Read Online Murder of a Cranky Catnapper by Denise Swanson - Free Book Online

where everyone had disappeared except Dorothy and her, and of course, the naked body upstairs in the bedroom. She was about to hang up and try 911 when her call was finally answered.
    â€œThis is Skye.” She identified herself. “I need to talk to Wally.”
    â€œHe’s busy.” A sultry feminine voice that Skye didn’t recognize as belonging to any of the regular dispatchers said, “Call back later.”
    â€œNo! I’m—” There was the distinct click of a disconnection and Skye frowned at her cell. What in the hell was going on?

CHAPTER 6
    A cat bitten once by a snake dreads even rope.
    â€”ARAB PROVERB
    â€œY ou can’t hang up on me,” Skye muttered at her cell. “I’m his wife.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Dorothy asked, her brow wrinkling. “Who hung up on you?”
    â€œI have no idea.” Skye shrugged, trying to appear unconcerned. “Guess I’ll have to call 911 after all and hope someone else answers.”
    Skye dialed and for once was relieved to hear her mother’s voice. Her previous thoughts about having to deal with May as the on-duty dispatcher aside, she was happy to reach someone at the police station who knew her.
    â€œMom, it’s me,” Skye said, immediately adding, “I’m fine. The baby’s fine. Everyone you care about is fine. But I need to talk to Wally ASAP.”
    â€œWhy?” May’s single word oozed with suspicion. “Are you positive you’re okay?”
    Skye repeated her assurances and her request to speak to Wally.
    â€œIf everything is okay, why are you calling 911 to talk to him?”
    â€œThere is a problem,” Skye said carefully. “But it doesn’t involve me.”
    â€œWhat kind of problem and who does it involve?” May demanded.
    Skye ignored her mother’s interrogation. “I really need to speak to Wally.”
    â€œHe’s kind of occupied at the moment,” May said. “Tell me and I’ll tell him.”
    â€œWhat’s going on there?” Skye gave up trying to get Wally on the phone and decided to get some information instead. “Who was that who answered the nonemergency number a few minutes ago?”
    â€œHold on a second while I transfer your call to another line.” There was silence, then a click, and finally May said, “Chantal from the American Legion picked up the phone before I could stop her.” May’s disapproval of the woman’s actions was evident. “Around two in the morning, someone smashed the Legion’s front door and tried to get into their safe.”
    â€œIs that what Wally is working on?” Skye asked, realizing the only way she was going to talk to her husband was to tell May about Lynch. “Because, I can trump a break-in with a dead body.”
    Immediately, the Fifth Dimension singing “Going out of My Head” blared in Skye’s ear. Before the song’s chorus repeated, Wally got on the line.
    Sounding out of breath, he asked in a rush, “Are you okay? Is the baby okay? Did something happen at school? Who’s the deceased?”
    Skye assured him that she and the baby were fine, then rushed to explain. “I’m with Dorothy Snyder at Palmer Lynch’s house.” Skye rattled off the address. “Dorothy cleans for him, too. We’re sitting in her Cadillac, but we were previously inside and he’s dead.”
    â€œI take it you don’t believe it was natural causes,” Wally stated.
    â€œThere’s a bullet hole in his chest,” Skye answered. “So no.”
    â€œSon of a b!” Wally bellowed. “Are you sure the killer’s not still around?”
    â€œDorothy claims to have searched the house and didn’t find anyone.” Interrupting Wally’s cursing, she added, “I wasn’t here. She knows it was stupid, but it’s done and we’re now in her