A Zest for Murder (Sky High Pies Cozy Mysteries Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

beginning to tell me why you thought it
was Tipper.”
    I narrowed my gaze. “Didn’t I
already do that?”
    “Yeah, but it seemed like…” He
checked the notes he’d taken a few minutes earlier. “So, you were coming to
deliver something. Tipper didn’t answer the door. You went around back and saw
someone on the floor, figuring it was Tipper because she was—”
    “Yeah, right,” I cut in. “Because
of the clothes. Those are Tipper’s jeans and nobody else in town has a zebra
trench coat.”
    He started to say something. I
could tell it was going to be one of his thickheaded attempts at humor, so I
was glad he stopped himself. Instead of making a snide remark, Trent asked
about the last time I saw Tipper.
    “Yesterday. She came by just after
six.”
    He scribbled a note. “What for?”
    “She wanted something from Sky
High,” I explained. “For Blanche Speltzer.”
    Trent looked over. “What’s wrong
with Blanche?”
    “Nothing. She’d invited a few
people to her house. Tipper wanted to take a hostess gift.”
    “Okay, so…” He grinned. “Tipper
came by…” The smile quivered as he bit the end of his ballpoint. “A what kind of gift?”
    I wasn’t surprised by the conversational
detour; I’d known Trent for years and he was always jumping from one subject to
another without warning. He and I had dated in high school, but our brief
romance ended one night when he dumped me for Dina Kincaid. Although they
married after graduation, the union didn’t last long. Despite the divorce,
they’d forged a unique friendship that allowed them to work in perfect harmony
at the Crescent Creek PD, where he was deputy chief and she was the lead
detective.
    “A hostess gift. It’s a way to thank
someone for their hospitality when they invite you over for dinner.”
    “Gotcha.” He rolled his eyes.
“Although I don’t see why just saying it in English isn’t good enough.”
    I clenched my teeth. After the
disturbing discovery in Tipper’s kitchen, I wasn’t in the mood for Trent’s
opinions about etiquette. Or, for that matter, anything else. The adrenaline
that had slammed through my body was beginning to dissolve, leaving me feeling
drained and achy.
    “Do you mind if I head home?” I
asked.
    He shrugged. “And miss all the
excitement?”
    I gritted my teeth even more. “Yep.
I’ll leave that to you, Deputy Chief Walsh.”
    “Well, well,” he said. “If we’re
going to be all formal about—”
    “Trent!” I steamed. “Would you please stop?”
    His eyes were wide with surprise
and his mouth gaped open.
    “Somebody was shot here
today,” I said. “It wasn’t Tipper, but it could’ve been.” I took a breath. “And
where is she anyway? Has anyone spotted her in town?”
    Trent swallowed hard. “Uh…”
    “I’m sorry that was so harsh,” I said,
feeling my cheeks burn. “I just think we should have some respect.”
    His shoulders softened and he
sagged forward in the seat. “You’re right, Katie. I didn’t mean to…” He sat up
and looked over. “I’ve been awake for two days straight, so I guess maybe I’m
not thinking as clearly as I should.”
    “Well, I just…” The shift in tone
had left my throat tight. “You know what? It’s okay. Unless you need me for
something else, I’m going home to pour a glass of wine and soak in a hot bath.”
    He managed a weak smile. “Couple
more questions?”
    I nodded.
    “Does the name Kyle Gallagher mean
anything to you?”
    I thought for a moment. With a
steady stream of tourists coming through Sky High Pies every day, I met quite a
few people once and then never again. But I didn’t recognize the name.
    “Who’s Kyle Gallagher?”
    Trent checked his notes. “According
to Tipper’s neighbor, Kyle is the guy that she’s been dating for…” His eyes
returned to the pad. “…uh, for the past few weeks or so. I guess they met at
some kind of art gallery thing.”
    As he recited the statement made by
Tipper’s