Free A Taste of Magic (A Sugarcomb Lake Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Alaine Allister

upon himself to kill Jed Black?
    Hmm…that was a possibility.
    Well, there was only one way to find out for sure.
    Clarissa unbuckled her seatbelt and was just about to step out of her car when the front door of the Babcock residence opened.  Out walked none other than Parker Tweed!  And as Clarissa looked on in disbelief, he walked over to the flashy red sports car and got behind the wheel.
    She was seeing red! 
    Impulsively, Clarissa stormed over.  She stood there glowering at him through the window until he noticed her.  He went to roll the window down but she opened the door right up. 
    “Just what do you think you’re doing?!” she demanded, practically breathing fire.
    “I’ve heard of road rage but this is a bit excessive, don’t you think?  I’m not even moving yet!”
    She wasn’t in the mood for jokes.  She scowled at him.  “You came to visit without me.”
    “And you came to visit without me!” he pointed out, ever reasonable.  “How can you get mad at me for doing the exact same thing you were about to do?  On what planet does that even make sense?  You’re just upset that I beat you to it.” 
    That only infuriated Clarissa more.  Any guilt she had felt over withholding certain details from Parker was instantly alleviated.  Right now the only emotion she felt was anger.  How dare that vile man step on her toes and look so good doing it! 
    She didn’t want to let him know how much he got under her skin.  That would give the smug jerk far too much satisfaction!  So she took a deep breath to calm herself.  Then in a sugary sweet tone she informed her arch nemesis, “I hope you got what you wanted.  Have a wonderful day.” 
    With that, Clarissa she flipped her hair, stuck her nose in the air and sauntered over to the house as if Parker Tweed didn’t exist.  Then she knocked on the front door like a woman who meant business.
    When she snuck a peek over her shoulder she saw that Parker’s eyes were still on her.  She couldn’t help but smile to herself.  He may have won the battle but she was winning the war.
    The front door to the house suddenly opened, startling Clarissa.
    “Yes?” a white haired gentleman clad in jeans and a camouflage jacket asked.
    “Hi!” Clarissa said, wondering how she was going to talk her way inside.  Since she didn’t have a better idea, she opted to go with the truth.  “I’m an independent reporter from Sugarcomb Lake and I was wondering if –”
    “I’m sorry,” the man interrupted her wearily.  “No comment.”
    He began to shut the door. 
    “Wait!” Clarissa cried out, sure Parker was still watching and not wanting to look stupid.  “I know Bonnie.  I was there when she was arrested and I think the whole thing is a complete farce.  I am a reporter, but I’m also dedicated to finding out the truth about what really happened.  Your daughter says she’s innocent and I believe her.  I want to help!”
    The man who Clarissa suspected to be Bonnie’s father froze. 
    He appeared to be mulling over her words, silently sizing her up and assessing her credibility. 
    Then he opened the door up a crack.
    “You really mean that?” he asked, as if he was afraid to even hope.  “Most of the reporters who have been coming around here are only interested in making Bonnie out to be a monster.  My little girl is no monster, and she’s no killer either.”
    “I know,” Clarissa nodded.  “But I think the police have a different idea.”
    The man’s face darkened.  “What did you say your name was, again?”
    “Clarissa,” she said, sticking her hand out.  “Clarissa Spencer.  And you’re William Babcock?”
    “Call me Will,” he replied, shaking her hand gratefully.  Then he opened the door right up.  “Come in,” he said, ushering her inside.
    A little voice in the back of Clarissa’s head reminded her that William Babcock was a suspect.  He may very well be a cold blooded killer – and there she was