Janet McNulty - Mellow Summers 03 - An Apple a Day Keeps Murder Away Read Online Free PDF Page A

Suddenly, the car fell completely silent.
    Detective Shorts composed himself not sure of what to make of the situation. “What are you two doing here?”
    “Out for a stroll,” answered Tiny.
    Detective Shorts gave him the evil eye. Of course he didn’t believe us. “And I told you to stay home,” he said to me.
    “I couldn’t just stay cooped up hoping that my memory came back,” I said, “So I came here hoping I might remember something.”
    “And did you remember anything?” he asked.
    “Nothing much,” I said, “Just a button on some guy’s blue shirt.”
    “Do you remember what was happening or who the guy was?”
    “No. I can’t put a face to it,” I said. “It’s still all fuzzy.”
    Detective Shorts pursed his lips. He knew I held something back.
    A car pulled into the parking lot and parked beside his.
    “Oh no,” said Detective Shorts. “Whatever you do, stay quiet.”
    A middle aged man in an expensive suit hopped out of the car. He looked fit for someone who was quite a bit older than me. He did not look happy. In fact, he looked down right angry at seeing me. I hoped he wasn’t who I thought he was.
    “Detective,” he said, “What is going on here? What is she doing here?”
    “Mr. District Attorney,” grumbled Detective Shorts, “She is here at my discretion. ”
    “Really? You realize she is a prime suspect in a murder?”
    “What murder? ” said Detective Shorts growing irritated. “You know as well as I that there is no body.”
    “Yet.”
    “And until there is, Miss Summers is allowed her freedom. You are aware of the signed writ that her lawyer has.”
    “So I am,” said the D.A. He glared at me.
    I suddenly hated him. I didn’t do anything and he didn’t know who I was but had already decided on my guilt. Jerk.
    “So why is she here?” asked the D.A.
    “I don’t like him,” said Rachel to me. By the way everyone ignored her, I could tell that she only allowed me to see and hear her. “Should I steal his car?”
    I shook my head trying to appear normal. Tiny caught it. His unspoken question told me what he thought.
    “It would be fun. And serves him right,” Rachel persisted.
    “No,” I hissed out the side of my mouth.
    “You say something, Miss Summers?” asked the District Attorney.
    “No,” I replied.
    “Miss Summers is here because I had thought that perhaps revisiting this place when she was arrested would help her remember something,” said Detective Shorts stepping in.
    “And has she?”
    “Unfortunately no.”
    “And what is he doing here?”
    “Tiny is here because Miss Summers wanted a friend. I saw no problem with it,” said Detective Shorts.
    “That’s the problem with you detectives,” said the District Attorney, “You don’t think.” He turned and went back to his car. Before he took one step, Rachel kicked him hard in the behind.
    “Jerk,” she said. “I don’t like you.”
    The D.A. turned back around to face us. “Who did that?”
    “Did what?” asked Tiny. “No one did anything.”
    “Don’t give me that,” said the D.A.
    “Mr. Harrow,” said Detective Shorts, “No one here did anything. Now, please leave so that I can continue my investigation.”
    Mr. Harrow huffed in anger. He stalked off. He got in his car, started the engine, and sped off.
    “Jason Harrow,” said Detective Shorts, “He is a good prosecuting attorney, but has too much ambition. And when he sets his sights on someone, he does not back off. Unfortunately for you, Miss Summers, you are his target.
    “ Now, go home, both of you. I won’t cover for you again. And if you remember anything, I suggest you tell your lawyer first because if you tell me directly, then I am obligated to tell Mr. Harrow. But your lawyer can tell me and manage to keep Mr. Harrow from finding out. For a while at least. Understand?”
    “Yes,” I said.
    “And you,” Detective Shorts pointed at Tiny, “Don’t enable her. Stay out of trouble.”
    He approached