Ginny Gold - Early Bird Café 02 - Deadly Surprise Read Online Free PDF Page A

worse.
    “We had to take a sample of your DNA as evidence so it’s now in the database. Scoter Circle’s police department contacted us this afternoon to let us know that they had a family hit with your DNA. We’ll be working with them on a murder case.”
    Kori could feel the blood drain from her face. “What do you mean you had a family hit?”
    “It means that there was DNA at the crime scene that we know was a relative of yours. We know it’s not yours,” he quickly added. “But we’re looking for someone who’s your relative. A male relative.”

CHAPTER 3
     
    Kori sat in the nearest chair, mouth hanging open. She quickly realized that and closed it without saying anything. Finally she asked, “Who was the victim?”
    “I can’t tell you that.”
    “If I guessed could you tell me yes or no?”
    “Off the record,” he said slowly. She knew she was putting him in a tough spot.
    “Was it Heidi Fischer?”
    Zach didn’t say anything or give any indication that she was wrong. She couldn’t imagine that there were two murders in the last few days in Scoter Circle. It was as small as Hermit Cove.
    “If it was Heidi Fischer, blink twice,” she said. She needed it to be confirmed.
    Zach blinked twice and looked her in the eye. “This doesn’t look good if you know who it was.”
    “You know I wasn’t there. I was with you last night and working all morning!”
    “ I need to ask you this then, off the record: what do you know about Heidi Fischer and how do you know she was killed yesterday morning?”
    Kori knew she’d put herself in a tough spot now. If there was male DNA from someone in her family, the only person she could think of was Jay. But he couldn’t—he wouldn’t—have killed her, killed anyone.
    “Kori, this is all off the record,” Zach said, putting his hand on her knee.
    “Jay told me. He knew she was killed yesterday morning.”
    “That’s what I was afraid of.”
    Kori looked up in horror. “What do you mean you were afraid of that?” Had Jay already become a suspect? Was he the main suspect?
    “He’s the only male relative of yours I know. So what other conclusion could I come to?”
    Kori nodded. She’d gone there herself. “What happened? How was she killed?”
    “Gunshot wound to the head.”
    “Are you sure it wasn’t suicide?” she asked hopefully.
    “It was ruled out immediately. Gunshot was to the left temple but she was right handed which immediately meant that there was only a slight chance it would have been suicide. And there was no gunshot residue on her hands which completely ruled that out.”
    Kori nodded again. She’d known they would have ruled it out if it was clear but had needed to ask.
    “Kori, where is Jay now?”
    She shook her head, looking down. “I don’t know. I saw him at lunch. He was freaking out about Heidi’s murder. But I haven’t heard from him since.”
    “Can you call him?” Zach asked, both hands on her knees now, standing directly in front of her.
    Kori looked up, tears threatening to spill over her eyes. “Please don’t make me do that.”
    Zach nodded. “I won’t. But I can’t promise anything once Scoter Circle police talk to you. Or him.”
    “I know. I just can’t be the one to lead you to him. I know he’s innocent. I can’t put him through an interrogation like I went through. It was awful.”
    Zach nodded and Kori leaned forward, resting her head against his broad chest. She needed to get strength from somewhere and it wasn’t going to be from herself right now.
    Ibis must have sensed her need because she came into the kitchen and calmly sat next to her. Kori reached down and stroked her head, thankful that she’d finally caved today and adopted a dog.
    “Would it have to be Jay? Could it be a cousin? An uncle?” Kori asked, suddenly sitting straight up again.
    Zach shook his head. “ It’s possible. Let’s make a list of all your male relatives. And it doesn’t mean he’s guilty, just that his