Read Online Murder by the Seaside by Julie Anne Lindsey - Free Book Online

couldn’t find. I looked like a fish out of water.
    “I’m sorry. It’s okay to ask you that now, right? I heard you’re not with the agency anymore.”
    “Right. Yes. No. They fired me. Downsized. I was downsized. I’m not in town, though.”
    Idiot. My head hit the steering wheel.
    “Oh. Well, go ahead then. What’s on your mind?”
    If he knew, he’d have me arrested.
    I gave him a rundown of the last two days while I drove home.
    “So, you’re investigating your ex-boyfriend’s murder charge?”
    I bit my lip. “Kinda.”
    During the next few beats of silence, I contemplated driving my Prius into the harbor.
    “Have you talked to the sheriff?” Sebastian’s voice was low and steady. He’d slipped into cop mode while I considered a saltwater death.
    I cleared my throat, hoping to sound mature and professional. “Yeah. He hates me, but that’s a long story.”
    “What about the victim’s family and friends? What’d they say when you spoke with them?”
    “I only spoke with the wife.”
    “How’d she react? Do you like her for the murder?”
    “I don’t know. I liked her shoes.”
    A car door slammed somewhere on Sebastian’s end of the line. “I’m on my way to a bust, or I’d stop to see you while I’m on the coast. I’ve been undercover so long I don’t recognize myself.”
    “I’d recognize you.”
    He grunted. “It’s my last night as Angelo Cordileone, undercover heavy for the Risso crime family. Let me buy you a drink later, and we can talk through this thing with your ex.”
    “I’d like that.”
    “You sure he didn’t do it?”
    “Eighty percent.” Hey, if I was too certain, Sebastian might not come visit.
    It took a few minutes after we disconnected to text the highlights of our conversation to Claire and head for my front door.
    A woman waited on my doorstep.
    “Hi there!” She waved her free arm. The other supported a glass dish. “My name is Mary Franks. I live on Baxter Court. When I heard you were here, I thought I’d drop over and say welcome.” She shoved the dish in my direction.
    “Thank you.” The question in my voice raised her eyebrows. “Would you like to come inside?”
    Her head bobbed and she cut in front of me when I opened the door. She took the dish back, set it on the countertop and without any prompting began to tell me about her husband. They’d moved to Chincoteague a few years before to get away from the temptations of the city. She had a jealous streak that threatened their marriage. She knew it.
    Lucky for me, she had a chocolate pie under the foil. I grabbed two plates and did my best to cut normal-sized portions. The scent was rich and heavenly. This was the kind of pie a girl curled up with at night and paired with peanut butter straight from the jar. I served us each a modest piece and made plans to live out my fantasy as soon as possible. She accepted the slice with a weak smile and continued her story.
    “He’s too friendly, if you know what I mean. He gives women the impression he’s single and then they can’t help themselves. I can hardly blame them. He’s gorgeous. And sweet. But he won’t listen to me. He doesn’t see what I see. Can I get you some more pie?”
    My plate was empty. How’d that happen? “That was delicious. Have you thought of selling your pies?”
    “No.” She put the dish in my sink, the remaining pie in my refrigerator and hefted her handbag onto one shoulder. With a deep sigh, she excused herself. “Thank you so much for everything. It feels good to connect with a neighbor.” She offered a small, cunning smile.
    “Thank you for the pie.” What just happened?
    Before I could collect myself, she was back on the sidewalk moving away at an amazing speed. I locked the door and transferred the leftovers from Mom onto the shelf above the pie. I needed a nice long bath to relive the conversation with Sebastian. He’d asked me out for drinks. Best. Day. Ever.
    On my way to the bathroom, I noticed