Free A Zen For Murder (Mooseamuck Island Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Leighann Dobbs Page B

killed Zoila.”
    “ Meow! ” The cat looked up at Claire, then glared at Dom before continuing on her path along the length of the dock.
    “That’s exactly what we need. Someone who might have seen something but didn't realize it was important, so they didn’t come forward,” Dom said.
    “Yeah. But preferably someone who can actually talk,” Claire replied.
    Dom watched the cat amble lazily down the wooden dock toward the shops, thinking what a great source of information it would be, with the run of the island and noone censoring their conversations around her. The cat would be privy to all sorts of information.  
    A light blinked in Dom’s brain, and he thought of someone else who might be in a similar situation but could actually communicate with them. “Kenneth said the Flannery kid rode his bike past Zoila’s yesterday on his way through the conservation area. Do the kids ride through there a lot?”
    “I think so. I remember Robby saying he has to give them a talking to a lot because the bikes are wearing down the paths.”
    “Maybe one of them saw something and was too scared to say so, or didn’t realize it might be significant,” Dom suggested.
    “Could be. We should definitely ask around,” Claire agreed. “If I was being called in as a consultant, I’d know exactly what to do next. But now that we aren’t with the police, things need to be handled differently. What do you suggest we do?”
    Dom was glad Claire was asking his opinion instead of dictating the tasks. Maybe this partnership would work out, after all. “I say we talk to Norma and find out just what Zambuco is up to. We might be able to figure out what he is thinking and anticipate his next move by the questions he asked her. Maybe you can talk to your nephew and see if he will give us any insider information on the case.”  
    “Sure, I can do that. I don’t know what he’ll share with me, but every little bit helps and I feel like we better get to the bottom of this ourselves before Zambuco comes up with the wrong conclusion and arrests the wrong person.”
    “And the real killer gets off scot-free.” Dom glanced over at the shops in time to see Mae coming out of the fish store with a brown paper package in her hand. Apparently, she’d traded jam for fish. Life was going on as normal here on Mooseamuck Island—the islanders seemed to be unconcerned that a killer was running around loose.  
    An icy finger danced up his spine, causing an involuntary shiver as Dom wondered if Zoila would be the only victim, or if the killer was already busy planning his next murder.

Chapter Twelve

    “And what do you two want?” Norma glared from her desk at Dom and Claire, who stood just inside the doorway of her studio.
    “We’re trying to help you,” Claire said softly. “Zambuco’s coming by. He found out you had a fight with Zoila.”
    “Already been by,” Norma snapped. “Asked a lot of annoying questions, just like you did.”
    Dom stepped inside the small studio and Claire followed behind him, then shut the door. The sun filtered in from the large window in the front, highlighting the bright colors of Norma’s paintings that hung on every inch of wall space. The closed-in space intensified the smell of oil and turpentine, and Dom stifled a sneeze. “What, exactly, did he ask?”
    Norma waved her hand in the air dismissively. “Oh, you know. Where was I this morning? What did I fight with Zoila about? Did I kill her? The usual interrogation stuff.”
    “And what did you tell him?” Dom asked.
    “I told him it was none of his business, just like it’s none of yours.”
    Claire flapped her hands against her sides in frustration. “We’re just trying to help. If you tell us what this is all about, we can try to figure out who the killer is and get Zambuco off your back. But when you remain silent like this, you’re making it seem like you did kill Zoila.”
    Norma pushed herself up from her desk and took a few steps