Death Runs Adrift (The Gray Whale Inn Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page B

friend’s pink-frosted lips thinned into a line, and she shook her head slowly, her normal effervescent energy dulled.
    Tania turned on her stool, a fearful look on her thin face. She had her aunt’s terrific cheekbones and bright green eyes, but not her bulk; where Charlene’s avowed chocolate addiction gave her a curvy, well-padded figure, Tania looked like she hadn’t eaten in a month.
    She turned her haunted eyes toward us. “Who’s this?”
    “Detective Johnson,” the policeman said, handing her a card.
    Fred’s eyes widened; I could almost see his ears perk up.
    “You know something.” Her young voice was high and reedy. I glanced at John, but before any of us could speak, she said, “It was him, wasn’t it.”
    It wasn’t a question.
    “Miss Barnes found a young man named Derek Morton today,” Detective Johnson said.
    She flinched as if he’d hit her. “Dead?” she whispered.
    “I’m afraid so,” the burly policeman said, compassion in his eyes. “I understand you two were close. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
    “Oh, honey.” Charlene reached across the counter to touch her niece’s shoulder. Tania’s face crumpled, her hair swinging down like a curtain, and her narrow frame heaved with silent sobs.
    I crossed the wooden floor of the store quickly, setting the container of lemon bars on the counter and putting my arms around her bony frame. She didn’t resist, and I cradled her in my arms until Charlene rounded the counter.
    “How did it happen?” she wailed. “I knew he was going to get into trouble. I knew it!”
    I glanced at Detective Johnson, who looked like a hunting dog on a scent. I gave him an inquisitive look, and he nodded. “What made you think he was going to get into trouble, Tania?”
    “Just … just … I don’t know! I can’t talk about this right now. Derek.” She gave a long, low moan. “I can’t believe he’s gone!”
    She broke down in my arms. Charlene stroked her hair, and I rocked her back and forth. It seemed like forever before her sobs subsided and she pulled away, swiping at her mascara-smeared eyes with the back of her hand.
    “I know it’s a difficult time, miss, but I’d like to ask you some questions,” Detective Johnson said gently. “We’re hoping you can help us figure out what happened.”
    “I don’t know anything,” she said.
    “You might be surprised,” Detective Johnson told her. “Even the tiniest detail can sometimes help. I’d like to ask you a few questions now, while your memory’s still fresh.”
    She took a deep, shuddering breath and leaned against the counter, hugging herself tightly. “Okay,” she said. “But not right here.”
    “You’re welcome to use the back room if you’d like,” Charlene offered the detective.
    Detective Johnson smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and again I found myself thankful that he wasn’t Sergeant Grimes. “It’ll only be a few minutes.”
    Charlene sighed, and she gave her niece a squeeze. “We’ll be right here, honey.”
    Tania shrugged, then glanced up at the detective with swollen eyes. “I still can’t believe it.”
    “I know,” he said gently. “I know.”
    When they’d disappeared into the back room, Charlene popped the top off the lemon bars. “I can’t believe Derek died. I hope Tania didn’t get the Kean curse.”
    John reached for a lemon bar and pulled up a stool at the counter. “What curse?”
    My friend blinked at him. “The boyfriend curse,” she said. “The men I date either turn out to be scoundrels, or they … ” She shrugged. “You know. Something happens to them.” She glanced at Fred, who was still staring at her like she was a triple-layer chocolate cake, and thrust a lemon bar into her mouth.
    “I’d take the risk,” he said in a rough voice I suspect he thought was sexy, but reminded me of an outboard motor that needed a tune-up.
    “I’m sure it’s just a coincidence,” I said, although Charlene did have a