A Murder Moist Foul: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery (Frosted Love Mysteries Book 1) Read Online Free

A Murder Moist Foul: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery (Frosted Love Mysteries Book 1)
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it’s worth looking into, just try not to get too excited until we have our
facts lined up, okay?” he cautioned.

Chapter 3
    “You want motive?  Check out this
motive,” Melissa smugly tossed a copy of the photo that she had found online
onto Detective Beckett’s desk, along with several articles detailing the
checkered past of the 2nd place winner, Giacomo Andretti, who was rumored to
have ties with organized crime.
    Chas raised a skeptical eyebrow at
her, glanced at the pile of paper in front of him and advised, “You might want
to have a seat and lower your voice, Ms. Gladstone.” 
    “Why would I want to do that?  I’m
working for the best interests of the general public – that’s something to be
proud of,” she challenged, chin jutting out defiantly.  Beckett stood to his
full height then placed his hands on the desk, leaning toward where Missy
stood, hands on hips tapping her foot.  “From where a lot of these folks are
sitting, it looks very much like you are working for your own best interests by
trying to point the finger at someone else,” he said quietly.  “Now for my part
of things, I don’t believe you’re guilty of anything other than being slightly
paranoid and having issues with authority figures,” he almost smiled, “but you
can help me to help you by sitting down and showing me what you’ve come up
with.”  He locked eyes with her, then looked pointedly at the chair beside his
desk.  Chagrined, she sat, folding her hands in her lap.
    She explained her findings to the
detective, who became very attentive when she told him that Andretti had
witnessed her argument with the Donut Man.
    “I’ll check it out,” he promised,
clearly impressed that she had done her homework.  “Don’t get your hopes up,
chances are he had nothing to do with this, but I’ll have a little chat with
him and see where things go from there.”
    Missy extended her hand, grateful
to have seen at least a shred of human compassion in this tough cookie.  “Thank
you so much Detective, I really appreciate this,” she smiled and gripped his
warm, iron-strong hand, butterflies fluttering madly in her midsection.  She
mused that it was truly a shame that this magnificent male never demonstrated
any personality traits aside from impeccable professionalism.
    Chas Beckett was mildly shocked by
the tenderhearted reactions that this vivacious woman inspired in him.  He’d
never show it of course, he’d perfected the appearance of disinterested
impartiality over the years, but his encounters with Melissa Gladstone
rekindled an awareness of feeling in him that he would prefer remained buried
for eternity.  His life was straightforward, uncomplicated - he had no wife, no
kids, no pets, nothing other than a fantastic wardrobe, a modest house and car
and a job that consumed every waking thought.  Just the way he liked it.  Until
recently, that is.  More than once, his thoughts had touched upon the endearing
qualities possessed by the tiny but tough blonde, qualities that had begun to
tear at the corners of the impenetrable fortress that he had built around his
heart years ago.  Shaking off this dangerous train of thought, he focused on
the task at hand and reached for the phone. 
    Beckett’s conversation with
Andretti left him suspicious, but unconvinced.  His gut told him that there
were likely many things of which the baker was guilty, but as to whether or not
the murder of the Donut Man was one of them was still a matter requiring
further investigation.  He received a phone call from an anxious Missy
Gladstone that evening and reassured her that he would be looking into the
matter further.  He hung up the phone feeling a bit sad and very much aware of
his singular status.  His simple cottage was sparsely decorated in neutral
tones and, while peaceful, was not exactly what one would classify as a cozy
retreat from the outside world.  He spent most of his time at home sitting at
the desk in his
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