Read Online Murder of the Cat's Meow: A Scumble River Mystery by Denise Swanson - Free Book Online Page B

be overheard, Skye gazed at the one remaining red velvet cupcake in the display case. She was thinking about nabbing it before someone else bought it when Frannie and Justin burst through the door, their voices raised in an argument.
    Frannie stalked over to Skye, pulled out a chair, and plopped down, her lips pressed together in a thin line. Justin slouched into the remaining seat, crossed his arms, and stared over his girlfriend’s head at the empty wall behind her.
    Skye looked back and forth between them. She decided to let them stew for a while. So, instead of asking what was wrong, she said, “What do you two want to drink and eat? There’s not much left.”
    “Iced chai tea latte,” Frannie answered. “And if there’s a cinnamon chip scone, I’ll have that, please.”
    “Double shot espresso and the red velvet cupcake.” Justin didn’t waste any words.
    “Okay.” Skye hid her disappointment. She’d have to settle for the shortbread cookies and a caffe mocha. “I’ll be right back.”
    Skye chatted with Orlando Erwin, Risé’s husband and Tale and Treats’ other co-owner, as he prepared their orders. He was the resident baker as well as the rare book scout for the store, and he told her all about a first-edition Sherlock Holmes title he had recently found at a storage facility auction he’d attended in Moline.
    Frannie and Justin were still pointedly ignoring each other when Skye set the loaded tray on the table. Since there was no way to overlook their pique, she admitted defeat and asked, “What’s up with you two?”
    “He’s being a jerk.” Frannie grabbed her glass and took a gulp.
    “And she’s being ridiculous.” Justin shook his head mockingly. “Just think, if it weren’t for girlfriends, guys could go through their whole lives without ever knowing their faults.”
    “Glad to be of service, because in that case you’d be even lamer than you already are.” Frannie narrowed her eyes. “Now, admit that I’m right and you shouldn’t have done it.”
    “I could do that.” Justin smirked. “But then we’d both be wrong.”
    “What did you do?” Skye interrupted—in part to stop the couple’s bickering, but mostly because the suspense was killing her.
    “I finessed the numbers a little.” Justin cradled the tiny espresso cup in his big hands and gazed into the dark liquid. “It’s no big deal.”
    “What numbers?” Before taking her first sip, Skye blew across the top of her mug. She’d burned her tongue once too often by not being cautious. Orlando was famous for his scorching-hot coffee drinks.
    “The speed-dating results.” Frannie popped a piece of scone into her mouth.
    “Why?” Skye eyed the three cookies in front of her before making a selection. She liked to save the one with the most sprinkles for last.
    Justin took a huge bite of his cupcake, then mumbled around the mouthful, “’Cause Ms. Hightower wanted to end up with Mr. Quigley.”
    “But I thought you were upset about your earlier run-in with Alexis, when she wanted to see the cats’ scores before she was supposed to.” Skye wrinkled her brow. “Why would you do her a favor after that?”
    “He didn’t. She bribed him.” Frannie glared. “Ms. Hightower paid Justin fifty bucks to make sure she got the guy she wanted.”
    “Ah, I see. Greed overcame your wounded ego.” Skye savored a nibble of her cookie, then asked, “So which woman was supposed to end up with Ivan Quigley?”
    “Ms. Irving.” Justin stuffed the rest of his cupcake in his mouth.
    “Well.” Skye gave herself time to formulate the right response by taking a swallow of her caffe mocha and blotting her lips with a napkin. “What Justin did was unethical.” She raised a brow at him. “You do realize it was wrong to take a bribe and manipulate the outcome. People paid you to be honest. They trusted you.”
    “Hey, it is what it is.” Justin shrugged, apparently unimpressed with Skye’s admonishment.
    “Maybe,” Skye