Dog Days of Murder (Country Cottage Mysteries Book 2)

by Addison Moore

  Thank you, Bizzy, Leo says from afar and I turn and shoot a sly smile his way.

  Jasper stops short just shy of his mother and I crane my neck trying to look past his shoulder.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Bizzy”—his voice is low and slow—“I promise I had nothing to do with this.”

  And just like that, my stomach knots up because I have a sneaking suspicion I know exactly what’s going on.

  Jasper steps over, exposing the exact malfeasance I pegged it to be.

  “Mom, Camila.” Jasper nods before turning my way. “It looks as if we’re going to have a full table.”

  Camila’s mouth rounds out in horror at the sight of me.

  How did this happen? She casts a hard look to Gwyneth who offers a circular shrug.

  Gwyneth’s lips expand my way as if it took all her energy to feign a smile. With her dark hair pulled back, her silver eyes flashing, she looks like Jasper in female skin.

  This is far more serious than I thought. She cringes openly my way. Certainly Jasper has had his fair share of floozies. Why this one? She shakes her head as she openly examines me.

  We exchange polite hellos as Jasper pulls my seat out, landing me right next to his mother.

  Just perfect.

  Camila looks stunning tonight with her hair set in soft waves, a bright red dress that screams I’m planning to dig my claws into my ex tonight, and a large sparkler on her ring finger of all places that looks suspiciously like something of an engagement nature.

  “Bizzy”—Camila leans in, placing her left hand onto the table in plain view, in the event I missed the quasi-matrimonial stunt—“so nice to see you away from the inn.” The woman is a walking horror story. “I think you and I will grow to be fast friends.” Or even faster enemies. “We should plan a girls’ day out sometime.” In about fifty years.

  My gaze falls to that sparkler once again.

  Has Jasper ever mentioned the fact they were engaged?

  Although, they did date for four years. If they weren’t engaged by then, it was very patient of Camila to sit around and hope for a ring. That is, if that’s what she wanted.

  “A girls’ day?” I clear my throat. “That would be great.” The words strum from me so low I hardly heard them.

  She can’t even fake being nice to me. Camila frowns my way momentarily. Most likely because I’ve stunned her into submission with this rock on my finger. That’s right, Bizzy, read the carats and weep.

  Gwyneth takes in a quick breath. “Is that your engagement ring, Camila? My, is it ever stunning. No use in letting that sit around in a drawer.” She looks to Jasper and winks. “Good on you for wearing it.”

  Jasper shifts in his seat. I would have preferred the drawer. I probably should have taken it back when she offered. Had I known it would be used as ammo to take me down at a later time, I would have demanded it myself.

  I glance over to Jasper and shake my head just a smidge.

  He’s got it wrong. Camila isn’t trying to take him down. She’s trying to pull him in.

  “Yes, it is.” Camila covers the ring for a moment. “I’m afraid I’ve made it a habit to wear it. My finger just feels naked without it.”

  Jasper reaches over and picks up my hand. “Bizzy, Camila and I were briefly engaged. It was a month, wasn’t it?” He tips his chin down while offering her a look that sears. “That’s when you decided that Leo was a better fit for you.”

  Her eyes flare with rage, and suddenly it looks as if Gwyneth and I are about to be caught in the crosshairs of a lovers’ spat. Ironically, the lovers would be my boyfriend and his ex.

  My stomach cinches because Jasper and I aren’t officially official just yet. And if Camila gets her way, that will never happen.

  Camila takes a breath. “Yes, well, that’s ancient history now. He’s here with another woman. Clearly, he’s moved on and so have I. I’m single.” Her bone-white teeth graze over her lower lip, a clear invitation if ever there was one.

  “I’m taken.” Jasper doesn’t miss a beat.

  But before Camila can gag or evaporate or whatever her splendid response will be, a figure darkens the table and I gasp at the sight.

  “Dad?” I nearly eject myself out my seat at the sight of him.

