Home Sweet Homicide: A Cozy Mystery (A Gemma Stone Murder Mystery Book 5) Read Online Free Page B

her lungs. She was followed closely by a much larger woman who appeared to be trying to stop her.
    Gemma recognized the big woman as Esmerelda Hunt, or Essie as everyone called her in school. There were other names they called her behind her back because she was such an oddity, head and shoulders taller than everyone in their classes, big boned, clumsy and somewhat slow witted. Gemma was ashamed of that now, especially at this moment when Essie was desperately trying to keep up with the smaller woman.
    “Oh, God, Katie’s mom is here,” Holly moaned. “She’s an even bigger drama queen than Katie.”
    Officer Milken stepped up as if to stop the woman but she nearly knocked him down as she rushed past. It wasn’t until she reached the driveway that Gemma realized Katie’s mom was headed straight for her and she had murder in her eyes.
    “Aunt Cheryl,” Essie shouted, struggling to catch Katie’s mom. “Aunt Cheryl, stop.”
    “You!” Cheryl Mack screamed as she raced toward Gemma, talons out, eyes wild, hair coming loose. “My baby killed herself because of you.”

Chapter Five
    G emma simply stood there, mouth open and staring in disbelief.
    Just before Cheryl reached Gemma, Mitch yanked her backwards out of reach, almost pulling her off her feet. Essie grabbed her screaming aunt and finally led her away, her voice a steady drone as she tried to calm her down.
    “They had a big fight. He wanted to break up with my sweet baby, all because of you,” Cheryl continued to rant as Essie half dragged her away. “He broke her heart. He was the love of her life and she just couldn’t bear losing him.”
    “What is she talking about?” Gemma asked Holly, who had come to her side.
    By this time Cheryl had flung herself across the hood of Katie’s car, sobbing hysterically.
    “She’s just upset,” Holly said. “Had to take her frustration out on someone and you were the closest person she could find.”
    “Come on, let’s get out of here. This is turning into a circus,” Mitch said, keeping an eye on Cheryl Mack as he led Gemma and Holly away from the scene.
    Gemma climbed behind the wheel of Holly’s SUV, adjusted the seat so she could reach the pedals and turned the key. She kept one eye on Cheryl Mack and Essie as she backed out of the street to the corner and drove away. Mitch followed in his car with Holly by his side.
    At home, Gemma simply sat in the quiet car for a moment, resting her head on the steering wheel. She couldn’t get the sight of Katie’s mom, running toward her like a wild animal, out of her mind.
    She took a deep breath and her thoughts wandered to Ross. How was he going to deal with giving up the reins and having an out of town detective run the case? Was he really breaking up with Katie? Were they an item to begin with? She shrugged off that thought. Perhaps she should call him just to check. She’d made it a point not to call or contact either of them since Valentine’s Day but this was different. She would just ask him if he was okay and then...
    Gemma reached for her phone, still debating whether to make the call or not. At least she didn’t have to wonder how it would feel seeing him and Nick again. That was over and more awkward than she could have ever imagined.
    A shadow appeared in the window right beside her and she turned. The face in the window was a witch with her mother’s smile. Recognizing her Aunt Maisy hit her at the same time but she still clamped both hands over her mouth to stop from screaming.
    “Are you okay, dear?”
    Gemma opened the heavy door and stepped out. Her legs were shaking.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you,” Aunt Maisy said quickly. “But when you didn’t get out of the car I thought something was wrong.”
    “I was just catching my breath,” Gemma gasped.
    “I’m sure you’ve had a busy day,” Maisy continued in her soft, soothing voice.
    “You have no idea,” Gemma breathed.
    “Well, come inside and tell me all