Read Online Raisin the Dead by Karoline Barrett - Free Book Online Page B

concerned, so I promised I’d make sure they weren’t going to get too crazy.”
    â€œCrazy for this crowd looks like it would be missing
Jeopardy
and
Wheel of Fortune
.” I rubbed the horse’s nose. “What’s this guy’s name?”
    â€œDusty.”
    â€œHe’s gorgeous. How is it working so far?”
    â€œGreat. I’ll be taking a six-week training course in the near future with a couple of the other guys, but since I’m an experienced rider, the chief is letting me take Dusty out now, so he gets used to the town and the people.”
    We both watched as cars drove by and honked at the protestors. Some of them rolled down the windows and gave them the thumbs-down sign; some drivers gave other gestures better left unmentioned. It didn’t look like the protestors had a lot of public support.
    â€œYou said you wanted to chat,” said Sean. “I need to talk to you, too. Is now good?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œI think I can safely walk away for a few. I don’t think these people want to injure anyone physically.”
    He led me to the small garden at the side of the library where the woods began a few feet away from the main building. In the middle was a small fountain surrounded by benches. He tied Dusty’s reins to one of the benches and we sat.
    â€œHow long are you going to stay here?” I asked.
    â€œI’ll probably tell the protestors to move on once you and I are finished. I want to head out to the stables. So, what’s up? Everything okay?”
    â€œPhilip’s death. Was it murder? The paper said his death was suspicious.”
    â€œThat’s what you wanted to talk about? My investigation is still ongoing. That’s all I can say, which I think you may already know. I thought maybe you missed me, we haven’t seen a lot of each other.”
    â€œWell of course I miss you.” I lowered my voice and pressed on. “Do you have any idea who would’ve killed him? Mom said his fiancée, Jill McGinley, thought he might have killed himself. She’s a librarian.” I was sure my mother would be okay with me repeating that to an officer of the law. In case she forgot to. It could be a clue, after all. “He was depressed, apparently. Have you spoken to Jill? Or Daniel Bixby? He may have been making threatening phone calls to Philip, according to my mother.”
    Sean was staring out into the distance. I’d expected an admonition to mind my own business, or at least a sarcastic quip. “Did you hear me?”
    He came out of his reverie and focused back on our conversation. “Yeah. Sorry, just thinking.”
    â€œAre you all right? You seem a little distracted. Is it because another murderer is running loose?”
    He rewarded me with a sexy half smile. “You’re a stubborn woman, you know that?”
    I gave him my sweetest smile. “I’ve been told. So basically, I’ve got nothing to report.”
    He looked mystified. “Who are you reporting to?”
    â€œOlivia, Kendra, and Lola. We were discussing yesterday whether Philip was murdered. Kendra’s cousin Rochelle told her you talked to Serafina. You think she killed him?” I pulled away from him. “Mary Sue heard her say she’d get the formula before anyone at Alessi did. She didn’t care who she had to kill. Mary Sue thinks she was talking about Baldelli since she’s his great-niece. “
    His face registered surprise. “Lola? You’re friends with Lola?”
    â€œNot exactly friends, but why not? I’m not interested in Brian anymore. I wish them all the best. I’m making their wedding cake and his groom cake.”
    â€œSweet of you.”
    â€œI love baking, as you know, and a profit’s a profit.”
    His eyes caught mine and he reached for my hand. I shivered even though it wasn’t shivering weather. “I hope I’m the reason you’re not