"A Murder In Milburn", Book 4: Death By Ice Cream Read Online Free PDF Page B

she has memories of JJ. Milburn just isn’t good enough for her now. She wants to move to a bigger city forever.” Sean sighed. “I don’t know, Nora. I thought she was the one. I feel like all my faith in women has just evaporated now. I almost feel used.”
    “Maybe I should talk to her?” Nora asked. “When did she start wanting to leave? Besides, if you love her so much, maybe you could consider leaving with her. Just for a few years?”
    “I love her, but Milburn is my life,” Sean said. “My family is here, I’ve built a good career here. I won’t throw that away on a whim. Besides, she can’t run away from memories. She might think leaving Milburn will help, but the truth is it’s just her own unresolved feelings she needs to figure out. Karen’s quitting her job at the ice-cream factory next month. Till then, I’m going to do my best to try and make her stay.”
    They pulled up to Harvey’s house, and Sean shut off the engine. “Thanks Nora. Even with all that’s going on, talking to you makes me feel better. It always has.”
    Nora nodded. “Don’t thank me, just be nicer to my boyfriend, okay?”
    “I’ll try, but he’s kind of a jerk to me.”
    “Sean-”
    “Come on, let’s go check on Mr. Milburn Mansions.” Sean chuckled. “That’s his latest project, right?”
    Nora shrugged. “Last I heard, he’s working on an RV park that’ll bring in business.”
    “Hmm. Well, that should be a welcome change.” Sean strode up to the door and rang once, then twice. He peeked into the side window. “Hey Harvey, open up, man. It’s Sean. Nora’s with me.”
    Silence met his calls. Nora felt uneasy. Where was Harvey? He’d said he was going back home, wasn’t he? Could he have gone to the office instead? But then why would-
    “Harvey!” Sean banged on the door with his fist. “Open up, dude. In the name of the law!”
    “What?” Nora looked at him, surprised.
    Sean shrugged, and gave her an almost mischievous grin. “I just like saying that sometimes. It feels kind of epic.”
    “I have a key,” Nora said, fumbling about in her wallet. “Harvey gave me one for emergencies.”
    “Sure. Emergencies.” Sean grinned. “Looks like the old boy’s getting serious about his crush.”
    “Shut up, Sean. Here.” She pushed him aside and opened it.
    The house was completely dark. “What is going on?” Nora exclaimed, switching on the lights.
    Sean frowned. “You sure he said he was going home? Not the office?”
    “Yes, I’m sure. His files are all on his laptop anyway. So why would he go to his office?” Nora felt sweat bead on her forehead. “Sean, if something’s happened-”
    “Give him a call. Don’t get worried about things until there’s something to worry about,” Sean said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Stay calm, Nora. Harvey will be fine.”
    She pulled out her phone and called him.
    In the dark, a neon screen lit up, as Harvey’s phone began to ring in the next room.
    “Looks like he did come home,” Nora said. “He left his phone here.” They went into the next room and switched on the lights. A bottle of beer sat opened on the coffee table, half finished. Nora’s unease began to deepen. This wasn’t like Harvey at all. The phone was always on him. Why would he leave the house?
    “Let’s go swing by his office,” Sean said.
    Nora nodded. In times like this, when she felt far too panicked to think, Sean’s calm voice was like an anchor. He was a steady man, the kind of man who’d make sure things got done. No matter what he felt about Harvey, he cared enough to make sure that no harm came to him.
    “Come on, Nora,” Sean said.
    “Let me just… can I just use the restroom?” Nora asked.
    “Feel free.”
    She didn’t really want to use it. What she wanted was an excuse to go to Harvey’s room. Before they left, she had to make sure he really wasn’t in the house. She had a horrible feeling that… no. She didn’t let herself complete that