Murder Served Cold Read Online Free Page A

heart to tell her that I didn’t use a shower cap. “I try to recycle and reuse,” I said.
    “Good for you.” She gave me a vigorous nod. “That’s the way to live.”
    “What’s the current event?” Jade asked.
    “Fishing,” Taryn replied. “For sport. When you fish, the hook gets caught in the poor fish and when you let the fish go, it’s hurt. How would you like it if someone skewered you with something big and sharp and then left you to bleed? Wild fish don’t have doctors they can visit. There’s no emergency room for a wild tuna that’s caught and released.”
    “Do you think it’s better if they don’t release it? If they keep the fish and eat it?” I asked.
    “If the intent is for food, then that’s fine with me,” said Taryn. “I just can’t stand the idea of a fish with hole in it swimming around and becoming a better target for predators. I also can’t stand the idea of a fish that was killed and not eaten. Nobody wins.”
    “We should let people know about this,” I said. “Jade has an opening at Scoop and —”
    Jade took over. “I’d love to host a bingo event at my shop, if you’ll have me. We can tie it into the fish theme and have a donation jar for the local fishing charity.” Her words rose in pitch with the words, “local fishing charity.”
    I was all for a fishing charity, but I had to admit, I hadn’t heard of one like Taryn was describing. I thought it would be a good thing. The poor, hurt fish…
    Taryn’s eyes lit up. “Yes, that would be wonderful to get the word out. I feel like it’s something every one knows about, but doesn’t pay enough attention to.”
    We wrapped up the specifics with Taryn and headed back to Jade’s apartment.
    “Let’s look at the possible suspects,” I said when we reached her front door.
    Jade reached into her pocket for her key. “Rebecca White used to own a yogurt store before I met her. Rodger shut her down after it failed to make enough profit and she couldn’t pay her rent.”
    “That’s motive,” I remarked. “And you didn’t see her when the attack happened, so she had the means to do it.”
    Jade was hesitant. “If that was motive, then she might be after me too.”
    “What? Why?”
    “Because her yogurt store was what Scoop used to be.”
    “No…” I was shocked, mainly because Rebecca seemed like a sweet person and if she had stabbed Rodger, then Jade could be next. “What about Taryn? She was at the scene of the crime and she’s not a fan of Rodger’s.”
    “She doesn’t strike me as violent — not physically, anyway. She’s more of a schemer who gets back at people in ways that don’t directly link to her.”
    “I agree, but she was there and she had reason to stab him. Let’s not rule her out yet.” I checked the time on my phone. “I’ve got to meet Kevin.”
    Jade opened her door. “Good luck,” she called after me.



CHAPTER FIVE

    Kevin McLean was sitting outside A Scoop of Sunshine when I arrived. His skinny frame, dark hair, and easygoing but anxious personality were just as I remembered them. All right, we’d broken up yesterday, not five years ago. It did seem like a lot longer than a day, I had to admit.
    I sank into the chair across from him. “Kevin.”
    “Ruby.” Kevin fiddled with his napkin. An empty Scoop cup was in front of him. “I was going to wait for you, but…”
    “Don’t worry about it. I had a cone earlier.” I put my hand on his. “Are you all right?”
    Kevin tugged his hand to his chest. “What do you think you’re doing? Why would you toss out our life together?”
    “I realized that maybe we’re not meant to be together.” I tried to say it as nicely as I could. How do you crush someone in a nice way, though? No matter how you say it, the wind still gets knocked out of them.
    And it did appear like the wind had been knocked out of Kevin. His skin paled and his breathing grew shallow.
    “Kev, you knew this. I told you last night.”
    “Last