  “Bizzy Bizzy.” He comes over and plants a kiss to my cheek. My father has wide blue eyes and a boyish charm that has allowed him to get away with everything for as long as he’s existed. Although, any one of his vast collection of ex-wives might disagree with me on that—starting with my mother. “Everyone looks happy and healthy.” He shakes Jasper’s hand before nodding over to Camila. “Gwyneth, have I interrupted your dinner?”

  Jasper’s mother looks horrified. How do I leave Camila here with that woman holding onto Jasper as if he were a life raft? Maybe I can coerce her to come along. This is her father, after all. But then, there goes my date. She’s just ruining everything tonight.

  Did she say date?

  Gwyneth’s not dating my father, is she?

  GAH! Did I do something to seriously offend the universe? If so, I demand to know—and I might demand a recount, too.

  I clear my throat. “Dad, why don’t you join us?”

  “Yes.” Jasper quickly grabs a seat from an empty table behind us and adds it to the mix. Soon, a waitress comes by and adds a table setting for him and we all put in our dinner orders.

  I catch Camila ogling my father long after the waitress takes off.

  He is something. Look at those eyes. And that naughty grin? Now there’s a silver fox I wouldn’t mind hunting.

  “No,” I say, looking right at her and she gasps my way.

  “Excuse me?” Her expression quickly morphs to annoyance. “Did you say no?”

  I take in a quick breath as all eyes feast on me. “I said oh. As in, a thought just occurred to me.” I look to my father. “Are you meeting someone here? We’re not interrupting your date, are we?”

  That permanent smile my father wears expands with devious delight. “I was meeting someone here. And it was a date. In fact, the woman in question is seated right next to you.”

  I curl my lips with satisfaction. If I have to know about our parents’ questionable dalliance, Jasper should, too. If Jasper feels as grossed out as I do, we’ll be able to squash this budding romance like a cockroach.

  Who are we kidding? This is no budding romance. More like a seriously offensive senior moment.

  A deep groan comes from Jasper as if he were mortally wounded.

  “The two of you were going on a date?” His brows hike as he inspects my father first and then his mother.

  Dad nods with that wide-eyed charm. Thankfully for him, he was born with a face that no one could really stay mad at.

  And Gwyneth looks as if she’s the cat who ate the canary.

  “Mom?” Jasper shakes his head at the woman who can’t seem to contain her devilish grin. “No offense to Nathan, but he has a reputation for being extremely fond of the ladies.”

  Gwyneth frowns heavily at her son. “I should hope so. I happen to fall in that category. Nathan, please excuse my son. He’s a bit overprotective of me.”

  Jasper grunts as he looks to my father, “And I have two brothers that are just as overprotective.”

  Camila chortles to herself as she sits back and watches my worst nightmare unfold.

  She coos over at him, sparkler front and center. “Jasper is quite protective of those he cares about. That’s what I miss about you most.” She all but blows him a kiss. “Don’t give Gwynie such a hard time. It’s nice to know that romance doesn’t die once you crest the other side of the hill.” She runs her hand along my father’s arm and his brows hike up, amused by this young temptress by his side. “And I can see the lure. It’s safe to say, Gwyneth, you’ve managed to snag yourself the stud of the bunch.”

  Gwyneth goes rigid as she looks to the girl she was so quick to upsell to her son. It looks as if the medicine doesn’t go down as easi
ly as she was willing to dole it out.

  How do you like that, Gwynie? Camila is trying to simultaneously steal my man and yours. Now there’s a reality check.

  Dad clears his throat, looking slightly uncomfortable for the first time in his life.

  “So Jasper?” He leans his way. “Rumor has it, there’s been an arrest in the case. Let me guess, disgruntled ex?”

  “No, actually.” Jasper offers me a silent apology with his eyes. “It was Nessa Crosby.”

  “Little Nessie?” Dad leans back. “Are you sure about that?”

  Jasper ticks his head to the side. “We had an eyewitness come forward that placed her at the scene of the crime. And forensics confirmed it was her weapon that killed the victim.”

  I catch his eye. “Who was the eyewitness?”

  He pauses a moment and glances around the table. If we were alone, I’d tell her who it was. “I’m sorry, Bizzy. That’s confidential at the moment. But I’m sure it’ll all come out in the wash.” Luke was skittish to begin with. I should be the last person whispering his name—especially in front of three other people.

