Toil and Trouble: (A Geeks and Things Cozy Mystery Short Story) (Geeks and Things Cozy Mysteries Book 0) Read Online Free Page A

idea what was going on. She looked back over her shoulder to find both policemen and Melody racing after her. The maze came into view and her heart skipped a beat when she spotted two figures in the distance. She skidded to a halt when her phone buzzed and AJ’s number popped up.
    “AJ?” she answered.
    He didn’t respond but she could now hear the conversation. She waved a hand for the officers and Melody to stop and she held up her phone, putting it on speaker.
    “So why’d you want to meet me?” Jocelyn’s voice came through strong and confident.
    “Well, you said I should call you if I wanted to hang out.”
    “I kind of meant after the festival was done.”
    “Well, I don’t get up this way often so I figured I should take advantage while I could. Besides, you were done with volunteering, right?”
    “Yeah. So, what do you want to do?”
    Kalina had to bite her tongue to keep from letting on that AJ had made the call. She wanted to smack her nephew for taking such a brazen risk but a part of her was also proud of him. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Sergeant Whitman signal to move forward. A wave of relief washed over her, edging out the panic from earlier. Even if Jocelyn tried something, they were close enough that the officers could intercede.
    “Well, I thought we could check out the maze.”
    “It’s closed.” Her voice wavered just a touch.
    “No one would know. You aren’t scared are you? Just because of what happened here earlier?”
    “I just don’t want to get in trouble.”
    “Come on, Jocelyn. No one’s around to catch us.”
    Kalina heard footsteps crunching on loose strands of straw from the maze and the group moved closer. They were many fifteen feet away and still they hadn’t been spotted by AJ and Jocelyn.
    “What did you mean about what happened here earlier?”
    “Didn’t you hear? The found a girl near the maze. She was really hurt.”
    “Do they know who it is?”
    “I think I heard her name was Tasha or something like that.”
    “Tasha, you’re sure?” Even over the phone Kalina picked up on the rising panic in the girl’s tone.
    “Yeah. You don’t know her do you?”
    Kalina gestured from Sergeant Whitman to her nephew, hoping he understood that she wanted him to interrupt them before things could go any further. With a curt nod, the sergeant headed off in their direction.
    “Hey, you kids can’t be here.” The sergeant’s voice rang out on Kalina’s phone.
    “We were just looking,” AJ said.
    “This is an active crime scene,” Sergeant Whitman said.
    “Crime scene? I thought they just found someone who was hurt,” Jocelyn said.
    Sergeant Whitman shook his head and gestured for Melody to join them. Kalina gave her hand a firm squeeze before she approached.
    “This is the young woman you believe Ms. Fordham went to meet earlier?”
    “I think so, sir.”
    “I don’t know what she’s talking about.” Jocelyn started to back away.
    “Miss, I would like to see your phone.”
    “No. Why would you need to see my phone?”
    “To determine if you’ve contacted the victim recently.”
    “She dropped the restraining order!” Jocelyn’s eyes were wide now and her cheeks had blanched.
    Sergeant Whitman held out his hand and Jocelyn handed over the phone. Kalina now stood alone, Officer Larkin having gone to offer his superior officer some backup. Kalina wanted AJ to get out of the line of fire but he stayed put. It made no sense to stand on the sidelines now while Jocelyn confessed. At least she could pull her nephew out if she lashed out.
    “What did you ask Ms. Fordham to meet to talk about?”
    “Nothing. Family stuff.”
    Sergeant Whitman fixed her with a stern glare and held on to her phone. “The truth, please.”
    “I was angry. She kicked me out of Sigma for no reason and acted like I was a lunatic. But I’m not. She knew things were bad at home. My parents split up. I had no one.”
    “But you’re pledging Kappa,” AJ pointed out.