Designed to Death (A Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery) Read Online Free PDF Page B

mind?
    Belinda swiped at tears and took a few steps backwards. My grandmothers blocked the front door to make sure no one escaped.
    The bell rang and all heads swiveled toward the door. Detective Ted Roget walked inside followed by Officer Conroy Jasper. Ted scanned all the women in the store and then focused his intense green eyes on me.
    My knees shook. There was no reason for my nervousness of police to rear up with Ted, especially since I wasn’t causing the commotion this time. He knew my darkest secret and wouldn’t use it against me. If he were inclined to let my skeleton out of the closet, he’d have done it months ago when I interfered in a murder case by starting my own investigation to prove he was the murderer.
    Ted yanked the cord of the glue gun from the wall. “Someone care to explain what is going on?”
    Was I mistaken, or had his gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than anyone else, a hint of appreciation in those cool green eyes?
    I glanced down and saw my shirt had ridden a few inches up and exposed some of my stomach. I tugged it down and narrowed my eyes on Ted. A gentleman kept his wandering gaze to himself or made it not so obvious.
    Disappointment flashed across his face.
    I wanted to continue the stare-off, but Ted’s attention left me and was now fixed on Darlene and Belinda. His eyes widened for a second when he took in Belinda’s attire.
    Darlene jumped to her feet and jabbed a finger, not one of the ones holding the diva necklace hostage, toward Belinda. “She stole from me. I demand retribution.”
    Belinda whimpered and huddled against her mother. The women almost blended together with their similar style and almost matching outfits.
    Matter-of-fact, Hazel and Belinda looked way too much alike. I hadn’t really paid attention before but now side by side I saw Hazel had added some extensions to make her hair style, which last week was at her chin, to shoulder length. And her previously dark brown hair with gray shot through it was now dark brown and curly with red highlights. Just like her daughter.
    Since Belinda didn’t seem fazed by her mother morphing herself into her twin, it wasn’t my concern. No matter how odd—or creepy—I found it.
    Hazel wrapped an arm around her daughter’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, baby. Mom won’t let that witch hurt you.”
    Ted sighed and pulled a notebook from his pocket. “Officer Jasper, start interviewing some of the other women.”
    “She tried to kill me.” Belinda sniffed as fat tears rolled down her rouged cheeks. “I didn’t do anything to her.”
    “Liar!” Darlene made a sudden movement forward.
    Ted made an equally sudden movement toward where he kept pepper spray and his gun.
    I snagged Darlene and halted her progress. I really didn’t want to see anyone get shot — even Darlene. “It’s better to stay put.”
    She threw a glare at me. I aimed my gaze at Ted’s side. Darlene switched her attention from me to the object I looked at. Darlene nodded and dropped her hand to her side.
    Ted pointed at Wayne and Wyatt. “Collect up anything that could be used as a weapon. Have Mrs. Hunter and Mrs. Greyfield lock the items up somewhere.” He pointed at my grandmothers.
    “Yes, Sir.” Wayne and Wyatt said in unison. Gussie beamed.
    Great. There went our scissors again, along with our trimmers, glue, and glitter as Darlene and Belinda showed how they could be used as a method of attack.
    “I just wanted to give him the proof.” Darlene pointed to the stack of Making Legacies magazines.
    “The special issue?” I looked at my grandmothers. Both shrugged and eyed Darlene with wariness. Had Darlene’s competitive scrapbooking spirit finally cracked her?
    I smiled, hoping it portrayed warmth and understanding, not the fact I thought she was a few foam stamps short of a complete alphabet set.
    “Look at her…” Darlene nearly strangled on the pronoun, “…layouts.”
    I picked a copy on the table and flipped through it,