Chocolate-Covered Crime Read Online Free PDF

right? Not much of a problem there. But the words about deceitful speech lodged a lump in my throat the size of Pope County, Arkansas.
    Murmuring words of apology, I squeezed past nearby parishioners, then yanked Joe from his seat. “I need to talk to you. Now.” I tossed April a smile of apology.
    With a roll of his eyes, Joe followed me to the annex. “What are you doing? You don’t bolt out in the middle of a sermon.” He crossed his arms. “This better be important. It isn’t every Sunday I’m off work and able to take April to church.”
    I squared my shoe stulders and pulled the appointment book from my tote. “I found this in Mae Belle’s office.” I held it out to him and breathed a sigh of release when he took it. “I wasn’t honest with you yesterday. There may be a clue inside as to who killed her.”
    Joe chewed the inside of his cheek before answering. “You actually listened to the pastor’s words?”
    Of all the nerve. “I always listen.” I just don’t always hear.
    “Uh-huh.” He flipped through the pages. “I guess I don’t need to ask whether you’ve already looked at it.”
    Looked and memorized the names. “Of course I did. Do you want it or not?”
    “Yes.” He raised his gaze to mine. “What did you plan on doing with these names?”
    “Same as you. I’m going to question everyone in there. I’ll share any information I uncover with you.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Stop saying that. You need to work on your vocabulary. Also, I’ve received a lot of mail from folks wanting me to help them solve their own little mysteries. Yesterday, I received this.” I handed him the threatening note and waited for him to read the pasted-on words.
    His brows drew together. “This isn’t funny, Summer.”
    “I didn’t say it was. It’s frightening, actually.” The lump in my throat dissipated. Amazing what clearing your conscience did for a person. Now all I needed to do was come clean with Ethan. “I promise not to keep anything else from you. Will you do the same?”
    “I’m a police officer. I can’t share details of a crime with you.”
    “Is there anything in the law that says I can’t visit with the people on that list?”
    “Visit, no. Interfere with—”
    The church service released, and we were immediately swarmed by people. Hugs for me, handshakes for Joe, and condolences for both of us in regard to Mae Belle’s death. Within minutes we were parted as effectively as Moses parted the Red Sea. Ethan swept through the throng and whisked me outside. I tossed my empty coffee cup in the nearest trash bin.
    “There’s no time for socializing. Not if we’re going to get to the airport on time.” He led me to my car, situated me in the passenger seat, then loped to the driver’s side. “Sorry to yank you away, but we’re in danger of being late.”
    “No problem.” He’d only saved me from a lecture I preferred not to hear. I put on my seat belt. It’d be better to tell him of my falsehood while he drove. He wouldn’t be able to get too upset. In true Summer fashion, once I decided on an action, I spilled my guts and vomited. out everything from taking the book to receiving the note.
    Ethan’s jaw clenched as he kept his eyes on the road. “Why do you insist on not being truthful with me?”
    “It’s not that I’m lying, just withholding information.”
    “Same thing.” For the next thirty minutes the silence in the car screamed, banging against my eardrums. My gaze kept flickering to Ethan’s clenched jaw. His anger didn’t bother me, much. It never lasted long. The fact he was disappointed in me, did.
    Finally, Ethan pulled my hand from my lap and tightened his fingers around mine. “I love you, Summer. I can’t keep you safe if you keep things from me.”
    “I’m working on it, Ethan. I am. The note wasn’t put on our porch until late afternoon.”
    “You could have called me.” He spared me a glance.
    “What could you have done?” I rubbed his