  Luke.

  Luke Parker, Shelby’s boyfriend.

  Actually, that’s not right. Chelsea let me know Shelby cut him loose right before she was killed. He placed Nessa at the scene of the crime?

  “Bizzy”—Dad interrupts my thoughts—“didn’t you grow up with Nessa? She’s no killer, is she?”

  “Yes and no. I can promise everyone at this table she’s not capable of such a thing.”

  Camila averts her gaze. “Believe me, even the tenderest of souls can be driven to the brink of madness.” I should know. I’m almost there myself. Although, even I would have to contest the fact I have a tender soul.

  Gwyneth gives a wistful shake of the head. There’s been a man or two I would have gladly helped to the other side. Of course, I would never be silly enough to get caught. Murder is the kind of thing you need to give serious thought to. I’d make arrangements to have someone else take the fall. It would be an expert move. No room for a sophomoric blunder. All things would have to be considered from every angle. The target would need to have lots of enemies. The poor soul I’d pin the crime on would have to be an easy target themselves. Perhaps lots of angry ex-wives. She raises a glass to my father before taking a quick sip of her drink.

  Dear God, my father is in mortal danger around this woman.

  Although, she does bring up a good point. If you were going to pin a murder on someone, they’d have to be an easy target.

  Nessa was an easy target. Nessa was angry with Shelby. That wasn’t a secret. Everyone knew she worked at the inn. And if she were there, her gun would be, too.

  Camila shakes her head at me. “What makes you think Jasper arrested the wrong person?”

  My mouth falls open as I look to Jasper. “That’s not what I said.”

  Camila tips her head my way. “But that’s what you meant, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, but—”

  Camila leans in, her eyes locked over Jasper’s. “Not once did I question your acumen for doing your job. Bizzy, are you suggesting he’s less than capable?”

  “No.” It comes out crisp and a touch too loud. “I’m suggesting that people, science even, can make mistakes. They can be deceived. I think whoever killed Shelby used Nessa because they thought she was an easy target.”

  Gwyneth straightens. “That’s what I would have done,” she declares with a touch of surprise.

  Dad leans my way. “Bizzy, do you feel safe at the inn? That’s two homicides back to back right here in Cider Cove—at your inn.”

  “I’m fine,” I say. I’m about to extrapolate on the fact when Gwyneth looks to Camila with a touch of horror.

  “My goodness, Camila, do you feel safe at the inn? It never occurred to me not to feel safe there.”

  Camila chortles a dark laugh. “I have a concealed carry permit. I have my special little friend with me wherever I go. I feel more than safe.”

  Camila has a gun? And she wasn’t sorry that Shelby was dead? Maybe I should revisit these pictures Shelby suggested she take. Huh.

  Jasper offers me a hint of a smile just as dinner arrives.

  Perfect, he muses. We can eat and get out of this mess. I’ll talk football or golf, or the moon landing with her father until it’s time to hit the door. I just hope Bizzy speaks to me after this disaster.

  I nod over to him, reassuring him I would.

  And Jasper does just that. He and Dad talk about everything under the sun—or should I say moon, while Camila and Gwyneth exchange odd catty little barbs that are almost worth the price of admission.

  Who knew a twist of events would lead a man to wedge himself between these two scheming vixens? And to think that man is my father. Actually, that doesn’t surprise me all that much. He’s been known to cause a kerfuffle or two amongst the fairer sex.

  Dinner wraps up and my father and Jasper each drop a wad of bills onto the table—and honestly, none of us can get out of here quick enough.

  We pass Leo and Mack on the way out, both of which are staring deeply into one another’s eyes.

  I think Leo is getting lucky tonight.

  Here’s hoping, he says. By the way, your meal looked exhausting. I hope you get some rest, Bizzy.

  Thank you. My night can only go up from here.

  And it does. Gwyneth and Dad go for a stroll down Main Street while Camila stalks off in a huff.

  And soon enough, it’s just Jasper and me.

  I wrap my arms around this tall, strong, and far too handsome man by my side.

