Read Online Trouble and Treats (A Chocolate Centered Cozy Mystery Book 6) by Cindy Bell - Free Book Online

he’ll find out that it’s impossible.” Charlotte straightened the collar of her blouse. “Someone broke into my shop, our shop, and vandalized it. I’m not going to let that go by without finding out who did it. Get his address. Let’s go.”
    Ally searched Gary’s name to find his address, then followed her grandmother to her car. “It’s not too far, I’m sure we can find it.” As she opened the door to the driver’s side she thought about the potential risk that existed. If Gary could ruthlessly murder his ex-wife he could harm anyone. As brave as her grandmother was, she also knew that sometimes she let her bravery get her into dangerous situations, not unlike her granddaughter. “Mee-Maw, maybe we should take a look around Emma’s house first and see if there’s any indication it wasn’t an accident and if there is any evidence.”
    “Around, or inside?” Charlotte glanced at her.
    “Inside. I bet she still keeps a key under the flower pot in the back. She told us about it when we dropped off a chocolate delivery for her and she wasn’t home. Remember?”
    “Oh yes, of course.”
    “If it’s there we can let ourselves in without doing anything too risky. If Jack isn’t home, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
    “All right, let’s swing by there first.”

Chapter Eight
     
    Ally turned down the road that led to Emma’s house. She stopped a few houses down so as not to draw too much attention to herself. She pulled her keys out of the ignition and stepped out of the car. “Let’s see what we can find, but remember to be careful. We have no idea who ransacked the shop. It could be related to Emma’s death. We have no idea where the burglar might strike next.”
    “Let’s make it a quiet entry.” Charlotte nodded.
    Ally led her grandmother through the small gate that led to a patch of backyard. She moved up the steps as silently as she could and peeked under a small flower pot. As she suspected the key was there. Her stomach twisted. Did Gary know that, too? Was that how he let himself into the house? She reached into her purse and pulled out a tissue. As she plucked the key from the ground she was careful not to leave any fingerprints on it.
    “He could come home at any time, we need to make this quick.”
    “Yes, we do.” Charlotte glanced over her shoulder. “Hurry.”
    Ally nodded and unlocked the door, then pushed it slowly open. She held her breath as she waited for someone to come charging towards her.
    After no one barreled down the hall Ally took a step inside the house. The stillness of it was unsettling. No one was there to explain why the tile was pried up in the corner of the kitchen. No one pointed out the hall closet where she could hang her jacket or leave her purse. Instead, her muffled footsteps were all that filled her ears. She glanced back as her grandmother started to follow after her.
    “Mee-Maw, don’t you think it would be better if you waited by the door? Then you can tell me if anyone comes.”
    “All right, but be careful, Ally. I don’t want to have to explain any of this to Luke.”
    “Thanks for your concern.” Ally flashed her a smile then shook her head. She continued down the hall out of the kitchen and into the living room. Everything was just as it had been the day before. Not a cushion out of place. Why would anyone want to leave such a beautiful home? Maybe Emma hoped that she would finally be able to evade Gary. Maybe that was enough reason for her to pull up her roots and move on. She paused in the living room and checked under the couch cushions. She looked inside the drawers in the desk in the corner. She opened the doors of a large wooden cabinet and discovered a television, along with other electronics. Nothing out of the ordinary.
    As Ally walked back towards the stairs she tried not to think about what she’d seen that fateful night. She climbed the stairs two at a time and headed for the master bedroom. Once inside she discovered that