Read Football is Murder (Bee's Bakehouse Cozy Mysteries Book 4) (Bee's Bakehouse Mysteries) for Free Online Page A

is.”
    Jessie turned back to the picture. “I thought they were teammates at the Ravens,” she said, staring at the image of the two boys dressed in football uniforms and cleats. “They look so young here.”
    Pamela nodded. “Yeah. Not a lot of people know that. They go way back. Went to high school together.”
    “So they were close?” Chief Daly said.
    Pamela sighed and shook her head. “Not anymore.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “You know what I mean. They… they had a falling out some months back. As far as I know they haven’t spoken since.”
    “Do you know what they fought about?” the chief asked. Jessie knew he was keeping his voice casual and disinterested on purpose.
    “Actually, I do,” Pamela said, softly. “Nobody ever said it outright, but I know Chad didn’t approve of me. Back when we got married, Chad tried to talk Johnny out of it. I guess the rift never fully healed and it all came out months ago when they had that huge fight.”
     

Chapter 6
    “What do you think of that?” the chief asked gravely as they pulled out of the driveway.
    Jessie shook her head. The truth was she didn’t know what to think. It had been so much easier when they were investigating crimes in Springdale where she knew—or at least knew of—the victims and suspects.
    “I don’t know,” she said at last.
    He chuckled. “You must have an opinion.”
    Jessie thought about it for a couple more minutes. “I thought it was weird that she wanted to chat with me about art when her husband has just been murdered.”
    Chief Daly nodded without saying anything.
    “Did you think the same?”
    He shrugged.
    “And Chief, don’t you think it’s weird that Chad and Johnny fought just months before his death?”
    He nodded. “I have to admit, we didn’t know about the Chad and Johnny connection aside from being aware they were teammates.”
    “Does this change things?”
    He clicked his tongue. “I like to have all of the information before I make up my mind on that.”
    “What kind of evidence have they found?” Jessie asked.
    “Nothing. Like I said, a body in a pool. No murder weapon. No witnesses. The lab is working on fingerprints and hair samples, but I’m not hopeful. Not when the body was found in such a public place.”
    “So what now?” Jessie asked, spreading her hands on the dash and staring at her nails. She didn’t know why she’d been expecting it, but she had thought they might leave the Cooper house with more leads.
    “We get you back to the café before your aunt decides to murder me. I’ve got a couple things to do back at Springdale PD. I’ll come by after you’ve closed up for the evening and we’ll go speak to the siblings.”
    They were silent for the rest of the journey. Finally, when they pulled up outside the café, the chief turned to her and smiled.
    “Don’t be frustrated. I’ll let you in on a little secret. A huge part of police work is waiting around.”
    Jessie felt a little better as she climbed out of the cruiser.
    * * *
    Whatever frustrations she had felt in the car evaporated as soon as she pushed open the door of the café.
    “Melanie,” she shrieked at the woman who was sitting on a stool at the counter.
    Her cousin grinned as she rushed over and flung her arms around Jessie.
    “Jessie! I haven’t seen you for the longest time!”
    They hugged for a long time, paying no attention to the amused looks they were getting from the café patrons. Jessie didn’t care. She was delighted to see her best friend in the world.
    She pulled back and held Melanie at arm’s length. They spoke on the phone almost every day, but she couldn’t remember the last time they’d been together in person. Jessie’s job had kept her busy and the same was true for Melanie. As a management consultant, she rarely got to spend time in her own home, let alone visit with friends and family in other states.
    Looking more closely, Jessie saw the new lines on her cousin’s