  “For the record, Detective, I don’t believe for a minute that you’re less than capable.”

  His lids hood low as a wicked smile crests his lips.

  “How about we go back to my place and I show you just how capable I am?”

  “And how would that be?” My eyes widen as I tremble out a short-lived laugh.

  “Maybe I should demonstrate.” He lands a kiss to my lips.

  “Okay. I’m in.” I run my finger down his tie. “I’m sure you’ll show me how capable the rest of you is soon enough.”

  He gives a crooked grin. “You just gave me something to look forward to.”

  “Me, too.”

  We head back to his place—mostly because it’s lacking three pairs of roving eyes and Jasper makes good on his word.

  And he is very, very capable with his mouth.

  With his career? I’m not so sure.

  The only thing Nessa Crosby is guilty of is being an easy target.

  And I’m about to prove it.

  Chapter 13

  It took less than sixty seconds of convincing to have Leo Granger join me in heading over to the Harris Financial office building.

  I wasn’t kidding when I told him that I would be looking for his help. And thankfully, he’s not hesitating in giving it to me.

  Leo gives an unwarranted grin out at the tall building paneled in mirrors. He’s ditched his deputy wear for a monkey suit and looks surprisingly dapper. I’m sure he’ll garner more than a few glances from the women inside.

  “I scoured all of Shelby Harris’ social media sites and didn’t see a single picture of Luke anywhere,” I say. “Don’t you think that’s weird?”

  “No.” Leo looks bored by the idea in general. “I went over her stuff, too. She liked pretty things. Luke is a dude. Dudes aren’t pretty.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not. From what I could tell, most of these influencers had a handful of pictures snuggling with their boyfriends. I just find it odd that he was nowhere to be seen. Something doesn’t sit right about this. Shelby had her entire life on display. Why not her shiny new boyfriend?”

  “Let’s ask the shiny new boyfriend.” Leo goes to open his door and I land my hand over his arm to stop him.

  “Not so fast, Deputy Granger. Now that I have you alone in the privacy of your truck, I want you to tell me about the other transmundane classifications.” I still ca
n’t wrap my head around the fact I’m something called telesensual. It sounds dark and mysterious, two words I’d hardly use to describe myself.

  Leo relaxes back in his seat. “Okay, keep in mind I gleaned all this from my aunt—she’s dying to meet you, by the way. She and Georgie are fast friends.”

  “Lovely. I can’t see a single thing that can go wrong with this.”

  He chuckles at the thought. “Okay, there are the visionaries—people who can see things that are about to happen, have happened, or are happening somewhere outside of their current location. I don’t know much about them. Then there are the sibylline—those who have a knowing about things that are about to transpire. And the most interesting in my book—the supersensuals. People who can communicate with the dead.”

  “The dead?” I all but shout the words. Good call on having this little talk in the safety of his pickup.

  “I agree with you there.” He gives a little wink, acknowledging the fact he just read my mind. “Don’t worry. It’s not a catching condition. I’ve done some research and no one has two gifts, let alone all. We’ve got what we’ve got.”

  “I won’t complain. Although, it’s not always a gift, is it?”

  He offers a morose smile. “No, Bizzy. It’s not.”

  I sigh as I look out at the building before us. “Let’s head on in.”

  He pauses a moment as if he were rethinking the entire plan. “What would Jasper say if he knew what we were doing?”

  “Not much, because he’s never going to find out. I’ve sworn you to secrecy, remember?”

  That smarmy grin he’s been wearing like a Halloween mask glides off his face. “I’d like to advise against that.”

  A laugh gets caught in my throat. “I bet you would. In fact, I bet that’s the real reason you agreed to come out with me. You just can’t wait to stir the pot between Jasper and me. What is it with you two anyway that you just can’t stand to see him happy?”

  His head inches back a notch. “That’s not true. I’ll be the first to admit what happened between Camila and me was a big mistake. I wasn’t thinking straight. She assured me they were over. I should have cleared things with Jasper. Instead, I took a risk and it didn’t pay off. I lost my best friend over nothing. Jasper and I were closer than brothers.”