Cake and Taxes: A Yellow Rose Cozy Mystery (Yellow Rose Mystery Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

offense, by the way.”  If Peaches was offended, his expression didn’t reflect it.
     
    “I’m Betty Hitchens, though I’m guessing you knew that already. Feel free to tell me who you are at any point.”
     
    “You think you’re so smart,” said Herb, “Why don’t you figure it out?”
     
    “As a matter of fact, I’m working on it as we speak. The miniature drone buzzing around outside is uploading your photos to a face-analyzing program. I should know all in just a moment.”
     
    Herb stepped over to the window and peered out.
     
    “Made you look,” Betty said.
     
    Herb reddened as he clenched and unclenched his fists. Neither he nor Peaches appeared to have a weapon hidden beneath their shirts, but Betty wasn’t so sure as to bet her life on it. She thought about dashing out through the back to escape, yet wasn't sure she'd make it out of the alley if they followed. She fought hard on an alternate plan.
     
    “Bet you didn’t know the word ‘gullible’ isn’t in the dictionary,” she said getting the conversation going again.
     
    “What?”
     
    “Don’t worry. Peaches will explain it to you on the way out.”
     
    “Boss ain't gonna be happy about this,” Herb said with a sneer.
     
    “And who might that be?” Betty said.
     
    Herb gave a tight smile.
     
    Betty tried a different approach. “Anything you can tell me about Marge Nelson you think wasn’t covered in the news?”
     
    “Rumor has it she had problems at home.”
     
    “We’ve all got problems at home. My problems involve a cat who brings in live rodents plus grown children with life issues.”
     
    “Yeah, but Marge Nelson tried solving her problems by making promises she couldn't keep.”
     
    “That so?” Betty said.
     
    Herb gave a satisfied nod, then turned and walked out. Peaches immediately fell in behind.
     
    “Don’t be a stranger!” Betty called out, then immediately rushed to the front door and locked it as quickly as she could before collapsing into a nearby chair.
     
    I probably shouldn’t have been so flippant, she thought. You seldom learn things from people by being a smart aleck. But like a burrito after a long night of drinking, she had a feeling the pair would soon return unless she immediately took some initiative.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Thirty minutes later, Betty was at The Shop. Her friend Ojudh was with a customer so she sat in one of the available chairs and feigned interest in one of the many tattoo magazines that were spread out on a nearby table.
     
    When he was done, he came over and sat near Betty. Since she looked like she had something important on her mind, he waited for her to speak first.
     
    Clearing her throat, she said, “Remember awhile back when you first got to town, and you needed help finding a place to settle into?” Betty said.
     
    “That I do,” Ojudh said, recalling the memory.
     
    “And do you remember saying that if I ever needed a favor, regardless of how big or how small, that you'd help me out?” Betty asked.
     
    “Like it was yesterday,” the man said with a nod.
     
    “Well, I'm calling in that favor,” she said.

Chapter 10
     
    The next day Betty worked in the bakery till noon, then took a break to run some errands. As she drove through the supermarket parking lot where she'd picked up a few items, she looked out of her right side mirror. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she saw Ned Robinson posting a sign that read Town Meeting in large red letters along the side of a nearby building.
     
    Betty's instincts turned up to ten. She whipped her Explorer around, waited till Ned had moved on, then eased up and read the sign. It stated that there was going to be a gathering at his store after closing that night for people who felt their property taxes were too high and wanted to collectively protest their assessed value.
     
    Betty decided now was as good a time as any to confront Ned. She hadn't talked to him since before Marge's death. She