Read The Murder of a Queen Bee for Free Online Page B

one of those days when she did—mascara on her lashes and a sheer pink gloss on her lips.
    â€œYou get dressed up to come to the feed store? Impressive,” Abby said, amused.
    Kat grinned. “Don’t be silly. I’m testifying in court today. But you, girlfriend, look like you’re taking Fiona’s death hard. You’ve got badger eyes.”
    Abby heaved a sigh. “It was a long night. Couldn’t sleep thinking about the case. Anything you can share?”
    â€œNot really. The people closest to her all have alibis, so we’re going a little further out in her orbit, interviewing friends, customers, vendors, even the commune residents.”
    Before Abby could ask more questions about the investigation, she noticed Kat jerk her head toward the feed-store door.
    â€œDid Prince Charming go back inside?”
    â€œNope. He hoisted some hay onto his truck and hightailed it out of here.”
    Was Lucas the reason Kat had gotten so dressed up? She could have just worn her police uniform to court. Abby felt her stomach lurch.
    â€œYour dance card is usually full, Kat. Are you saving a tango for Lucas?”
    â€œMaybe.”
    Concealing her surprise, Abby asked, “What happened to the security guard?”
    â€œOh, that’s so five minutes ago. But I recently had drinks again with the chef at Zazi’s.”
    Abby brightened. “Oh really? So how did that go?”
    â€œOh, you know, he’s nice enough. . . .”
    â€œBut?”
    â€œI don’t know. I prefer my tomatoes and onions on a plate, not tattooed on the forearms of the guy handing me the plate. Always . . . with the sleeves up. I’ve got nothing against ink, but I’m not feeling the sparks. Wishing I could find a nice Silicon Valley engineer type to hook up with. The trouble is, most around Las Flores moved here with a wife and kids.”
    â€œI’m not making the connection here between your chef, the engineer you want, and Lucas Crawford. Can you clue me in?”
    â€œWell, Lucas, now, he’s a looker. He’s also eligible, available, and as you told me, he can cook.”
    Abby felt taken aback. Kat had remembered that detail. Momentarily caught off guard, Abby sputtered, “Yes, so I’ve heard. But he isn’t really your type, is he?”
    Kat’s brow shot up. “And what type would that be?”
    Abby fumbled for words, waved her hand, as if to dismiss the notion. “I . . .” She blew air between her lips. “I don’t know. Polar opposite, maybe?” She wished now that she’d said something long ago to Kat about how she felt around Lucas.
    â€œPolar opposite? Really?” Kat looked surprised. “Well, opposites attract, or so they say. Lest you forget, it was you, Abby, who suggested I be more choosy, set my sights higher. Lucas Crawford would be a great catch. Maybe I could get him off that ranch. He might enjoy dating a fun-loving cop.”
    Abby leaned against the Jeep, nodding her head. He might indeed. She’d said enough. She had trusted Kat with her life when they were partners on the force. Life had taught Abby a hard lesson about trust and betrayal. When Abby was in her midtwenties, her best friend, Josephine, had seduced Abby’s then boyfriend behind her back. He had left Abby for Jo, then had ditched Jo to romance a female recruiter for the military and had soon joined up. Kat wasn’t Jo. Abby knew that. If Kat only knew how a mere look from Lucas could stir Abby’s emotions. But Kat didn’t know. And whose fault is that?
    Sugar wanted her treat. She clearly didn’t like being tethered while Abby chitchatted with Kat. The medium-sized dog had lunged at a passerby and now had grown bored barking at a gray squirrel in the tree. Abby applied a reassuring pat on Sugar’s head to calm her.
    â€œWell, who knows?” Abby said to Kat with a smile. “Maybe Lucas will rock your