A Deadly Draught Read Online Free Page A

nemesis.
    “Oh, oh. Here comes trouble,” Sally said, looking through the bakery window. Assistant Deputy Sheriff Jake Ryan stood there with his hands cupped around his eyes, trying to peer in.
    “The bakery’s not open yet,” I yelled through the door, then got up, flipped the Open sign to Closed, and shot the deadbolt.
    “What is it with you two? Rumor in the village has it you circle each other like boxers in the ring,” said Sally.
    “Oh? What else does rumor say?”
    Sally’s eyes danced, and she clasped her tiny hands together like a child eager to open a birthday present. “He’s the one, isn’t he? He’s the guy you told me about when you were in law school, the hunk.”
    “He’s an insensitive jerk.”
    “Well, if you don’t want him anymore, I kind of like his looks.” Sally clapped her hand across her mouth. “Oh, God, here I go once more, trying to take your guy.”
    “You can have him with my blessing, but if you’re curious about him, I could fill you in on some details any smart girl would want to know. Oh, shit. We’re doing it again, letting a man interfere with our friendship.” We held each other’s gaze across the table, embarrassment and regret in our eyes.
    Jake banged at the door. “I can see you in there. This is official business. Let me in.”
    “Get a search warrant, official sheriff person.” Me and my smart mouth.
    “He’s kind of cute. He’s only been on the job for a few weeks, so why not give him a break? Maybe he’s different from when you knew him. Wasn’t that years ago? People change.”
    “Not this one. This guy is the same as when we were in law school—a shark.” Sally ignored me and leaped for the door to let him in.
    “I’ll get another cup and cut some more bread.” She dashed into the back room.
    “Your best friend, isn’t she? Interesting person. Little, peppy,” Jake said. His gaze followed her retreating back.
    “You like little and peppy?” I asked. “I thought you liked tall and thin.” Now why did I have to make reference to our past relationship?
    He looked my slender, almost boyish, body up and down making me mentally squirm at the inspection. “Tastes change with experience,” he said.
    I was imagining the experiences that might alter his preferences in women.
    “I need to talk with you.”
    “Not about this murder again, I hope. I told you at the cemetery, I don’t know any more. Oh, and by the way, when it comes to Sally? If you’re interested, go slowly. The woman had her heart broken by …”
    “By your boyfriend. Yeah, I know. The whole town knows. I’m not such an insensitive clod I’d use her that way.” I was about to ask him how he’d use her or any woman, but he cut me off before I could speak.
    “I want to talk with you about your father’s death.”
    My father’s ….
    *
    Jake turned down Sally’s offer of bread and jam, so she packed him two slices in a baggie and sent us out the door, like mama sending two teenagers off on a picnic. As Jake and I left, I shot her a look of disgust, and she returned it with a wink.
    “What’s so important that I had to leave Sally’s and come with you?”
    “My SUV’s across the street.” He grabbed my arm and steered me toward the vehicle.
    “I only put a quarter in the meter.” I nodded at my truck.
    “I already took care of it. C’mon.”
    Imperious S.O.B., I thought to myself. “Taking me down to the station to sweat me again about Mr. Ramford?”
    He ignored my testy tone. “This might be related to his murder or not, but when I first took the job here, I remembered the discussions we had about your father when we were in law school. I would have liked to have met him.” He started the engine and pulled out into traffic.
    “That was a long time ago.” I hated remembering the day I got the call about Dad’s death. “I prefer focusing on the present.”
    “Usually, I do, too, but this is unfinished business, business you should know about. Two