Murder On The Menu: The 1st Nikki Hunter Mystery (Nikki Hunter Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF

sweaters and tee shirts.
    I turned my attention to the bed. Picking up the Shrek doll I turned it over in my hands. There was a Velcro closure on the back. As I tugged at the Velcro I inadvertently squeezed the belly of the doll and a raspy voice croaked, “This is my swamp.” Smiling, I pulled open the Velcro at the back and Shrek said, “Thank you very much. I’m here till Thursday.” There were two AA batteries and a tiny speaker inside the doll, but no evidence that would lead me to Laura’s killer.
    I set the doll aside and looked under the pillows, inside the pillowcases, between the sheets, between the mattress and box spring, and under the bed. I stood on the bed and carefully removed the framed photo from the wall, checking the back for anything hidden there. After straightening the bed I peeked under the throw rugs.
    On one of the bedside tables was a Nora Roberts paperback. I flipped through the pages wondering if Laura might have been hoping to meet up with a hero and live happily ever after. I have mixed feelings about romance novels. I think the unrealistic expectations they create are responsible for a lot of failed relationships, but I also love the happy endings.
    I emptied the nightstand drawers, then looked behind them, finding nothing of interest. I tugged the heavy bed away from the wall so I could see behind the headboard.
    I was feeling frustrated and my lower back ached. I wondered if a quick dip in Laura’s Jacuzzi would be inappropriate.
    I entered the walk-in closet. Laura had everything the well-dressed débutante would wear, plus an assortment of spandex and leather garments that almost made me blush. I wondered if Laura had separated the aspects of her life as successfully as she had separated her wardrobe choices. I was glad Kate had chosen not to join me while I searched her daughter’s room.
    I checked all the pockets, and then pushed the clothes aside and looked behind them. If you’re going to do something, do it well . That was my maternal grandmother speaking. She passed away when I was thirty, but I still hear her voice.
    I finished my search of the closet finding nothing more fascinating than a pair of navy and white T-Strap Ferragamos.
    I rummaged through the desk and found an assortment of mundane office supplies. In the Pendaflex drawer was an accordion file of bank statements. I opened the most recent envelope and scanned the deposits and withdrawals. There were two automatic deposits listed, noting that the source of the deposits was the ‘ Fanny Pack ’. That was interesting. The Fanny Pack was a local strip club. I wondered if I should bring this up with Kate, and decided to wait until I knew more, and perhaps until Kate was suffering less. I set the file by the bedroom door.
    I removed each drawer from the desk and checked the bottoms, sides, and backs, hoping something had been taped there like in the movies. No such luck. I got down on my hands and knees and looked under the desk. I hauled it away from the wall, careful not to disconnect the telephone. As I was pushing it back it occurred to me that there was one essential item missing from this room. Laura didn’t have a computer. Her father owned a software company. Maybe it was her way of showing contempt for him or for what he chose to do with his life.
    Nothing in the room provided any insight into why Laura had been killed. I don’t know what I’d expected to find. Maybe a hidden stash of methamphetamines. It wasn’t likely she’d had advance knowledge of her impending death. Not like she could leave some kind of a clue behind. That would be too much to hope for.
    I sat down on the bed and studied the entertainment center. Most of the videotapes and DVDs were in cardboard or plastic boxes advertising the enclosed movies, but there was one VHS box without a label. I got up, turned on the VCR, and inserted the Fuji cassette. After I got the TV on the right channel and remembered that I had to push play , the