Free Sweet Ginger Poison by Robert Burton Robinson Page B

a
stereotype—but it’s true.”
    “Yeah.” She just stood there waiting for him to take
her seriously.
    Cash stopped what he was doing and looked at her.
“What?”
    “Navy was murdered.”
    “ Murdered? I though he just tripped and busted
his head open.”
    “They did an autopsy. He was poisoned.”
    “Well, I had nothing to do with it. Why is it bad news
for me?”
    “Because apparently the poison was in something he ate
or drank this morning. And I remember you coming out of your office to get him
a cup of coffee.”
    “Well, yeah. But I sure didn’t put anything in it.
They can test the cup and see for themselves.”
    “Yes, that’s right. They can test the Cash and
Carry coffee cup .”
    “Oh, I get what you’re saying. The police are going to
wonder what time he came by here.”
    “And Ginger Lightley’s probably already reported that
her recipe book was stolen.”
    “But they have no proof of anything.” His tense face
began to relax. “Navy’s dead. And the only other people who knew about the book
were you and me.”
    “Right.”
    “You didn’t tell anybody, did you?”
    She stepped in close and wrapped her arms around him
and looked up into his eyes, smiling. “Of course not. You know you can trust
me, Baby.” She reached up and pulled his head down to her and began to give him
a long, steamy kiss.
     
     

13 - Hiding the Gun
    Ginger was sitting in the living room in her robe with
the Saturday edition of the Coreyville Courier in one hand and a pencil in the
other. It was nearly her bedtime, but she was determined to get the crossword
puzzle finished. In tomorrow’s paper there would be another one, and she hated
to fall behind.
    She glanced up at the TV occasionally, when a story
caught her interest. But Channel 7 News made no mention of Navy. When the
sports segment came on, she clicked the remote to turn off the TV.
    She stood up and was about to turn off the lamp and go
to her bedroom when she heard a faint tapping sound. Then she realized someone
was at the front door.
    Ginger tiptoed over to the door and looked through the
peephole. Who could it be at this hour? It was Lacey, bundled up in a furry
hooded coat. Ginger opened the door.
    “I’m sorry, Mrs. Lightley. I hate to bother you so
late.”
    “Don’t be silly, Lacey. Come on in here and get out of
the cold.”
    Lacey stepped inside and Ginger closed the door.
    “Here, let me take your coat.”
    “No, that’s okay. I’m not staying long.”
    “Well, okay. Have a seat.”
    Lacey sat down on the couch.
    Ginger sat in her chair.
    “And quit calling me Mrs. Lightley,” said Ginger, in a
harsher tone than she had intended. She smiled and spoke gently. “Please. My
friends call me Ginger.”
    “So…we’re friends? ”
    “Of course,” said Ginger. “Now what can I do for you?”
    “Well, I’m worried about what the police chief said.”
    “You should be. It was obvious that you were
lying.”
    “So, you knew? I was afraid of that. I guess the chief
could tell too.”
    “Probably. Although I didn’t share my feelings with
him.”
    Lacey looked surprise. “You didn’t?”
    “No. And he didn’t tell me what he was thinking
either. I didn’t say anything because I don’t believe for one second that
you’re capable of killing somebody—even Navy. I mean, I know you had strong
feelings for him. Sometimes I wasn’t sure whether you loved him or hated him.
But clearly, you weren’t over him.”
    “I didn’t realize I was so transparent.”
    “Honey, it’s written all over your face. You’re so easy
to read.”
    Lacey blushed and lowered her head.
    “So, what’s the deal with the panties?” said Ginger,
without emotion.
    Lacey jerked as if she’d accidentally touched a hot
stove. “They’re mine.”
    “I was pretty sure they belonged to you.”
    “Why?”
    “I overheard you talking to a young woman in the
bakery one day. You were on a break and the two of you were looking through a
catalog. You