Free Diva 01 _ Diva Runs Out of Thyme, The by Krista Davis Page A

killer.”

    “But I didn’t do anything. There can’t be any witnesses or anything tying me to either murder because I didn’t kill anyone.”

    “Oh, Sophie!” June interjected. “Don’t be naive. Mars’s father always said most killers are convicted on circumstantial evidence.”

    June didn’t sound delusional now. Mars’s father had been a judge. June probably knew a thing or two about trials.

    Dad massaged his jaw. “Let’s not mention anything to your mother or Hannah yet. They’re in vacation mode and will be oblivious to the news for a few days. Tomorrow I want you to call a lawyer.”

    June studied her knitting, a soft cream sweater with a thin thread of bronze Lurex shot through the wool. “Could Natasha have had time to kill Simon and wait for you to enter the room before raising the alarm?”

    Given the way she’d been treated, I couldn’t blame June for disliking Natasha, but I honestly couldn’t imagine Natasha murdering Simon and trying to pin it on me. She prided herself on her own perfection and expected nothing less from others. While that made her seem starchy sometimes—okay, a lot of the time—I’d known her long enough to think it unlikely that she could be the killer.

    On the other hand, June made a good point. Natasha knew I was looking for Simon. “I’m sure she could have. There were two back doors to a service corridor. Anyone could have slipped away quickly.”

    I checked the time. If we were going to eat turkey, I would have to get moving.

    Dad and June joined the others in the sunroom. As soon as they left the kitchen, I phoned an attorney I’d met in passing several times. I knew he wouldn’t answer since it was Thanksgiving but I left a detailed message anyway in the hope that he would be working on Friday.

    I hung up, picked up the coffeepot, and realized that Craig was lurking in the kitchen behind me, listening. He wore running shoes, a Georgetown University sweatshirt, and shorts that showed off long muscular legs.

    I hated that he’d overheard my call. And his habit of sneaking around and eavesdropping didn’t do anything to engender warm feelings for him. Mindful of Hannah’s outburst the night before, I asked politely, “Coffee?”

    He reached back with his left arm, grabbed his left foot, and stood one-legged while he stretched. “No, thanks. I’m going for a run.”

    An awkward moment passed between us.

    “If you’re half the cook Hannah says you are, I’m certain I’ll be overeating later.” He flashed me a grin of perfect teeth. “Better work off some calories ahead of time.”

    It was a transparent effort to be nice but I gave him credit for trying. I followed him to the front door, opened it, and said, “Enjoy your run.”

    Laughter filtered in from the sunroom. I returned to the kitchen, set the oven to preheat and slid off my sweater, then took the coffeepot into the sunroom to see if anyone needed refills.

    Bernie had stepped outside to use the phone. Through the glass, I could see his worried expression. Daisy roamed near him and sniffed at the overturned pots I’d forgotten to set straight.

    While I poured coffee, Bernie returned, shivering.

    “That was Mars. Bad news, I’m afraid,” said Bernie. “They had a rather nasty fire in Natasha’s kitchen last night.”

    June paled. “Was Mars hurt?”

    Everyone asked questions at once.

    Bernie motioned for quiet. “Mars and Natasha are fine but the house is uninhabitable. They’ve moved into a hotel and, of course, there will be no grand feast at Natasha’s place today.”

    “You’re welcome to join us,” I offered. “We have plenty. I bought way too much anyway.”

    Mom rewarded me with a proud smile.

    June looked down at the partially knitted sweater in her lap. “That’s very kind of you, Sophie. I only wish I could spend some time with Mars. I had hoped to have some private time with him today while Natasha cooked.”

    “I know exactly how you feel.”