Read The Rogue Reviewer (Primrose, Minnesota Book 3) for Free Online Page B

no, I didn’t
mention it. I’m sure my assistance hasn’t even crossed his
mind.”
    “Testosterone poisoning,” Marnie mumbled.
    “Sucks for him. He has no idea how much
knowledge I have about solving a crime.”
    “Have you discussed this with Alex?”
    “That’s a big fat NO . She’s convinced
I should barricade myself in my townhouse until this whole nasty
thing is over. Besides, I’m almost certain she and Detective
Stewart will share evidence.”
    “I know, right? Were you blinded by the
sparks between them?”
    “Almost, and to tell you the truth I’d be
bothered if she weren’t one of my best friends. Only Alex would
flirt with the detective interrogating me for murder.”
    “Actually, Detective Turner questioned me.
Did he, you?”
    “Beside the point. Are you gonna help me or
not?”
    “What the hell? I’m in. Just don’t get me in
trouble, I need my job.”
    “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
    “Uh, yes you would. Do I need to remind you
that you almost got us arrested researching your last
novel?”
    “Hey, it’s not my fault that club got
busted.”
    “Club? It was a biker bar, Dara, and the cops
thought we were prostitutes! I’ve never been so humiliated in my
life.”
    “Never?”
    “Almost never.” The other woman shrugged and
Dara fought the urge to laugh out loud. The times she and Marnie
found trouble in the last twenty plus years were hysterical in
themselves. “Where do we start?”
    “We need to figure out why Evelyn ended up in
my living room.”
    “Evelyn.” Marnie snorted. “More like Elvira.
Isn’t it more important to know the reasoning behind her
murder?”
    “I think that’s obvious, don’t you?”
    “Maybe, but would someone really kill her
because of a bad review?”
    “Stranger things have happened. Some authors
don’t accept criticism well. I have to admit that it’s hard
sometimes.”
    “You’re a true professional, Dara.”
    “So why was she found at my house?”
    “Do you think she came to see you?”
    It was Dara’s turn to snort. “I’m sure she
intended to apologize.”
    “There’s no other logical explanation.”
    “There is . We just haven’t found it
yet.” She handed the newspaper to Marnie. “There were two other
reviews besides mine and I know both authors. I say we pay each of
them a visit.”
    “Okay, who’s first?”
    “Sara Winston.” She gave Marnie a smug grin.
“The queen of murder.”
     
    ***
     
    He allowed his car to idle against the curb
while he scanned the row of vehicles in the parking lot to assure
Dara’s car was still parked next to Marnie’s. An irritated tick
moved the muscles at the base of his jaw, evidence of how angered
he was by what she had to endure at the hands of Detective Turner
and his cronies. He hadn’t planned on Dara becoming a suspect. Damn
Turner. The sacrifice was meant as a gift and the detective’s
interference changed everything.
    He had worked diligently to keep her torment
at a minimum and the Primrose policemen made him look like an
uncaring idiot. He hadn’t intended to leave a mess behind; really,
the blood caused such an awful stain on one of his most expensive
shirts and he’d been forced to reduce it to a pile of ashes.
Although he didn’t plan on a repeat performance, he would
definitely find another method. The nauseating smell alone made up
his mind. At least Dara didn’t stay there. What a good friend she
had in Marnie.
    Movement caught his attention as both women
climbed into Dara’s car, chattering as if deep in the middle of a
serious conversation. He knew Dara’s inquisitive nature well
enough; she’d already begun to analyze his motives. He chuckled as
he eased his foot from the brake and allowed the car to creep
forward. Soon she would understand.
    He followed a safe distance behind, curious
as they pulled up to the front of a gray stone mansion and parked
in the driveway. As soon as the women stood on the porch well out
of his view, he left his car at the curb