Free Oven Baked Secrets (Eugeena Patterson Mysteries Book 2) by Tyora Moody

the counter. He was graying around the temples and his hairline was receding. He wore his hair in a buzz cut which made his puffy cheeks look not quite as tough as he might have wanted it to appear. He stared at me. “Can I help you, ma’am?”
    “Yes, I’m looking for Detective Wilkes. I have some information about the William Hopkins case.”
    The officer whose badge read, Officer Gonzalez, responded, “I will see if she’s in. Have a seat over there?” He pointed to hardback plastic chairs across from the desk.
    I decided to stand and smiled. “I’ll wait here, son.”
    The officer raised his eyebrow, but picked up the phone. “Your name, ma’am?”
    “Eugeena Patterson.”
    I looked around as he called Detective Wilkes.
    Officer Gonzalez placed the phone down and said, “She will be here in a few minutes.”
    “Thank you.”
    A few minutes later, Detective Wilkes walked up to me looking weary, with deep circles under her eyes. How could she solve a crime appearing this sleep-deprived?
    I frowned, “Honey, do you ever sleep?”
    Detective Wilkes barely smiled and her left eye seemed to have a tick going. “I have been suffering a bit of insomnia as of late. What do you have for me, Mrs. Patterson?”
    “Well, when you left yesterday, you didn’t really ask information specifically about William. You are going to look into his activities prior to his… well, murder?”
    “Mrs. Patterson, I promise you I will turn over every aspect of the victim’s life.”
    “What about his sudden access to money?”
    Detective Wilkes frowned. “Did Mrs. Hopkins say anything to you?”
    “No, but I’ve known William since he was this high.” I brought my hand to my hip. “He’s always had his hand out for money and has lived a rather nomadic lifestyle that’s led him to all
kinds
of people. Louise is not lacking in finances and it’s my understanding William had power of attorney over his mother’s money.”
    “Okay, I do understand Mr. Hopkins traveled a bit and he seems to have enjoyed access to money.”
    “I’m glad you picked up on that too? Do you remember when Louise got hurt this past summer and her son showed up at the hospital?”
    Detective Wilkes shook her head. “I don’t know if I remember seeing her son then.”
    “Oh you did, you probably just didn’t match that unkempt man with the ragged ponytail with the one you found on Sunday evening in a very expensive suit.”
    Detective Wilkes seemed to perk up for a slight minute. Her eyes flashed. “Okay I get it. Mr. Hopkins definitely had a change in his lifestyle. Mrs. Patterson, I appreciate –”
    I held up my hands as though I could physically stop her from dismissing me, “There’s more you should know. According to my sources, William had a business partner and they were investing in something big, some technology startup company here in Charleston.” I didn’t need to let Detective Wilkes know my source was my son.
    The detective frowned. “Your source? That’s interesting, Mrs. Patterson.”
    “You do know you can call me Eugeena, right?”
    The detective shook her head as if she was trying to shake something out of her ears. “Mrs… Eugeena. Look, I’m really glad you came by to enlighten me about William’s lifestyle. I will certainly look into all of this.”
    I eyed her and asked, “But you’re still thinking Jocelyn Miller’s showing up on Sunday is highly suspicious.”
    “Eugeena.” The detective folded her arms. “I can’t share anything about this case with you.”
    I started to twist my hands. “I just don’t want any more heartache to come to this family. There’s a chance that Louise may want to connect with this family and I hate for there to be anything hanging over their heads about William’s death.”
    “That’s not my intentions.” Detective Wilkes’ green eyes flashed as she looked off in another direction and then back at me. “You know now that you’re here, I have a question for