A Candidate For Murder (Old Maids of Mercer Island Mysteries Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

can take my laptop in there. But please be careful. We take all of our registrations on it, and I have several new guests checking in this weekend.”
    “Mrs. Applegate,” Detective Abrams started to say. He glanced at Crystal. “We’re just doing our job, you know.”
    For all of his youthful machismo, Detective Abrams often seemed timid in my presence.  I wondered if it was because he and my daughter, Angela, were dating, and he felt he had to tread lightly. It couldn’t be my size. After all, I only came up to his chest.
    “I understand that, Detective,” I replied. “Remember that I’ve been through all of this before. I just want it over so that I can get back to work. Crystal, can you help Detective Franks unplug everything? You can come with me,” I said to Detective Abrams.
    Crystal sidestepped past us into the office, her eyes veiled with apprehension. I turned and started towards my apartment at the far end of the Inn. A familiar voice rang out again behind us.
    “Norman, what do you think you’re doing? Don’t touch me! Don’t!” Ahab squawked.
    I stopped and turned. Ahab was bobbing back and forth nervously on his perch. I glanced up at Detective Abrams, who was only a few steps behind me.
    “You make him nervous,” I said. “He thinks you’re Norman Bates. Stop channeling your inner Alfred Hitchcock and don’t look so intimidating.”
    The detective rolled his eyes before following me down the hallway. I used my key to open the door and led him to my personal office. I pointed to my desktop computer.
    “While you get that one, I’ll get my other laptop,” I said. “It’s on the table.”
    “Wait,” he said. “Technically, I can’t let you do that alone. If you’ll just wait right there, I’ll get this one and then go with you.”
    “You don’t trust me? After all we’ve been through?”
    “It’s not that. It’s protocol. Please. Just stay there.”
    He disappeared into my study, while I remained in the hallway humming to myself. A moment later, he flew back into the hallway, his blue eyes ablaze with alarm.
    “Who did that?” he demanded, glaring at me.
    I stood still and stared at him. “Did what?”
    Detective Franks appeared at the apartment door with the office laptop in his hands. “What’s up?” he asked.
    “Someone pinched me,” Detective Abrams said, glancing around as if he thought I had hidden someone in the apartment.
    I sighed. “You know the Inn is haunted, don’t you?” They both looked at me with blank stares. “Seriously, it’s haunted,” I said. “That was probably Chloe. She likes to follow me around and play games.” They continued to stare. “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” I said, turning for the kitchen table. “We have ghosts. Get over it. Now, here’s my laptop,” I said, grabbing it and coming back to hand it to Detective Abrams. “And here’s my cell phone.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. “Now, I’m going back to the dining room to work on my campaign. Close the door behind you when you leave.”

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    I rejoined Doe and Rudy in the dining room and slumped into a chair. But it wasn’t until I heard the front door bell jingle and the big SUV’s engine start that I relaxed.
    “God help me, Dana Finkle will be the death of me one way or the other,” I said with a frustrated exhale.
    “Why? What’s going on now?”
    I turned to find the fourth member of our book club, Blair Wentworth, standing in the doorway. She was married to an import car dealer and usually drove up in one of her husband’s sports cars, so I was surprised I hadn’t heard her roar into the parking lot.
    “What were Mutt and Jeff doing here?” she asked, referring to the detectives. “Sorry, Julia,” she quickly added, acknowledging my feelings for Detective Franks.
    I sighed and stood up. “I need either caffeine or alcohol first. Anyone care to join me?”
    I strode past Blair, whose inquisitive, sky blue eyes glanced