Brutal Brûlée (Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series Book 11) Read Online Free PDF Page A

behind the building. It was overgrown with the most beautiful, vibrant pink roses that provided a striking contrast to the dark stone walls of the mansion.
    “ Hiss! ” Houdini darted out at Sprinkles, who had been sniffing a moss-covered bird bath.
    “ Woof! ” Sprinkles started after the cat at full speed, then yanked to a quick stop at the end of his leash. “ Yipe! ”
    “That cat is everywhere,” Jack said as Sprinkles trotted back to them.
    “Now, don’t go chasing him anymore.” Lexy squatted down to pet Sprinkles while she lectured him. “He has sharp claws and you could get hurt.”
    “This is almost like our own private garden. No one else is down here,” Lexy said.
    “It’s a bit out of the way.” Jack looked up at the mansion, which towered four stories above them. “I guess we must be at the basement level. The pond is over there at this level, but then the grass slopes up. You can’t see it from here but the terrace must be over on the east side.”
    “Oh, that’s why there’re no windows here.” Lexy pointed to the stone walls where a few adventurous vines had started to scale toward the upper floors. “I like it down here, it’s private.”
    Lexy took Jack’s arm and they sauntered around the garden, enjoying the peace and quiet for almost an hour. They strolled over to the pond which was a bit muddy at the edges. Sprinkles, undaunted by the mud, explored the edges, not caring that the white fur on her paws was turning a reddish brown.
    Eventually, they found themselves climbing up the grassy area toward the terrace where Nans, Ruth, Ida and Helen were seated at one of the wrought-iron tables, their heads bent over Ruth’s iPad.
    “Whatcha up to?” Lexy asked.
    “Oh, nothing. Ruth was just showing us the different species of plants she’s identified in the garden.” Ida rolled her eyes behind Ruth’s back.
    “Hi, Sprinkles!” Helen bent down to pet the dog, picking up her reddish-stained paw. “You know, a mixture of cornstarch and hydrogen peroxide might take these stains out, Lexy.”
    “Thanks,” Lexy said. She noticed Nans looking absently at the paw Helen held while straining to hear the conversation that Danny and two of the other production crew members were having two tables over. The sound of Danny’s voice, pitched high in anger, drifted toward them.
    “I deserve that job after putting up with Leonard all these years.”
    “Shhh...” One of the others at the table mumbled something Lexy couldn’t make out. She bent down, pretending she was adjusting something on Sprinkles’ harness, and scooted a few inches toward the table.
    “I did everything ... won’t matter .... the production is better off without him ...” She could only make out snatches of the conversation. She looked up to see Nans adjusting her hearing aid. The sneak was turning it up so she could hear them better.
    Clackity. Clack. Clack.
    They turned to see Gloria coming up the steps in a short, navy blue skirt and navy and white high heels. With a navy and white striped shirt, she looked like she was ready for a boating expedition.
    “What’s going on? Are we going to proceed with the documentary?” she squeaked.
    Nans jumped at the sound of her voice. Her hand flew to her ear to adjust the hearing aid as she scowled at the former starlet, her eyes drifting down to the hem of the very short skirt.
    “Oh, dear, what happened to your leg?” Nans points at six red scratches.
    Gloria glanced down. “Oh. That cat. He scratched me.” She adjusted her skirt in an attempt to cover the scratches.
    “You should put something on that. Cat scratches can get infected,” Helen said.
    Before Gloria could reply, Inspector Garrity made an entrance and all talking on the terrace stopped.
    “I’m glad I could catch most of you here. It seems we have a problem,” Garrity said.
    “Another one?” Danny asked impatiently.
    “Yes. The toxicology report came back. Leonard Bottaccio didn’t die because