Mama Gets Trashed (A Mace Bauer Mystery) Read Online Free PDF Page B

parks employee I knew who rocked the ugly, olive drab uniforms we had to wear.
    “Right, that sounds like a perfect action plan.’’ She was wrapping up on the phone. “Send me a memo with the talking points. I’ll take it up at the budget meeting.’’
    There were any number of phrases in that sentence I hoped never to have to utter. Not for the first time, I gave silent thanks for Rhonda’s efficiency and people skills. She handled schedules, budgets, and meetings with our higher-ups; I did nature discussions and cared for the critters that wound up in our makeshift zoo and rehab center.
    The coffee machine in the corner gurgled. The freshly brewed scent of Colombian roast told me Rhonda had just made a pot. I helped myself. Returning with my cup, I cleared a spot on my desk between a stuffed swallow-tailed kite and a package of brochures on Florida’s poisonous snakes.
    The moment she hung up, Rhonda turned to me. Compassion warmed her brown eyes. “I heard about the librarian. How horrible!’’
    “Yeah, it’s going to be tough for her sister. She’s been notified to come down as Camilla’s next-of-kin.’’
    Her eyes searched my face. “How are you?’’
    “Me? I’m fine. I’m not the one somebody strangled and left at the dump.’’
    “But, Mace, it has to take a toll. This is the fifth body you’ve found.’’
    “Fourth. Mama was on her own when she discovered that first murder victim in the trunk of her convertible at the Dairy Queen.’’
    “I remember. That was when Carlos tossed your mama in the slammer.’’
    “Occasionally I wonder why we worked so hard to get her out.’’
    Rhonda tsked me.
    “Seriously, though, that seemed like the start of a string of bad things happening in little Himmarshee,’’ I said.
    “Well, at least one good thing happened.’’ Rhonda’s face, the color of rich mahogany, glowed with a smile. “How is your hunky detective anyway? Still as steamy hot as a cup of café Cubano ? You better grab that man while the grabbing is good. He’s asked you to marry him; he’s not going to wait forever, you know.’’
    Just as I was about to gripe about how oddly obsessed everyone was with my love life, my desk phone rang. Saved by the bell.
    “Speak of the devil,’’ I said, when I heard Carlos on the line.
    “Speaking well of me, I hope,’’ he said. “Tell Rhonda hello.’’
    When I did, she made a noisy smack-smack sound and blew a big kiss toward the phone. Carlos chuckled. “I love that girl!’’
    “Hey!’’
    “Not like I love you, ni ñ a .’’
    “Uh-huh,’’ I said, stealing a glance at Rhonda. “Anything new on the murder?’’
    “Can’t a guy call his girl without being grilled about work?’’
    “Just curious,’’ I said.
    “We’re looking into her background. Nothing I’m prepared to talk about.’’ His end of the phone was quiet for a moment. “I do, you know. Love you.’’
    Rhonda was busy re-stacking the stacks of paperwork on her desk, but I could see her head cocked my way, her right ear tuned in to my conversation.
    “Uh-huh,’’ I finally answered. “Back at ya.’’
    He laughed. “I pour out my heart. I get ‘back at ya.’ You can do better than that.’’
    I swiveled my desk chair so my back was to my boss, ducked my head into my chest and mumbled into the phone, “Love you, too. I’ll see you tonight.’’
    As I put the phone down, I could feel Rhonda’s eyes on the back of my head. I turned, and she didn’t even try to pretend she hadn’t been eavesdropping. A big, silly smile was pasted on her lips. The more she grinned, the more I felt a blush spreading up my neck and onto my cheeks.
    “What?’’ I demanded.
    “Nothing,’’ she said.
    “Have your say, boss. Everyone else has.’’
    To my surprise she started humming. Then she started singing. “Mace and Carlos sitting in a tree, K I S S—I N G … ’
    I flashed on third-grade and the jungle gym. I’d climbed past all the boys