Read Online Mouth of the Rat (A Samantha Jamison Mystery) by Peggy A. Edelheit - Free Book Online Page A

stretch,” I said. “Could be a million reasons. But if the killer did come back, no one would know with all the spectators milling about, would they? The killer could even have been someone walking a dog to blend in.”
    “Do you think they’ll come back again?” Sylvie asked.
    “Only if you gave them a reason to,” I said.
    Neither spoke. I had a feeling there was something more they weren’t telling me.
    “…What?”
    “There’s one more thing,” said Bunny.
    I knew it! “And what’s that?”
    “I now carry it with me so it won’t get stolen,” she said.
    Sylvie nudged Bunny. “This might be important, go ahead and show her what you said you found that night. It could be evidence of who else was out here: the killer .”
    Bunny handed me a tube of lipstick, saying, “I realize I ruined the fingerprints on it, but it was dark, and after stepping on it… Well, go on, open it and read the label.”
    I opened it. It was blood red. “The Kiss of Death.”
    “That shade’s popular. Even Sylvie uses it,” said Bunny.
    “It’s a creepy calling card,” said Sylvie. “Like they’re telling us they are the one with the kiss of death.”
    “I bet his redheaded girlfriend came back,” said Bunny.
    “To make sure he died this time,” Sylvie added.
    Bunny put it back in her purse. “You’ll let us know?”
    “Sure,” I said, but that depended on what I found out.
    “Be careful,” said Bunny. “There’s a killer out there.”
    Could that be a decoy to deflect the killer’s gender?
     

 
     
     
    Chapter 33
    Driving Toward The Truth?
     
     
    My trio stood dressed from head to toe in black even though it was a humid eighty degrees outside.
    “Uh-uh,” I said, shaking my head no.
    “What do you mean, no?” Martha said, frowning.
    “You heard me. No! I will not take the responsibility of having to worry about the three of you hurting yourselves.”
    “An element of risk is exhilarating,” Betty countered.
    “That’s not why you three are here. You’re seniors, for God’s sake! I will not put your life at risk. You are here to strictly mix and mingle with the other seniors for info.”
    “But that isn’t any fun,” said Hazel, crossing her arms.
    “Well, on my watch, murder and fun don’t have much in common, do they?” I said, dismissing their disappointment.
    Martha knew me. “You gonna tell Mona about this?”
    “I don’t think Mona would intentionally lead us into harm’s way, but Mona is Mona. If it moves her agenda forward, she’s all for it, regardless. So the answer is no.”
    “Then you going it alone isn’t smart either, is it?”
    Got me! “Okay,” I said, “but understand the three of you have to stay close. Don’t veer from our goal for tonight.”
    “…Which is?” Martha asked, now smiling.
    “To get a license plate number, nothing more, okay?”
    “Did you find out where this is?” I asked, pointing to the address on the card Sylvie reluctantly gave back to me.
    “I already mapped the address,” said Martha, smiling.
    “It’s over by the Intracoastal Waterway,” added Hazel, “in a development called Boca Bay Colony.”
    Reading my mind, Martha nodded. “And no gate.”
    “And with no gate,” said Betty, “easier access.”
    Hazel held up plastic gloves for us. “No fingerprints.”
    Betty held up her iPhone. “For evidence and notes.”
    Martha held out her key chain with its mini light.
    And I said a silent prayer we didn’t screw up.
    “We’ll do a drive-by to check out the place. I’ll drop you off, hopefully behind some bushes, park a block away then walk back. No one, and I repeat, no one is to wander off on their own. Is everyone on board with this?”
    “Do we have a choice?” asked Martha sarcastically.
    I was adamant. “Take it or leave it, ladies.”
    Betty headed for the garage. “My goodness, she sucked the air right out of what could’ve been a great adventure.”
    “Sounds like her way or the highway,” muttered