Scottsdale Heat: a romantic light-hearted murder mystery (Laura Black Mysteries Book 1) Read Online Free
Author: B A Trimmer
are.”
“Ooooh,” I moaned. “It’s like liquid sex.”
“Sex in a bottle, huh? Now that’s something that would sell.”
~~~~
We talked for almost two hours. Muffy ended up giving me the names, phone numbers, and addresses of Alexander’s friends. She also gave me the places he had worked, and the places she thought he hung out. By the time I left, I felt like Alexander and I were old friends.
~~~~
As I drove back to my side of town, I gave Sophie a call on my cell phone.
“Hey chica, looks like it’s going to be a couple of busy days, again. Do you want to do something before things get too crazy? I'm thinking dinner.”
“Sure, swing by about 6:00,” Sophie said. “Lenny has me working on a deposition until then.”
“Do you have the file on Alexander Sternwood yet?”
“I’m pulling it together now. I’ll have it for you tonight.”
TWO
I drove east on McDonald to Miller, then south to my apartment. I parked in my space in the lot behind the building.
My apartment building was originally built as a small hotel in the 1970’s. The interior of the building is hollow, constructed as an enormous atrium. Standing on the atrium floor you can look up and see the walkways circling each of the five floors. On the ground level in the back corner is a 60-inch TV, surrounded by a cluster of chairs and couches. You can usually find six or seven residents here watching TV, playing cards, or just chatting. In my apartment building gossip tends to flow freely.
The combination of time and spotty maintenance has caused the building to show its age, but it has a unique style. Besides, it’s close to downtown and the rent is cheap. Cheap for Scottsdale, that is.
I walked into the elevator and pushed the button for the third floor. The elevator is slow and makes a lot of noise, but it always makes it to my floor. I got out of the elevator, walked down the hall, and opened the door to my apartment.
Marlowe heard me and came in off the balcony. I share a bedroom balcony with my next-door neighbor, Grandma Peckham. We’ve both installed cat doors in our windows so Marlowe may come and go as he pleases. Marlowe spends most of his day with Grandma and his nights with me. I think we both feed him. It could explain why he’s gotten so fat.
I put on a fresh pot of coffee. The Scotch had made me feel warm and tingly all over, but now I needed to perk back up. Sitting at the kitchen table, I organized what I had so far on Alexander. I then went into the bedroom, stripped off my skirt and blouse, laying them on a stack of clothes on the bed. Marlowe followed me into the bedroom. He jumped up on the bed lay down on the blouse.
I pulled out a short black skirt that hangs just above my knee. It is made of a silky miracle fabric that never wrinkles, or keeps a stain, perfect for me. I also like it because it has little silver sparkles that flash and twinkle as I move. It makes me feel special whenever I wear it. I then found my favorite red knit top, the one with the plunging neckline. Sophie had given it to me a couple of weeks before, for Christmas, and I really love the way I look in it.
What the hell, it’s after five.
Mug of coffee by my side, I spent about fifteen minutes doing an OK job with the make-up. Eyes, cheeks, and lips, all passable. I brushed out my hair and left it just a little fluffy. I then put on a pair of black medium heeled sandals I hadn’t worn in a while. I was set.
~~~~
Traffic was heavy as I drove back to the office. I parked in my spot and went in. I found Sophie at her desk, talking to Gina. The Black Eyed Peas were playing over the office audio system. Lenny must have already gone home for the night.
“Hey Laura,” Sophie said. “Look who came wandering back.”
“Hey Gina,” I said. “How was Vegas?”
“Dull,” Gina said. “It doesn’t matter how old the baby is, I hate babysitting. He kept trying to get laid by picking up women at the Bellagio pool. He became so
“Ooooh,” I moaned. “It’s like liquid sex.”
“Sex in a bottle, huh? Now that’s something that would sell.”
~~~~
We talked for almost two hours. Muffy ended up giving me the names, phone numbers, and addresses of Alexander’s friends. She also gave me the places he had worked, and the places she thought he hung out. By the time I left, I felt like Alexander and I were old friends.
~~~~
As I drove back to my side of town, I gave Sophie a call on my cell phone.
“Hey chica, looks like it’s going to be a couple of busy days, again. Do you want to do something before things get too crazy? I'm thinking dinner.”
“Sure, swing by about 6:00,” Sophie said. “Lenny has me working on a deposition until then.”
“Do you have the file on Alexander Sternwood yet?”
“I’m pulling it together now. I’ll have it for you tonight.”
TWO
I drove east on McDonald to Miller, then south to my apartment. I parked in my space in the lot behind the building.
My apartment building was originally built as a small hotel in the 1970’s. The interior of the building is hollow, constructed as an enormous atrium. Standing on the atrium floor you can look up and see the walkways circling each of the five floors. On the ground level in the back corner is a 60-inch TV, surrounded by a cluster of chairs and couches. You can usually find six or seven residents here watching TV, playing cards, or just chatting. In my apartment building gossip tends to flow freely.
The combination of time and spotty maintenance has caused the building to show its age, but it has a unique style. Besides, it’s close to downtown and the rent is cheap. Cheap for Scottsdale, that is.
I walked into the elevator and pushed the button for the third floor. The elevator is slow and makes a lot of noise, but it always makes it to my floor. I got out of the elevator, walked down the hall, and opened the door to my apartment.
Marlowe heard me and came in off the balcony. I share a bedroom balcony with my next-door neighbor, Grandma Peckham. We’ve both installed cat doors in our windows so Marlowe may come and go as he pleases. Marlowe spends most of his day with Grandma and his nights with me. I think we both feed him. It could explain why he’s gotten so fat.
I put on a fresh pot of coffee. The Scotch had made me feel warm and tingly all over, but now I needed to perk back up. Sitting at the kitchen table, I organized what I had so far on Alexander. I then went into the bedroom, stripped off my skirt and blouse, laying them on a stack of clothes on the bed. Marlowe followed me into the bedroom. He jumped up on the bed lay down on the blouse.
I pulled out a short black skirt that hangs just above my knee. It is made of a silky miracle fabric that never wrinkles, or keeps a stain, perfect for me. I also like it because it has little silver sparkles that flash and twinkle as I move. It makes me feel special whenever I wear it. I then found my favorite red knit top, the one with the plunging neckline. Sophie had given it to me a couple of weeks before, for Christmas, and I really love the way I look in it.
What the hell, it’s after five.
Mug of coffee by my side, I spent about fifteen minutes doing an OK job with the make-up. Eyes, cheeks, and lips, all passable. I brushed out my hair and left it just a little fluffy. I then put on a pair of black medium heeled sandals I hadn’t worn in a while. I was set.
~~~~
Traffic was heavy as I drove back to the office. I parked in my spot and went in. I found Sophie at her desk, talking to Gina. The Black Eyed Peas were playing over the office audio system. Lenny must have already gone home for the night.
“Hey Laura,” Sophie said. “Look who came wandering back.”
“Hey Gina,” I said. “How was Vegas?”
“Dull,” Gina said. “It doesn’t matter how old the baby is, I hate babysitting. He kept trying to get laid by picking up women at the Bellagio pool. He became so
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