving – lines.
    ‘I'm not sure,’ AnnaLise mumbled miserably. ‘Maybe, umm, maybe she blames me for them coming up here at all.’
    ‘I don't think it's Sutherton she has the problem with,’ Mama said, looking toward the back of the restaurant. ‘She seems to be getting along just fine with parts of it.’
    AnnaLise followed her glance to the table where Josh and Suzanne were locked in a kiss. A long kiss. ‘I guess this explains why Suzanne was so adamant about coming here.’
    ‘Your pocketbook is vibrating,’ Mama said, passing the bag from the bench next to her.
    AnnaLise pulled out her cell phone, which showed a text from Chuck, who she'd been trying to get hold of all morning. It read: Here, if you want to come by.
    ‘I have to run,’ she said. ‘I'll catch you later.’
    ‘Do you need my car?’ Daisy called after her.
    ‘Not for this, but thanks,’ AnnaLise said, hesitating at the door and coming back to give her mom a kiss on the cheek. ‘I'm sorry I almost killed you.’
    Daisy flushed with pleasure. She and AnnaLise weren't given to shows of affection.
    ‘Now don't you be saying that,’ Mama said, waving the younger woman off. ‘Your mother already likes to make herself the center of attention.’
    Which, of course, was where Mama thought her own rightful place was. AnnaLise gave her a cheek-kiss, as well. ‘Well, she certainly has a right, what with her side of the car hanging off over the cliff last night.’
    ‘It was?’ Mrs Peebly asked, eyes rounding. ‘What . . . ?’
    AnnaLise let herself out the door as Daisy recounted the story, accompanied, no doubt, by the Greek chorus pantomime of Mama's eyes rolling.
    ***
    AnnaLise was sitting in one of the two guest chairs in front of Chuck's desk.
    The last time she had been here, the other seat was taken by their friend Mayor Bobby Bradenham and the two of them – AnnaLise and the mayor – had engaged in a shouting match.
    Now Bobby, who'd had a rough past week, had taken off for a few days. AnnaLise missed him. Not only had she and Bobby