Read Online Fatal Brushstroke (An Aurora Anderson Mystery Book 1) by Sybil Johnson - Free Book Online

definitely look into it, but I’m not sure what Kevin not being Hester’s biological son has to do with her murder.”
    “Don’t you see?” Liz shot Rory a look of exasperation as she stood next to the trunk of Rory’s car where she’d settled after her mad dash across the pavement. Her own car idled nearby, blocking half the aisle. “This could be the key to everything. She kept this secret all these years. Maybe she stole Kevin and his real mother just found him.”
    “That seems a little farfetched. It’s more likely Hester adopted him. Just because it’s not public knowledge doesn’t mean it’s illegal or even suspicious. The only people who know I’m adopted myself are close friends or those who need to know for legal reasons.”
    An SUV the size of Mount Everest backed out of its parking space and came within inches of smashing into the front of Liz’s much smaller sedan. The driver sped toward the exit, apparently oblivious to the near accident.
    “I’d better move my car before someone runs into it,” Liz said.
    After parking her Lexus in the next aisle, Liz returned and continued the conversation as if they’d never been interrupted. “I asked about the weapon. I didn’t understand all of the jargon my contact spouted, but it sounded like a rounded object would fit the bill.”
    “So a golf club could have been used.”
    They discussed possible murder weapons for a few more minutes before going their separate ways. Rory was about to pull out of her parking space when her phone rang. After a short conversation, she put more change in the meter and headed back up the stairs. Within minutes she was opening the door to her mother’s store.
    After Arika finished waiting on a customer, she turned to her daughter and said, “That didn’t take long.”
    “You have good timing. I was in town on an errand.”
    “Thanks for doing this. I wouldn’t have asked except Jolene called in sick and I really need to keep this appointment.” Arika picked up her purse from where she’d stashed it underneath the counter. “The alarm repairman should be here soon.”
    Rory spent the next half hour straightening shelves, answering the phone, and ringing up the occasional purchase. She was helping a customer select the appropriate varnish for a painting project when the bell over the front door tinkled and a young man with the body of a swimmer—broad shoulders, tiny waist, and an almost non-existent behind—entered the store. She excused herself and headed over to greet the uniformed man carrying an official-looking clipboard. Kevin Bouquet’s spicy-scented aftershave clung to his work clothes.
    “Can I help you?” she said after recovering from the surprise of finding Hester’s son standing in front of her.
    “I’m looking for Arika Anderson,” he said.
    Rory noted the Vista Beach Security logo on Kevin’s shirt. Curious. “You’re here about the alarm, right? She told me to expect you.”
    He extended his hand. “Kevin Bouquet. And who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?”
    After they shook hands and Rory introduced herself, she led him through the empty classroom to the back room where the alarm control box was located and left him to his work. He periodically passed through the sales floor on his way to get supplies from his truck parked out front. On one of his trips she ventured to ask, “How’s it going?”
    Kevin shook his head. “This one’s got me stumped. I’ve worked with alarms for a lot of years and I’ve never seen anything like it. But, don’t worry, I’ll figure it out. I always do.”
    “You can’t have that many years of experience. What are you, twenty? Twenty-one?”
    “Don’t let my boyish good looks fool you.” Kevin grinned and leaned against the counter. “Spent a lot of time following the techs around at my dad’s company when I was growing up.”
    Rory refilled a display of gel pens that stood next to the cash register. “Can I ask you a question? You