Read Online Diner Knock Out (A Rose Strickland Mystery Book 4) by Terri L. Austin - Free Book Online Page A

there, including Sally Dawkins. She showed up with a store-bought cake. Can you believe that?” She walked by me, yanking on the hem of her cartoon cat t-shirt. “She pulled the same crap when Wanda Smith died.”
    I followed her into the dining room. “If commercially baked goods are a crime, somebody better lock me up.”
    Ma waved me off. “That Sally’s on the prowl. She’s looking for a man with a healthy bank account and a bum ticker. She’s got big ol’ boobs and fake blond hair. Thinks she can sweep in and bamboozle all these men because she’s so much younger than the rest of us. First she went after Fred Smith. They nearly got married until he had a stroke and wound up in the nursing home. Old men can’t take her kind of exertion. Now she’s trying the same trick on Byron Metzer. Well, not this time, toots.” She poured herself a cup of coffee and stirred in a packet of sugar. “This time, Old Ma Ferguson is going to get her man. That Sally can take a hike.”
    I snatched a blue apron and tied it around my waist. “Just how young is she?”
    “Sixty-two. Anyway, I’m making him my famous chocolate lava cake, and I’ll drop it by this afternoon. That’ll get his attention.”
    Sounded like Byron was either going to end up with diabetes or a prescription for Viagra. I didn’t envy him.
    Ma wandered back into the kitchen. While I filled the salt shakers, Roxy strutted through the connecting door. Stiff black petticoats made her short, harlequin-patterned skirt extra flouncy. “Hey, Rose.” She shoved a piece of nicotine gum in her mouth and began to chomp. “Sorry I missed your call last night. I was out late. Sugar and I went to this rockabilly club downtown. She knows everyone.”
    “Great. Glad you had fun.” Okay, so you want a confession? Here it is: I was jealous of Roxy’s relationship with Sugar. It was stupid and petty, but I couldn’t deny it any longer. I was getting pushed out by Sugar, and while I liked her—she was so kind and good-natured, it was impossible not to—I didn’t like this distance between Roxy and me.
    I figured now was the perfect time to drop my news. Maybe Roxy would get as excited about a missing fighter as she did rockabilly clubs. We could partner up like we had in the past.
    I leaned on the counter as she filled her ceramic cup with java. “Guess what? I have a mystery on my hands. ”
    Her blond brows shot up. “Finally. How did you get Hardass to come around?”
    “Andre doesn’t know. I’ve decided to do a little detecting on my own. Thought you might like to help.”
    “Giving Hardass the finger. I like it.” A slow smile lit up her face. “You know I’m always down for a little detective work. Give me the deets.”
    I filled her in on all my jaunts, including breaking into Rob’s condo. “I’m just not as fast at picking a lock as you are.”
    “Duh, of course you’re not. I’ve had years of practice. Feels good though, doesn’t it? To get your hands on a case again?”
    “Very. Running background checks makes me cranky. Anyway, I’m not convinced Rob Huggins disappeared on his own.”
    “Maybe he owes money to his drug dealer.”
    “That’s a possibility. I have a whole host of people to interview this afternoon. You in?”
    The smile disappeared and an awkward silence descended. Roxy straightened the salt and pepper shakers on the counter. “Um, I sort of had plans with Sugar.”
    “Oh. Sure.” I tried to keep my voice as neutral as possible, then turned away and began pulling down chairs from the nearest table.
    “We’re shopping for her new photoshoot. She knows these great vintage boutiques.”
    “Yeah, no, it’s fine.” Keeping my head down, I headed to the pantry. What did I expect, that Roxy and I would be joined at the hip forever? Yes. Well, that wasn’t realistic.
    I indulged in a little pity party before grabbing the jelly packets and taking them back into the dining room. By then, we had a few customers