Read Online Dog Days Murderous Nights: Winnona Peaks Mysteries Book 1 by Emily Page - Free Book Online Page A

sighed.  The announcer’s voice was echoing through the arena telling license plate 234-HJR that they were parked in a fire lane and needed to move before they were towed.  With no fingerprint evidence at the scene none of this got them much closer.  Especially if two out of the three of the ladies were in on it together.

Chapter 14
    Christy’s guests were all arriving back from the dog show for dinner.  The mood was somber.  Luckily she had the pork shoulder smoking out back on the barbecue all day long, so it would be really tender for the sandwiches. She wasn’t sure if Nori would eat it with her refined tastes but it didn’t really matter what Christy served.  It didn’t seem like Mrs. Nori Deswood would ever be satisfied.
    Gregory and Kathleen were back from their interview with Diana’s boss.  Even though they found more clues they also were worried it was harder to solve.  Kathleen asked Christy to do some of the interviewing of the guests since she at least had a small relationship with Nori after they comforted her behind the arena at the dog show.  Christy thought Gregory was stretching that a bit when he described it back to her in front of Kathleen.  It was cute.  In any case they all three decided to ask the questions before the dinner hour.  Christy’s Grandma always told her to put aside your cares when it came to the dinner table.  Many a flauta has been soured in someone’s stomach because people were arguing over the day’s cares—“No matter what they are!” Grandma would snort, wagging her finger at little Christy.  Christy wasn’t so sure that somebody being murdered at Alfie’s was a care you could really put aside so easily.  In any case, she hoped they could clear it up soon so everyone could get on with their lives. 
    “I don’t think Grandma would object to discussing murder over lemonade and tea,” Christy mumbled to herself as she prepared the drinks for the guests all sitting in the living room again. Worse than the night before, Diana and Nori looked distant.  Nori took short breaths on occasion like she was going to erupt into tears.  Hailey had a scowl on her face and simply tried to ignore everyone by pointedly putting her laptop up and concentrating on whatever work she was doing.  Gregory and Kathleen sat waiting for Christy.  Kathleen had already been the one to gather them out of their rooms and really didn’t want to get the ball rolling.
    “Well, we’re all back again.  Lemonade anyone?” Christy chimed as she put down the tray.  “I have some homemade biscotti cooling for our evening coffee, and a few macaroons left over from last night’s dessert plate if you prefer.”  Christy had an ancient willow tree that nudged in the wind and when it was quiet enough in the living room you could hear the branches scraping the upper windows.  It was quiet enough.
    “Well, I’ll get right to it.  It seems more and more likely that J.W. was murdered,” Christy said.  Diana and Nori sat up. 
    “Murdered!” Nori said.  “I already told you I was the last one to see him alive.  I refuse to go through this ridiculous—”  she started to get up to leave.
    “Please, Mrs. Deswood.” Kathleen pleaded.  “All we are trying to do is eliminate all three of you as suspects.  For all we know J.W. had some enemy that walked in and set the whole thing up and left.  It’s not like Ms. Roberts locks her doors all the time.” Christy frowned at Kathleen a little but proceeded.
    “Yes, Nori.  Please sit down and let us ask our questions.  We need some clarification.”
    Nori sat back down and Mable rearranged herself in her lap.  Alfie and Snowy came up, wagging their tails, wondering what all the commotion was about.
    Letting out a yelping scream, Hailey whipped her legs underneath her.  Clutching her laptop to her chest she cried, “Can you please make those things go lie down or play dead or something!”  The rest of the dog lovers all