Morning Cup of Murder Read Online Free PDF Page A

between them, and she wasn’t sure if it was because he was making fun of her or flirting with her. Was he reminding her of the difference in their social status during high school, or was he hinting that he wanted to date her now? Nervously, she glanced around again. “Do you come here often?”
    “Every night,” he said, “when I’m on duty. I like to think I’m doing my part to keep the town’s teen pregnancy rate in check by putting the fear of God into these kids.”
    “Is that why we’re here now? To frighten children?” She had the sudden vision of them banging on windows, scaring pimple-faced teenagers into celibacy. Strangely, the thought wasn’t repulsive to her. Maybe she truly wanted to keep kids on the path of righteousness, or maybe there was a hidden part of her that wanted to take a power trip.
    “No, that’s not why we’re here.” His warm tone caused her to look up at him in alarm. Surely he wasn’t suggesting they should make out, was he? Her heart started to thump painfully again. “It’s a pretty view,” he added, quelling her quaking nerves back into submission.
    “It is that,” she agreed. They both faced forward to watch the last few rays of sunlight dissolve into the horizon.
    “I’ve been watching you since you came back,” he announced into the sudden silence.
    “Creepy stalker, party of one, your table is ready,” she replied.
    He ignored her. “You’re interesting. You keep to yourself, but you’re observant. You watch people. I can’t figure out what’s going on in your head. And you’re funny, even when you’re not trying to be.” She frowned at that, but he didn’t notice.
    “Something happened in New York , something that hurt you,” he continued. Apparently she wasn’t the only observant one in the car. “No comment?” he asked, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.
    She remained stoic, enjoying the opportunity to have a legitimate reason to stare at him. He was so very pretty with his chiseled jaw, kaleidoscope eyes, and long, dark lashes.
    She wondered if he read the attraction she felt for him because he swallowed hard and cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I didn’t expect you to be interesting,” he commented. “I don’t remember you as being interesting before you went away. And I don’t remember…” He broke off and looked away, almost like he was embarrassed.
    “Don’t remember what?” she asked. Why did he have to stop talking just when he seemed to be getting to the good part?
    “I should get you home,” he said. He started the Jeep and pulled out of the lot, effectively cutting off any further communication. He pulled up behind her car, still parked in the jail lot. “I’ll follow you home,” he said.
    “Jason, what should I do about my grandma?” she asked.
    “Hire a good lawyer,” he said.
    She frowned, instantly furious with him all over again. “She didn’t do it.”
    He shrugged. “If Detective Brenner thinks she did, then he’ll do everything in his power to keep her in jail. She needs a lawyer, Lacy. A good one.”
    Lacy felt like crying and was suddenly desperate to get away from him before her tears could start. She fumbled for the latch on the seatbelt a few times before realizing it was stuck.
    “That happens sometimes,” he said. He leaned over her and pressed the release button. When it didn’t budge, he released his own belt and moved closer, placing both arms over her to try and reach the belt.
    Why does he have to smell so good she wondered. Female criminals must throw themselves at his feet, asking to be handcuffed.
    “This thing is really jammed,” he said. “There.” The latch popped free. He looked up at her with a smile and froze, very close to her face. “Sorry about that,” he whispered.
    “It’s okay,” she assured him. She had no idea why they were whispering.
    “I’ve never seen someone with red hair and no freckles,” he said. His eyes skimmed her face before resting