Health, Wealth, and Murder Read Online Free PDF

neighbors, and then for the Malachi Ministries family, she was done, but she had meant everything she said, and that was something.
    Bags of chips, frozen-but-now-cooked lasagna, and other potluck staples covered the vintage laminate table in Sean’s kit chen for what they all called “family dinner.” In a way, the missional community–style small group did help fill the need for family that both Jane and Jake had. Sure, Jake had a sister, and Jane’s parents were technically still alive—if early retirement to snowbird paradise could be called living—but Jane was beginning to feel alone in the world. The polish had worn off independence.
    Independence , Jane was learning, could be just another word for loneliness and long hours of hard work.
    She piled up a plate of food, glad Jake had brought smoothies for everyone as both of their contributions.
    In the crowded living room, despite joining the group to have a surrogate family, Jane and Jake took to a corner and turned their backs on the others.
    “What’s the news?” Jake dipped a dinner roll in the soupy lasagna and took a bite.
    “I start cleaning for Mrs. Malachi tomorrow. I’m hoping Francine will give me some pointers, what to look for, or where, but I don’t know if I will see her beforehand or not.”
    “What have you learned so far?” Jake spoke around a mouthful of food.
    Jane sipped her smoothie. Then she caught him up with the fruit of her research. “My first goal,” she said after another long sip of her cold drink, “is to learn who Josiah Malachi worked with on the day to day. Then I can branch out from there. Odds are he knew the killer.”
    “How many people were at the event where he died?”
    Jane shrugged. “I don’t know. I need to sit down with Francine and get some solid numbers. I want to review the film of the scene when he died. I think, for the most part, the people who rush the stage are plants.”
    “So most likely the person who stabbed him was someone who was expected to go on stage at that moment.”
    “Seems like it. The cops will sort that out too, I guess. Maybe already have.” Jane scooped a forkful of her lasagna.
    “You need a contact in the police. Someone you can turn to with questions like these.”
    “If wishes were horses.”
    “How hard could it be? You’re a fairly likable person. You’re going legit, too. No more of the ‘maid who accidentally solves crimes’ business.”
    “Now I’m an undercover maid who purposefully solves crimes. The police just love that kind of thing, I’m sure.”
    “In the last few years you’ve helped bring three murder investigations to their conclusion. Surely in all of that, someone has taken notice of you.”
    A handsome, baby-faced police officer with a slight southern drawl came to mind. “There was Detective Bryce…”
    “But not him.” Jake frowned and put his hand on Jane’s knee.
    She laughed. “He did seem to take to me. Not in that way, dope, but he was, like, kind. And listened. I could maybe call him.”
    Jake frowned. “I know I sound like I’m joking, but I wouldn’t go with him. I’d try and connect with someone on this case and then develop a relationship with the cop that could be used for future cases.”
    “Because Detective Bryce was cute, young, and single?”
    “Pretty much.” He leaned in and kissed her, even though she had just taken a bite of bread.
    “What if Detective Bryce is the guy on this case?”
    Jake grimaced. “Then I’d better marry you now, while I still can.”
    Jane rolled her eyes and took a long drink of her strawberry smoothie.
    Sean crouched beside them, resting his elbows on his knees. “Hey, guys.”
    “Hey, Sean.” Jake scooted over to make room.
    “So you’ve found getting connected to your neighborhood to be a challenge, yes?”
    “Yup.” Jake leaned against the wall.
    “Even harder for you, since you don’t live in this area.”
    “True.” Jake nodded.
    “There’s something to be said