Read Death with a Cherry on Top: A Beach Themed Cozy Mystery (Twisted Sisters Ice Cream Cozies Book 1) for Free Online Page A

off season, and they were trying to catch the thief. They forgot it was even there. Imagine their surprise when it caught something that they weren't expecting."
    "I know every inch of that building. There's no camera. Whatever you're trying to pull, we're done here. You should leave." His shoulders tensed.
    Kitty spun toward him. "What are they talking about?"
    Pops pulled up at the address. Perfect timing! Gina crossed her fingers, said a prayer and yelled over to her father, hoping he'd play along. "Did you bring the tape? I think Kitty should know what her boyfriend did."
    Pops patted his pocket. "I sure did."
    Gina loved that she could count on her father to work with her, without her having to spell it out to him.
    "What’s on the tape?" Kitty demanded. She scowled at Simon.
    Simon got quiet, and swallowed hard. Fear crawled across his face. "I didn't mean for it to happen. It was an accident. I was just going to threaten him, but then we got into it. We struggled, tripped, and one thing led to another."
    Kitty's jaw dropped. "You?"
    Pop reached into his pocket and pulled out a mint. "Did you want a mint?"
    "You! What?" Simon roared, angry at having been trapped.
    "I think you'd better put some clothes on. The police will be here shortly," Lottie said, dialing 9-1-1.
    Kitty's mouth was still hanging open. "Simon?"
    "I'm sorry, Kitty. I'm still in love with Carla," Simon admitted. "I let jealousy get the best of me."
    "You used me?" She reeled back and slapped him. With that, she stormed out past everyone.
    "Not so fast," Gina called out to her. "We'll need your statement."
    Kitty grumbled. Finn, now Simon, she'd wished Carla had done it. Carla getting out of jail meant her competition was back. She'd see what the future held, but there was no way she was losing to Carla again. She'd chase Carla back to New York and finally be the local star she was meant to be. Kitty would be the queen bee of Wildwind. She stormed to the sidewalk and sat on the curb. That’s when it hit her like a ton of bricks. The sensation pulsed through her veins. Shame and embarrassment caught her off guard. Why didn’t she feel anything? Was she that heartless that she could let an innocent women rot in jail? Let alone, she hadn’t cried over Finn’s death, and now Simon’s confession.
    Kitty sighed. She was a user. It was more about what they could do for her. Maybe it was time to re-evaluate life. She dropped her head into her hands. The ice around her heart melted, and for the first time since this entire thing took place, she cried. Kitty closed her eyes and searched to find her integrity. It had to be inside of her somewhere, right? It was time to change her ways.

Chapter 11
    Carla bowed out of the play, not wanting to be a part of the tragedy. The play would go on, but without her. She’d head back to New York, but first she’d spend a long weekend with her friends and family. Lottie and Gina cooked up a feast to celebrate Carla’s release.
    Gina’s family was in one piece again. Everything felt right. With things going back to normal, it would mean business as usual. Summer was rushing straight at them. Soon throngs of vacationers would fill Wildwind’s hotels. The boardwalk would come back to life with hungry beachgoers. They’d be ready with an assortment of treats served in cones, cups, or dipped in sprinkles.
    Once things settled back down, Lottie hopped back into action. It was time to open “Twisted Sisters Ice Cream” the following weekend. Sure, it was a week or so late, but having Carla free and clear made it the best delayed opening ever.
    In no time, lines of people made their way to the stand, filling Lottie’s cash register with crisp bills as Kitty stood waving customers in.  She played her role as the Ice Cream Queen perfectly. There was something else, something different. She seemed almost humble, like a changed woman. Was it possible?  Only time would tell if this new Kitty would stick around, but Gina and