Free Murder Served Cold by Elizabeth Holly Page B

her lips. “Also, they let Allen go, so I’ve taken down the flyers. We don’t need them now that he’s free. They couldn’t hold him when his knife didn’t match up to the one that Rodger was stabbed with.”
    “Thank you,” I said.
    “Most of them had mysteriously disappeared.” Her eyes narrowed. “I’m sure you don’t know anything about that, do you?”
    “Nothing at all,” I said cheerfully. I wasn’t about to tell her that Kevin had torn them down.
    “Seventeen!” the server called out.
    “That’s us,” I said.



CHAPTER FOURTEEN

    Watching the dance crew perform, I came to a realization. It was one that I didn’t like. “I think Tim’s the killer,” I said softly.
    “What?” Jade cupped her hand to her ear. The music was pumping at full volume as Corey performed an impressive move on the dance floor. He had returned a few minutes ago.
    I whispered it into her ear, not wanting my opinion to be the talk of the town.
    “I thought we agreed he wasn’t.” Her eyes widened. “It would sense. He could have slipped out for a few minutes without anyone noticing. Stab your father and return to work.” Her shoulders sank. “I wish it didn’t make sense.”
    “Tim was lying when he said he’d found Colleen lying in her house. He had easy access to the crime scene both times. He wasn’t a fan of his father, and he’s the only other person who knew about Colleen.”
    “Why kill her, though?” Jade questioned.
    “I think he believes that she influenced Rodger when they were younger, driving him to become a selfish person. When I was talking with him earlier, he told me how Colleen had had everything growing up and Rodger was given nothing. He was neglected while Colleen was doted upon. Tim was very bitter when he told me that,” I said, remembering the hatred in his eyes when he was talking about his father’s childhood. We had discussed that after I assured him that’s he’d make something with his life. I guess my talk hadn’t been convincing enough.
    Jade gritted her teeth. “I can’t believe I hired a murderer to work at my shop. And, Tim, of all people!”
    Just then, Corey swooped by and offered his hand to Jade. They danced to a slow song while I finished my food. I clapped with everyone else when the song was over.
    Jade was bright red when she returned to our table.
    “Corey!” I called out. Jade tried to hush me, but I waved him over. Instead of teasing him about Jade, like she’d thought I was about to do, I told him my suspicions about Tim. Corey swiftly nodded and said he’d check it out, although he thought that the police would already be doing that since I had told them that Tim had found Colleen.

    Corey danced by our table while we were eating desert — ice cream sundaes with brownie bits sprinkled on top. “They checked out Tim. Let’s keep this between ourselves, but it ended up that the Becker family was in the middle of a heated argument. Word will be out about this at any minute, knowing how fast news travels around here. We just don’t need to add to the rumors.”
    “What happened?” Jade asked, worried.
    “They were arguing over who would take care of a crazy family member. Apparently Rodger left behind a letter, detailing all the horrible stuff his sister had done to him. Who knows how much of it is true. Anyway, the family sent Tim to see how she was doing. He went into the house, found her dead on the floor, freaked out, and ran. A neighbor saw him drive up and go into the house, saw you guys drive up, and so on. According to the medics, Colleen was dead for an hour before Tim entered the house. He’s clear.”
    He danced away to rejoin his crew for the next number.
    “I can’t believe I had it wrong,” I said. I’d been so sure. It had all added up.
    Jade had a look of relief on her face. She twisted a strand of her chin-length dark hair. “I’m glad it’s not Tim. He deserves a good life.”
    “I agree.” I was glad that Tim was