Death with a Cherry on Top: A Beach Themed Cozy Mystery (Twisted Sisters Ice Cream Cozies Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

behind when you took out the director?"
    "What? No! I didn't hurt the guy. I'm here trying to clear Carla Ambrogi. She was wrongfully accused." Ian scratched his head. Why would they think he killed someone, other than the fact that he was trespassing on a crime scene? Oh yeah, there was that .
    Pops shot out his arm and offered his hand. "Carla's grandpop," he said to the man. "We're here trying to do the same. I'm a retired detective."
    Ian shook the man’s hand. "I'm a friend, well, a fan. Well, yeah, anyway, I was hoping to be able to free her. Then maybe she'd see I’m more than just a 'super fan', and more like dating material."
    "Oh, that's sweet," Gina said. She offered her hand. "Carla's mom.”
    Ian shook the woman’s hand, then turned to Lottie. "Let me guess, Carla's sister?"
    "Well, aren't you as sweet as Shoo Fly Pie? I'm her Aunt Lottie, Gina's much younger sister," she said with a wink.
    The officer was less than amused. "Look kid, I get that you want to help, but you're interfering with our crime scene, breaking and entering, and tampering with evidence. Good intentions or not, I'm going to have to take you downtown."
    Pops shrugged. "Unless you just mention that he came with us to help search for clues."
    Charlie sighed. "Fine. Let's just wrap up here, and put an end to this thing."
    It was the glint and shimmer of something that caught Lottie's eye. "I'll be right back," she said, looking to see what was sparkling. Light from a window was bouncing off something to the side. Lottie dipped down and scooped up a tiny dog. The charm looked like it belonged to a bracelet. Lottie brought it back to the group and handed it to Officer Samson. “Look what I found. It seems out of place. Somebody must have lost it.”
    "I wonder who?" They didn't think much more of it at first, but then realized anything out of place was worth noting.

Chapter 9
    Giuseppe changed his mind. It's not like his pockets were lined in gold, since he was saving up for a new car. He made a quick call to his mother and mentioned he'd bring Jessica over for dinner after all. He'd take her out later for ice cream and then they could take a walk on the beach. He knew if he didn't bring the girl over this time, his mom would keep badgering him anyway. Might as well get it out of the way. He'd apologize, insist his mother gave him little choice, and see how she handled the quick change of plans. He liked the girl, and if she was easy going about a shift in plans, maybe he'd ask her out again.
    As the evening closed in on them, Giuseppe picked up Jessica and drove her to his house. "We're a pretty likable bunch, most times, but if my Pops goes into one of his long spiels, just not your head and don't let him see your eyes glazing over."
    She laughed, like he was kidding, but he wasn't.
    Giuseppe opened the front door and led his date to the kitchen. It was the center hub of the Ambrogi household.
    Gina welcomed the girl to her home, before asking where she'd gotten such a lovely charm bracelet. Bells went off in her head. "That's so pretty."
    "Oh, thank you," Jessica said, flattered by the compliment. She didn't bother mentioning that it wasn't hers. She'd borrowed it from a friend for her date. Normally, she wore mostly gold jewelry, but with silver sparkles running through her shirt, the bracelet was a nice match.
    Dinner went smoothly enough, but it was near impossible not to mention Carla's situation. Gina worded things cautiously. "Has there been any talk about -- well, you know, at the playhouse?"
    "Oh, I don't know. It was still closed from what I’ve heard. They haven't asked me to return for a few days. I think they were still investigating. I was told that we'd be pushing everything back one week." Jessica paused and then delicately added, "I'm sorry about your daughter."
    Gina felt the girl was sincere, but she didn't trust anyone at this point. "Who was Carla's understudy? Was that you?"
    Jessica shook her head, her cheeks turning a